VCU CERT/MS vs BUSOM MA

[alexrgross]

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I am looking at Masters programs, as a re-applicant, to strengthen credentials.

Options:

The BU Program is the Vesalius program, in teaching and researching anatomy and neurobiology. (I like this program, and with some work on my part both the teaching and research can be done in my areas of interest)

The VCU CERT is a one-year med school curriculum, with the option to apply for the Masters extension. (I like this program, and they offer the potential to reserach with one of the leaders in my field of interest)

My goal is MD programs, and to have the ability to do research at the anatomical and functional levels, and to teach as an MD.

Any input to help me along in deciding?

 

[alexrgross]

self bump

 

[Outsider6842]

Could anyone possibly weigh MAMS vs VCU cert?

 

[SpringButterfly]

I'm a VCU alum! ... I've done my undergrad there and graduated last fall with a B.S Biology
Well, I have no idea bout their program but I can definitely be able to comment on the school in general and the city of Richmond!

AVOID campus housing by all means! It sucks ... annoying apartment mates could ruin your entire life! ... I like to study in quite areas & I had my own room but the one living next door was an art major that doesn't study the entire semester and listen to loud music 24/7!!! Even if you ask nicely, she will lower it down for that moment and next day will make it even louder!! NO sound proof walls or doors ,,,, you hear everything next door even it it's not loud!

To me,,, if MCV offers me a free admission, I won't accept it!!! the school in general is good ... as an undergrad, I had great professors and really bad ones ... combination of both .. my advisors didn't know what the hell they are doing and even didn't know the core requirements for bio majors while they are faculties at the bio department!
So, why I don't want VCU? Because Richmond is NOT a safe city .... if you have night classes,, you should pray that you will get home safely without being robbed (armed robberies), sexually assaulted or just being beaten for no reason!
There are NOT many parking spots available for students,,, so if you have a car, you might be safe although you might get robbed on your way to your car but it's much safer than walking at night especially alone! Yet, you don't have places to park at!! So, most probably you will walk to campus!

Almost every night we get crime alert emails & sometimes more than one email within the same night! I didn't like that unsafe environment of the school ,,, but MCV is one of the great med schools and VCU medical center is #1 hospital in Virginia and also #1 trauma center!

Any questions about Richmond or VCU in general,,, feel free to ask !

By the way .... I applied to BU MAMS, still haven't heard back but I should soon! I got accepted at BU HEM program but I would prefer MAMS over HEM if I got in at MAMS ..... MAMS is my plan B if I haven't go into Irish med schools that haven't decided yet on my application! Plan C is HEM program!

 

[JSReed]

Could anyone possibly weigh MAMS vs VCU cert?

I had this choice last year and ended up choosing MAMS. I tried to be objective about it, and did a pretty large amount of research on here. If I were you, I would spend a lot of time researching the strengths and weakness of each program, and then weigh each factor based on how important it is to you. Don't be a rankings slave, pick the option that actually suits you best.

That being said, I will give you my reasons. Some of these are based on anecdotal evidence, and some people will argue their validity. I got all of these from either SDN or personal acquaintances.

1. I wanted to do an MPH. BU gives you that while VCU doesn't. Made more sense financially to do it before med school rather than during it. And BU is pretty solid from a ph point of view.

2. BU gets a larger number of people into medical school overall.

3. This is the point most people will disagree with. This is not universally true by any stretch, but the majority of people who do an SMP end up at a med school with a ranking either equal to or lower than theirs. BU is ranked higher, giving me more med schools I have a good chance at (assuming good performance). Part of this is due to the fact that med schools are quite preoccupied with their rank.

4. Yes cost of living in boston is more expensive, but at least I don't have to pay for gas and other car-related expenses.

5. I can't say this is 100% true. But I've read in a few places that while the BU MAMS curriculum is very similar (on a course-by-course basis) to that of the med school (and it is, trust me I've checked), VCU's classes are intended for grad students and therefore may not be at the same level as the med school classes. Not saying its definitely true, but I've heard that mentioned a few times.

Keep in mind that VCU is WAY less expensive, and Richmond is a lot more fun and interesting than people think (I grew up there). Either way, you're going to be in a program that kicks your ass every day for a year.

In terms of the BU Versailes program, I've never heard of it. But my rule of thumb would be that if you're not taking classes with either the med students or the mams students, it's not going to help you with med school. FYI, you could probably still get into mams in june if you have decent enough stats.