Warning: Georgetown PBPM Program Seems Shady!

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majahops

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Please, somebody correct me if im wrong here, but it seems as if the Georgetown Postbacc Premedical Program (not to be mistaken with the SMP program):

1) Doesn't include MCAT preparation
2) Offers 1 director/advisor to be shared among all 50 students in the program
3) Has ZERO linkage spots to offer

These three things make me suspect about the Georgetown PBPM program. Does anybody else get this impression?
 
never even heard of it actually. if that's the case, i wonder why georgetown would feel the need to also offer a stripped down version of the smp program.. of course, 50 * 32,000 = 1.6 million reasons.

now that i type that, and realize that the smp program has around 150 kids, that means it brings in almost four million dollars to gt each year. for one small program, that aint bad.
 
majahops said:
Please, somebody correct me if im wrong here, but it seems as if the Georgetown Postbacc Premedical Program (not to be mistaken with the SMP program):

1) Doesn't include MCAT preparation
2) Offers 1 director/advisor to be shared among all 50 students in the program
3) Has ZERO linkage spots to offer

These three things make me suspect about the Georgetown PBPM program. Does anybody else get this impression?
Georgetown's PBPM program helped me to get acceptances to five schools this year.

The program lets you take real undergrad classes, ranging from the basic pre-reqs all the way through upper level science courses. The program director can offer advice, but the university's undergrad pre-med dean is also available, and you're free to contact any professor you want if you're looking for extra guidance.

I don't see what the point is of including MCAT prep in a program like this, but you're right -- there isn't any. It might be nice to have a linkage arrangement, but I don't see this as a problem either; the whole point is to take undergrad classes, receive undergrad credit, and therefore do one or more of the following:

-Raise undergrad GPA
-Take the science pre-reqs, if entering the program as a non-science major
-Prepare for the MCAT (by virtue of taking the pre-reqs)

It's a flexible program and it works. You can do it full-time, like I did, or take a couple of classes at a time and work or do whatever else you want. Several people who finished the program with me last May are holding multiple acceptances at great schools. If you need more hand-holding or guidance, then perhaps it isn't your cup of tea.
 
Ok, I was in the Gtown program and here's my take: majahops, you're absolutely correct. There's no linkage, there's no MCAT program, and there's only one advisor, and the advising, frankly, is pretty weak. HOWEVER, blee, you're also correct (who are you, by the way? I was there in 2003-04. PM me if you want). Really all you NEED in a postbacc program are the classes, and that's what's offered here. In my opinion, if you get into another program, I'd opt for that one. But if not, the Gtown program (while expensive as all hell) will get you the classes you need to get into a good med school. I've gotten into a few really good ones, so it works. Just my 2 cents.
 
But im going in with a 3.25 GPA. What kind of GPA did you go in with?

TiM
 
majahops said:
But im going in with a 3.25 GPA. What kind of GPA did you go in with?

TiM


MCATs also play a huge role...blees mcat is kick ass

i have a similar gpa and im thinking go cheaper on the post bacc in case mcat struggles...then do smp if necessary
 
I've already committed to Georgetown 🙁
 
majahops said:
I've already committed to Georgetown 🙁
Don't be sad about that. It's a good program and will get you where you need to go. You shouldn't expect a lot of hand-holding, but you shouldn't expect that anywhere, anyway.
 
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