**The Official Guide to Special Masters Programs**

[acetabulum7]

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I just talked to her and she did say she would retake the MCAT regardless, plus she called WCU-COM also and was strongly recommended by Dr. Weir to retake it. In no way is she looking for a "short cut" to being a doctor. I would seriously have to question her motivation. It would be silly to get a measily 21 on the MCAT and just jump into the deep end of the pool; talk about drowning--in schoolwork, time, and debt. 👎

We'll see how she does 2 or 3 months from now. Please wish her the best. 👍

 

[deleted248403]

If this "friend" really exists and isnt you just refering to yourself in the 3rd person.... then they need to be the one calling med schools and figuring out their life. If they dont have the motivation to do that right now, theyll never survive the app process let alone med school itself.

 

[picklebunny]

Hi everyone,
I just got my MCAT scores back and now I am weighing my options. It seems like the SMP might be a good choice for me but I'd like some other opinions.

My stats:
state of residency: CA (crud)
cGPA: 3.49 with an upward trend
sGPA:3.0-3.2 (I know it's weird but I'm not sure if my psychobiology classes figure into the science GPA--definitely more than 50% of the material was biology, though.)
MCAT: 29R (PS 9, V10, BS10)
ECs:
-Summer intern at a community clinic for 4 summers
-STATS (students teaching aids to students) for one year (only one quarter was allowed to be put on my transcript though)--for this internship, we went around to local high schools to give students presentations about HIV/AIDS
-Treasurer (2 quarters) and founding member of the Ballroom Dancing club on campus
-Currently involved with organizing an annual concert in the bay area--this will be the sixth year I've been involved with this
-Currently interning in the Stanford Department of Anatomy working on programs that will be used in medical schools eventually (they will be used at Stanford this coming school year).

Originally I was planning on applying to an MD program for the 2011 school year but that doesn't look like it's happening with my less-than-stellar GPA and MCAT score. I was scoring in the low to mid 30s on the MCAT diagnostics so I'm not sure if I was just nervous or what but I feel like retaking the MCAT would be risky. More importantly, my undergrad GPA is probably not where it should be to be a competitive applicant anyway. However, I did rather well on the upper div bio classes I took later on in my undergrad career (mostly As and some Bs).

As a side note, I have just committed this summer and school year (2010-2011) to working in Stanford's Dept of Anatomy and at the end, my name will be on a couple of projects and I'll have a portfolio of all the work I did.

So, would I make a good SMP applicant? Should I go ahead and apply to medical schools for 2011 anyways?

Thanks!

 

[klmnop]

Hi everyone,
I just got my MCAT scores back and now I am weighing my options. It seems like the SMP might be a good choice for me but I'd like some other opinions.

My stats:
state of residency: CA (crud)
cGPA: 3.49 with an upward trend
sGPA:3.0-3.2 (I know it's weird but I'm not sure if my psychobiology classes figure into the science GPA--definitely more than 50% of the material was biology, though.)
MCAT: 29R (PS 9, V10, BS10)
ECs:
-Summer intern at a community clinic for 4 summers
-STATS (students teaching aids to students) for one year (only one quarter was allowed to be put on my transcript though)--for this internship, we went around to local high schools to give students presentations about HIV/AIDS
-Treasurer (2 quarters) and founding member of the Ballroom Dancing club on campus
-Currently involved with organizing an annual concert in the bay area--this will be the sixth year I've been involved with this
-Currently interning in the Stanford Department of Anatomy working on programs that will be used in medical schools eventually (they will be used at Stanford this coming school year).

Originally I was planning on applying to an MD program for the 2011 school year but that doesn't look like it's happening with my less-than-stellar GPA and MCAT score. I was scoring in the low to mid 30s on the MCAT diagnostics so I'm not sure if I was just nervous or what but I feel like retaking the MCAT would be risky. More importantly, my undergrad GPA is probably not where it should be to be a competitive applicant anyway. However, I did rather well on the upper div bio classes I took later on in my undergrad career (mostly As and some Bs).

As a side note, I have just committed this summer and school year (2010-2011) to working in Stanford's Dept of Anatomy and at the end, my name will be on a couple of projects and I'll have a portfolio of all the work I did.

So, would I make a good SMP applicant? Should I go ahead and apply to medical schools for 2011 anyways?

Thanks!

you could use some ugrad sci courses to boost your sciGPA if you wanted, but your cGPA is too high for an SMP (if you want to go to med school outside of Cali) and its not necessary

your grades can probably get you in somewhere if you apply early and DO, but a solid retake of 3 to 4pt increase would give you a better shot.

 

[deleted248403]

Hi everyone,
So, would I make a good SMP applicant? Should I go ahead and apply to medical schools for 2011 anyways?

Forgot going to school in cali for MD.

If you apply early to MD and broadly OOS then you might get some interviews, and then after that its a crapshoot.
You would be a solid DO candidate.

 

[picklebunny]

Hey, thanks for your responses.

you could use some ugrad sci courses to boost your sciGPA if you wanted, but your cGPA is too high for an SMP (if you want to go to med school outside of Cali) and its not necessary.

