To Drexel MSP -or- Not to Drexel MSP, that is the question <HELP>!!

[D0ct0r2B]

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Past Drexel MSPers I NEED YOUR HELP!!
I need your advice, and who better to gain wisdom from than from those who have actually been through the experience….
I have been accepted into the MSP 2009-2010 program, but I am not sure if I should attend or not. Truth is I was prepared to make the move and enter the MSP class, until I read some reviews from previous MSPers slamming the program—now I am VERY skeptical and unsure if I should attend!!?!?! I have not applied to any other post-bac program so this is my only option. I have already been out of school for a year, and I feel like I need to become active in my education while waiting upon acceptance to medical school.

I’ve noticed the curriculum features classes I have already taken as an undergraduate, and I am scheduled to RETAKE my MCAT at the end of the month (first time 24R did not study, currently scoring 32-35 on practice AAMC test). GPA: 3.23c 2.9s; I guess the program will improving my GPA credentials. I am trying to figure out how I will benefit from the program.

How was your experience? Pros? Cons? Waste of Money? Did it help you get into medical school? Improved your study skills? How are the professors? Learning environment? Etc.? Any information you could provide will be greatly appreciated, thank you!!🙂

 

[mr2trd3]

I haven't heard much about the MSP program, but the IMS program is not a favorite among graduates. I don't mean to take away from or discourage accepted and excited applicants, but this is just what I've gathered from previous students. At best, students were saying that it's what you make of it, which is true. However, the general consensus is that they basically want your money. They throw you out in deep waters and let you fend for yourself. Again this is just what I've heard and read about the IMS program. This information is not specific to the MSP program and I have no experience myself so take this hearsay with a bucket of salt.

If you are determined to succeed, do not want another wasted gap year, and this is your only option, I, personally, would just go for it. IF you do well, it can only help you. Otherwise, another option (the better option, imo) is to just start working on my AACOMAS application early. I think you'd have a decent shot at some DO schools with your stats. Just make sure your MCAT retake is at least a couple points higher than your 24R.

As a disclaimer, these are simply my opinion. I hope you will make an informed and educated decision for yourself. This is SDN after all.

 

[schroon]

Please identify where on this site the critical reviews from former Drexel MSPers are that you are concerned about.

The only comments about the Drexel program are pasted below which are both favorable.

mori6478
Member

Status: Medical Student
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 37


Drexel IMS
Drexel IMS 2007-2008

Pros:
1. The number of med school classes that are offered.
2. The broadcasting and accessibility of the lectures online.
3. The accessibility of the professors and their willingness to help you.
4. Free tutoring, gym and counseling.
5. Great lecture note handouts.
6. The way that the curriculum is set up in modules is fantastic, in my opinion.

Cons:
1. Expense
2. The fact that we don't have live teachers (although I do not view this as very much of a con).
3. The building is kind of run down.
4. The medical ethics class is kind of a drag because you feel like you have so much other studying that you could be doing.

Pro or Con:
Philly - a lot of people think of this as a pro. However, there is some culture shock for people coming from the south or the west. But, of course, the city has a great night life, a good cultural scene, and plenty going on.

I don’t feel like the classes need a description since they are just regular medical school classes.
Med Classes:
Medical Biochemistry I and II, Medical Physiology I and II, Cell Biology and Microanatomy I and II, Medical Nutrition, Medical Immunology, Medical Neuroscience
Ethics Class:
Medicine and Society I and II

Something I wish I knew coming into the program:
I wish I knew how to study the best way possible for my own learning style. If you don't know, learn quickly, or you will find yourself struggling immediately. Also, use the tutoring. I didn't need so much help understanding the concepts; I just wanted someone to go over the info with me as many times as I wanted, without feeling like I was holding my friends back. I went from getting all Cs to getting mostly As when I started using the tutoring service.

Something I would like to tell incoming students about my program:
Prepared me spectacularly. I feel like I am going to have a huge leg up on other students in my first year class. I am filled with confidence going into my first year as opposed to being worried about it.

Tips for students applying to your program:
Don't be too concerned with the statistics of the percentages of people who get in, etc (even though Drexel's percentage is very high). If you do your work, and you get good grades, you have a very good chance of gaining admission to med school.

