RVU MSBS

[Meowster007]

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Hello, had a few questions regarding this MSBS since its new for anyone that has gone through it the last two or three years with the new director.

1. Schedule regarding lectures and exams?
2. How is block exams and how do they work?
3. Are textbooks neccessary?
4. Would you recommend it?

I really like what this MSBS program looks like it can do and so I wanted to hear from the previous MSBS students. Thank You! I am comparing this to other SMPs and so far it is ranked the highest for me as of rn.

 

[MedSun]

Bump

 

[michaelscottpaperco]

Currently in MSBS-CO, grad May '21.

1. Schedule regarding lectures and exams?
Lecture M-Th, typically from 10a-3/4p (ish), varies by day. Friday no classes, but we have office hours and tutor sessions sometimes--its mostly empty for you to study/do whatever. At least 1 day each week we have class at 8am just due to how the scheduling worked out. Fall semester we had 100% mandatory attendance, cameras required to be on. This semester we have more attendance optional/prerecorded lectures. Most classes typically have a few short quizzes sprinkled throughout, major exams are block exam. Some classes require a team project, but its nothing horrible so long as you get along with your teammates. Some lectures are just your cohort alone, some combine both MSBS cohorts, some combine both campus MSBS cohorts and the PA students.

2. How is block exams and how do they work?
Block day is 1 friday each month. morning session is typically 3 exams then a break for lunch. Afternoon session is 3 exams then done. Scores typically get released online late friday afternoon, except anatomy practical which takes a few days for faculty to grade. All done via exam proctoring software, password protected, etc. We take exam on laptop and have zoom open on cell phone so proctors can watch us. Each course exam has different password and you have to complete them in the exact order they tell you.

3. Are textbooks neccessary?
No, at least not this year for us. The library provided all textbooks free as pdf downloads. You can buy/rent hard-copy if you want. If program is back in person next year, they have some reference copies in the library but you cannot keep them.

4. Would you recommend it?
Yes. Great program director and assistant director, faculty are fairly flexible and responsive to feedback/requests to alter stuff about the course to help students. A lot of hard work, especially spring semester (currently studying for block and want to scratch my eyes out). Director is very straightforward and transparent about everything.

 

[MedSun]

Currently in MSBS-CO, grad May '21.

1. Schedule regarding lectures and exams?
Lecture M-Th, typically from 10a-3/4p (ish), varies by day. Friday no classes, but we have office hours and tutor sessions sometimes--its mostly empty for you to study/do whatever. At least 1 day each week we have class at 8am just due to how the scheduling worked out. Fall semester we had 100% mandatory attendance, cameras required to be on. This semester we have more attendance optional/prerecorded lectures. Most classes typically have a few short quizzes sprinkled throughout, major exams are block exam. Some classes require a team project, but its nothing horrible so long as you get along with your teammates. Some lectures are just your cohort alone, some combine both MSBS cohorts, some combine both campus MSBS cohorts and the PA students.

2. How is block exams and how do they work?
Block day is 1 friday each month. morning session is typically 3 exams then a break for lunch. Afternoon session is 3 exams then done. Scores typically get released online late friday afternoon, except anatomy practical which takes a few days for faculty to grade. All done via exam proctoring software, password protected, etc. We take exam on laptop and have zoom open on cell phone so proctors can watch us. Each course exam has different password and you have to complete them in the exact order they tell you.

3. Are textbooks neccessary?
No, at least not this year for us. The library provided all textbooks free as pdf downloads. You can buy/rent hard-copy if you want. If program is back in person next year, they have some reference copies in the library but you cannot keep them.

4. Would you recommend it?
Yes. Great program director and assistant director, faculty are fairly flexible and responsive to feedback/requests to alter stuff about the course to help students. A lot of hard work, especially spring semester (currently studying for block and want to scratch my eyes out). Director is very straightforward and transparent about everything.

Thank you so much for your detailed response!

Do you by any chance know about their waitlists and what are the chances of being accepted from one?
I was placed on a waitlist back in December and I was told they can’t give me any info regarding my status 😞

 

[aspiringbunbundoc]

Currently in MSBS-CO, grad May '21.

1. Schedule regarding lectures and exams?
Lecture M-Th, typically from 10a-3/4p (ish), varies by day. Friday no classes, but we have office hours and tutor sessions sometimes--its mostly empty for you to study/do whatever. At least 1 day each week we have class at 8am just due to how the scheduling worked out. Fall semester we had 100% mandatory attendance, cameras required to be on. This semester we have more attendance optional/prerecorded lectures. Most classes typically have a few short quizzes sprinkled throughout, major exams are block exam. Some classes require a team project, but its nothing horrible so long as you get along with your teammates. Some lectures are just your cohort alone, some combine both MSBS cohorts, some combine both campus MSBS cohorts and the PA students.

2. How is block exams and how do they work?
Block day is 1 friday each month. morning session is typically 3 exams then a break for lunch. Afternoon session is 3 exams then done. Scores typically get released online late friday afternoon, except anatomy practical which takes a few days for faculty to grade. All done via exam proctoring software, password protected, etc. We take exam on laptop and have zoom open on cell phone so proctors can watch us. Each course exam has different password and you have to complete them in the exact order they tell you.

3. Are textbooks neccessary?
No, at least not this year for us. The library provided all textbooks free as pdf downloads. You can buy/rent hard-copy if you want. If program is back in person next year, they have some reference copies in the library but you cannot keep them.

