pre-matricualtion program stigma?

[sillyrabbit0207]

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Do these programs have a stigma? Some schools that have these programs have a brief paragraph of description and will say something as in 'there is no application process...' 'you will be informed upon offer of acceptance if required to complete the program etc...'

I know every school program is different but what do most of these programs include? Is it for students with low grades or gpas? I am required to do one for the school that I will be matriculating in the fall. I'm not complaining, its free with free housing and a stipend and seems like a good program but the school website is so discrete about the program that it kind of causes me to be wary :/ The way I was notified in my acceptance letter was through a 7 word sentence in a page of words, literally: 'You have to attend the pre-marticulation program'.

No dates, no description on the program, no nothing... the letter went on to talk about other standard acceptance information that is unrelated to the program

 

[gyngyn]

If they are willing to take a risk on you, they want to make sure that you are likely to succeed.
You will make friends and have study partners while others are still finding a place to rent.
Go for it.

 

[Ismet]

The pre-mat program at my school is something people apply for. Often non-trads who want to get back into the mindset of school. I think they get anatomy and biochem lectures and take an anatomy exam or something, as well as PBLs. There's no stigma associated with the program here, but then again it's not required.

A good lesson to learn early on is that you should never be afraid to ask for help. Screw stigma, it's better to get help and succeed than to struggle under some facade that you're doing all right. So if the program is aimed at helping you prepare for MS1, absolutely do it.

 

[WinslowPringle]

It seems like my pre-M1 enrichment class was divided half between non-trads/non-science majors and science majors who wanted to get a leg up. Definitely no stigma here, plus housing and a stipend.

 

[hmockingbird]

You also had to apply for ours. I did it because I was a non-science major - I thought it helped me ease into science and the pace of med school, and it was nice to meet people before school.

I'm with Ismet on not being afraid to ask for help. Many of top students in our class have tutors, because it helps to go over things one on one with someone. There is no stigma at my school, at least, for asking for help. If anything, when we've heard of a classmate getting into a bad situation (like repeating a year) people often ask each other why the person didn't get help sooner. Obviously those situations usually are a little more complicated than that, but my point is at least here, it's viewed as a positive and proactive thing.