UPenn Post Bacc Program

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taylorh said:
is anyone aware of specialized studies students being accepted to penn med (obviously not through linkage)? I have a poor undergrad g.p.a. (3.2) from penn but have not taken the mcat yet. i'm actually finishing my other med school pre-reqs at another school with A's so far due to my military service obligation. i'm just weighing my options because i decided on med school late and would really like to attend penn for med school. can anyone offer me their thoughts? or should i just resign myself to the fact that i have almost no chance of making it into penn after my undergrad performance...
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taylorh said:
I appreciate the different perspectives received so far. Being that my upgrade gpa is less than ideal, besides getting a's in o chem which I am finishing now, and scoring high on the mcat... is there anything that you might recommend I do in order to improve my chances of being accepted at penn or other good schools? Perhaps, an SMP or another similar program? Thank you again for your opinions!
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Dude - look at the MSAR for UPenn med. Avg undergrad GPA is ridic (i gave my copy away otherwise I would look it up). The only way you are getting into UPenn Med is if you get a ridic MCAT, are a URM, or cured cancer.

UPenn Med is a ridic hard to get into with unblemished record - with a 3.2 cGPA, i suggest you adjust your expectations. If you get a good MCAT, go to a good SMP and do well then by all means you have a fair shot at acceptance to US MD schools - just not the top tier ones.
 
My app to Special Sciences was also just recently just marked complete. Yay! How long did it take you to receive an interview notification msdeezee????
 
SixStringPsych said:
My app to Special Sciences was also just recently just marked complete. Yay! How long did it take you to receive an interview notification msdeezee????
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bump for msdeeze answers\

SixString, where else are you applying? Me...VCU, BU, Tufts, Loyola, Western @ Pomona, Tulane, and Temple.
 
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Hey Alex, I'm actually not applying anywhere else. I'm only applying to UPenn because it has an undergrad only curriculum and my brother had a good experience there. If I don't get in I will be doing a DIY upper level bio post Bacc at a school near me and continuing my research/volunteering. Just need an sGPA booster so I can apply to real SMPs later.

Best of luck to you! Very anxious to hear back from Penn!
 
Literally just received an interview invitation by email about 20 minutes ago. Anyone else going on April 2nd??
 
Sorry to hear alexrgross 🙁 I'm sure you will have plenty of luck with the rest of your applications though!
 
Thank you for that SixStringPsych...this was a safety school too, I thought I would get an interview for sure! The situation is looking decent though, I have a call with a BU director of admissions to discuss the program and ask questions. Enjoy your interview!
 
Oh, sorry SixString, I don't monitor this site closely and didn't see your prior questions. I just got notification of my acceptance to the core program. Woo. Now all nerve-wracked about financial aid.
 
Also!!! Anyone still looking for a roommate? I'll be relocating from the midwest ASAP to start in May, so this could be a bit stressful.
 
Accepted to Specialized Studies!!! good luck with the roommate search msdeezee.
 
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hey everyone, congrats on your recent acceptances and prepare to have an awesome time at penn.

most of this thread contains awesome information about the program and philly, but since some of it is dated, feel free to reach out and send me a PM...i would be more than happy to help and provide some feedback on any questions you might have.
 
Bumping this thread to see if anyone else has gotten accepted/who has decided on actually going that has said they got in.

I'll be there in the Fall, so I'm just looking to meet some other people who will be in Philly as well.
 
@SixStringPsych-

I am starting Core Sciences in May and have already moved to West Philly. Let me know when you are planning to arrive and maybe we can meet up.
 
Sounds cool man. I wont be moving to Philly until late August/September but ill hit you up then.
 
Is it too late to apply to this to begin in Fall 2012? Their deadline isn't up yet. I wasn't planning on applying to any SMPs this cycle, but my circumstances have changed. any help would be appreciated! thnx
 
Yeah if the deadline hasn't passed yet then go for it. I'm not sure how good your chances would be this late in the game but you might as well try.

Be advised that UPenn is not a true SMP, in fact, it is not even a Master's program. It is a program that allows you to take upper level biology courses that are, IMO, very unique courses that I haven't seen at other undergrad schools including my alma mater. Therefore, courses taken at this program are factored into your AMCAS or AACOMAS undergraduate GPA. If this is what you need, then definitely apply. For some people, a true SMP would be more helpful, but I have no idea of those deadlines.

Good luck applying!
 
Applied to SS 3 weeks ago, still no interview offer or rejection for the September start. Is this normal? Any body apply at least 14 days ago and already have an interview offer?

