Penn Post Bacc Successes??

[MadeinLondon]

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hey there! I am a penn post bacc and i haven't applied to med school yet, will be in the upcoming cycle and i was wondering if there are any penn post bacc alums on here that would like to share their successes in terms of applying last cycle and getting in, maybe even bravely post your numbers. I have been recently become quite nervous about applying and how effective the post bacc is, since there has been a number of administrative changes at penn. any advice would also be useful! basically anything that will keep me hopeful for the application cycle!! thanks😀

 

[drizzt3117]

There's a ton of Penn people that seem to have had a lot of success this cycle. Most of them post in pre-allo as opposed to here though.

 

[RoadRunner17]

 

[riceman04]

everyone on the corner wants swagger like rice...swagger like rice...swagger swagger like rice!!!

 

[hwpo]

There's a ton of Penn people that seem to have had a lot of success this cycle. Most of them post in pre-allo as opposed to here though.

Do you have the link to the pre-allo page discussing the success of this or past cycles at UPenn special sciences program (not pre-health)? I can't find it.

thanks

 

[drizzt3117]

Do you have the link to the pre-allo page discussing the success of this or past cycles at UPenn special sciences program (not pre-health)? I can't find it.

thanks

Both of the posters above you went to Penn SSP and have multiple acceptances... There are a lot more people out there in the same boat. It's a good program.

 

[hwpo]

,

 

[hwpo]

,

 

[hwpo]

Both of the posters above you went to Penn SSP and have multiple acceptances... There are a lot more people out there in the same boat. It's a good program.

I realize this. I guess those threads don't exist in the pre-allo forums that you were talking about discussing UPenn special science success. It would be nice to read about more than a handful of peoples' successes with it.

 

[drizzt3117]

I realize this. I guess those threads don't exist in the pre-allo forums that you were talking about discussing UPenn special science success. It would be nice to read about more than a handful of peoples' successes with it.

there's no specific thread about it. The amount of people that post here relative to the amount of people at a program is pretty small. There are only a few people that post here even from Georgetown's SMP each year even though they have 150+ people in the program.

 

[hwpo]

there's no specific thread about it. The amount of people that post here relative to the amount of people at a program is pretty small. There are only a few people that post here even from Georgetown's SMP each year even though they have 150+ people in the program.

Yes true but I am just going off of the statement you made that people from the UPenn SSP are posting in the pre-allo forums. THAT'S ALL. So being that I heard this I was going off of the idea that there were others besides the 2 I have read. If there would be just 1 or 2 more posting about their success with the program that would be fine. I am not looking for 50 success stories because I do realize only a small percentage posts on SDN. It is just nice to do some research on successes before actually deciding on a program. I am upset that UPenn does not even keep hard numbers and percentages of those that get into allopathic medical schools from the SPECIAL SCIENCES PROGRAM ALONE, not combined pre-health and SSP. They don't even have numbers available on those that link into the Robert Woods Johnson Medical School. So I don't know how serious the faculty takes the program and the director left the program so I hope it is clear why I would have concerns. Anyone know about the new director?

 

[deleted248403]

This thread has been pretty interesting. I've been trying to figure whether I wanna go to UPenn or UMDNJ-Newark. I got into both and am still waiting on UConn and BU. UConn is in-state so thats a big plus, but I think i'm going to pick UPenn over UMDNJ at the moment.

 

[hwpo]

This thread has been pretty interesting. I've been trying to figure whether I wanna go to UPenn or UMDNJ-Newark. I got into both and am still waiting on UConn and BU. UConn is in-state so thats a big plus, but I think i'm going to pick UPenn over UMDNJ at the moment.

If you get into BU as well what do you think you would choose. I am in both and am 50/50 between UPenn and BU and waiting to get off waitlist at Georgetown, if I do. Maybe the following might help if you put it into this form. I can fill in some of the major ones for me at least. Feel free to add to the list.

Pros UPenn SSP
20K cheaper
Name/Ivy league
Accelerated Linkage with RWJMS at 3.6 SSP GPA and 3.2 uGPA (but don't know how many spots open)
I think around a 65-70% success rate (SSP alone) from what I asked my interviewer but he was just guessing








Pros BU MAMS
Degree granting (I don't know how much of a pro this is tho)
More structured and older program (Display more numbers about successes)
Better success rate (80-85%) but not by too much more....(can't ever really know bc UPenn doesn't hold success rate for SSP)
Classes in Medical School
Don't need as high of an MCAT as would need in UPenn to offset low GPA (~3.3 or lower) ..... from what I have gathered

 

[drizzt3117]

Pros BU MAMS
Degree granting (I don't know how much of a pro this is tho)
More structured and older program (Display more numbers about successes)
Better success rate (80-85%) but not by too much more....(can't ever really know bc UPenn doesn't hold success rate for SSP)
Classes in Medical School
Don't need as high of an MCAT as would need in UPenn to offset low GPA (~3.3 or lower) ..... from what I have gathered

Remember that those statistics for MAMS are for those who SUCCESSFULLY finish the program...It's a lot harder to do that from a SMP than it is to do well at SSP.

