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So I have just been accepted into both Temple ACMS and UConn Program B. I would love some thoughts about which one to go to. I have done a lot of research on both, including talking thoroughly to both admins and two grads from each program. Here is the pro/con list for both:
Temple:
Pros:
1) Guaranteed seat if I hit 3.5 post-bacc GPA and 30 MCAT
2) ACMS students do 25% better on their boards than the average medical student because they take biochemistry, anatomy, microbiology, immunology, physiology and pharmacology in the post-bacc year. They are therefore very prepared for the first two years of medical school.
3) Philadelphia: I love the city
4) Med school location: I am interested in primary care and infectious disease for underserved populations. North Philadelphia is definitely not the best part of town but it has a patient population I am very interested in.
5) Great facilities: basically brand new building with high-tech facilities
6) Relaxed post-bac culture: because ACMS students take individualized program classes, they are very willing to help each other and almost everyone gets the grades because of this.
7) Includes MCAT prep
8) Scheduled shadowing during post-bacc
Cons:
1) Price for postbacc: $45,000 including tuition, living, and books. Only $12,500 of this can be covered by Stafford loans and the other $32,500 has to be covered by private loans, which can have high, changing loan rates.
2) Price for medical school: $60,000-$65,000 a year for everything
3) They do not really give grants once accepted into the medical school. I was told by two different people that there is not much financial help for the first year once you are accepted
4) Higher MCAT requirement: the 30 is the reason most people who still want to go do not matriculate into the med school.
5) You are required to only apply to their medical school. Makes since though, since they guarantee you a seat in their med school from the beginning
UConn:
Pros:
1) 8/10 of the postbac students, on average, get accepted each year. They want a 27-28 MCAT and around 3.5 postbac GPA.
2) Medical school focuses on primary care, including scheduling shadowing of primary care doctors from day 1.
3) Postbacc price: $25,000 for tuition, living, and books, all covered under Stafford loans; no private loans needed.
4) Price for Medical School: $45,000 for everything per year.
5) Has given grants to accepted post-bac student from day 1.
6) 27-28 MCAT requirement. From what I hear, much more doable than 30.
7) Small med school class size: only 90-100 people a class, which creates a closer class and more attention from faculty
8) I would most likely go to the med school afterwards anyways, but they dont require me to only apply to UConn med. Leaves options open
Cons:
1) No guaranteed acceptance. They do have a very high acceptance rate for post bacc students but nothing guaranteed
2) Have to take undergrad classes possibly without other post-baccs, upping the difficulty and competitiveness for getting the 3.5, especially since they want you to take difficult classes to prepare you for med school
3) Post bacc year is in Storrs, in the middle of no-where conn
4) Med school in Farmington and I prefer a larger city
4) Older facilities
5) Because you are taking individualized class schedules, there might be no real collegiality between post-bacc students since you might not even see them.
6) No MCAT prep included
In the end, cost is a huge factor for me. I want as much freedom and options as possible after med school and I will most likely be in $100,000+ more in debt by going to Temple (postbac + med) than UConn (postbac + med). However, if both schools had cost the same amount, I think I would prefer Temple.
Anyone have any thoughts? Also, I would love to hear from people who have done these programs or would like to correct/add info on any of these.
Thanks!
Temple:
Pros:
1) Guaranteed seat if I hit 3.5 post-bacc GPA and 30 MCAT
2) ACMS students do 25% better on their boards than the average medical student because they take biochemistry, anatomy, microbiology, immunology, physiology and pharmacology in the post-bacc year. They are therefore very prepared for the first two years of medical school.
3) Philadelphia: I love the city
4) Med school location: I am interested in primary care and infectious disease for underserved populations. North Philadelphia is definitely not the best part of town but it has a patient population I am very interested in.
5) Great facilities: basically brand new building with high-tech facilities
6) Relaxed post-bac culture: because ACMS students take individualized program classes, they are very willing to help each other and almost everyone gets the grades because of this.
7) Includes MCAT prep
8) Scheduled shadowing during post-bacc
Cons:
1) Price for postbacc: $45,000 including tuition, living, and books. Only $12,500 of this can be covered by Stafford loans and the other $32,500 has to be covered by private loans, which can have high, changing loan rates.
2) Price for medical school: $60,000-$65,000 a year for everything
3) They do not really give grants once accepted into the medical school. I was told by two different people that there is not much financial help for the first year once you are accepted
4) Higher MCAT requirement: the 30 is the reason most people who still want to go do not matriculate into the med school.
5) You are required to only apply to their medical school. Makes since though, since they guarantee you a seat in their med school from the beginning
UConn:
Pros:
1) 8/10 of the postbac students, on average, get accepted each year. They want a 27-28 MCAT and around 3.5 postbac GPA.
2) Medical school focuses on primary care, including scheduling shadowing of primary care doctors from day 1.
3) Postbacc price: $25,000 for tuition, living, and books, all covered under Stafford loans; no private loans needed.
4) Price for Medical School: $45,000 for everything per year.
5) Has given grants to accepted post-bac student from day 1.
6) 27-28 MCAT requirement. From what I hear, much more doable than 30.
7) Small med school class size: only 90-100 people a class, which creates a closer class and more attention from faculty
8) I would most likely go to the med school afterwards anyways, but they dont require me to only apply to UConn med. Leaves options open
Cons:
1) No guaranteed acceptance. They do have a very high acceptance rate for post bacc students but nothing guaranteed
2) Have to take undergrad classes possibly without other post-baccs, upping the difficulty and competitiveness for getting the 3.5, especially since they want you to take difficult classes to prepare you for med school
3) Post bacc year is in Storrs, in the middle of no-where conn
4) Med school in Farmington and I prefer a larger city
4) Older facilities
5) Because you are taking individualized class schedules, there might be no real collegiality between post-bacc students since you might not even see them.
6) No MCAT prep included
In the end, cost is a huge factor for me. I want as much freedom and options as possible after med school and I will most likely be in $100,000+ more in debt by going to Temple (postbac + med) than UConn (postbac + med). However, if both schools had cost the same amount, I think I would prefer Temple.
Anyone have any thoughts? Also, I would love to hear from people who have done these programs or would like to correct/add info on any of these.
Thanks!