Did it help you get into medical school/dental school/etc.?
Yes! I got into my allopathic state school.

A rating from 1-5:
5

________________

The10101
Member

Status: Pre-Medical
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 38


Drexel IMS 2008-2009
Drexel IMS 2008-2009

Pros:
1. The amount of medical school classes that we take.
2. The grading system against the med students allows for easy comparison.
3. Classes are broadcasted over telecom and are also available online so you can watch at home.
4. Tutoring/gym included.
5. The notes provided
6. Camaraderie of the IMS class because you are not graded against each other.
7. Medical ethics (part-con, see below): forces you to think about current topics in medicine, form an opinion on it, and try to speak reasonably coherently about it - good for interviews


Cons:
1. Medical ethics - professor likes to talk really slowly during large lecture group.

Classes
Aug-Dec: Medical Biochemistry I; Medical Physiology I; Cell Biology and Microanatomy I; Medical Nutrition, Medical Immunology, medicine/society I (ethics)
Jan-May: Medical Biochemistry II; Medical Physiology II; Cell Biology and Microanatomy II; Medical Nutrition, Medical Immunology, medicine/society II (ethics); Medical Neuroscience; Medicine and Society II


Something I wish I knew coming into the program:
Nothing really came as a surprise.


Something I would like to tell incoming students about my program:
- Adjust quickly to the amount of material you are going to receive of you won't survive. The first unit exam is easy, and everyone does well. (it's basic biochemistry, think enzymes). Then everyone relaxes and is hit hard during the next unit exam.
- If you are like me and applying after finishing the program and are also retaking the MCAT after, this program will boost your bio score. I just took a diagnostic MCAT and got a perfect on the bio section (not orgo) without studying, just from all the material/testing that we go through!
- Watch out for Nutrition. I personally really enjoyed the class, but the exams were difficult for a lot of people because they were different than the other ones. It's very much more clinically based exam material.
- I came from undergrad with a 3.1overall/2.87BCPM. *I* knew that that was because of first and second year - third and fourth years I had GPAs (both overall and BCPM) of over 3.5. But - still a red flag! However, in the drexel IMS program, I currently have a GPA of 3.5 - all science courses. I have been told by adcoms that this shows my dedication and proves I can handle the rigor of medical school.
- microanatomy will seem ridiculous at first, but in the end will be one of the easiest classes to study for. You don't actually have to go to lab as long as you use the histology atlas online.
- I feel confident now that when I do eventually make it to medical school (knock on wood!), I will excel and I think this program gave me a huge leg up.


Tips for students applying to your program:
Try to have all of your other ducks in a row before you begin the program. You really will not have much time for intense volunteering, work, etc. It's doable second semester but don't expect to be doing this plus making up another part of your application at the same time.



Did it help you get into medical school/dental school/etc.?
Applying this summer! I decided to wait until I completed the SMP (see undergrad grades), but I will update.


A rating from 1-5:
5

 

[plausible]

I was accepted to the MSP program after not making the cutoff MCAT for the IMS program. I decided to attend PCOM's biomedical sciences program instead. One of the main reasons was the fact that I would be revisiting a lot of the basic sciences that I had took at my UG insitution. While this was great for others, it wasn't going to help me in my case. I had already been out of undergrad for 2 years and have taking informal post-bac courses through Temple University (in philly) and another college to boost my uGPA. Also, I really didn't want to take another 2 years to get into med school. From what I understood, after the MSP program, you would matriculate into the IMS program, and then into the MD program if all goes well. At PCOM, I was able to save a year by matriculating into the DO program immediately after 1 year as a biomed student.

While the MSP program wasn't a great fit for me, it may be for you. Like another poster has said, "...it's what you make of it". There's no question that you really need to perform well in the post bacs. You seriously sink or swim, and your impression of the program after the program may or may not reflect this. Now, since there is an ever growing variety of post bac program, I think you need to make sure you pick the right one for your situation and goals. You've met drexel's criteria. The question now is, do they met yours? Also, do you have a backup plan if you don't attend in the fall?

