to any drexelers

[DrSumdae]

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I am applying to the Drexel MSP program. I'm wondering how the chemistry and physics classes are run? Do you sit in on the classes? or, are they video taped?

Also does "chemistry" mean both GenChem and Orgo?

Thanks a bunch!! 😉

 

[Alegna86]

I am also inquiring about the drexel msp program...to anyone who can answer the original poster....

1) what is the minimum gpa to be considered for this program? Is it a 3.0 (science gpa or overall)?

2) Do the courses that one takes in this program get calculated into one's overall gpa from undergrad?

3) Also, how selective is this program? How many students apply and how many are chosen?

4) What were the pros and cons of the program?

Thanks in advance...

 

[DrSumdae]

Algena86
There is a thread that I found about the MSP program at drexel that is really good to read through.

In answer to ? 4, thatguyagain wrote this:
I did IMS and was jealous of the MSP people. They had an Exam Cracker class integrated into their coursework. Everyone that took the program seriously seemed to do AWESOME on the MCAT. IMS DEFINATELY worked for me too!

PROS: everyone who took it seriously....
-Did well on MCAT
-Got into VERY good med schools
-Learned at TON about every subject you will have to take during MSI, and some MSII stuff too
-It is a well rounded program
-If you do well, you will have something really good going for you.

CONS:
-very hard to get straight A's.... it is ALOT of work (especially IMS! )
-Underfunded in the Administrative department....they do their best (which is a very good job), but there aren't enough of them.
-If you do bad, your resume will suffer bigtime...DON"T DO BAD
-$$$ (it's not that expensive, but money is money)

 

[DrSumdae]

Oops, it might help if I told you how to find that really good post! If you search this forum for Drexel, or Drexel MSP, you'll find it.🙂

 

[Alegna86]

Dr Sumdae, thanks for the response! I later found this via google....thanks again🙂

 

[WISC-ite]

I thought I would chime in... I did the MSP in 2001-2002 and then IMS in 2002-2003. I am now graduating medical school and applying to orthopaedics. Life has been good for me and I can honestly say that the time has flown.

Question: Also does "chemistry" mean both GenChem and Orgo?
- Yes, the Chemistry courses during the MSP year are both. The first semester in gen chem and the second is orgo. The difference is this, you don't have any chemistry that is not useful for the MCAT or medicine. In undergrad you learn a lot of theory, calculations, and lab time. This year is a highlight of the important stuff and a good review for the MCAT. It will keep you busy, trust me.

1) what is the minimum gpa to be considered for this program? Is it a 3.0 (science gpa or overall)?
- the requirements are on the webpage, but more importantly they consider each applicant individually. They ask: will this person get into med school with their previous record and doing well in our program? They know, as should you, that putting two years of your life and money into something is a total waste if you cannot get what you want in the end.

2) Do the courses that one takes in this program get calculated into one's overall gpa from undergrad?
- Some do and some don't. During the MSP year, all grade count toward your undergrad GPA except for Anatomy, Pharmacology and I think the lab. That being said, it will not change your undergrad GPA too much. Mine went from a 3.48 to a 3.5, but I did get a B in the first semester chemistry class. Also, the grades that year are either A, B, or C. A- and B+ does not exist.

3) Also, how selective is this program? How many students apply and how many are chosen?
- Hard to say. I know it has gotten more competitive as it has become harder to get into med school being straight out of college. The average of admission to med school is 24ish. Some people are good candidates and just need more life experience, others need help with their grades/scores.

4) What were the pros and cons of the program?
- the post above is pretty accurate. I went to this program because my MCAT was crap (23 and 24). After the program I got a 33 and I actually had choices as to where I wanted to go to med school. If you are going for grades, it is not as helpful. I think the program is really good for people that their biggest weakness is their MCAT score. It is also a good program in that it is closely affiliated with a medical school... I told myself "if the worst case scenario is that I end up at Drexel Med, that is a pretty good scenario." If I went to a post-bacc that was not affiliated and I finished with no where to go... that would just suck.

Also, I know it is tempting for people to have an "ideal" med school in their heads that they really want to go to... but, try to think out of the box. When you get done, you are a physician and you can go where ever you want. Also, if you are a minority or have a unique background from a specific location, apply to a more diverse application pool. You may be surprised as to where you get into and maybe you will get a scholarship.

Best of luck and if you have any questions, just ask. I am very very very glad that I stumbled into Drexel's MSP class.

T-minus 5 months to MD.
-WISC-ite

 

[marinak]

Thanks wisc-ite for the thorough explanation of the MSP...can you elaborate on why you don't think the program is as good for improving grades? also, is the linkage/guaranteed interview to drexel med available to students in their MSP year, ordo they have to be in IMS for that?

 

[WISC-ite]

Grades
- Well, it is not a good program for raising your GPA... but, no programs are. Your grades from undergrad are still your grades from undergrad. However, you are starting at a new place and it is an easier story to tell if/when you get interviews. I would get asked at interviews: "why did you do so well at Drexel and you didn't do as well in undergrad?" And I would respond: "Well sir, I knew that I needed to start over again and I was a much more mature student at Drexel. I wanted to go to medical school and become a physician. I had a lot of motivation to LEARN chemistry and not just get a grade in chemistry as it is a pre-med requirement." Etc, blah, blah. You get my point? So it is good for your grades if they are not the best. But a post-Bacc it will never erase your undergrad grades if they do suck.

Linkage
- the linkage thing is ONLY for IMS people... the deal is "B's or better" during IMS year and you get an automatic interview. HOWEVER, that is really hard to do. There are a handful of classes that tend to screw people every year. It does not matter if you have all A's if you get a B- in nutrition (remember, it is B's or better). That being said, it is great to have an automatic interview.

Post-Bacc students that BUST THEIR HUMP and CHANGE THEIR SOCIAL LIFE get into medical school. If you are some frat boy that goes to a post-Bacc and start off by forming a new social circle with other "cool people" in the program... good luck! (I have seen it happen, two years in a row). Leave the ego at home... you are in a post-Bacc program.

The one HUGE benefit of doing the MSP then IMS year is this: you need TWO years of post-bacc work to get into a med school if you are going to a post-Bacc to improve your application. Almost everyone that applies to a post-Bacc program does so after applying to medical school and not being accepted. If you then reapply at the beginning of your first year of post-Bacc (ie your MSP year) then your application is essentially unchanged! If however, you do well during your first year of a post-Bacc (MSP year), volunteer (as required by the program), do a bit of research (as required by the program), then retake the MCAT and do well... your application is fresh, improved and you actually have a shot!

My advice (again, coming from someone who has gone through the process and is about to start residency) is to not look at the whole process as one year vs. two years. vs three years etc... look at it as I want to be a physician at all costs. Some day you will hopefully look back and say "I almost forgot I was in Philadelphia."

Cheers,
WISC-ite

 

[DrSumdae]

Thank you so much for all of your help WISC-ite! I am very excited about this program ...I am not looking to beef up my UG GPA, but I do need to revisit subjects for the MCAT.

It almost sounds too good to be true!!!!!!