THX
 
Anyone looking for a 1 bedroom apartment in Philly send me a PM. My apartment will be available August 15.
 
The more I read about this program the more I'm becoming set on applying, theres only one issue though, my gpa 🙁 I'm going into 4th year in a hard program but only have a 2.7 as of now. If I ace this upcoming year do I have a shot at starting next summer or fall? I have a 32 on the mcat and a 33 on the act if that matters.
 
32 on your MCAT is awesome, but definitely raise that GPA up as much as possible. I mean this is a GPA enhancing program so they understand if you have a low GPA, but get it up as much as you can. My cGPA is like a 3.3 and my sGPA is way lower (~2.8) which is why I need this program. Also, I didn't have an MCAT upon applying, just submitted my 32 on the ACT.
 
A 2.7 and UPenn SSP won't get you into med school. regardless of the 32.

you need an SMP
 
Anyone looking for a 1 bedroom apartment in Philly send me a PM. My apartment will be available August 15.
 
robflanker said:
A 2.7 and UPenn SSP won't get you into med school. regardless of the 32.

you need an SMP
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I figure to have a shot at any decent SMP I should probably do postbacc to bring my gpa up right?

SixStringPsych said:
32 on your MCAT is awesome, but definitely raise that GPA up as much as possible. I mean this is a GPA enhancing program so they understand if you have a low GPA, but get it up as much as you can. My cGPA is like a 3.3 and my sGPA is way lower (~2.8) which is why I need this program. Also, I didn't have an MCAT upon applying, just submitted my 32 on the ACT.
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Thanks! Really hope I have a shot.
 
Wish a 3.7+ GPA in post bacc, if you can bring both cum and science up above a 3.0, you may have a shot with that 32 MCAT.

Not to combat what robflanker is saying, but my experience is that top notch grades in a post bacc can go a long way, especially if coupled with an upward trend during your last couple years of undergrad. You might as well apply after your post bacc year, and concurrently apply to SMPs as well, if financially that is feasible for you.
 
And to answer your first question, there are a few SMPs that take people with 2.7 and up GPAs. Look around on these threads, I believe EVMS is one of them.
 
SixStringPsych said:
Wish a 3.7+ GPA in post bacc, if you can bring both cum and science up above a 3.0, you may have a shot with that 32 MCAT.

Not to combat what robflanker is saying, but my experience is that top notch grades in a post bacc can go a long way, especially if coupled with an upward trend during your last couple years of undergrad. You might as well apply after your post bacc year, and concurrently apply to SMPs as well, if financially that is feasible for you.
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You aren't combating me - you are combating the AAMC, and their data collection.

If the OP gets his cGPA to 3.0, he is still more than 2 standard dev (1 standard dev = 0.26 GPA points) below average for the average cGPA for allopathic medical students. That would put him/her in the 2.1 percent for getting into a medical school. So yes, there is a chance - but then factor in race/ethnicity/location - and if you are white/asian/indian then you pretty much have no shot. Not being racist - just those are the facts, URMs get in with lower stats. So yea, its not combating me - its combating well-vetted statistics. Also, if you are in Cali - forget staying in Cali.

Do not apply to med schools after the post-bac, some schools (Jefferson is one) prejudice against re-applicants to a degree. It is better to apply once, with a strong app and a strong MCAT then to throw out a hailmary. That being said, the only reason u should apply after the post-bac year is if your MCAT is going to expire).

Rock the post-bac, then go to a good SMP (Georgetown as an example).
 
Hey! I just got accepted a few weeks ago and I'm starting in the fall with the core sciences program. Does anyone know what most of the post-bacc pre-health students do for housing? I'm guessing its a mix of off and on campus, but I don't know too much about that area in Philly. Any advice?
Thanks!!
 
mcg5223 said:
Hey! I just got accepted a few weeks ago and I'm starting in the fall with the core sciences program. Does anyone know what most of the post-bacc pre-health students do for housing? I'm guessing its a mix of off and on campus, but I don't know too much about that area in Philly. Any advice?
Thanks!!
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Discussed at length in this thread - go back 5-10 pages and then read forward. You will see my thoughts on housing as well as a couple of other former post-bac people
 
Hey all, does anyone know if there's a list anywhere about the linkage requirements for each of Penn's linkages?

Thanks.
 
TheYeren said:
Hey all, does anyone know if there's a list anywhere about the linkage requirements for each of Penn's linkages?

Thanks.
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You can probably just contact them directly and ask for it. The version I have is several years out-dated now, so a current student might be able to provide it to you.

