St Georges or TOUROCOM NY Masters?

[deleted955816]

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Hi guys,
I am two years out of undergrad and I want to get into medical school but my stats are low 497 MCAT, 3.01 Sgpa, 3.25cGPA from Binghamton University
I have been advised to do a one year Masters at TouroCOM NY. 3.45 = guaranteed admission
I have also been advised to go St. Georges Medical school by a family friend

Im trying to pick between the two ive heard some rumors about the carribean but it seems to be my only option at the moment!

 

[bassquiat]

I would do the master's and retake the MCAT. Don't do caribbean

 

[deleted955816]

@bassquiat hey have you heard of anyone doing this masters? and do you mean retake the mcat after incase i dont make the linkage?

 

[Faha]

Retake the MCAT but do not retake until your practice scores are consistently over 505.

 

[ciestar]

Absolutely do not go caribbean

 

[goodtime]

I've heard carribean is fine from many doctors if you want to go to primary care but that won't be a popular opinion here.

 

[zNoodlez]

Hi guys,
I am two years out of undergrad and I want to get into medical school but my stats are low 497 MCAT, 3.01 Sgpa, 3.25cGPA from Binghamton University
I have been advised to do a one year Masters at TouroCOM NY. 3.45 = guaranteed admission
I have also been advised to go St. Georges Medical school by a family friend

Im trying to pick between the two ive heard some rumors about the Caribbean but it seems to be my only option at the moment!

If the Caribbean school is your only option then this thread shouldn't exist in the first place, right?

 

[deleted955816]

Retake the MCAT but do not retake until your practice scores are consistently over 505.

hi @Faha I actually took the Mcat three times so I wanted to do a masters program and then retake it
Would you suggest that or just retake it and apply with my gpa?

 

[deleted955816]

If the Caribbean school is your only option then this thread shouldn't exist in the first place, right?

lol yes of course I meant at the moment without reapplying with either a masters / post bacc or Mcat retake it is my only option for this current cycle

 

[zNoodlez]

lol yes of course I meant at the moment without reapplying with either a masters / post bacc or Mcat retake it is my only option for this current cycle

What are all of your MCAT scores from previous attempts?

 

[Faha]

hi @Faha I actually took the Mcat three times so I wanted to do a masters program and then retake it
Would you suggest that or just retake it and apply with my gpa?

What were your other 2 scores ?

 

[deleted955816]

What were your other 2 scores ?

493->495->497

Do you want the score breakdowns?

 

[Faha]

Yes, retake the MCAT after you finish your Masters. Post your score here in the future.

 

[zNoodlez]

493->495->497

Do you want the score breakdowns?

You will need both SMP and MCAT retake. For the MCAT this time you will need to give it your all, really sit down and study for it.

 

[bassquiat]

@bassquiat hey have you heard of anyone doing this masters? and do you mean retake the mcat after incase i dont make the linkage?

No, I did a different SMP. It doesn't seem like a bad option, though, provided you get above a 3.45 gpa.
Forgive my harshness, but 3 sub-500 means you're lacking foundational knowledge and/or studying the wrong way. One of my SMP friends did take the MCAT after our program though, and their score did improve quite a bit even on their first practice exam (they ended up improving by ~10 points). You'll have to take dedicated study time for the MCAT material, but I do think the study skills/dedication you gain from the program are helpful. I actually applied 3 times, and went from 0 acceptances to 5 this cycle with the only big difference being my finished SMP.

At the very least, I would improve your MCAT score as high as you possibly can (at least 507+), and apply at least 2-3 cycles with that score. Easier said than done, but you definitely need to change your study routine. There's nothing you can do now about your previous MCAT scores, but 4 sub-500 scores would be absolutely horrible for your chances.

Whatever you do though, I wouldn't apply for Caribbean. I've heard a lot of horror stories about people failing/dropping out and being straddled with hundreds of thousands debt. From what I understand, most schools have students take a difficult screening exam you need to do well on to even have the opportunity to take your boards, and they will remediate you if you don't pass (which unfortunately happens to a lot of students each year). Even then, you'll have to do very well on the actual boards to even be considered favorably among US graduates. On top of that, the step 1 p/f uncertainty would worry me a lot, considering Caribbean graduates relied on that score.

 

[Chibucks15]

I've heard carribean is fine from many doctors if you want to go to primary care but that won't be a popular opinion here.

