SMP: USC MSGM or Georgetown SMP? Thank you

[SlipperyUnagi]

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Hello,

I am new to this SDN community, and I would highly appreciate any helpful advice I can get! In regards to SMP programs, I am a Cali student accepted into both the USC Master of Science in Global Medicine SMP, as well as Georgetown University's SMP. I'm torn between the two programs and have listed many personal pros and cons. All that aside, would anyone recommend one program over the other and why?

I am also applying for medical school this cycle and it is my hope to eventually - if not this cycle - matriculate to a medical school in California or the East Coast. Strictly speaking, which program would increase my chances?

Thank you for your advice folks!

 

[alpinism]

Georgetown. The USC program is not a true SMP (taking med school courses w med students).

 

[ymmit]

I thought the USC program did involve taking some Core first year classes with medical students?
http://keckmed.usc.edu/msgm/Global-Medicine-Curriculum.html#Clinical_Track
I am also interested in a comparison between these two programs.

Hello,

I am new to this SDN community, and I would highly appreciate any helpful advice I can get! In regards to SMP programs, I am a Cali student accepted into both the USC Master of Science in Global Medicine SMP, as well as Georgetown University's SMP. I'm torn between the two programs and have listed many personal pros and cons. All that aside, would anyone recommend one program over the other and why?

I am also applying for medical school this cycle and it is my hope to eventually - if not this cycle - matriculate to a medical school in California or the East Coast. Strictly speaking, which program would increase my chances?

Thank you for your advice folks!

Slippery, do you have any stats from the MSGM program about medical school admissions outcomes for students?

 

[SlipperyUnagi]

Georgetown. The USC program is not a true SMP (taking med school courses w med students).

Thanks for your reply. I was under the impression that this was an SMP program due to the Core classes

 

[SlipperyUnagi]

I thought the USC program did involve taking some Core first year classes with medical students?
http://keckmed.usc.edu/msgm/Global-Medicine-Curriculum.html#Clinical_Track
I am also interested in a comparison between these two programs.


Slippery, do you have any stats from the MSGM program about medical school admissions outcomes for students?

Unfortunately there no statistics, but according to a brochure they sent out, many students matriculated to medical schools afterwards, including Keck. Otherwise, I don't know much about this program at all.

 

[motz]

USC if you like GM, GT if you like medical school classes. USC's MSGM has 8 units out of 32(?) units that are based off of the medical curriculum. A guy who was 3.5 and got a 32 on his MCAT did the MSGM, and told me a lot of schools didn't know about the MSGM. He got accepted to 1 MD program off of a wait list, and tons of DO acceptances. It's like an MPH, except just one year and with more clinically relevant coursework. GT's SMP will definitely test your mettle, and it is way more medical school focused. Personally, I'd do the USC SMP, but only because it'd allow me to continue volunteering at places I'm already at, and I love global health. Otherwise, I'd pick GT, since performance in that SMP is very indicative of your ability to succeed in medical school.

 

[motz]

Also, I'm not sure, but I think USC is trying to avoid the stigma of a "remedial" MS degree by emphasizing the global nature of the coursework. Motivation for a degree is important, so the degree allows people to work a different angle. "I'm passionate about global health issues." is a lot different than "I messed up in undergraduate classes so badly I need to spend 80k to make up for it."

They do a great job of marketing the degree, which can't be said for other programs. Just look at the pictures of the students on USC's page. The pictures are all professional, and the students are all active, engaged, and happy in meeting rooms in Taipei, with patients in clinics in Uganda. It's a cohort and an experience I'd like to be a part of. It seems like an experience one really grows and learns from. Other universities take low resolution pictures of their class, and it's in a poorly lit, cramped classroom with all of the students' faces barely visible or looking unenthused. It might send the wrong message to students anxious about whether or not they should plunk down $50k to attend the school.

USC has a Global Medicine Institute, and the program has lots of optional two-week trips (at extra cost, I believe) to various universities and countries around the world. I wish I could spend the cash to just take part in those courses. Still, there are only 2 units out of 32+ units, so let's get real. They have many collaborative degrees in general with other universities, including LSE, one of the top ranked universities in the UK. The head honcho of the LSE, by the way, is an alumni of USC. USC is such a nicely run business and school.