UMDNJ GSBS-Newark vs. Georgetown SMP

[DrJC]

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I applied to Med School for Fall 2012, I had 4 MD interviews but unfortunately I was rejected from all schools. I am applying again this year and I have a lot more clinical experience. I graduated from undergrad 1 year ago and I have been working in an ER as a scribe. I believe I didn't get into med schools this year do to poor interviews, bad luck and I also have 6 W's on my transcript and a low freshman and sophmore year GPA, but nothing less than an A- my last two years taking mostly upper level science classes. I believe I have to show schools I am capable of doing the work in the med school so I applied to SMPs, and I also need something different about my application this time.

My first year and a half at college was not fantastic, my gpa trend is:

Freshman Year: 3.21
Sophomore Year: 3.46
Junior Year: 3.86
Senior Year: 4.0

Total: 3.67
sGPA: 3.66

MCAT (33Q): BS 12, PS 11, VR 10

I got into Georgetown and UMDNJ's GSBS in Newark. The Georgetown program would require me to move away, fund my living expenses, tuition and travel for interviews, etc. with loans so i'm guessing over 60k. But, it is also more reputable and students who completed the program have had success in gaining admission to medical school.

The UMDNJ program is cheaper, I am a new york resident but UMDNJ is only a 30 minute drive so I can commute to school and live at home. I would also be able to continue working part-time or per-diem during the school year. The program director at UMDNJ also told me he would let me take the med school classes from my first semester but there is only 1 med school class you take vs. all med school classes at Georgetown. Also people have told me the the UMDNJ program is mostly for pre-dents and med schools don't consider it too reputable.


Does anyone know if people who have completed the UMDNJ program have been able to successfully gain admission into an MD program outside of NJMS? What are your suggestions should I risk taking out the large loan amount and going to Georgetown or should I just stick with the cheaper option and go to UMDNJ?

 

[Fumbles14]

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[theWUbear]

t there is only 1 med school class you take vs. all med school classes at Georgetown.

The program has actually always had two classes you could take with med students: MGM first semester, which is what the program director was probably assuring you that you could take. Second semester is physiology.

A couple years ago, they started letting people take another second semester course with the med students - MBB, which is "mind, brain, and behavior" - the neurology/psychology course. Starting this year, they are letting people take IHR as well - the second year Immunology and pathogens course that the second years take during MGM. So, GSBS students can now take four of the first five courses NJMS students take from the beginning of first year through November of their second year.

One emerging advantage of GSBS Newark is the customability of the program. NJMS 1st years take 4 courses - you can choose to take all of them except anatomy, or you can take one and kill it and then take med school type courses at the grad level in a less "high-stakes" environment. You can choose from a large selection of coursework - if you get into med school this fall you can opt to take all the subjects you are weakest in 2nd semester to gain a solid background for med school. If you're stlil waiting on acceptances after this fall you can choose to go full steam ahead and do the entire second semester with NJMS students (Phyio and MBB). Hopefully that gives you more info about GSBS at newark