Try contacting them and asking for it though; there also used to be a version on their website but it was a bit outdated

Also, to be honest, very few people link. Only one person I know successfully linked. A lot of people got into med school, but not through linking. At my med school, there are 3 UPenn Post-bac graduates, one SSP (me) and two core studies. None of us linked.

I really do think outside the big 3, the linking thing is over-rated
 
robflanker said:
You can probably just contact them directly and ask for it. The version I have is several years out-dated now, so a current student might be able to provide it to you.

Try contacting them and asking for it though; there also used to be a version on their website but it was a bit outdated

Also, to be honest, very few people link. Only one person I know successfully linked. A lot of people got into med school, but not through linking. At my med school, there are 3 UPenn Post-bac graduates, one SSP (me) and two core studies. None of us linked.

I really do think outside the big 3, the linking thing is over-rated
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Thanks a lot for the response. I had almost completely decided that I wanted to enroll in the Harvard Extension program but today I was looking at Columbia's linkage requirements to some schools and I found them really alluring (i.e. Jefferson Medical College and New York medical college require a 3.4 in the program and a 30 on the MCAT). That being said, I started wondering again if it might be worth going to a more expensive program (mainly Penn, Columbia, and Bryn Mawr) and being able to link so I've been trying to figure out the deal with linkages at those schools. Unfortunately, there's no money in my family so I'd have to take out all of tuition in loans, which would suck, so money might end up being a deciding factor. Basically now it's a question whether the possibility of linking is worth taking out an extra 10-20k in loans. Would you suggest against me spending the extra money to go to Penn?
 
TheYeren said:
Basically now it's a question whether the possibility of linking is worth taking out an extra 10-20k in loans. Would you suggest against me spending the extra money to go to Penn?
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H*ll no
Penn is a decent program but HES is by far better value for money, and I strongly believe linking is over-rated (unless from the Big 3).

Unless you are dying to be in Philly and its worth $20-30k, then go to HES
 
TheYeren said:
Thanks a lot for the response. I had almost completely decided that I wanted to enroll in the Harvard Extension program but today I was looking at Columbia's linkage requirements to some schools and I found them really alluring (i.e. Jefferson Medical College and New York medical college require a 3.4 in the program and a 30 on the MCAT). That being said, I started wondering again if it might be worth going to a more expensive program (mainly Penn, Columbia, and Bryn Mawr) and being able to link so I've been trying to figure out the deal with linkages at those schools. Unfortunately, there's no money in my family so I'd have to take out all of tuition in loans, which would suck, so money might end up being a deciding factor. Basically now it's a question whether the possibility of linking is worth taking out an extra 10-20k in loans. Would you suggest against me spending the extra money to go to Penn?
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I will say, if you have the stats, Bryn Mawr is absolutely worth it. The advising and support you get there was definitely worth the cost for me.
 
Hello All,
I just received my acceptance letter yesterday! Very happy about it, and thanks so much to all the tremendously-valuable information on these forums, and support available here.

Just curious, does anyone have experience with deferring admission by possibly another year? I wanted to work for one more year, pay off remaining student loans, save up money, and then start.

Thanks for all your input!
 
Hi everyone,

I recently got accepted into the SSP and am now looking for housing. If anyone is in a similar situation and wants to join up as roommates for the upcoming school year, please message me!
 
Wow, congrats to both of you! I'm hoping to apply in the next round of applications (to SSP).

I am wondering, even if I do get in (big if!), how likely am I to get into an MD program afterward? I have a 3.29 cGPA and a 3.14 sGPA. I haven't taken all my prereqs, but I have enough that I'd have to do SSP versus pre-health. Obviously, I'd work my a off at any program, but do I even have a shot at MD?
 
You def have a shot at MD if you ace your next year of courses and then do SSP and ace your classes there too. Well, this all depends in how many credits you have as well. Go download the AMCAS spreadsheet that is floating around here and calculate your GPA including all courses you retook.
 
SixStringPsych said:
You def have a shot at MD if you ace your next year of courses and then do SSP and ace your classes there too. Well, this all depends in how many credits you have as well. Go download the AMCAS spreadsheet that is floating around here and calculate your GPA including all courses you retook.
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The first half of your post was wrong, and the second more on target (bolded part).

niabrams - With a cGPA of 3.3, you are over 1 standard dev below average for cGPA for an accepted MD student. If you have a stellar MCAT to balance it off, then a year at SSP to take a cGPA to 3.35 or 3.4 will give you an outside shot. If you have a so-so MCAT, then your chances go down.

