Upenn Special Sciences vs. BU MAMS

[DKLA]

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Hi, I got into both programs but am having a tough time deciding which would be more beneficial for me.

Upenn has smaller classes, and a linkage program. But there is no degree or certificate upon graduation.

BU has a great history for sending students to medical school, with classes actually being in the medical school. However, the class sizes are over 200 now. And, many students take closer to 2 years to finish the program.

How important is the name of the school? How important is the degree?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[drizzt3117]

Penn Special Sciences isn't a SMP, while BU is... so these are very different programs. What is your GPA going in? MCAT?

 

[DKLA]

Right. They are very different, but I think they both have the same goal of doing well in science classes in a competitive environment.

I graduated with a 3.4 GPA. I took the MCAT two years ago and got a miserable 25. I am taking it again this summer and plan on doing VERY well.

 

[drizzt3117]

Right. They are very different, but I think they both have the same goal of doing well in science classes in a competitive environment.

I graduated with a 3.4 GPA. I took the MCAT two years ago and got a miserable 25. I am taking it again this summer and plan on doing VERY well.

When do you have to decide which program you go to? If you do really well on the MCAT (33+), I think the Penn SS would be beneficial to your app because assuming you did well you could apply with ~3.5/33+ which is probably good enough for MD programs especially if you excelled at Penn, but if you get 28-32, then the SMP would probably be better. Keep in mind that if you go the SMP route, it will probably take an extra year.

 

[DKLA]

Thanks for the advice. Why do you think that though? I'm curious behind your reasoning.

 

[RoadRunner17]

Either way you need to do well on both your MCAT and in your coursework.

Your coursework at BU won't directly affect your undergraduate GPA, which is what is probably the most important number on your application (behind the MCAT). It's more of an inference as far as to what your academic performance in an actual medical school setting, but it's not necessarily a cut and dry proposition.. but IIRC, BU looks favorably on its own SMP students so if you're up for that, check that out.

If you do the postbac: if you can get your GPA up to a 3.5 with a solid year of A's and a strong MCAT (33+), you don't need to do a SMP because that is academically competitive for a good amount of US MD schools as long as you apply broadly (both location and numbers-wise). This is what Drizzt means.. a SMP is more of a last-ditch option because if you bomb it, you're done. More risk than benefit, IMO... and the post-bacs tend to be a cheaper proposition.

The degree probably won't do you any good, either. Is there anything you would want to do with it if you don't get into medical school? If no, then it's a waste of money because 1) if you DO get into medical school, you won't need it and 2) if you DON'T get into medical school, you might have yourself a degree that's useless.

 

[chocolatelover]

I got into BU MAMS program as well. I am not sure if I should to do this though. I have ~3.5 GPA, but my MCAT was miserable as well (25), planning on retaking it sometime this year. Any advice would be helpful!

Thanks!

 

[chocolatelover]

I got into BU MAMS program as well. I am not sure if I should to do this though. I have ~3.5 GPA, but my MCAT was miserable as well (25), planning on retaking it sometime this year. Any advice would be helpful!

Thanks!

 

[Chauffeur2MD]

My vote would go to Penn's special sciences program, if you think you can perform really well there (improve on the 3.4). Thing is - Penn undergrad classes will get averaged into your undergrad AMCAS GPA, while the special masters grades will close your undergrad GPA "account" forever. Just a thought...

 

[Crisco]

More food for thought. If you have significant science background in Undergrad, then upenn special sciences may not have enough science courses for you. And as mentioned above, upenn will RAISE your UNDERGRAD GPA. MAMS (SMP of any sort, rather) will "close" your undergrad transcript and begin a grad transcript, sort of like a fresh slate.

The question really depends on how much of a boost you need. Ify our science GPA is decent but you want better, perhaps go to upenn. If your science GPA is hopeless, go to a SMP

 

[hwpo]

I got into both programs and need some help on which program is a better fit.

Overall GPA 3.3
Science GPA 3.1
Have Yet to take MCAT

Please give any advice on what you would choose??

