LilMango said:
I...am interested in applying to 1 year SMPs that will raise my chances of getting into medical school. I was wondering if anyone knows of any great programs and where I can find a list of these?
If you're looking for programs that are one year and allow you to take courses with US MD students:
Loma Linda Biomedical Sciences Certificate
Georgetown SMP MS in Physiology and Biophysics
Florida Atlantic U MS in Biomedical Sciences non-thesis (just Gross Anatomy)
Rosalind Franklin MS in Applied Physiology
Indiana MS in Cellular and Integrative Physiology (suspended, sort of one year, but really two. I'd explain, but it's suspended anyway
😛)
Boston U MA in Medical Sciences
UMDNJ-Newark MS in Biomedical Sciences (usually 1.5 years due to thesis, but theoretically you can do it in one year. There's also an MBS, non-thesis, but those wishing to apply to med school are encouraged to do the thesis program. You're only guaranteed one medical course)
Drexel IMS Certificate
EVMS MS in Biomedical Sciences - Medical Masters
And is it better to get a traditional Masters or an SMP? I only want it to take 1 year though. 🙄
When I think "traditional master's" I think of a 2 to 3 - years research-oriented program with tuition remission and stipend. These can't realistically be completed in one year. But if you're looking for one-year biomedical sciences graduate programs that are suitable for premeds, there are a bunch. Some examples:
Stanford MS in Biological Sciences
Colorado State MS in Biomedical Sciences Plan B
Barry U MS in Biomedical Sciences
USF is planning a program for 2006
Northwestern MS in Physiology and Neurobiology
Loyola MA in Medical Sciences
Indiana MS in Biology pre-professional, non-thesis
Ball State MA in Physiology / MA in Biology
Tulane MS in Pharmacology
Tulane MS in Cell and Molecular Biology
Tulane MS in Genetics
Johns Hopkins MHS programs
KCUMB MS in Biomedical Sciences
Dartmouth MS in Clinical Evaluative Sciences
UMDNJ-Stratford MS/MBS in Biomedical Sciences (can take two DO med courses)
Columbia MS in Nutrition
NYU MS in Biology (not meant to be one year, but can be done apparently)
Case Western MS in Applied Anatomy
PCOM Biomedical Sciences Certificate
TCOM postbaccalaureate certificate
VCU/MCV pre-med certificates
I am taking the MCAT for the first time in April and am wondering if it is risky to submit applications for SMPs really having no idea how I am going to score on the MCAT
Unless you have a GRE instead, most of the programs will wait for the release of your MCAT score anyway. I don't see the risk of submitting the rest of your applications earlier (well, other than money). Taking the test in April might put you at a slight disadvantage at some of the more competitive programs (compared to those who already have scores), but you can definitely get into an SMP for the Fall after taking the April MCAT (assuming you have a decent score-- most SMPs are looking for at least a 27+, but I know that some like UMDNJ and BU take students with lower scores).
I would hate to blow it just because of my MCAT score. Also, if it is rolling admissions to these programs, would I be better off just taking the GREs in a few months to have something to turn in?
There would be an advantage to having a score earlier. If you think you can do very well on the GRE (it's similar to the SAT) then you might want to consider taking it. However, I wouldn't sacrifice too much MCAT study time for the sake of doing well on the GRE.
Some of the programs require the MCAT (e.g., EVMS and Drexel). Others (e.g., Rosalind Franklin, Georgetown, or BU) do not require the MCAT, but your GRE should / needs to be well above above average. The more competitive SMPs do tend to prefer MCAT scores.
Does it get harder and harder to get into these programs as time rolls on (closer and closer to matriculation).?
Yes, but there are good programs out there (including SMPs) that offer acceptances relatively late (June-August).
Good luck!