 

[D0ct0r2B]

.Hello Schroon!!.
.Thank you for your inquiry. .
.I am aware of the reviews posted about the IMS program, however, I personally have been accepted into the MSP program&#8212;which is essentially completely different. The MSP curriculum does not feature any medical school courses, in fact the curriculum is comprised of the following courses: .
.1st Semester.
.Gen Chem
Physics
Concepts in Biochemistry and Cell Biology (Grad level)
Pharmacology (Grad level)
Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Community Dimensions in Medicine
MCAT Prep

2nd Semester
Organic Chem
Physics 2
Anatomy (Grad level)
Physiology (Grad level)
MCAT prep.

.Listed below are a culmination of reviews made by previous MSPers&#8230;these individuals are not speaking too highly of the program&#8230;I am not basing my decision solely on the opinions of others-- you really never know until you have experienced it yourself. I meditated on Pros, Cons, and what will be in MY best interest when it came to making a decision. I greatly appreciate everyone's insight!! Good luck in you alls future endeavors&#8230;we are MDs/DOs in the making&#8230;continue to strive and persevere!!🙂.


.07-06-2009, 02:28 PM .
.FutureDoc 2013 .
.Don't go to Drexel MSP .
.I never post anything here but I can't in good faith let you make the same horrible decision I did. I attended the Drexel MSP program and they present the program as something wonderful. Don't buy into it!! It is nothing as they present it. They only care about getting your money and not about helping you become a doctor. The MCAT classes are student taught by the year's previous students. I didn't learn a thing from those classes. I ended up studying on my own to raise my MCAT score. Use the examkracker books and 1001's and you will significantly raise your score. Don't waist money on the Drexel Programs, it's a waist of time and money. .
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.06-19-2008, 11:11 PM .
.129501 ..
..Personal Advice .
.In my personal experience, this program just sucks! Let this statistic speak for itself: Only 20 out of 60 people who went to MSP are coming back for IMS. Many were not satisfied with the experience primarily b/c of 2 very bad professors that teach a total of 4 classes, very disorganized administration (ONE example: they give out your MCAT books very late - Late october, early november), and MAINLY b/c the MCAT tutoring was bull. Former MSP students who were too focused on studying for IMS classes were teaching the MCAT classes and it wasn't in depth at all.

If you have more questions just message me. I'm a blunt person that's why my message is harsh. .

.And for 4 classes this past year (Cell Biology, Chem. I/II, and Human Physiology) you will be taught by HORRIBLE profs. that just read off slides and mumble and their exams are very detailed/hard and reading the book is not only time-consuming but it's just not enough to pass well.

Just saying that my old material helps balance the lack of good professors. And we all want to get A's don't we!!!.
_______________________________________________________________________________
.
.
.06-23-2008, 12:14 PM .
.EZgoin .
.time to chime .
.Hey all,

I remember around this time last year I was very excited to be accepted to Drexel's MSP program. I searched the forumns on SDN and tried to find the one program that would address all my needs. My situation coming into this past year was that i had never taken the MCAT and my overall gpa was around a 3.35. So I def needed to find a program that would give me the opportunity to increase my gpa a little bit and also provide some type of MCAT prep to better prepare myself for an exam I have never taken. I came across the MSP program and thought I found gold!

Unfortunately this was not the case. I should have seen it coming when I found it hard to get in contact with somebody, from the office, who knew what the hell they were talking about when trying to find information about housing, financial aid, etc. If you are giving Drexel the benefit of the doubt then you setting yourself up for a big dissapointment. This will be a recurring theme throughout your academic year. Basically you are on your own. I will repeat this: you are on your own!!!

For me, I came to this program solely for the MCAT prep...i mean come on...full MCAT prep for the year...this has to be a good deal right? Not exactly.

Just as Geo might have briefly touched upon on his post, the MCAT tutors for you guys will most likely be past MSP students who are now taking the much harder IMS classes this coming year. Now lets think about this...most of us will be taking the full course load in the fall (which is 23 credits)...do you really think we are going to be able to recall first year science to help you guys prepare for the MCAT when we are slamming all this extra science material down our own throats? This a question I should have asked myself but I didn't...i just thought somehow Drexel would go out of its way to make it work for the MSP students. Drexel doesn't go out of its way for anyone. Most of the past MCAT tutors put in valiant efforts and a handful of them were able to clearly teach the material but a lot of them (especially during times when they were taking tests) didn't put in any effort to teach the material. I don't blame them, i seriously dont....but where does that leave the MSP students?