What is more concerning is the 3.14 sGPA - you should be thinking SMP with an sGPA in that range. If you do the grade projection for a year at SSP taking only science - where does your sGPA go to? If it goes up to 3.3 or so, then that gives you a shot. You said you didnt do all the pre-reqs so that might mean you can bump up your sGPA nicely. Do the projections and then re-asses.
 
Well, assuming the ssp courses are each one credit (this from the upenn site) and there are eight of them, then that gives me a max 3.3. So no dice unless I'm wrong and the ssp is >8 credit hours.
 
Robflanker can confirm this but I believe him or someone else has answered this for me before, 1 of UPenn's Credit Units actually equals 3 credit hours on AMCAS.
 
niabrams said:
Well, assuming the ssp courses are each one credit (this from the upenn site) and there are eight of them, then that gives me a max 3.3. So no dice unless I'm wrong and the ssp is >8 credit hours.
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SixStringPsych said:
Robflanker can confirm this but I believe him or someone else has answered this for me before, 1 of UPenn's Credit Units actually equals 3 credit hours on AMCAS.
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Sixstringpsych is right.

1CU = 3 credit hours per AAMC
1.5 CUs= 4.5 credit hours per AAMC

There is a whole conversion thing on the UPenn registrar's website, and then AMCAS has a conversion thing too when you actually submit your primaries

Full time is 4 CUs = 12 credit hours; most people take 4.5-5 CUs if they aren't working or doing something else
 
i have a 3.25 cGPA and a 3.15 sGPA no MCAT yet. If accepted to the SSP program is it worth attending?

One year is 24 credit hours right? If I got mostly A's my sGPA would go up to around 3.3... I don't know how reasonable getting all As in this program is, so is it worth attending for me?
 
psychme said:
i have a 3.25 cGPA and a 3.15 sGPA no MCAT yet. If accepted to the SSP program is it worth attending?

One year is 24 credit hours right? If I got mostly A's my sGPA would go up to around 3.3... I don't know how reasonable getting all As in this program is, so is it worth attending for me?
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What does your cGPA go to?

Assume you get a 3.7 GPA while at SSP (aim for a 4.0, but calculate a 3.7).

My gut would say no - as I don't think you'd get your cGPA above 3.4

An SMP might be the quickest way to go. You could do SSP, then apply to med/dent schools, and then if you get no love do an SMP. This would cost more and take more time, or you could just do an SMP and apply after that
 
yea my cGPA would probably be around 3.3 with a 3.7 GPA in the SSP, so I guess true a SMP would serve me better.

One of the reasons I applied to the SSP program was the linkage. I was kinda upset that the linkage is only with one MD and DO school if you are in the SSP program.

Is it next to impossible to get in using the linkage the SSP program offers?
 
psychme said:
yea my cGPA would probably be around 3.3 with a 3.7 GPA in the SSP, so I guess true a SMP would serve me better.

One of the reasons I applied to the SSP program was the linkage. I was kinda upset that the linkage is only with one MD and DO school if you are in the SSP program.

Is it next to impossible to get in using the linkage the SSP program offers?
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Yes, I was very frustrated by it to. They have some ridic fine print that they don't really advertise. For example, if you got a C in any of the pre-reqs ever (even if you repeated them) or if you had already taken the MCAT prior to enter SSP, you were ineligible for the link.

The linking at Penn in general is very over-rated, and only the pre-health people have any real benefit to it.

I think an SMP is your best shot to be honest.
 
i got an invite for an interview. i accepted and was wondering what type of attire i should wear...i really have no idea.

Also, is there anyway I can prepare for the interview besides going over my application?
 
psychme said:
i got an invite for an interview. i accepted and was wondering what type of attire i should wear...i really have no idea.

Also, is there anyway I can prepare for the interview besides going over my application?
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Sorry for the delayed response but wear a suit.

And make sure u have answers to the standard "why medicine" and "why are you changing careers" (if appropriate)
 
Hey guys,

I know it's ridiculously late in the SSP cycle, but a week ago I received an email urging me to finish my application (that I started months ago but decided not to finish), that there were seats open in the Fall 2012 class, and that the deadline was extended until 8/20. I applied immediately and have had a complete application for 2 days now. I know the usual process works by (hopefully) getting and interview and finding out ~2 weeks later. However, because it so late (almost August), what kind of time frame do you think I'd be looking at between an interview and a potential acceptance? Also, is anyone else as careless as I was by not completing the application and is in the same boat?

BTW my stats are 3.3 cGPA, 3.0 sGPA, 1250 SAT, and recent grad from top 20 school. Thanks.
 
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