Rutgers Masters Program 2015-2016

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hopefulfuturedoctor12

hopefulfuturedoctor12

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Hey guys!!

So I am applying for the Masters in Biomedical Science Program for 2015-2016 (Medical Scholars ) for both the Newark and the Piscataway campus.

My issue is I'm really afraid I don't have any chance of getting in?

sGPA- 3.1
cGPA- 3.3

MCAT- 19 (I am retaking it in a few days but was considering voiding it and just taking the new one as I don't think I can improve my score tremendously in just 2 weeks)

I'm debating whether to just take a second low score hit to just be able to get accepted to the Masters program? And then definitely take the MCAT 2015 new one.

Advice please!

I also have:

400+ hours of stemcell research
Many leadership positions held

Do I have any chance of getting accepted?
 
A low score won't get you accepted into a masters program whether its first hit or not. You should cancel your test if you arent going to improve significantly (aka get to a 27).

Also, if you can't get a good MCAT - why are you pursuing this route? The MCAT is a joke compared to shelves and to Step 1.

You should get accepted, but whether you get accepted into med school after that is a diff story. An SMP is not a substitute for a crappy MCAT
 
One bad first MCAT score does not automatically mean I can't get a good score and that I will not succeed in medschool.

And I never said I wanted to use an SMP to substitute for a low MCAT..you clearly didn't read what I wrote properly.

I AM planning on taking the MCAT 2015 but I was wondering if my current score will get me into a Masters program since I am taking the new MCAT in the summer which is after all the Masters program deadlines...
 
hopefulfuturedoctor12 said:
One bad first MCAT score does not automatically mean I can't get a good score and that I will not succeed in medschool.

And I never said I wanted to use an SMP to substitute for a low MCAT..you clearly didn't read what I wrote properly.

I AM planning on taking the MCAT 2015 but I was wondering if my current score will get me into a Masters program since I am taking the new MCAT in the summer which is after all the Masters program deadlines...
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You current score will get you nowhere. That's less then most people's diagnostic scores. You have a test upcoming, what are your current practice test scores?

I did read what you wrote properly. But you aren't thinking far enough into the future. The point is if you are getting like 21 or 22 practice test scores now, why are you trying to go to med school? you have one bad MCAT, and if you are currently averaging a bad score still.... then why do you think magically it will change on the 2015 MCAT?
 
From my first exam to the second exam I only had 2-3 weeks to prepare. I signed up for a Jan date as soon as one opened which was obviously a bad idea...which is why I am considering voiding my score. Given 3-4 months to study for the 2015exam I know I could improve greatly...my current practice exams have been ranging from 24-26

So you're saying I can't get into a Masters program most likely with my current score?
 
hopefulfuturedoctor12 said:
From my first exam to the second exam I only had 2-3 weeks to prepare. I signed up for a Jan date as soon as one opened which was obviously a bad idea...which is why I am considering voiding my score. Given 3-4 months to study for the 2015exam I know I could improve greatly...my current practice exams have been ranging from 24-26

So you're saying I can't get into a Masters program most likely with my current score?
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You can get into a master program if you want. However, if you want to go to med school then you need to go to an SMP (which this program is), and they are looking for low GPA and high MCAT. This indicates "smart person but screwed up along the way". You don't have the MCAT to indicate that you are this person. In fact, a 19 paired with your low GPA is going to help cement the "this guy can't hack it" mentality.

You should never take the MCAT until you are prepared. And thus both your first and upcoming second attempts show a lack of foresight and planning. Most med schools look at every MCAT score you get and evaluate it from there. The amount of weight each uses to each score varies. A 26 would still be a step up from a 19, however is still over 1 standard dev below the avg accepted US MD student. And by the way, you shouldn't need to take 3-4 months for the MCAT. Dear god - you don't get that long for anything in medical school. We got 2 months for step 1, and thats among the longest of anyone in the country. The MCAT should be 1mo-6 weeks of hard studying. Like 160ish hours, and then you should be able to rock it.
 
robflanker said:
You can get into a master program if you want. However, if you want to go to med school then you need to go to an SMP (which this program is), and they are looking for low GPA and high MCAT. This indicates "smart person but screwed up along the way". You don't have the MCAT to indicate that you are this person. In fact, a 19 paired with your low GPA is going to help cement the "this guy can't hack it" mentality.