4. Would you recommend it?
Yes. Great program director and assistant director, faculty are fairly flexible and responsive to feedback/requests to alter stuff about the course to help students. A lot of hard work, especially spring semester (currently studying for block and want to scratch my eyes out). Director is very straightforward and transparent about everything.

Thanks! Another question, is there anything you recommend to the incoming class to start doing before the fall (.... esp for those of us who've been out of school for a hot minute)?

 

[michaelscottpaperco]

Thank you so much for your detailed response!

Do you by any chance know about their waitlists and what are the chances of being accepted from one?
I was placed on a waitlist back in December and I was told they can’t give me any info regarding my status 😞

I don't know much about the current waitlist. I know they tend to give acceptances until the class is full.

Also, late in the cycle, some accepted students hear back from med school admissions so seats might come up. As a word of encouragement, I know multiple people in our current cohort that got final acceptance in late June & early July due to some people getting really late cycle med school admits. There tends to be a lot of movement late cycle as med schools all shuffle to make final fills in their classes; that effect trickles down to SMP Directors who then have to go through waitlist slots to make backfills to seats in the cohort. Orientation is usually first week August, so there is always time if you really want to attend this program---which I recommend. Great results and a lot of students get into the med school of their choice afterwards and go on to get honors in med school and score really well on their boards.

 

[michaelscottpaperco]

Thanks! Another question, is there anything you recommend to the incoming class to start doing before the fall (.... esp for those of us who've been out of school for a hot minute)?

the three biggest things i'd recommend:

1. brush up on basic anatomy & phys--especially autonomic nervous system b/c its one of the first blocks and it comes up in literally EVERY BLOCK and almost every class (pharm, phys, anatomy, and mbm are the heavy hitters). the anatomy course and phys course in the program go way more in depth than undergrad, but if you have a good grasp on basics, you'll be ready to dive in. also, phys is the single most weighted course in the whole program so you NEED to do well in order to make it through

2. learn how to use either anki or quizlet to make study materials. 99% of people in the cohort and in the COM use 1 or both of these as the absolute backbone to their studying.

3. figure out how you're going to take your notes (i.e. OneNote, old-fashion pen/paper, Notability, etc.). you don't want to do major changes through the program, fine tuning is ok, but figure out what works for you now so you start the semester on a good lead.

bonus: if its been 3 or more years since you've been in heavy science classes, i'd review some biochem/molecular bio basics and microbiology basics. youtube videos or sites like khan academy should be ok to get a refresher of foundational info. The first block starts full speed and you have a quiz in wk 2 or 3, then the first block exam 2 weeks later. The pace of content introduction only gets faster as the program goes on--they add on projects, case studies, and service learning. you don't want to be lagging behind on general stuff at the first block exam due to being out of school for a while.

 

[aspiringbunbundoc]

the three biggest things i'd recommend:

1. brush up on basic anatomy & phys--especially autonomic nervous system b/c its one of the first blocks and it comes up in literally EVERY BLOCK and almost every class (pharm, phys, anatomy, and mbm are the heavy hitters). the anatomy course and phys course in the program go way more in depth than undergrad, but if you have a good grasp on basics, you'll be ready to dive in. also, phys is the single most weighted course in the whole program so you NEED to do well in order to make it through

2. learn how to use either anki or quizlet to make study materials. 99% of people in the cohort and in the COM use 1 or both of these as the absolute backbone to their studying.

3. figure out how you're going to take your notes (i.e. OneNote, old-fashion pen/paper, Notability, etc.). you don't want to do major changes through the program, fine tuning is ok, but figure out what works for you now so you start the semester on a good lead.

bonus: if its been 3 or more years since you've been in heavy science classes, i'd review some biochem/molecular bio basics and microbiology basics. youtube videos or sites like khan academy should be ok to get a refresher of foundational info. The first block starts full speed and you have a quiz in wk 2 or 3, then the first block exam 2 weeks later. The pace of content introduction only gets faster as the program goes on--they add on projects, case studies, and service learning. you don't want to be lagging behind on general stuff at the first block exam due to being out of school for a while.

Thanks so much! One last question (for now >_<)! Do you or any of your classmates have recommendations on places to live?

 

[michaelscottpaperco]

Thanks so much! One last question (for now >_<)! Do you or any of your classmates have recommendations on places to live?

Honestly it depends on what you prefer. Many students in the MSBS and the COM live near the campus (i'm not familiar with apartment names near campus). There are a lot of apartments in Parker and Centennial though that provide convenient access to the campus.

My classmates are all over the place. We have folks living in aurora, thornton, centennial, denver, parker, lone tree, castle rock, and more. All have decent highway access to get around. All have a good number of parks, bike trails etc. to get outside.
Parker is a mid size town. slow paced living, family friendly
Lone Tree is suburban, smaller, slow paced lifestyle
Centennial is a little larger and a little more busy, still suburban mostly
Aurora and Denver are more urban/suburban, easier access to activities, more diversity of people

 

[brb21]

Thanks so much! One last question (for now >_<)! Do you or any of your classmates have recommendations on places to live?

Dove Valley & Broadstone Montane are popular apartments for students near school! Also, another popular area to live that is between school and downtown Denver is the Denver Tech Center (DTC).