WCU MBS program vs PCOM Georgia MBS program

[BlackStar90]

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Hey all! I am posting this to see what y'all's opinion is on both of these Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Programs as far as which would hold more weight in applying to several medical schools as well as the programs themselves. I do know that the William Carey program is smaller.
~30 ppl and PCOM Georgia program is anywhere from 80-120 range. I'm open to all insight and again the question here is which one seems like it will be more widely accepted and hold more weight when applying broadly (DO and MD).


Also a side note, which Osteopathic Medical School (generally speaking) would be a better program to prepare for boards?

 

[getfat]

If were were comparing DO programs, I would argue GA-PCOM because of several reasons. The problem is we are comparing MBS programs.

The first requirement you want in a MBS program is linkage. I am confident William Carey's program admits more of their Master's program than GA-PCOM.

 

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

I'm going to echo what @getfat said on comparing the COMs (PCOM - GA > WCU.)

With regards to their masters programs, important things to look into are:

1.) How many people are usually admitted/year from the program?
2.) Do they have guaranteed interviews or acceptances upon graduation? (pending good gpa and MCAT)
3.) Does the program grade on a curve? (e.g. if everyone gets a 90 and you get an 88, do you get a C or a B+?)
4.) Cost (I feel like this plays a larger role in comparing SMPs)
5.) Length of program (some are two years, some are only one)

I don't know the answers to any of these questions for either of the programs, but I think they are things you should look into before making a final decision.

 

[Alienman52]

I know WCU was recently affected by some really disastrous weather. I would double check to see that this did not affect their MBS program as it did affect the DO program.


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[IslandStyle808]

An MD one if possible, if not the older the DO post-bacc the better.

 

[BlackStar90]

If were were comparing DO programs, I would argue GA-PCOM because of several reasons. The problem is we are comparing MBS programs.

The first requirement you want in a MBS program is linkage. I am confident William Carey's program admits more of their Master's program than GA-PCOM.

Thanks !

 

[BlackStar90]

I'm going to echo what @getfat said on comparing the COMs (PCOM - GA > WCU.)

With regards to their masters programs, important things to look into are:

1.) How many people are usually admitted/year from the program?
2.) Do they have guaranteed interviews or acceptances upon graduation? (pending good gpa and MCAT)
3.) Does the program grade on a curve? (e.g. if everyone gets a 90 and you get an 88, do you get a C or a B+?)
4.) Cost (I feel like this plays a larger role in comparing SMPs)
5.) Length of program (some are two years, some are only one)

I don't know the answers to any of these questions for either of the programs, but I think they are things you should look into before making a final decision.

Thank you I will look into this!

 

[BlackStar90]

If were were comparing DO programs, I would argue GA-PCOM because of several reasons. The problem is we are comparing MBS programs.

The first requirement you want in a MBS program is linkage. I am confident William Carey's program admits more of their Master's program than GA-PCOM.

Also what would be your reasons if you don't mind me asking?

 

[BlackStar90]

An MD one if possible, if not the older the DO post-bacc the better.

True I was thinking about this I'm definitely going to be applying to some schools that have masters program and grant MD front their medical school.

 

[getfat]

Also what would be your reasons if you don't mind me asking?

At the end of the day the two schools are ambiguous to most people unfamiliar with DO training. But heres my reasoning if you put my hand to the fire with my little knowledge.

WCU-COM is relatively new product in an DO unfriendly state. They will overcome the recent horrible tragedy but the next couple classes will feel it. Several students have complained about pre-clinical coursework and relevance to boards. Clinical sites are unsatisfactory according to current students. I've read to clinical sites are only in LA so you are more likely to stay in that state for residency unless you plan out aways for 4th year well.

GA-PCOM has its flaws as a satellite campus but has several benefits over WCU-COM. Less required attendance (clicker points play in factor here). Clinical Rotations are not better but give more wiggle room. Sites range from Ga,FL,AL so you aren't staying in one area and given ability to match in area to your choosing.

Edit: Forgot to mention. Before applying we can make all these cool ranking systems ad nauseam but when all is said and done.
The true Ranking system for DO schools is
1. Schools that Accept You
2. Schools that Don't

 

[Wjldenver]

Kojo...My key criteria would be cost and the % of their grads which get into a DO or MD program. But as other posters have suggested, why not pick a program which has MD program linkage? Dig deep, do good research on all post bacc programs because there are hidden back doors to find. For example, the post bacc program at Colorado State has a special relationship with Rocky Vista, and a fair number of their post bacc students are funneled into that program every year. ...Most likely, very few SDN members know about the Rocky Vista back door.

Also, on a related note, WCU has rotation spots in MS and LA and FL. And from what I read, although I'm no expert on the states on the Gulf Coast, LA is more DO unfriendly than MS.

 

[getfat]

Also, on a related note, WCU has rotation spots in MS and LA and FL.

Reviewed a post I had with @WorldChanger36 last year and @Wjldenver was right. Sorry for the misinformation.

Hub sites change every year but here is what is common. There are some sites in Louisiana, Texas and Florida most are in mississippi

 

[BlackStar90]

Just as an update, so I got accepted into the PCOM Georgia MS in Biomedical Science program. Now I'm trying to decide out of these two (this and William Carey Masters of Science in Biomedical Science program) which will more likely allow me to possibly get into an MD school granted I do well in the program.