You should never take the MCAT until you are prepared. And thus both your first and upcoming second attempts show a lack of foresight and planning. Most med schools look at every MCAT score you get and evaluate it from there. The amount of weight each uses to each score varies. A 26 would still be a step up from a 19, however is still over 1 standard dev below the avg accepted US MD student. And by the way, you shouldn't need to take 3-4 months for the MCAT. Dear god - you don't get that long for anything in medical school. We got 2 months for step 1, and thats among the longest of anyone in the country. The MCAT should be 1mo-6 weeks of hard studying. Like 160ish hours, and then you should be able to rock it.
Click to expand...

So due to my low MCAT and low GPA I probably can't get into this specific program since it basically shows I'm not well prepared for their program? I was hoping my research experience would make a slight difference.
 
Research is an EC - dont confuse that for anything particularly exciting. Its a box checking thing, like volunteering in a soup kitchen or the like

Med schools (and thus most good SMPs) care about GPA and MCAT. They need to see you can handle it. You need a good MCAT to get into a good SMP, and a good SMP to get you into med school.
 
@hopefulfuturedoctor12 With a low GPA and a low MCAT I think it will be difficult for you to get accepted to any SMPs. Still, I think you have options. You could take the GRE (which is a less content-based test thus may not require as much studying) and submit those scores with your application. You could wait to take the MCAT until the new one begins in April and use that score, although that would be kind of late in the admissions cycle. It is most important though, if you do decide to take the MCAT, to only take it when you are getting practice scores at or above your goal (preferably above). Thus, if you're going to take this upcoming test and don't feel ready it'd be best if you voided it.

Try not to feel too discouraged. With hard work and perseverance you can get to medical school. It just might take a bit longer than other people. And that's okay.
 
robflanker- You're kind of rude, he didn't ask you to evaluate his entire career path, simply to give advice on the program.

That being said, hopeful you obviously need to improve your MCAT. I don't think it's competitive to get you into this program. I would recommend the GRE, I only studied a monthish for mine and ended up with a 70th percentile combined score. I was just accepted to Rutgers with 3.0 sGPA and 3.3 cGPA.

Has anyone else been accepted/attending this program? I only applied because I had a friend who went through it and ended up getting into a DO med school Any insight would be great!
 
femmegoblue said:
robflanker- You're kind of rude, he didn't ask you to evaluate his entire career path, simply to give advice on the program.
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The career path is relevant because it influences whether or not the program is a good fit, and whether its a waste of money or not.

And if your friend had similar stats to you and got into a DO med school then i wouldn't call it a success. You can get into a DO med school with those stats now and save yourself the year and $50k - hence why the career path bit is important....
 
My app was complete at the beginning of February, and I heard back on Feb 27!
 
somedudehere said:
When did you send in your app? Still waiting on 1 more letter, should be done by the end of this week. Hopefully it's not too late. Same stats as yours but with a 26 mcat.
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Where else have you applied/been accepted?
 
Hi, sorry for dropping in on your thread for a different question.

somedudehere said:
My apps will be complete this week. Applying to the Newark and NB program.
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where did you send your transcripts to the Newark campus?

femmegoblue said:
My app was complete at the beginning of February, and I heard back on Feb 27!
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how were you notified? and congrats!
 
I'm taking my GRE in a month! & working on the rest of the application during that time as well. hoping I can get in!
 
femmegoblue said:
robflanker- You're kind of rude, he didn't ask you to evaluate his entire career path, simply to give advice on the program.

That being said, hopeful you obviously need to improve your MCAT. I don't think it's competitive to get you into this program. I would recommend the GRE, I only studied a monthish for mine and ended up with a 70th percentile combined score. I was just accepted to Rutgers with 3.0 sGPA and 3.3 cGPA.

