DRizz,
Yeah I posted that AAMC chart on the forum, but thanks tho

. I use numbers in support of everything drizzster, not the sole means, but you can assume what you like. The UPenn education will prob boost me up to the next tier IMO.
I also disagree that an SMP is hands down the right decision for me. Everyone at UPenn SSP believes that if you are accepted into the program then no matter what they believe you have a good chance of matriculating into medical school. YOU ARE MISSING THIS FACT. You must remember they evaluate your application for both entrance into the SSP and potential success at the program to get into medical school, which they believe you have a greater than 50% chance of getting in. You are the one drizz that is focusing on the numbers of 3.4 and 3.35 science of what I may potentially have and not taking into account what UPenn SSP has seen in my application, like upward trends of 3.7GPA over my last 75 credits, ECs, family health reasons for 2 semester I performed poorly, etc. So I would reconsider before hands down voting for SMP over SSP. Again you may think BU SMP is better off for me, but ultimately you are not on the admissions committees and have the experience needed for such views, even if it just your opinion. I guess I would just like to hear from you that they are both good options haha instead of coming out in favor of one over the other. You have to remember that the success numbers, which you love so much, are pretty equal between the BU MAMS and UPenn SSP. Also you so kindly gave back this link
http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/2008/mcatgpa-grid-3yrs-app-accpt.htm. If you understand it, you would see that, I have a reasonable chance without the UPenn name, saying I get a 3.4 and 32-34 MCAT. Now add the UPenn program and name, and you are honestly telling me that hands down BU MAMS over SSP? Again I need to clarify that numbers aren't everything like you may think I believe, but UPenn SSP admits only those with stellar applications as a whole in the first place. They do not want to ruin the reputation of the program by admitting people who they think will ultimately not get into med school. Also it is not something where the admissions at SSP will tell me anything so that I accept the offer because money is definitely not everything to UPenn, especially being that the SSP is at reduced tuition compared to other colleges in UPenn.
Lastly I am not downright in favor of UPenn over BU MAMS. I think they are both tremendous programs and am still on the fence, but if I had the opportunity to save 35K+, have the OPPORTUNITY of linkage in 1 year(RWJSM) over 2 years (like BU), have pretty similar success rates of programs, have similar research/clinical opportunities, and attend classes/get education at an Ivy league school (with top 5 medical school and faculty, and yes I know I will not get into UPenn SOM haha), then I think UPenn should get the edge IMO
Downsides of UPenn over BU is that do not take med school classes so can compare, and no degree (but ultimately it is not important anyways)
Please tell me others agree?!