I graduated from a UC this past December. Where should I be looking to take classes? And what kind would be good? I've read (somewhere on this forum actually) that it's not a good idea to take these courses at a CC. I looked up summer courses at Stanford but the only science courses they are offering are lower division or classes similar to upper div classes that I've already taken. Should I be taking a postbacc-type program then?

@robflanker: Yeah, I already figured that I wasn't going to be able to get into anywhere in California--I would be willing to go out of state.

I'm planning on retaking the MCAT but I don't think I'll have enough time to study for it in order to do better and still make it for the 2011 application cycle. In this case, is it better to just wait for the 2012 cycle?

 

[klmnop]

I graduated from a UC this past December. Where should I be looking to take classes? And what kind would be good? I've read (somewhere on this forum actually) that it's not a good idea to take these courses at a CC. I looked up summer courses at Stanford but the only science courses they are offering are lower division or classes similar to upper div classes that I've already taken. Should I be taking a postbacc-type program then?

look for any school nearby (preferably not CC) that admits students under post-bacc status (ie. to take random courses despite already having a bachelor's) and then enroll in 300, 400, and 500 ugrad science courses. I doubt you have taken all of the ones some large, research-intensive universities offered. mine had hundreds of these types of courses.

 

[deleted248403]

@robflanker: Yeah, I already figured that I wasn't going to be able to get into anywhere in California--I would be willing to go out of state.

I'm planning on retaking the MCAT but I don't think I'll have enough time to study for it in order to do better and still make it for the 2011 application cycle. In this case, is it better to just wait for the 2012 cycle?

You should only take the MCAT when you are confident you can score 30+ on it. If thats not in time for this cycle, definitely hold off. It will hurt your app if you try and rush it and get a 27 (if you are shooting for MD this is).

If you don't think you can get it in time - take classes, volunteer, shadow. You have a great opportunity to maximize the next year to apply with a strong app and a solid mcat next year

 

[skrilla]

Hi everyone,
Thank you to everyone posting, all your posts have really helped me get some really useful information. I am looking for any advice, and thank you to anyone taking the time to help, I greatly appreciate it.
I graduated from UCSD with a 2.95 overall GPA and a 2.65 science GPA. I basically had another career I was pursuing throughout my whole undergrad, which took a lot of time. I would leave school for weeks at a time, as it constantly kept me from doing what I needed to do in order to do well. I was just going through the motions in order to get my degree and make my family happy. I recently decided that I really want to go into medicine. Now, I am just searching for options to salvage my academic career and get into better standing to be competitive for any DO school. Almost all of my undergrad classes were science courses, so I feel the option to take more classes and try to boost my GPA is out of the question. Having a great year grade-wise would have such little impact on my GPA. Do you think a SMP is the best route for me? And, do you think I could even get into an SMP seeing that I do well on the MCAT (haven't taken yet, studying for it now). Any recommendations on SMPs that are most successful in getting their students into their desires programs?
Thank you so much to everyone for any help I can get on this. It is just so frustrating knowing what I want to do, and being highly motivated towards it, yet really having so few options, if any at all.

 

[igoresque]

what are some smp programs that are on the lower side of tuition but are still well regarded? 3.3 (both science and non sci) gpa, 33 mcat.

 

[deleted248403]

what are some smp programs that are on the lower side of tuition but are still well regarded? 3.3 (both science and non sci) gpa, 33 mcat.

None of the well regarded programs are cheap IMO.

UMDNJ is cheaper if you are in-state at about $22k for tutition and is a so-so program

 

[jslo85]

Tulane ACP is relatively affordable in comparison to the other programs as well

 

[klmnop]

Tulane ACP is relatively affordable in comparison to the other programs as well

true but they need to keep in mind federal loans won't cover this program because no degree is offered. if you want to do it you have to come up with private loans

 

[knightstale4]

Hey guys,
Got my scores today, so wondering what you think about me pursuing an SMP/ if benefits will be derived from it?

• MCAT: 28S (7V/9PS/12BS) (will be retaking in August-that 7 just killed me 🙁)
• Biochemistry and Economics double major with a math minor
• Graduated with Honors
• cGPA: 3.47; sGPA: 3.37
• Economically disadvantaged applicant

Work and Activities

• Multicultural Summer Camp Mentor- 4 yrs.
• School magazine non-fiction editor: 4 yrs.
• Writing Consultant- 3.5 yrs (6 hrs/week)
• Biology/ Economics tutor- 2 yrs. (6 hrs/week)
• Progressive Care unit and Oncology Volunteer- 1 yr (4 hrs/wk)
• Patient Companion- 3 yrs. (4 hrs/ week)
• Resident Assistant- 1 yr.
• Hall Director- 1 yr. (20 hrs/ week)
• Residence Life Coordinator- present (40 hrs/ week)
• Reviewer for Handbook of Frauds, Scams, and Swindles by Serge Matulich, David M. Currie

Research
2 publications in the school research journal (one was summer research on protein polymer and the other was research in the spring on signaling pathways in breast cancer cells)
Senior honors thesis on health care system

Shadowing
Vascular Surgeon
General Surgeon, Burns Unit
Hepatologist

I am currently looking at Tuts, University of Mississippi, Drexel, and BU 😀

Thanks to anyone who answers 😍

 

[klmnop]

Hey guys,
Got my scores today, so wondering what you think about me pursuing an SMP/ if benefits will be derived from it?