 

[deleted248403]

I'd prob choose UPenn over BU/Tufts. I've good things about the UPenn program. I wasn't impressed with the class offerings I must admit.
It is cheaper than BU/Tufts but more expensive than UConn. If you do the SSP, you could always go do a SMP I suppose afterwards if you were so inclined.

 

[hwpo]

Remember that those statistics for MAMS are for those who SUCCESSFULLY finish the program...It's a lot harder to do that from a SMP than it is to do well at SSP.

It is for everyone who finishes the program. I just called in last week to ask about it to Dr. Broitman. Very few people drop out..I think he said only a few over the past 5 years or so. Only about 2% of that number is for osteopathic also.


Also where did you attend post-bacc/smp....i think i recall u did....and how would u rate it?

 

[drizzt3117]

It is for everyone who finishes the program. I just called in last week to ask about it to Dr. Broitman. Very few people drop out..I think he said only a few over the past 5 years or so. Only about 2% of that number is for osteopathic also.


Also where did you attend post-bacc/smp....i think i recall u did....and how would u rate it?

It also includes Caribbean.

I went to Scripps for postbac. It was a good program that definitely lived up to its reputation.

 

[hwpo]

It also includes Caribbean.

I went to Scripps for postbac. It was a good program that definitely lived up to its reputation.

Not quite the case about Caribbean!

Directly from the program

"Over the past 14 years this program has been one of the best in the country at identifying outstanding candidates for medical and other health care related schools. In fact, of the 661 graduates, 572 have been admitted to MD or MD/PhD programs at 74 allopathic medical schools ACROSS THE COUNTRY."


Only a fraction of a fraction 1-2% (if that) got to Caribbean, which isn't included in the percentage I spoke of. You lose credibility when say things like that.

 

[deleted248403]

Not quite the case!

Only a fraction of a fraction 1-2% (if that) got to Caribbean, which isn't included in the percentage I spoke of. You lose credibility when say things like that.

No need for quite such a personal attack hwpo. If you don't like drizzt's info, then don't ask them so many questions. So far, everyone else seems to value their advice.

Where is the statistic on there website that clearly states the number that go to the caribbean? You showed the US statistics, but not what their offical foregin numbers are. Also, schools play games with their numbers whenever they can - across the country may be including puerto rico whilst technically not part of the US is a protectorate.

I always read official school stats with a pinch of salt as they will spin and manipulate it any way they can to inflate their numbers. I don't blame them, but its just part of the game

 

[Stixman28]

UPenn Success here.

Accepted to 4 schools.

1 friend accepted to 4.

1 friend accepted to 5.

1 friend accepted to multiple top 10's.

We were all pre-health, and i know we all turned down multiple interviews too.

SSP friend at least accepted to his top choice and one other, not sure how many more.

Edit: oh yeah, not sure the total number of UMDNJ linkages from SS, but two of my close friends landed there and are finishing first year now. Many many many folks linked to jeff, drexel, penn, pitt out of the pre health program

 

[drizzt3117]

Not quite the case!

Directly from the program

"Over the past 14 years this program has been one of the best in the country at identifying outstanding candidates for medical and other health care related schools. In fact, of the 661 graduates, 572 have been admitted to MD or MD/PhD programs at 74 allopathic medical schools ACROSS THE COUNTRY."


Only a fraction of a fraction 1-2% (if that) got to Caribbean, which isn't included in the percentage I spoke of. You lose credibility when say things like that.

You'll also notice that statistic didn't give a timeframe...

 

[hwpo]

No need for quite such a personal attack hwpo. If you don't like drizzt's info, then don't ask them so many questions. So far, everyone else seems to value their advice.

Where is the statistic on there website that clearly states the number that go to the caribbean? You showed the US statistics, but not what their offical foregin numbers are. Also, schools play games with their numbers whenever they can - across the country may be including puerto rico whilst technically not part of the US is a protectorate.

I always read official school stats with a pinch of salt as they will spin and manipulate it any way they can to inflate their numbers. I don't blame them, but its just part of the game

There are no personal attacks here robflanker...come on now. I ask questions to things I DONT KNOW on these threads. Drizz was trying to disprove what I was using as supporting material for my questions. He comes out with things that aren't true thus losing some credibility.....get over it.