The program in general has changed and this past year was the first year of "change". In years beforehand the MSP program was considered kind of a joke...a gpa booster...the only reason people didnt complain about the poor teaching that was going on because these professors would give students extra credit and makeup exams to keep the averages high. This kind of "masked" the poor teaching ability of these teachers.

This year these teachers weren't allowed to give extra credit or make up exams and grades dropped compared to past MSP classes. The administration has basically cut the legs out from some of your future professors. They want gpas to not be inflated.

The overall reason the administration doesn't want inflation of grades was because a lot of students from the MSP class of 2006-2007 who were in the IMS program this year dropped out. The jump from their easy MSP class to the IMS program requirements was too much. This looks terrible when doing program statistics, etc. So administration has made the MSP year significantly harder.

Now this isn't necessarily a bad thing...for I know that the 20 people who are coming back will be more prepared to handle the extra load of classes then past MSP classes. If you are looking for a program to easily inflate your gpa then you have come to wrong program. If you are looking for a program to increase your chance of getting a 30 on the MCAT don't come here either....you will be studying mostly on your own because you will not be getting sufficient help from the program.

I think i have said enough...i am not going to go over the line anymore then i have...if u want more specific info PM me. .
_______________________________________________________________________________


.06-24-2008, 11:31 AM .
.129501
..More about MSP. .
.I agree. PM me if you want more info. about this program. Don't enroll in this program if you feel like you don't have other options and if you feel like you need you need to do something for a year. There are other options: programs, jobs, volunteer etc. This program can hurt you more than help you. Even the 20 people who got into IMS from the past MSP year did have their GPA's hurt from their MSP year. People have thought about suing the program b/c of broken promises but no one had the time b/c they were studying for the MCAT!

Also, about the selling of old materials. I personally just want to make a profit and I don't know if you guys will have someone to organize a website for you like we did and I don't know if the website is still running.

Also, we NEVER used all the books we were told to buy. For physics, the notes and old exams are more than enough to get an A. For chemistry the 1st semester, we had a manual that we didn't have to buy from the prof. and had the old exams. That was enough for an A as well. For the second semester, we were told to buy a book and we had old exams but it wasn't enough for an A in my opinion b/c you definitely need a prof. who can teach for organic chem. (really in depth)..

 

[mr2trd3]

Also to respond to schroon, I have a TON of feedback from former IMSers (via PM). If anyone would like to have them, I'd gladly post them here or foward you a PM.

Again from what I've gathered, they want your money. MSPers are highly encouraged to become IMSers, and IMSers are highly encouraged to return to complete a master's program. So, it could take anywhere from 2-3 years to completed their preferred track, costing you close to the equivalent of two years of medical school. Even after all this, there is NO guarantee, even if you are a 3.8 GPA student in their program (a former IMSer's situation). For what it's worth, only 2 of the top 5 students from the 2008-2009 IMS program were accepted to Drexel U College of Medicine. Read again, ONLY 2 of the TOP 5. The others, if I recall correctly, will be returning for another year to complete the master's program. If anything, the SMP's offered at Drexel look like money milkers. Also, the 80% that eventually get into medical school after Drexel's SMP's includes DO schools (which I've been told is the where most students end up). Please note the use of the qualifier. Also, the program is pretty strict (I think of it as sneaky) about their promises. If you don't get a B in all your classes, then you don't qualify for the automatic interview. In addition, their MCAT requirement is constantly changing so I don't even know it is anymore. I think you need at least a 27 with no sections lower than a 7. If you cannot meet this requirement then you don't qualify for their automatic interview.

I don't want it to sound like I'm bashing their programs. For their purposes, it really boils down to what you make of it. However, I do think it's wrong that they make their program sound so good, take hundreds of thousands of dollars from students, trap them in their system to stay at Drexel for 2-3 years, and STILL not give them any love when it comes to seeking admissions at DUCOM. At the very least, the programs should be better organized and help students more than hurt them.

