Ock-
Well harvard would be this summer ... but like you ... Penn works for me as I'm 20 mins from campus, don't have to relocate. That is what my mom was on me for ... if I go to boston, even though I think it might be better opportunities because of the linking health systems ... and I'd LOVE to be in boston ... it would be more expensive for me and I'd have to relocate knowing NOONE except my cousin who's at northeastern, plus its more expensive ...so ... Penn it will be for me! Luckily, i'm unattached so its just me, but financially I can't be sinking myself here ... I'd like to stay self-sufficient and not worry the rents b/c they can't help me out financially anyway.
I'm concerned with financial aid because I can't afford this on my own and I'm really concerned due to my HORRID undergrad GPA and decent MBA grades that taking my 8 classes won't boost my GPA to help me get in ... even though my other science classes are like 6 yrs old
(gen chem) ... so I'm kind of torn on what to do in that regard. I'd like to take classes while I'm applying anyways, but I'm thinking either taking just higher level at Penn or doing a "real" program (ie BU's, or any of the other SMP's out there) but I have to make sure funds are there
My other alternative is getting a fulltime job at Penn/Chop - getting THEM to pay for my classes then saving financial aid for SMP (if I can't only get financial aid for post-bacc ... not prereqs AND post bacc) ... that would put me out like 2 years though and an additional year or two from applying. As of right now I'm not applying till 2007