Program advice from those who have been there!

[GatorGrad]

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Hello everyone,

I am happy to say that I have been accepted to three masters program, after being rejected from all my medical schools last summer. Now, I have to make a decision and I would like your advice/thoughts. My situation: 2005 UF grad, 2004 April MCAT 27Q: 10V, 9B, 8P. 3.0 Sci GPA, 3.2 overall GPA. As you can see, I need to pursue a program that will show the adcom that I can perform and survive the med school curriculum. I will also retake the MCAT, since I will be more knowledgeable by next spring.

I have been accepted to Drexel's IMS program, BU's MAMS, and USF's Pharmacology Masters, offered through the USF med school. I am waitlisted at GU's SMP. The cheapest for me is USF, but many adcom say that they don't know much about the program and it may not help me as a reapplicant. USF's adcom say that it is a solid program. After my research, I think BU will make me a competitive reapplicant, but it is very expensive.

My questions:
-Would it be as helpful if I attended Drexel and received a certificate only, instead of completing the masters program? Or, would it be better to attend BU and receive a masters degree in one year?

- I will not apply until the summer of 2006, so if I attend BU or GU, I would have a lag year. You might say why not just attend Drexel for two years? A lag year would offer me a welcomed break and a chance to work in research and make some $$$. What is your advice on what to do during that year?

- Should I totally cross off the program at USF?

- Are the programs at BU and Georgetown equally successful in helping reapplicants? Or should I wait on GU? Both cities seem to be as expensive to live in.

- Is anyone else taking out loans to cover the entire tuition? Is it totally insane? I think it's all worth it, if you suck it up for a couple of years and keep your eye on the prize 🙂

- One last pathetic question: If you pay the deposit, it's gone isn't it? Is there no hope to get at least half the amount back?

Hope you enjoyed reading my novel, please reply with your thoughts.
Thank you!

 

[cml1818]

I was in your exact position a few months ago, in fact, our stats (GPA, MCAT, total med school rejection) are almost identical. I was accepted to three post-baccs as well (BU, Drexel, and NYMC). I chose Drexel, here's why, maybe this will help: the Drexel program is relatively inexpensive compared to the others (and yes, I am taking out loans to cover the entire cost, it is not crazy, it is worth it I believe), you actually take the first year medical school courses along with the medical students (the lectures are broadcast to us, we take the exact same tests and are graded the exact same)- the advantage to this is that admissions committees can clearly see you would be competent in medical school since you have actually taken the first year (the other two schools did not offer this, I thought it was a big advantage for Drexel), you can finish the program in one year, supposedly most people are accepted after the first year and don't need the second year, like you said, you can use your lag year to pursue other interests, Drexel gives you your own personal advisor as well to write rec letters and advise which medical schools to apply to, and lastly, I have always had a very positive experience in dealing with all the Drexel staff, everyone seems friendly and concerned that I enjoy my time at Drexel (we will see if this changes when I get there). The choice between Drexel and BU was difficult (I love Boston and BU is very highly respected), but it seems the Drexel program is well known and credible. (I also will be in the IMS program). I'm from Texas, and have only visited Philly once, from what I picked up Philly is pretty expensive to live in (not nearly as bad as Boston though), but it is possible to have a car (this was important to me since I am used to driving everywhere!). And yes, once you mail the deposit, it is gone...but if you need to change your mind, that money would be miniscule compared to making a wrong decision for the next year, or two. I really hope this helps, like I said, I was in your same position, so I figured I would let you know how I sorted through it. Let me know what you decide, maybe we will be classmates in August!
Tina

Hello everyone,

I am happy to say that I have been accepted to three masters program, after being rejected from all my medical schools last summer. Now, I have to make a decision and I would like your advice/thoughts. My situation: 2005 UF grad, 2004 April MCAT 27Q: 10V, 9B, 8P. 3.0 Sci GPA, 3.2 overall GPA. As you can see, I need to pursue a program that will show the adcom that I can perform and survive the med school curriculum. I will also retake the MCAT, since I will be more knowledgeable by next spring.

I have been accepted to Drexel's IMS program, BU's MAMS, and USF's Pharmacology Masters, offered through the USF med school. I am waitlisted at GU's SMP. The cheapest for me is USF, but many adcom say that they don't know much about the program and it may not help me as a reapplicant. USF's adcom say that it is a solid program. After my research, I think BU will make me a competitive reapplicant, but it is very expensive.

My questions:
-Would it be as helpful if I attended Drexel and received a certificate only, instead of completing the masters program? Or, would it be better to attend BU and receive a masters degree in one year?

- I will not apply until the summer of 2006, so if I attend BU or GU, I would have a lag year. You might say why not just attend Drexel for two years? A lag year would offer me a welcomed break and a chance to work in research and make some $$$. What is your advice on what to do during that year?

- Should I totally cross off the program at USF?

- Are the programs at BU and Georgetown equally successful in helping reapplicants? Or should I wait on GU? Both cities seem to be as expensive to live in.

- Is anyone else taking out loans to cover the entire tuition? Is it totally insane? I think it's all worth it, if you suck it up for a couple of years and keep your eye on the prize 🙂

- One last pathetic question: If you pay the deposit, it's gone isn't it? Is there no hope to get at least half the amount back?

Hope you enjoyed reading my novel, please reply with your thoughts.
Thank you!

 

[JPagan]

To the Original Poster...

I have read ALOT of threads and done a lot of research and so I just thought I would offer what I have gathered from that...

It seems to me that between boston and drexel the consensus would be to pick Boston over Drexel. The reasoning is varied but it seems like to me everyone always ends up picking BU and being extremely happy with their choice. If you look in the archive's there are a lot of disgruntled drexel students... That is not to put down drexel, I hope to get in and attend there, but I could not apply to BU because I didn't have the minimum gpa which I think is a 3.3 or something like that...

Anyways, I could always find mroe info, but just thought I would give a little bit of info....

 

[GatorGrad]

Thanks for both of your replies! I think that the required classes at BU are through the med school, and then you can choose histology/virology/etc, also with the med school class. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I'm still thinking about it, if you have more thoughts, please share them. I'll def. let you know if I'm going to be your classmate!

 

[calbear15]

Thanks for both of your replies! I think that the required classes at BU are through the med school, and then you can choose histology/virology/etc, also with the med school class. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I'm still thinking about it, if you have more thoughts, please share them. I'll def. let you know if I'm going to be your classmate!

I agree. I'd go to BU over Drexel. BU actually gives you a masters degree after you complete your thesis. (Drexel dives you a certificate first, if you stay another year, then you get a masters) In addition, you'll be able to interact with the professors, some of whom are on the admissions committee. BU also offers you a chance to get other degrees in MBA or MPH....something to think about.

good luck with your decisions

p.s. should you get into Georgetown, your decision will only get harder!

 

[sendwich]

p.s. should you get into Georgetown, your decision will only get harder!

correct me if i'm wrong but isn't Georgetown THE smp the go to if admitted? I thought it was hands down the "best" smp to consider, for folks like us who need some academic uppers.

 

[GatorGrad]

Georgetown is a great program. I have made my decision: BU. I think the Drexel Program is also very good...I chose BU b.c my premed advisor and adcom director said this program will make me a stronger applicant. I will also have the chance for a break and worktime before starting med school. I have to admit I keep going back and forth, thinking about the money issue, etc...I almost wish that only one program had accepted me! Thanks for your input guys, I really appreciate it 🙂