It used to be more okay. The match rate is 50% and the attrition rate is like 30% at some places. You're lighting money on fire for a coin flip chance to come practice rural FM in america. It isn't worth it by any means and should not be done

 

[CyrusHabs7695]

just put in the time and study hard for the mcat, taking a short cut and trying to go the Caribbean route will come around to bite you

 

[deleted955816]

No, I did a different SMP. It doesn't seem like a bad option, though, provided you get above a 3.45 gpa.
Forgive my harshness, but 3 sub-500 means you're lacking foundational knowledge and/or studying the wrong way. One of my SMP friends did take the MCAT after our program though, and their score did improve quite a bit even on their first practice exam (they ended up improving by ~10 points). You'll have to take dedicated study time for the MCAT material, but I do think the study skills/dedication you gain from the program are helpful. I actually applied 3 times, and went from 0 acceptances to 5 this cycle with the only big difference being my finished SMP.

At the very least, I would improve your MCAT score as high as you possibly can (at least 507+), and apply at least 2-3 cycles with that score. Easier said than done, but you definitely need to change your study routine. There's nothing you can do now about your previous MCAT scores, but 4 sub-500 scores would be absolutely horrible for your chances.

Whatever you do though, I wouldn't apply for Caribbean. I've heard a lot of horror stories about people failing/dropping out and being straddled with hundreds of thousands debt. From what I understand, most schools have students take a difficult screening exam you need to do well on to even have the opportunity to take your boards, and they will remediate you if you don't pass (which unfortunately happens to a lot of students each year). Even then, you'll have to do very well on the actual boards to even be considered favorably among US graduates. On top of that, the step 1 p/f uncertainty would worry me a lot, considering Caribbean graduates relied on that score.

Would u mind me asking which SMP you did I don’t want to do the wrong one! Guaranteed admission is good but it’s known to be more cut throat than most SMPs...
wonderful advice I will take the Mcat after my masters program, yeah I think that it’s foundational and I also need to develop good study habits and sit down for the Mcat after I develop those.

 

[Goro]

Hi guys,
I am two years out of undergrad and I want to get into medical school but my stats are low 497 MCAT, 3.01 Sgpa, 3.25cGPA from Binghamton University
I have been advised to do a one year Masters at TouroCOM NY. 3.45 = guaranteed admission
I have also been advised to go St. Georges Medical school by a family friend

Im trying to pick between the two ive heard some rumors about the carribean but it seems to be my only option at the moment!

Your family friend is no friend.

That smacking sound you hear off int he distance is that of SGU salivating at the thought of yet another mark to take advantage of.

Look, your MCAT score puts you in the risk zone for failing out of med school and/or Boards. Don't blame me, blame AAMC, the people who administer the MCAT and actually collect data on it. Your low sGPA is also a major red flag for doing poorly in med school.

Please do not engage in magic thinking in that risk factors don't to apply to you. Do the SMP.

 

[deleted955816]

Your family friend is no friend.

That smacking sound you hear off int he distance is that of SGU salivating at the thought of yet another mark to take advantage of.

Look, your MCAT score puts you in the risk zone for failing out of med school and/or Boards. Don't blame me, blame AAMC, the people who administer the MCAT and actually collect data on it. Your low sGPA is also a major red flag for doing poorly in med school.

Please do not engage in magic thinking in that risk factors don't to apply to you. Do the SMP.


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I appreciate the honesty! yes i definitely think im not ready for medical school at all at the moment I will definitely steer clear of SGU and pursue the masters

ive been advised to basically reinvent myself lol do a masters + retake the mcat after

would u happen to know any good DO masters ? besides touro ?

 

[Goro]

I appreciate the honesty! yes i definitely think im not ready for medical school at all at the moment I will definitely steer clear of SGU and pursue the masters

ive been advised to basically reinvent myself lol do a masters + retake the mcat after

would u happen to know any good DO masters ? besides touro ?

LECOM's is cheap and has a very good linkage.
Offhand, mine, AZCOM, Western, TUNCOM, Touro-CA, KCU. ALL SMPs are pretty much a dime-a-dozen. Pick the one that has the lowest tuition, is a year long, and has the best linkage.

 

[deleted955816]

@Goro sounds great! yeah lecom has great linkage! Im deciding between touro and lecom right now
touro also guarantees admission but a 3.45
while lecom guarantees an interview (but most likely acceptance) at a 3.3+

both great options ill have to see haha
any thoughts about these programs going online? Lecom has declared its masters online so that will def change things

 

[deleted955816]

@Goro which is your SMP?

 

[Goro]

@Goro sounds great! yeah lecom has great linkage! Im deciding between touro and lecom right now
touro also guarantees admission but a 3.45
while lecom guarantees an interview (but most likely acceptance) at a 3.3+

both great options ill have to see haha
any thoughts about these programs going online? Lecom has declared its masters online so that will def change things

You'll just be like any other med student who watches lectures in their PJs. Like it or not, this is the new reality for this year. Harvard Med school is 100% online this fall.

