I am currently enrolled at UMD Science in the Evening (SIE) program. I am applying to dental school for '08 admission, have a 3.2 undergrad GPA, 3.75 sciGPA (so far), 10+ hours shadow time, plan to take DAT in July.
What I like about UMD SIE:
Flexibility; last semester I took two evening courses while holding down a f/t job. This spring I will have have two evening courses plus one during the day with the traditional undergrads (should help the ole GPA going up against all these undergrads!). Essentially, you are allowed to create your own program that works for what you need. As a large university, class selection is huge and you can essentially take what courses you want when you need to take them. This is not always the case with some other programs that I looked into in the area.
Value: As mentioned in previous threads, enrollees pay in-state tuition for evening courses, regardless of residency status. But to take regular daytime undergrad courses, non-residents must pay out-of state tuition ($500 cr/hr?).
Competition: Not everyone in the program has plans to attend med/dent/vet school, but the large majority of us enrolled in the program do and are very competitive.
Students: Most of everyone enrolled in the program are professionals who work f/t or at least p/t which puts everyone in the same boat - we all share work-related headaches and can commiserate about the toils of the workday before class but strap it on when it comes to learn the material. Its a nice fraternity to be in, i think.
Good cnxn with UMB professional schools:
I have heard that more than a handful of SIE post-bacs get into UMB schools every year...although i am sure it helps to be a resident.
What could be changed:
Evening course restrictions: Even though the course selection is excellent, the SIE program itself only offers the basic science courses.
Summer program: UMD summer program is condensed into two terms that each last for about 1.5 months. Taking a major course like OChem over a period of 1.5 months is a serious committment and I am not convinced that even Woodward himself could learn all the material in that short a span of time.
Reputation: Yes, UMD SIE is not even close to being on par with the programs offered by Harvard, Columbia, Tufts, and UConn. But for someone who works and/or wants to take the courses at their own pace and is not planning on attending the nations creme de la creme of Med schools, the program is adequate. As someone mentioned in a previous thread, it is not what post-bac program you go to, but rather how you perform while you are there.
hope this helps
Gooble - PM me if you want to hear more...
