Tulane SMP (Bio) Vs. Loyola SMP Which should I attend?

[cho15]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm trying to figure out which SMP I should attend. I have been attempting to look up statistics about each program and see which will give me a better chance of getting into medical school when I re-apply. Any thoughts? The Tulane SMP is in Cell & Molecular Biology and Loyola only has one so I don't think clarification is needed there. Also, some things about me:

1. I'm from the Chicago area
2. MCAT 28Q GPA 3.7 (BS in Molecular & Cellular Biology)
3. I do not want to re-take the MCAT if I can help it. I am not the best test taker and studying for the MCAT really killed me.

I've heard that Tulane, being in New Orleans might not be the best place to study. That and their weather can get a bit crazy with hurricane warnings and such. However, it will give me an MS in Bio as opposed to Loyola which only awards an MA in Medical Sciences.

 

[admitER]

I just finished that program at Tulane. While I don't think it necessarily helped me get into medical school (just due to my acceptances falling before med schools even got my grades) I am still 100% glad I did the program. Learned a lot, partied a lot, as is kinda Tulane's motto.....

Without knowing anything about Loyola, I would wager it would be very difficult to determine which program is more likely to get you into medical school. That's a very subjective point. I will say that the majority of interviews & acceptances in my class came after January, which could lead one to believe that their performance in those classes helped their application along. But who really knows?

You got to make that decision for yourself. Weigh the two programs against each other in more ways than just "what will guarantee my in" because there's a lot more to it than that. Because in the end, just because X% of people got into medical school from one program, it doesn't necessarily mean it will increase your chances, per se.

Good luck to ya!