 

[72531]

Hi, I just discovered the UPenn Special Sciences program too. My undergrad GPA is a 2.85 (science is 2.5 OUCH) For the price of the program, isn't it better if I just take courses on my own where I'm from? Would a post-bacc be better for me or an SMP? I already have a Master of Science in Microbiology from a top-school. GPA there is about 3.5.

 

[RedC5]

I got into both programs and need some help on which program is a better fit.

Overall GPA 3.3
Science GPA 3.1
Have Yet to take MCAT

Please give any advice on what you would choose??

BU gives out acceptance without MCAT ? Did you take GRE

 

[hwpo]

BU gives out acceptance without MCAT ? Did you take GRE

I took the GRE

 

[hwpo]

Hi, I got into both programs but am having a tough time deciding which would be more beneficial for me.

Upenn has smaller classes, and a linkage program. But there is no degree or certificate upon graduation.

BU has a great history for sending students to medical school, with classes actually being in the medical school. However, the class sizes are over 200 now. And, many students take closer to 2 years to finish the program.

How important is the name of the school? How important is the degree?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Did you decide yet?

 

[jl948]

If I anticipate a 3.9+ GPA with MCATs in the mid 30s, what would upenn's SS program do for me? The thing is I want to spend a couple of years off from ugrad to make sure that medicine is right for me to make sure that I am mature enough to enter this profession. I intend on doing this by gaining more experience while I am a part of upenn's SS or any other masters program. Some one mentioned a linkage, what does that mean?

JL

 

[ali20685]

If I anticipate a 3.9+ GPA with MCATs in the mid 30s, what would upenn's SS program do for me? The thing is I want to spend a couple of years off from ugrad to make sure that medicine is right for me to make sure that I am mature enough to enter this profession. I intend on doing this by gaining more experience while I am a part of upenn's SS or any other masters program. Some one mentioned a linkage, what does that mean?

JL

The penn program has a lot of great courses that will prepare one for medical school. There is one called Clinical Research in Emergency Medicine that I heard was excellent as well as Penn specific. I am not sure how beneficial it would be in your case as I am more familiar with the Pre-Health program. Penn does grade on a curve, which may or may not make it more difficult for you.

A linkage program gets rid of the glide year. A med school will give preliminary acceptance to a pre-med student. In order to matriculate into the med school through a linkage one has to maintain a specific GPA as well as obtain a particular MCAT score. The requirements are different according to the school one is looking at. In the SS program, one may only link to the Robert Wood Johnson program. Otherwise, a person must go through the year long application process. A linkage is not a guarantee once you are accepted to Penn because one still has to apply to the linkage as well as compete against many others that want to matriculate through linkage, too.

 

[drizzt3117]

If I anticipate a 3.9+ GPA with MCATs in the mid 30s, what would upenn's SS program do for me? The thing is I want to spend a couple of years off from ugrad to make sure that medicine is right for me to make sure that I am mature enough to enter this profession. I intend on doing this by gaining more experience while I am a part of upenn's SS or any other masters program. Some one mentioned a linkage, what does that mean?

JL

You don't want to be doing a postbac with a 3.9+ mid 30s MCAT... it doesn't make any sense.

 

[DrMidlife]

If I anticipate a 3.9+ GPA with MCATs in the mid 30s, what would upenn's SS program do for me? The thing is I want to spend a couple of years off from ugrad to make sure that medicine is right for me to make sure that I am mature enough to enter this profession. I intend on doing this by gaining more experience while I am a part of upenn's SS or any other masters program. Some one mentioned a linkage, what does that mean?

JL

I strongly agree with drizzt. More academics aren't going to do anything for you. But I love the idea of waiting to apply until you're sure - this is super smart. My suggestion: go get a job and pay rent and live in the world and travel. Be young and fabulous. Differentiate yourself from your parents' view of you: they've (most likely) brought you to where you are, where can you take yourself on your own steam?

Honestly, such experiences are going to do SO MUCH MORE for you than some academic program with "side experiences" in clinic. Find out what you're made of. Get uncomfortable. Maybe consider doing the Peace Corps. You'll never have these years again.

Best of luck to you.