• MCAT: 28S (7V/9PS/12BS) (will be retaking in August-that 7 just killed me 🙁)
• Biochemistry and Economics double major with a math minor
• Graduated with Honors
• cGPA: 3.47; sGPA: 3.37
• Economically disadvantaged applicant

Work and Activities

• Multicultural Summer Camp Mentor- 4 yrs.
• School magazine non-fiction editor: 4 yrs.
• Writing Consultant- 3.5 yrs (6 hrs/week)
• Biology/ Economics tutor- 2 yrs. (6 hrs/week)
• Progressive Care unit and Oncology Volunteer- 1 yr (4 hrs/wk)
• Patient Companion- 3 yrs. (4 hrs/ week)
• Resident Assistant- 1 yr.
• Hall Director- 1 yr. (20 hrs/ week)
• Residence Life Coordinator- present (40 hrs/ week)
• Reviewer for Handbook of Frauds, Scams, and Swindles by Serge Matulich, David M. Currie

Research
2 publications in the school research journal (one was summer research on protein polymer and the other was research in the spring on signaling pathways in breast cancer cells)
Senior honors thesis on health care system

Shadowing
Vascular Surgeon
General Surgeon, Burns Unit
Hepatologist

I am currently looking at Tuts, University of Mississippi, Drexel, and BU 😀

Thanks to anyone who answers 😍

looks good, you will most definitely get into an smp, why mississippi though?
also, if you improve that MCAT just a tad you have a chance to get in somewhere... so you may want to apply to med schools while you apply to smp's (i'm assuming this is for fall 2011?) and you can let them know you are retaking.

 

[knightstale4]

Hey, thanks for the reply 😍. As for your question, I just found out today you don't need a waitlist to get into an SMP (I curse Georgetown for the misconception 😡), so I was trying to find all qualifying programs that are still accepting apps. I am more interested in Tufts, Drexel, and BU though.

Also, thanks for the encouraging words. I do plan on applying to medical school this year after the retake, but I want to do an SMP for Fall 2010 because I am bored at my current job in Student Affairs. I want to get back to studying, and since my GPA isn't the greatest, I figure this will allow me to prove my diligence and committment to the field of medicine 👍.

Again, thanks so much for the advice 😍.

 

[klmnop]

Hey, thanks for the reply 😍. As for your question, I just found out today you don't need a waitlist to get into an SMP (I curse Georgetown for the misconception 😡), so I was trying to find all qualifying programs that are still accepting apps. I am more interested in Tufts, Drexel, and BU though.

Also, thanks for the encouraging words. I do plan on applying to medical school this year after the retake, but I want to do an SMP for Fall 2010 because I am bored at my current job in Student Affairs. I want to get back to studying, and since my GPA isn't the greatest, I figure this will allow me to prove my diligence and committment to the field of medicine 👍.

Again, thanks so much for the advice 😍.

oh i wasn't aware you were trying to get into smp's for this fall. that makes it a bit different. the only smp you need a waitlist to get into is tulane, which is not technically an smp because no degree is awarded, but has the same end result, if not more effective. i'm not sure if you have tons of money to spare but don't do an smp because you are bored. do it because you believe it is your only and best chance at medical school. they cost a lot of money, you have to perform better than med students (who study all day) and there is a large potential for failure. in your case, your gpa is borderline so with a solid mcat improvement, 32 to be safe, you could get into a medical school. also, if you apply DO you will most definitely get interviews and most probably a few acceptances as you match the profile perfectly.

if you are dead set on an smp, then good luck, but for you it may not be necessary. obviously you have to weight the options:

1-apply to med now + start smp this fall and get no acceptances, thus leaving you to apply again after smp completion
2-apply now with an mcat retake without smp and possibly be too late in the app cycle
3-take the mcat, take some upper level biosci courses at a local university to get that gpa to 3.5 maybe and show you are still in focused study mode, then apply exactly one year from now and get accepted.

there are more but these are the realistic options

 

[DeucesHigh3]

Hey everyone, I figured it was high time for a post of my own, since I've seen a lot of good advice given.

I graduated this spring, and I'm thinking of applying to medical schools for Fall 2011 and/or 2012.

Academically, I did very well my first two years of college (including most of the pre-reqs, i.e. A's in Orgo), then basically bombed a handful of semesters... NF's, F's, C's. The reasons are unimportant here, but I touch on it in my personal statement. I took several years off school, then transferred to another university. I was there for three semesters, took 50 credits of almost entirely upper-level biology, and got all A's and two A-'s across 15 classes (so a 3.95 there) before graduating. However, the damage was already done, so I have a cGPA of 2.98, a sGPA of 2.93, and no realistic way of changing those because I'm already up around 150 credits.