So, if Drexel is your only option at this point, but you can make it to a DO school (and don't mind it), study for the MCAT, kill it, get into medical school, and save yourself $30k+.

 

[D0ct0r2B]

Hey Mr2trd3!!
Thank you for adding to the thread!!
You have just given me further confirmation that I am indeed making the right decision...

I have decided to decline the offer to enter Drexel's MSP 2009-2010 class. I have until Tuesday to make my choice official, so I still have time to reevaluate my plans, but I am pretty locked in on my decision.
Reasons being:

1.)I will be taking my MCAT next month. I am feeling pretty confident and I am praying for a successful performance.
2.)My primary goal is to gain entry into medical school to start in the fall of 2010. It seems as if this program is most beneficial if you remain an additional year for IMS after completing MSP, thus forcing you to apply for 2011 matriculation.
3.)The curriculum is not very appeasing (at least not to me): I have taken most of the science courses offered, and the MCAT prep course will be a waste of my time&#8212;being that I have already taken Kaplan. Granted I perform well on the MCAT in August, I will not need the course.
4.)I personally believe the MSP program lacks interpersonal relations, especially with 60+ students, not including the IMSers.
5.)"If MSP does not grant direct admission into Medical School, than attending will be a waste of money and pointless" &#8211; Dad &#8230;I reflected deeply on my father's statement and came to the conclusion that he had a great point. I originally applied for the DPMS program, which granted conditional admission into DCOM&#8230;and well MSP does not!! I understand that MSP is set up to improve your credentials to eventually gain access into medical school but, the price tag attached to courses I have already taken is not worth it to me. If I need additional course work I can enroll at my alma mater and save $.
6.)I recently attended a conference with a panel of physicians all of which are on admissions committees at various medical schools; and they pretty much told me that they could help me get in&#8230;I have kept in contact with the doctors. People have always said that it's not about what you know, its about who you know--nothing is guaranteed but I am certainly more hopeful!
7.)The same exact day I received an email granting my acceptance to MSP; I received a phone call, offering me a job to work at a Hospital as a Medical Lab Technician. I DID NOT even apply for this position, they pulled my resume from monster.com. I will be gaining more clinical and science exposure which is a plus. I am taking this as a sign to stay my butt where I am for another year while awaiting entry into Med School.
8.) Oh and did I mention the criticism??!!?



mr2trd3....do you mind posting the comments IMSers PMed you as a
future reference for others? I personally had to search through
multitudes of threads to acquire information about the program...It will
make it a tad easier for others who will face the same predicament!!

THANK YOU KINDLY!!😀😀😀🙂🙂🙂

 

[jj77]

I was also accepted into the MSP program, and I have also been searching to see what other students had to say...Truthfully, after hearing such negative reaction from former MSPers, I have come to conclusion that this program is just a back up for me...I applied to PCOM's bio-medical program and got waitlisted there...Hopefully, i still have my fingers crossed, that I will get accepted there. I know a few people that are in there D.O. program and worked there way through the post bac to gain entrance into their D.O. program...All have recommended the bio-medical science program...I appreciate all former MSP students feedback about their experience in the program.

Oh, and if you are on facebook, search "drexel MSP 2008-2009"; there is a guy who was completely bashing the program...

 

[jusawannabdoc]

mcat classes wont b taught by ims students this time around... they will b non-student teachers there is also a new chem teacher so hopefully thats better than the guy that wrote the "bs" LORs

 

[215353]

where did you come up with this nonsense? If that's what they told you at Drexel then I really don't believe it! There is no way they fired the chemistry teacher...no way

 

[carbofation]

where did you come up with this nonsense? If that's what they told you at Drexel then I really don't believe it! There is no way they fired the chemistry teacher...no way

Actually, he's right. We do have a new Chemistry professor from England and he seems like a nice guy. He's funny and he seems like he actually cares about how we do in the course.

 

[215353]

thats pretty remarkable...i can't believe drexel finally gave into all the student complaints about the old chem teacher. Looks like they actually do give a damn....a little