Has anyone else been accepted/attending this program? I only applied because I had a friend who went through it and ended up getting into a DO med school Any insight would be great!
Click to expand...


Thank you for this!

I'm hoping with a good GRE score I can get accepted 🙂
 
I've been accepted to the Rutgers program, still trying to figure out if i'm going to attend there, USF, or Tufts.
GPA: 3.27 SGPA: 3.5 GRE: QR: 155 VR: 153 AW: 4.0 Only studied for the GRE for 9 days after finals last semester. Wish I had more time so I could of done better, but I did good enough, and thats all that matters! I rushed taking the GRE so I would have more time this semester to focus on the DAT.
 
strawkittii said:
Hi, sorry for dropping in on your thread for a different question.



where did you send your transcripts to the Newark campus?



how were you notified? and congrats!
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I was notified via email. My online app status still says "no decision" but I received an email saying I'd been admitted as well as a letter in the mail. My university has an online portal where you can have your transcripts sent to the admissions office, so I used the snail mail address on the website and had them sent by mail to:
Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
190 University Avenue
Engelhard Hall, Room 101
Newark, NJ 07102 U.S.A.
 
femmegoblue said:
I was notified via email. My online app status still says "no decision" but I received an email saying I'd been admitted as well as a letter in the mail. My university has an online portal where you can have your transcripts sent to the admissions office, so I used the snail mail address on the website and had them sent by mail to:
Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
190 University Avenue
Engelhard Hall, Room 101
Newark, NJ 07102 U.S.A.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I was worried since I applied to both campuses and sent my Newark materials to the New Brunswick mailing address. Has anyone heard from Piscataway?
 
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How receptive are these programs to OOS students? If they do well in the program, do OOS students have a realistic chance at matriculating into the medical school?
 
Took the GREs, and ended up with a 155 verbal/156 quantitative. hoping this is enough for the rutgers program!
 
Just got accepted today to the dental scholars program in Newark!! I checked the online portal and was surprised because I didn't receive an email first.
 
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somedudehere said:
Went to the open house today. Didn't realize they would spend most of the time covering applying to the actual program since I thought it was for students who've already been accepted. I also thought most kids finished the program in 1 year (2 semesters)? But they were saying a lot of them spread it out over 3-4 semesters.
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gap year is always better for applications. you apply with a year of grades under your belt as opposed to no grades
 
somedudehere said:
Went to the open house today. Didn't realize they would spend most of the time covering applying to the actual program since I thought it was for students who've already been accepted. I also thought most kids finished the program in 1 year (2 semesters)? But they were saying a lot of them spread it out over 3-4 semesters.
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I was there too and I agree I wasn't expecting them to be mostly answering questions about the application process.
 
somedudehere said:
I meant this program itself. I was under the assumption that students took 15 credits in the fall and 15 in the spring to complete the degree in 1 year but looking at the course electives and scheduling I don't see how it's possible. Unless I'm misinterpreting it.

For instance MGM is mon/wed/thur/fri 9am - 4pm and it's 6 credits. I don't see how you could fit another 9 credits into that schedule.
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Because MGM only lasts until beginning of October and then the med students switch to anatomy. At least that was the old curriculum, I know they are moving to a new one but I don't think that's changing that much. So then you'd have a new class from Oct - Dec which is presumably three 3 credit classes. Again, this is all how it was when I was an MS-1 and MS-2
 
For those who already received their decisions, what were your stats, date submitted, & date heard back?

I was just wondering because wanted to know approximately how long till i hear back!

Thank you
 
hopefulfuturedoctor12 said:
For those who already received their decisions, what were your stats, date submitted, & date heard back?

I was just wondering because wanted to know approximately how long till i hear back!

Thank you
Click to expand...

I posted my stats earlier. I was accepted on April 17th, and submitted my application on March 28th. I don't think all my recommendations came in until like a week later . This was for the Newark campus. You should've waited until you retook the MCAT as the schools will be able to see your MCAT score assuming you told them you took it?
 
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hopefulfuturedoctor12 said:
For those who already received their decisions, what were your stats, date submitted, & date heard back?