I took the MCAT twice back in 2005 (yay pencil and paper version!), and got V13, P10, B11 (34R) in April, followed by V13, P12, B13 (38O) in August after actually preparing. I took it again last summer because my scores were too old, and was too cheap to void my score despite having the flu, so this time I racked up V11, P11, B11 (33 S). My advisor said not to risk retaking it, though it burns to score 5 points less than my high-water mark.

My EC's are decent (shadowing, hospital volunteering, 4 years on an EMS squad, employment as a phlebotomist), as are my LORs.

This spring, I applied to all of the programs in Philadelphia: Temple ACMS, Drexel IMS, PCOM Biomed, and UPenn Special Sciences. I'm already accepted at Drexel and have an interview scheduled at Penn, but I'm wondering if I should bother pursuing Penn, since I've realized that I probably need an SMP rather than post-bac classes. I calculated that an entire year (~32 credits) of science would only bring my cGPA/sGPA to 3.13/3.20.

I've heard all of the good and the bad about Drexel IMS, but I personally know several people who have gone there and had a good experience. Furthermore, I am looking to remain in the Philadelphia area if at all possible, so I have no problem putting all my eggs in the DUCOM basket this application cycle, and then applying more broadly for Fall 2012 after I've finished the entire SMP if it doesn't work out.

Any thoughts? Is it silly to withdraw my application from Penn, or would the big name and the opportunities there outweigh the minimal impact it would have on my GPA?

 

[deleted248403]

Any thoughts? Is it silly to withdraw my application from Penn, or would the big name and the opportunities there outweigh the minimal impact it would have on my GPA?

Given your credit numbers and GPA, more undergrad credits won't help your competitiveness. I would suggest not going to Penn and doing an SMP.
The only way you should do Penn is if you then went to an SMP afterwards but thats not a great path

 

[DrNostradamus]

delete

 

[DrNostradamus]

delete

 

[klmnop]

Do you have in mind a minimum mcat score with my stats that would pretty much guarantee me into tufts, bu mams, or georgetown smp?
I have the whole summer to study mcats and I've had pretty good experiences with standardized tests although I'm by no means underestimating the notoriety of mcat. Thank you

i'd say a 33/34 would "guarantee" you, in fact you would most likely get in in with lower. but as they say, when you take the mcat you should be aiming to get a 45, cause if you aim for a 33, you likely won't quite get there

 

[klmnop]

Lastly, how would you evaluate the chance of getting into an SMP this fall based on rolling admissions (and a competitive and generally recommended program)? I really wish I researched a bit earlier as I was planning to do post-bacc originally and only within the past few days found out about this.

Without a GRE or MCAT and an application to turn in last week, zero. You need one of these exams to apply to all of them.

And there seems to be a Spring enrollment for SMP, is this true? and does this mean I only take one semester of classes until I reapply to med school (I don't imagine I'll get a degree for this)?

Which are you talking about specifically? None of the true-smp's with med courses have spring admissions. In fact, no allopathic ones do that I am aware of. Some are even designed for two years, one semester of 4 med courses would be useless and a waste of the school's and your time and money.

I'm only looking into allopathic medicine down the road (want to become a pediatrician), and considering that most SMPs seem to be 20-30k a year anyway, tuition is not much of an issue for me as long as I can get helped out with some loans.

1-why limit yourself to allopathic when you want to do pediatrics, befuddles me
2-Tuition is not a big deal for anyone who takes out loans, its the accumulating debt for years afterward that is the problem.
FYI some estimates based on loan offerings and last years tuitions:
GTown = $41,000 + 17,000 COL
BU = $38,000 + 17,000 COL
Tufts = $31,000 + 17,000 COL
Cinci = $31,000 + 10,000 COL

 

[Dentite21]

Hello, Im in a bit of a bind in terms of what SMP to pick. I applied and was accepted to both Rosalind's BMS program and Rush's Biotechnologies Master's Program. Also, I am a pre-dental student so I am not swayed by Rosalind's interview for their medical school. I've done my research and found practically nothing in terms of preparation for professional schools. My grades for undergrad are enough to get me past the initial cuts and my DAT score is the average for acceptance into Dental School. With an SMP I know I will get an interview to most places I apply. So any advice in terms of which one would be a good choice for my situation?
THANKS!

 

[jslo85]

imho, neither of those programs cater specifically towards dental school. I was under the impression that Rush's Master program was heavily based around research.

Not that this will help you, but the dental specific SMPs would be UMDNJ-Newark, BU MAMS oral health track, NOVA mbs, Tufts MBS (somewhat), AZCOM MA/MBS and possibly Barry's MBS.

At this point it does sound like all you need is to demonstrate competence in higher level sciences that would be an equivalent or a good gauge of how you would do if you reached dental school so in that regard, I think an SMP would serve you well. My pick goes to RFU's MBS but others can and probably will disagree.

 

[persevere7]

Hi all!

I'm wondering why there doesn't seem to be much discussion about Tulane's one year MS in Cell and Molecular Biology. Unlike their ACP program, it does offer a degree and is about $22K tuition. Does anyone know more about this program?

I got in, but to be honest, I applied to several programs last minute in a panic about my future and didn't look into it beyond their school site.