@Goro which is your SMP?

I could tell you, but then I'd have to reject you

 

[Damson]

I'd go for the Tuorocom one!

 

[deleted955816]

@Hazle do you know anyone in the Program or who has done it

 

[deleted955816]

@Goro yeah ur right online will be the norm some programs are saying we dont know but i think they will eventually go online .......

lol are you talking about the one in st louis? lol

 

[deleted955816]

@Goro also do you know anyone who has done well in the lecom masters ?

 

[Goro]

@Goro also do you know anyone who has done well in the lecom masters ?

I've interviewed people who went there, but I don't keep track of what happens with them. Or rather, if they come to my school, I don't remember if they did any sort of SMP or not.

Best to inquire in the school specific forums

 

[Mass Effect]

I don't know, in your case I'd be afraid of failing out of the SMP or doing really poorly in it which may very well end your med school dreams. I'd almost be tempted to tell you to do a post-bacc rather than an SMP, take some 300 and 400-level courses, maybe repeat some of your 100 and 200-level science courses if you're able to in order to actually LEARN the material. THEN consider doing an SMP and/or re-take the MCAT. I think it's way less risky than an SMP now.

 

[deleted955816]

I don't know, in your case I'd be afraid of failing out of the SMP or doing really poorly in it which may very well end your med school dreams. I'd almost be tempted to tell you to do a post-bacc rather than an SMP, take some 300 and 400-level courses, maybe repeat some of your 100 and 200-level science courses if you're able to in order to actually LEARN the material. THEN consider doing an SMP and/or re-take the MCAT. I think it's way less risky than an SMP now.

which post baccs would you recommend? Do you mean a DIY post bacc? or a formal one?

 

[deleted955816]

@Mass Effect
Ive also been recommended Barry University MBS, it goes at a much slower pace than these SMPs

 

[Deecee2DO]

If you are going to retake the MCAT then find a different approach. “Buckle down and study” or “give it your all” this time isnt going to change much. If you want to improve your score you need to change your approach because your current approach isnt working and hasnt worked. Its time to find a tutor and figure out whats going on or youll just end up with another 490s MCAT and a Caribbean acceptance. Never ever go caribbean and never ever listen to your family members about med school plans they dont know what theyre talking about unless your family friend is a current or recently retired adcom which based on their advice they most likely are far from it

 

[deleted955816]

If you are going to retake the MCAT then find a different approach. “Buckle down and study” or “give it your all” this time isnt going to change much. If you want to improve your score you need to change your approach because your current approach isnt working and hasnt worked. Its time to find a tutor and figure out whats going on or youll just end up with another 490s MCAT and a Caribbean acceptance. Never ever go caribbean and never ever listen to your family members about med school plans they dont know what theyre talking about unless your family friend is a current or recently retired adcom which based on their advice they most likely are far from it

definitely i agree im going to need a tutor and study for at least 4-5 months i feel after retaking courses or doing a masters i should take the mcat and apply to schools?

 

[Mass Effect]

which post baccs would you recommend? Do you mean a DIY post bacc? or a formal one?

I would do DIY. I think you're at very high risk of failing given your GPA in a SMP or a formal post-bacc with advanced courses. With a science GPA of 3.25, there's no reason to believe you can get a 3.45 in Master's level science courses. You need a stronger foundation before you go on to advanced classes. What's the grade breakdown? Do you have a ton of Cs mixed with a couple of Bs or an A or two? Or is more all As and Bs with some Fs in there?

 

[deleted955816]

Yeah it’s actually science gpa of 3.0 lol
It’s like As/Bs/C+/C mixes nothing lower than a C- but I feel like I didn’t study during undergrad lol so I wanted to give a program a chance cuz I Def Matured over the last two years

I was accepted into a program that also requires a 3.3+ for conditional acceptance after favorable interview

and another program that has conditional acceptance at 3.4+ after favorable interview

yeah I mean DIY makes sense but I Def wanted to go to a program attached to a med school and take those upper level sciences while qualifying for Fin aid and getting a masters degree

I could do DIY or I can just do a slow paced program like Barry which is 34 credits over 18 months
Or Rowan which is 30 credits over 18 months

 

[deleted955816]

@Mass Effect i get your concern but apparently my stats match the average mcat / science gpa / overall gpa of the incoming masters class at touro and LECOM masters, I feel like we’re all going there for a reason a second chance to improve and get into medical school and some portion of us at least gets into med school and if not we get a masters and then can retake the mcat

 

[deleted955816]

I think I am leaning towards Barry MBS its like 9 credits per semester for years, does anyone know about the program?