I don't take the programs info as 100% true but you have to at least look at it and give it some value.


And the 571 (85%) number is for US allopathic medical schools, with the vast majority being after 2 years of the completion date at BU MAMS.

Here is the rest from BU MAMS: http://gmsfile.bumc.bu.edu/current/Catalog/medsci/intro.htm

"Over the past 14 years this program has been one of the best in the country at identifying outstanding candidates for medical and other health care related schools. In fact, of the 661 graduates, 572 have been admitted to MD or MD/PhD programs at 74 allopathic medical schools across the country. An additional small percentage of students with dual citizenship have chosen to enroll in European medical schools in England, Ireland, Sweden and Israel. Another small percentage of our students have gained admission to osteopathic medical schools and schools of dental medicine. The excellent preparation provided by the program is further evidenced by the fact that the percentage of MA students in a medical class who earn honors recognition in both basic sciences and clinical courses exceeds their overall percentage composition of the medical school class. In addition to the outstanding academic training provided, Boston University School of Medicine is a major academic research center offering a wide variety of research opportunities in both basic science and clinical settings."

 

[deleted248403]

If you are so sold on it - go there

 

[hwpo]

If I am sold on it I wouldn't be looking for more info on SDN. I am presenting the information on both programs and someone was skewing the correct info on BU... just because I am and want to present the correct info on BU does not mean I am sold on it. I see great things about each program....I don't pick one program and become sold on it and discredit the other.

Also I have read some of drizz's other posts and he/she seems to have it out for BU because he/she did not get accepted there, thus giving me support why he would skew BU MAMS numbers. Go ahead and do some reading yourself, and make your own opinion. He/she also has some immature statements about the things surrounding the "Craigslist Killer" and bashing BU admissions about it.

 

[drizzt3117]

If I am sold on it I wouldn't be looking for more info on SDN. I am presenting the information on both programs and someone was skewing the correct info on BU... just because I am and want to present the correct info on BU does not mean I am sold on it. I see great things about each program....I don't pick one program and become sold on it and discredit the other.

I think those numbers are generally BS. 661 graduates in 14 years? How many people are in the program at any given time? Class size 220? How does that work?

How many of the candidates were viable candidates for med school that would probably have gotten in anyway? The real evidence you need is what the success rate is for people with your sort of entering profile. Personally I do think the SMP IS the best way to go for you, but stop drinking the koolaid about 85% success rate. It's individually dependent and there are lots of grads that don't get into med school.

Take a look at the "what are my chances" forum and look at the girl writing about her BF not getting in after 3 cycles and doing the Georgetown SMP with a 3.8 GPA and 3.4 undergrad GPA <shrug> SMP's are generally a good choice for people who have no other choices, but they are a last resort, and if you don't do well in the program, you are DONE. No med school will take people who don't do well (3.5+) in a SMP.

 

[hwpo]

I think those numbers are generally BS. 661 graduates in 14 years? How many people are in the program at any given time? Class size 220? How does that work?

How many of the candidates were viable candidates for med school that would probably have gotten in anyway? The real evidence you need is what the success rate is for people with your sort of entering profile. Personally I do think the SMP IS the best way to go for you, but stop drinking the koolaid about 85% success rate. It's individually dependent and there are lots of grads that don't get into med school.

The class size has been increasing each year...hasn't always been that big...it is around 150 now.

REALLY?.....I am not "drinking the koolaid" lol. Success rate is one of the most important numbers for smp and should give some weight to it. It is you guys blowing it out of proportion. If I was sold on the number than I would hands down go to BU, which I haven't decided yet....come on now.

 

[drizzt3117]

The class size has been increasing each year...hasn't always been that big...it is around 150 now.

REALLY?.....I am not "drinking the koolaid" lol. Success rate is one of the most important numbers for smp and should give some weight to it. It is you guys blowing it out of proportion. If I was sold on the number than I would hands down go to BU, which I haven't decided yet....come on now.

You might also want to find out how many people aren't allowed to continue due to low grades in 1st sem/year. SMPs are high risk propositions. If you do well, you'll have a good chance to get accepted into a medical school. If not, then you won't have any chance. A program like SSP, if you do well (mostly As) can only help you, even if the boost you get is not as big as the SMP.

Like I said before, in your situation, I'd do the SMP because unless you do exceptionally well on the MCAT you won't have an incredible chance coming in with a 3.2. You just have to understand that you HAVE to do well or else you won't have any chance going forward. If that's unacceptable, then do SSP.