 

[persevere7]

a degree doesn't mean getting into medical school. The ACP program is like an SMP in that it allows people a chance to get in with greater efficacy. it is like saying why aren't we mentioning getting an anatomy MS from BU or a molecular biology MS from BU vs. GMS the SMP program.

Sorry I in no way meant it to discredit the ACP program. I just meant that no one has reviewed it yet along with other equivalent programs. I have no other agenda than to find out more information about the MS program at Tulane.

 

[jslo85]

I think it's because alot of people don't take the time to read up on various other threads/posts and do their own research and go word for word on the few posts that they do see.

Please remember that on SDN alot of the information is opinionated and even when neutral, you should always construct your own comprehensive interpretation off of many sources. If there is something that sounds good to you, then do some research on your own to confirm it.

 

[persevere7]

I think it's because alot of people don't take the time to read up on various other threads/posts and do their own research and go word for word on the few posts that they do see.

Please remember that on SDN alot of the information is opinionated and even when neutral, you should always construct your own comprehensive interpretation off of many sources. If there is something that sounds good to you, then do some research on your own to confirm it.

wow, I'm not quite sure why you guys are taking what I said so personally. There is no need to explain the subjectiveness of sdn- that's it's purpose, for people to share their opinions which will inherently be "opinionated." I have done "research" on past links but there isn't anything for this years program.

gujudoc, you are misinterpretting what I'm saying. When I say "equivalent" I'm referring to all the other SMP programs that have been discussed since tulane's acp isn't an smp and for waitlist students only.

perhaps I shall rephrase: does someone who recently completed this last years program for tulane's cmb program have any comments on the program? Past reviews said that thing were semed "unorganized" and "in transition"

 

[nyleve]

Hi Everyone! This is truly a GREAT thread!!!!

I need some advice deciding whether a SMP or a post-bacc a good program for me.

Okay a little about me. I recently graduated(May 2010) with a BS in Biochemistry. Funny things about Biochemistry is that I ended up getting a D in Biochem which totally srewed up my GPA🙁. (This class was HARD!!!)
cGPA: 3.26
sGPA: 3.05
ECs
ER Shadowing (1+ years)
ER Volunteer (2+years)
Orgo/Calculus Tutor
Research (Not published)

I am currently working in a Hospital as a Clerk (doing paper/computer work for Doctors/Nurses). In the Fall I have a position as a Research Lab Assistant at a University. I am currently studying for the MCAT and so far my practice scores have been 26-30+, so i am projecting an MCAT score of upper 20s🙂.

Now with that D i got in Biochem should i:
1. retake the class(this fall 2010) and apply to med school summer 2011?
2. do a post-bacc 2011 and apply 2012 ?
3. do a SMP 2011 and apply 2011?
4. retake the class(this fall 2010), do a SMP 2011 and apply 2011? (Am leaning towards this idea)

Your input will be greatly appreciated!

 

[narchy]

Hiya! Long term visitor first time poster here. Figured I'd put forth my case. I've gone through many of Braluk's posts as well as yours gujuDoc, and I really appreciate your input on people's situations. Here is my story(condensed of course):
I've taken the MCAT twice so far: once in May 09(PS10VR12BS9+S) and again in Sep 09(PS12VR10BS9+S). I finished my undergraduate coursework a few weeks ago (end of Spring '10) and am set to graduate at the end of summer. I'm currently enrolled in some undergraduate research courses that lead into a combined research-based MS program at this college, but owing to my dismal performance the last two quarters my GPA has gone kaput (cGPA 2.7 sGPA 2.6) so I might not (read: probably don't) have admission to the MS still (waiting to hear back from adcom). I've gone through the excel sheet posted by Data ***** and have come up short for med schools likely to consider me 🙁 so I'm looking at SMP as the way to go. ECs include 500 hours ER volunteering, 150 hours Medical/Surgical/ICU volunteer internship, 2+ months Cardiologist shadowing, and the fledgling research I'm conducting (might not apply with MS falling apart). I'm also considering taking the MCAT again (will be aiming for 35 but of course, who knows).

My question is, taking into account the fact that it is now the end of June (almost), is there any way I can salvage the 2010-2011 year (with an SMP) or am I looking at Jan 2011 to start applying for the Fall 2011 cycle? Also, with my GPA and MCAT scores, do I even have likely prospects (YMMV considerations aside)? Any and all help is highly appreciated. 🙂

 

[narchy]

Thank you for the quick response. I think I had come to a similar conclusion but it never hurts to confirm I suppose. Looking further at my options hereon, the Pre-professional Health Academic Program @ Cal State East Bay looks like a viable option. Do you know if such "certificate granting programs" are looked upon less favorably compared to more traditional "Master's" programs? Also, are such "record-enhancers," be they certificate-granting or degree-granting, recognized by all medical schools or is it a specific subset?

Thanks again!

 

[narchy]

Fair enough; thank you for the input. You rock!😀

 

[rjns11]

Has anyone taken (or retaken) the MCAT during or after their SMP? I know the programs are very rigorous so it would be difficult to stay fresh on the physical sciences section, but how much did it help with the bio section?

