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- Apr 3, 2018
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Hi, I'm currently accepted into several SMP/Biomedical science programs. My cGPA is a 3.24 AMCAS sGPA is a 3.2 and AACOMAS sPGA is a 3.17, I'm a super ORM, NJ resident.
200 Hours shadowing; 100 in the ER and 100 in Neurology Clinic
Scribing since January, on hold due to COVID
Pharmacy technician for 3 years
Clinical EC; 300 hours, Big Hospital
Clinical Research with leadership position; 500 hours, big hospital
I've been accepted to Rowan's post bacc, PCOM biomedical sciences, Chatham Biomed sciences, local Masters in Biology, and waiting on VCOM and Geisinger's MBS.
Rowan:
Pros: it's in Jersey, linkage with Cooper, small class
Cons: apartments expensive, no financial aid, upper-level undergrad courses, the linkage is iffy
PCOM:
Pros: Established DO school, offers conditional acceptance/guaranteed interview w a 3.2 and MCAT above 500
Cons: Talked to people and admissions told me approx 20-30% of students matriculate every year, however, looking around I've heard less
www.pcom.edu
Chatham:
Pros: Smaller program, guaranteed interview w/ wvsom given you get to meet the admission reqs for wvsom
Cons: Far away (Pittsburgh, 6 hours from family), smaller less-known/new program, most expensive
VCOM:
Pros: Best linkage, meet the reqs and you are in (one of the DO campuses) w/o an interview as long as the MCAT/GPA reqs are met.
Cons: The farthest away, still waiting on a decision
www.bluefield.edu
I'm currently at a dilemma and wanted some advice. I haven't taken the MCAT as of yet, but planning to and wanted to know if staying local and doing a Masters in Biology would be a better option in terms of money. Due to the pandemic and all, family and I are being conservative. By the outlooks of these programs, it mostly depends on my MCAT. I'm aiming for a decent MCAT score hopefully top quartile (508+). I'm most likely going to stay at a local master's and study for the MCAT due to financial obligations. Seems like VCOM is the best option (the decision will come in this month).
I know at my current gpa I can't be a chooser and have to play the game as an ORM which is why DO schools are my main objective. Would staying at a local masters hurt my chances? What MCAT score would I need given that I do well in the masters? Thanks for the feedback.
EDIT:
Also threw in an App to Geisinger's SMP
Pros: online now due to COVID and reduced cost from 45k to 33k
Cons; linkage is iffy, they give preference to PA residents. online might be good due to covid, but they've always had an online curriculum (might raise a red flag for adcoms)
www.geisinger.edu
Added links to the website for curriculum info.
200 Hours shadowing; 100 in the ER and 100 in Neurology Clinic
Scribing since January, on hold due to COVID
Pharmacy technician for 3 years
Clinical EC; 300 hours, Big Hospital
Clinical Research with leadership position; 500 hours, big hospital
I've been accepted to Rowan's post bacc, PCOM biomedical sciences, Chatham Biomed sciences, local Masters in Biology, and waiting on VCOM and Geisinger's MBS.
Rowan:
Pros: it's in Jersey, linkage with Cooper, small class
Cons: apartments expensive, no financial aid, upper-level undergrad courses, the linkage is iffy
PCOM:
Pros: Established DO school, offers conditional acceptance/guaranteed interview w a 3.2 and MCAT above 500
Cons: Talked to people and admissions told me approx 20-30% of students matriculate every year, however, looking around I've heard less
PCOM Foundation Year: Core Biomedical Sciences Courses
Develop scientific skills in our MS in Biomedical Sciences program. Explore biochemistry, anatomy, and more. Specialize or earn a Certificate of Graduate Study.
www.pcom.edu
Chatham:
Pros: Smaller program, guaranteed interview w/ wvsom given you get to meet the admission reqs for wvsom
Cons: Far away (Pittsburgh, 6 hours from family), smaller less-known/new program, most expensive
VCOM:
Pros: Best linkage, meet the reqs and you are in (one of the DO campuses) w/o an interview as long as the MCAT/GPA reqs are met.
Cons: The farthest away, still waiting on a decision
Biomedical Sciences Degree | Master of Arts | Christian Colleges VA
Bluefield College is a Christian Liberal Arts institution in southwest Virginia that offers a Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences graduate degree. Learn more now.
I'm currently at a dilemma and wanted some advice. I haven't taken the MCAT as of yet, but planning to and wanted to know if staying local and doing a Masters in Biology would be a better option in terms of money. Due to the pandemic and all, family and I are being conservative. By the outlooks of these programs, it mostly depends on my MCAT. I'm aiming for a decent MCAT score hopefully top quartile (508+). I'm most likely going to stay at a local master's and study for the MCAT due to financial obligations. Seems like VCOM is the best option (the decision will come in this month).
I know at my current gpa I can't be a chooser and have to play the game as an ORM which is why DO schools are my main objective. Would staying at a local masters hurt my chances? What MCAT score would I need given that I do well in the masters? Thanks for the feedback.
EDIT:
Also threw in an App to Geisinger's SMP
Pros: online now due to COVID and reduced cost from 45k to 33k
Cons; linkage is iffy, they give preference to PA residents. online might be good due to covid, but they've always had an online curriculum (might raise a red flag for adcoms)
Curriculum – MBS Program
View the curriculum of Geisinger College of Health Sciences’ Master of Biomedical Sciences program. Classes available online or in Scranton, Pa. Apply today.
Added links to the website for curriculum info.
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