I was just wondering because wanted to know approximately how long till i hear back!

Thank you
Click to expand...

sGPA: 2.92, cGPA: 3.02 (started off POORLY, finished up getting straight A's)
MCAT: 22

Submitted my application on March 30th and I received my acceptance to the Newark campus on April 21st.
 
Just got accepted to the RU Newark program! Waiting on the New Brunswick decision now. does anybody have any insight as to the differences between the program other than the RU Brunswick has the accelerated program possibility & Newark does not? 🙂
 
I just got accepted to the program in New Brunswick! 🙂 I'm trying to figure out housing now, if any other women are interested in finding a place with me! Possible Society Hill, but I'm looking around.
 
hopefulfuturedoctor12 said:
does anybody have any insight as to the differences between the program other than the RU Brunswick has the accelerated program possibility & Newark does not? 🙂
Click to expand...

Same question! There is very little information on which program is better for medical, but I am sure many people have this question and applied to both.
 
hopefulfuturedoctor12 said:
Just got accepted to the RU Newark program! Waiting on the New Brunswick decision now. does anybody have any insight as to the differences between the program other than the RU Brunswick has the accelerated program possibility & Newark does not? 🙂
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Congrats!!!! When was your application submitted and considered complete? I'm super anxious to hear back
 
On their website, it says there is only limited enrollment for courses with MS-1 students. Can any current students expand on exactly how limited?
 
RR1515 said:
Congrats!!!! When was your application submitted and considered complete? I'm super anxious to hear back
Click to expand...

Thank you!

So I submitted the application on 4/27, it was complete on 5/6 & I heard back via email on 5/11. It still has not been updated on the online portal though.
 
hopefulfuturedoctor12 said:
Thank you!

So I submitted the application on 4/27, it was complete on 5/6 & I heard back via email on 5/11. It still has not been updated on the online portal though.
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Awesome congrats! I submitted my application 05/12 and was complete (final recommendation received) 05/18. I'm happy to hear that you heard back so quickly. I hope they're as speedy with my decision. I have a good MCAT but horrible GPA. Hope I can get in.
 
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Called in last week and spoke with Johanna, the New Brunswick contact. She mentioned that they are shooting for a class size of 40 and the program is about half full at this point. Just wanted to let people know there are still spots if they are applying late like I am.
 
ClassicJandT said:
Called in last week and spoke with Johanna, the New Brunswick contact. She mentioned that they are shooting for a class size of 40 and the program is about half full at this point. Just wanted to let people know there are still spots if they are applying late like I am.
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Do you know anything about the Newark program? The contact for that program hasn't been very helpful when I've called or emailed unfortunately :/
 
RR1515 said:
Do you know anything about the Newark program? The contact for that program hasn't been very helpful when I've called or emailed unfortunately :/
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What do you need to know? I spoke at length with the program director. We spoke over the phone for a good 20 minutes.
 
Oh nice! I have a lot of questions haha but mostly am wondering how many people they've accepted and how many spots they have left etc? I'm still waiting to here back
 
I don't know if this accurately represents the class but there are 33 members in the Rutgers 2015-2016 MBS fb group
 
Oh wow. Yea I wonder how accurate that is because the page from last year has 300 members
 
Does anybody know about any major differences between the Newark and Piscataway program for medical scholars? Still waiting on Piscataway's decision !
 
hopefulfuturedoctor12 said:
Does anybody know about any major differences between the Newark and Piscataway program for medical scholars? Still waiting on Piscataway's decision !
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They have a different curriculum. One is older than the other I think.
 
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@hopefulfuturedoctor12 But the medical schools they are attached to are pretty much equally well regarded and the Newark program has the added bonus of being right next to NYC residencies.
 
DocJuan said:
@hopefulfuturedoctor12 But the medical schools they are attached to are pretty much equally well regarded and the Newark program has the added bonus of being right next to NYC residencies.
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Congrats on your acceptance!

I just got accepted to both programs but I am having some difficulty deciding between the two. Are you considering the Piscataway or newark program yourself?
 
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