Any feedback or a link would be great.

 

[rjns11]

Thanks for the feedback guju. Congratulations on the high science scores. It's good to see how applicable all of the pre-reqs will be.

 

[Dr latif]

Barry University recently updated their BMS program to cater for students interested in dentistry VS medicine, more info can be found on their website http://www.barry.edu/bms/Default.asp.

Core Curriculum:
BMS 527,528, Biochemistry I, II; 6 s.h
BMS 547 Neuroanatomy W Lab;4 s.h
BMS 550 Histology and Cell Biology W Lab; 5 s.h
BMS 553 Health Law and Ethics3 s.h
BMS 559 General Dentistry-Principles and Practices3 s.h*
BMS 590 Gross Anatomy W Full dissection cadaver lab ; OR 6 s.h
BMS 591 Head and Neck Anatomy W Full dissection cadaver lab3 s.h*
BMS 595 Physiology w Lab 6 s.h
* For students interested in a career in dentistry
See course description for available Electives 6 s.h

Total 36 s.h

The program can be finished in 1, 1.5 or 2 years.

 

[psjeong]

Hi everyone,

I hope this is the right place to post this...

At the end of May, I applied to some one-year masters programs (for Fall 2010 matriculation) and would like to ask for your opinions on which one would be best for me. I'm also in the process of applying to allopathic (MD) schools for Fall 2011 matriculation. Which of these would you recommend if I plan to study for an MD? I would appreciate any input.

So far, I have only heard back from four of the five schools so far.

The Commonwealth Medical College (TCMC) - Master of Biomedical Science: Accepted. (But I declined the acceptance)
Georgetown University - Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) - MS in Physiology: Accepted. (this one seems like it would be better for D.O. school preparation, but it does seem interesting).
UMDNJ - Graduate School of Biomedical Science at New Jersey Medical School - Master of Biomedical Sciences: Accepted
UMDNJ Graduate School of Biomedical Science at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School - Master of Biomedical Sciences: Accepted
Boston University - M.A. in Medical Science: Still waiting for response.

 

[psjeong]

BU MAMS is one of the better known SMPs but they don't encourage same year applications. UMDNJ programs probably might get you in same year wise into a NJ school.

I've heard good stuff about the NJMS program. So you could consider that one.

I wouldn't do CAM. Unless its the smp I wouldn't do it. you already declined tcmc so can't comment there.

Thank you for the quick response. If I wanted to apply to other medical schools, would the reputation of Georgetown have an advantage over the NJMS program or even the BU MAMS program?

The class size of the CAM program at Georgetown is limited to 30 and, from what I understand, 15 people applied to med school, 12 got interviews, and 8 received acceptances. I think those are some fairly good statistics.

 

[deleted248403]

The Commonwealth Medical College (TCMC) - Master of Biomedical Science: Accepted. (But I declined the acceptance)
Georgetown University - Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) - MS in Physiology: Accepted. (this one seems like it would be better for D.O. school preparation, but it does seem interesting).
UMDNJ - Graduate School of Biomedical Science at New Jersey Medical School - Master of Biomedical Sciences: Accepted
UMDNJ Graduate School of Biomedical Science at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School - Master of Biomedical Sciences: Accepted
Boston University - M.A. in Medical Science: Still waiting for response.

IMO; BU > NJMS > RWJ >>>>>> CAM

Plus, if IIRC the GSBS programs at UMDNJ are at Newark (NJMS) and Stratford. Stratford is where UMDNJ-DO is, and RWJ is in Piscataway.

So I think you are looking at the UMDNJ programs incorrectly, one is located at a DO school and the other at a MD school.

Correct me if I'm wrong

 

[psjeong]

Thank you, gujuDoc and robflanker for your inputs.

I suppose I should put the NJMS program into more consideration. The idea of going to Georgetown had a nice ring to it haha. But I guess the ideal situation would be to go to Boston. The only thing about Boston is that it's usually people who apply at the completion of the SMP that get into the med school, correct?

As for the GSBS programs, I believe three campuses have them. You can check it out on the website, robflanker.
http://gsbs.umdnj.edu/

 

[mommy2three]

Has anyone taken (or retaken) the MCAT during or after their SMP? I know the programs are very rigorous so it would be difficult to stay fresh on the physical sciences section, but how much did it help with the bio section?

Any feedback or a link would be great.

i retook my mcat the summer between my 1st and 2nd year in a 2 yr masters based smp program. i opted out of some of the electives my classmates were taking in the spring quarter and the summer quarter to enable focusing on the mcat. my studying mainly focused on the physical sciences section since i felt this is where i was the rustiest.
the coursework does help tremendously. i had an immuno passage when i recently took it that i knocked out of the park because i had recently seen it in a course.

 

[recycledpaper]

hi everyone,

i am interested in applying to the georgetown SMP program for fall 2011. my app isnt strong enough for med school so i was hoping i could get into the SMP program and maybe afterwards have a better chance at med school.

my stats are 3.15 cGPA, 3.21 sGPA from UC Irvine. i also just got my first mcat score back and it was a 28S (10 bio, 10 verbal, 8 PS).

what are my chances of getting into georgetown SMP based off those stats alone? my ECs include:

-starting a health/volunteer organization (iMed at UCI for anyone familiar)
-for iMed, acted as director my founding year and then co-chair the year after (2 years total)
-volunteering 250+ hours at a hospital doing actual stuff involving patient care
-started a non-medical business my 2nd year in college and it's still running to this day, and profitable
-mulitple volunteering trips to orphanages as well as a free clinic in ayacucho peru.


thanks for any advice/tips.. hope this is enough. i'm very pressed for time and would like to avoid taking the mcat again but if i need to i think i can muster a 35+. i studied for only 4 weeks to get that 28 and i had to relearn all the physical sciences and some orgo

 

[FSUchess99]

Hi everyone, new to SDN here. If my post is in the incorrect forum, please advise me on where I should relocate it. Here comes a looooong boring post.

Excuse me while I become "that 25yo guy" who wants to take the med school spot of a student whose worked their butt off since age 16. 🙄

Ive posted this on another PreMed forum and wasn't flamed for past academic shortcomings, I'd appreciate it if I was treated with similar respect and honesty here.

Im interested in both allopathic and osteopathic schools in my quest to become a physician. I have very poor undergraduate grades, sub 2.5 cGPA and sGPA. Like many others, however, I attribute my lack of success to a lack of maturity regarding applying full effort in my undergrad years. I finished my BA in social sciences in 2007.

Frankly, my transcript is a mess. Lots of Cs and two Fs (both in calculus 2) in premed requirements.

Im looking for the most effective means to reach my goal, not necessarily an easy or cheap one, because I am quite aware of how challenging and expensive becoming a doctor can be.

My primary question is, do SMPs ever accept "turnaround" students? If they do, and I do relatively well, will my undergraduate grades keep me out of medical schools?

I do have a few things going for me. No student debt, no one to care for financially except myself, and Im a fantastic standardized test taker, if there is such a thing.

I'm debating two courses of action:
1. -retaking my C and F grades in premed requirements, along with the reqs I havent taken, with the goal of applying to D.O. schools (about 10 courses, 40 credits).

Straight As will get me (according to AACOMAS's GPA policy) a 4.0 sGPA, 3.5-3.8 BCPM, and a 3.1 cGPA, and ten repeated courses, all of which will be on my transcript. (yes, given my academic history, I know how crazy that sounds)

2. -doing an entire second bachelors in biology (about 60 credits), which will maybe bring my cGPA to a 3.0 (according to AMCAS), with the goal of having 60 post-baccalaureate undergraduate credits of 3.8+ GPA to my name. My big fear is not getting to 3.0 and being screened out of quality SMPs, despite a trend of really good grades.

I'll take numerous advanced biology classes, where if I do well, I hope to overshadow Cs in into bio. I'll take organic chemistry to overshadow Cs in intro chem.

What would everyone do after a really bad start? Thanks in advance for the help everyone

 

[jslo85]

Hi everyone, new to SDN here. If my post is in the incorrect forum, please advise me on where I should relocate it. Here comes a looooong boring post.

hi

Excuse me while I become "that 25yo guy" who wants to take the med school spot of a student whose worked their butt off since age 16. 🙄

Ive posted this on another PreMed forum and wasn't flamed for past academic shortcomings, I'd appreciate it if I was treated with similar respect and honesty here.

sure

My primary question is, do SMPs ever accept "turnaround" students? If they do, and I do relatively well, will my undergraduate grades keep me out of medical schools?

They do because that is a primary purpose of an SMP to boost the academic credentials of a college graduate who has already taken the medical school pre-requisites. Your current GPA as it stands will get you pre-screened out of every school that will screen primaries before handing out secondaries no matter how good your grades in your SMP are which leads one to wonder why any SMP worth their salt would accept a candidate with your current stats.

I do have a few things going for me. No student debt, no one to care for financially except myself, and Im a fantastic standardized test taker, if there is such a thing.

No debt is definitely a good thing. If you do well on your MCAT (looking very far and optomistically into the future) it will go a long way in explaining your past history and give your application a bit more validity.

I'm debating two courses of action:
1. -retaking my C and F grades in premed requirements, along with the reqs I havent taken, with the goal of applying to D.O. schools (about 10 courses, 40 credits).

Straight As will get me (according to AACOMAS's GPA policy) a 4.0 sGPA, 3.5-3.8 BCPM, and a 3.1 cGPA, and ten repeated courses, all of which will be on my transcript. (yes, given my academic history, I know how crazy that sounds)

2. -doing an entire second bachelors in biology (about 60 credits), which will maybe bring my cGPA to a 3.0 (according to AMCAS), with the goal of having 60 post-baccalaureate undergraduate credits of 3.8+ GPA to my name. My big fear is not getting to 3.0 and being screened out of quality SMPs, despite a trend of really good grades.

I think you've got a few misconceptions here. First off, you will need to retake the Fs regardless of which path you take. Your Cs are technically acceptable to be counted for completing the medical school pre-reqs for those classes which is why many advisors will tell you to keep the Cs and to take harder upper division classes in those areas to demonstrate that you can succeed at a higher level and attribute the poor grades in easier classes to w/e reason you come up with in your personal statement/interviews. Yes AACOMAS will allow the grade replacement for GPA calculation, but you tell me how it looks to see someone repeat 10 "elementary" classes when they see your entered coursework and all the grades side by side? You make a far stronger case by retaking and taking upper division classes and an SMP by demonstrating that yes, you are better than your academic record shows and that you have tremendous perserverence in recognizing your shortcomings and busting !#$ to "make up for it" to earn a possible second chance.

As for the 3.0 fear, it depends on which programs you apply to. Many SMPs will consider students with a sub 3.0 GPA (it needs to be somewhere in this ballpark) if they have other factors that distinguish themselves as potential medical school matriculants such as high MCAT score, great LOR, great E.Cs, etc. SMPs are there for the purpose of boosting your academic coursework thus they are generally more open to applicants with a less than desirable GPA.

I'll take numerous advanced biology classes, where if I do well, I hope to overshadow Cs in into bio. I'll take organic chemistry to overshadow Cs in intro chem.

It's largely about trends and if your application demonstrates potential. There will still be lingering doubt regardless of how much you do and an SMP usually is recommended to dissuade most of those fears by providing solid evidence that you can perform and excel with a medical school curriculum against the medical students . The problem that you have currently is to even get into one of these programs. Having a high MCAT score and a strong upward trend in grades will go a long way. But my personal concern which you probably know is how you are going to turn all those Cs into As. You did not have 1, 2, or 3 Cs, but 8 Cs and 2 Fs, in basic science which makes me wonder how you are going to handle subjects like neurophysiology, anatomy, histology, immunology etc. I'd do some honest to God soul searching to find out what your problem is and whether you're willing to spend large amounts of money and time for a possible shot at proving you have what it takes to get into medical school. On a side note, if you go osteopathic, you might be able to cut down on the academic time substantially but you will have to make it up in your CV. My 2 cents.

 

[FSUchess99]

"You did not have 1, 2, or 3 Cs, but 8 Cs and 2 Fs, in basic science which makes me wonder how you are going to handle subjects like neurophysiology, anatomy, histology, immunology etc. I'd do some honest to God soul searching to find out what your problem is and whether you're willing to spend large amounts of money and time for a possible shot at proving you have what it takes to get into medical school."

I certainly understand the concern. I have a lot of embarassing reasons why I did poorly, and they're in my past, which is why I want to take on such an immense challenge.

thanks for your time, much appreciated

 

[RokKidA]

Do you think that students have a better chance at getting into SMP's if they email/introduce themselves to the director of the graduate program before applying?

I heard that this is beneficial for other graduate programs, but I've never heard this for SMP's.

 

[Pedsbro]

Do you think that students have a better chance at getting into SMP's if they email/introduce themselves to the director of the graduate program before applying?

I heard that this is beneficial for other graduate programs, but I've never heard this for SMP's.

I think the universal advice is that getting your name in there and known to a person with decision making influence/ability is always good and can never hurt. That goes for anything...med school admissions, grad school admissions, job interviews, whatever. As long as you don't go in announcing your intention to kiss up to the director, it's a good idea.

 

[hei]

are there any SMPs that allow you to apply for the Winter 2011 class?

 

[DrMidlife]

are there any SMPs that allow you to apply for the Winter 2011 class?

Not good ones. By which I mean: a good SMP puts you through most of the first year of med school, with the regular med students, to give you a chance to demonstrate that you are ready to succeed in med school despite your low cumulative undergrad GPA.

You can always find other types of programs that start mid-year.

Best of luck to you.

 

[nightw1ng]

I might have a possible dilemma coming up and wanted to look to the members of this board for their advice.

My goal is to attend medical school, but due to my low GPA I think SMPs are the best route to go. I ended up taking the MCAT last May. (I got a 31 and I previously took it seven years ago and got a 32.) I then applied to a few programs at the very end of the application season this past June for SMPs that start this fall. I assumed it would be more competitive near the deadlines but applied anyway to see if I had a shot for a program this fall before waiting to apply next January for the start of next year's SMPs. I did not get in to any of the programs but I did get waitlisted for Rush University's Masters program in Biotechnology. I was recently contacted by their director and was told there is a good chance I will be called off the waitlist this week.

I graduated from Northwestern University with a BS in Biomedical Engineering and low GPAs (cum and science GPAs around 2.6). From what I've read, I believe I would not get past the screening process for interviews for med school because my undergraduate GPA is below a 3.0, despite whatever GPA I got in a graduate program.

Unfortunately, there is no direct link between Rush's Masters program and their medical school, so I was wondering if I should accept if they offer me a seat or if I should wait to reapply to other programs next year that guarantee interviews into their med school. (One of the SMPs I was looking at was Rosalind Franklin University's, and I know of people who've gotten into their program with GPAs lower than the mininum 3.0.)

On a sidenote, I am currently enrolled at the local college full-time taking science courses to help boost my undergrad GPA if I do end up applying for SMPs in January. Naturally, I would withdraw if I decided to go into Rush's program.