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[brew]

Just as an update, so I got accepted into the PCOM Georgia MS in Biomedical Science program. Now I'm trying to decide out of these two (this and William Carey Masters of Science in Biomedical Science program) which will more likely allow me to possibly get into an MD school granted I do well in the program.

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Go to a MD SMP if you want to go to a MD school. I don't think these DO SMPs will help much with MD schools. Also depends on your past GPA/MCAT will still matter to bigger degree if you aren't trying to get into the same school as the SMP program.

 

[BlackStar90]

Go to a MD SMP if you want to go to a MD school. I don't think these DO SMPs will help much with MD schools. Also depends on your past GPA/MCAT will still matter to bigger degree if you aren't trying to get into the same school as the SMP program.

Well actually a Tulane admissions consular told me getting a Masters from William Carey would be fine as long as I wait to apply after getting the Masters, and Howard University director said they get a lot of students that do the PCOM-Georgia Masters program (I just randomly called a few schools) but now I'm trying to choose out of the two which would be better to do lol. The PCOM-Georgia is two years, William Carey is one year Trimester system.

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[BlackStar90]

Go to a MD SMP if you want to go to a MD school. I don't think these DO SMPs will help much with MD schools. Also depends on your past GPA/MCAT will still matter to bigger degree if you aren't trying to get into the same school as the SMP program.

Advantage in favour of PCOM-Georgia is it's 2 years so it looks better to an admissions committee. And pcom in general seems to be more well known.

Advantage in favour of William Carey is it's smaller ~30 ppl and I have made more connections there.

Good things about both is I know ppl personally that have done both and gotten into professional school and I know people currently in both programs.

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[Wjldenver]

Advantage in favour of PCOM-Georgia is it's 2 years so it looks better to an admissions committee. And pcom in general seems to be more well known.

Advantage in favour of William Carey is it's smaller ~30 ppl and I have made more connections there.

Good things about both is I know ppl personally that have done both and gotten into professional school and I know people currently in both programs.

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Your analysis is only looking at the upside and negating the downside. Look at this post below from another student in a Master's program. You also need to talk to some people to determine how difficult the two programs are, and which one you are most likely to do well in. You're using this degree as leverage to get into a DO program. If you don't do well in it, you will not only be throwing away $, your goal getting into a DO program may be over.

From Another Thread:

So, last year I applied to DO schools after working in research for a couple years after graduation and was waitlisted. My uGPA was a 3.4 and I made the equivalent of a 25 on the new MCAT. Since I had another year to apply, I decided to do an SMP in hopes that I would do well and be able to be competitive for both MD and DO.

Well, my first semester at the SMP didn't go well. Around half the class dropped anatomy because of it's difficulty, but I decided to stick it out...which was a huge mistake; I finished with a C-. My other classes were not much better: B, B- and a C. Now I'm on academic probation since I'm under a 3.0 and freaking out.

 

[BlackStar90]

Your analysis is only looking at the upside and negating the downside. Look at this post below from another student in a Master's program. You also need to talk to some people to determine how difficult the two programs are, and which one you are most likely to do well in. You're using this degree as leverage to get into a DO program. If you don't do well in it, you will not only be throwing away $, your goal getting into a DO program may be over.

From Another Thread:

So, last year I applied to DO schools after working in research for a couple years after graduation and was waitlisted. My uGPA was a 3.4 and I made the equivalent of a 25 on the new MCAT. Since I had another year to apply, I decided to do an SMP in hopes that I would do well and be able to be competitive for both MD and DO.

Well, my first semester at the SMP didn't go well. Around half the class dropped anatomy because of it's difficulty, but I decided to stick it out...which was a huge mistake; I finished with a C-. My other classes were not much better: B, B- and a C. Now I'm on academic probation since I'm under a 3.0 and freaking out.

Oh wow lol. That's very true. Thank you for pointing this out. Being in that situation would definitely suck. And yeah I've reached out to my friends in the William Carey program and that have been really reassuring and have connections but say if I do it I will likely got to William Carey. My friends at the PCOM-GEORGIA program I am going to be reaching out to them now because I've been accepted and ask questions. To me I personally feel that I would do better in a smaller class setting (at William Carey) but the PCOM-GEORGIA program is more well known and doing that I may be likely to get into more programs. But like you are implying. Doing well is what counts to I will definitely be looking more into my chances of success as well as matriculation rates, percentages of acceptance etc

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[BlackStar90]

It doesn't make a difference whichever BMS is more well known. You are making a big investment here and both programs are known to be rigorous. You can easily do a year's worth DIY post-bac and create your own SMP (save money/ little to no risk). DO will factor your BMS GPA into your cumulative GPA.

Very true. For me however my financial situation won't let me do a DIY post baccalaureate. I'm working full-time currently and paying my loans as well as my bills collectively is having me barley have my head above water. So I know for sure I'm going to do some type of Masters program. Cost wise however William Carey is cheaper and only one year. But PCOM offers more credit hrs by the finish of the program and I know I need alot of credit hours to boost up my cumulative. So I know it seems like I'm going back and forth but it seems to me PCOM Masters is more reputable, longer, more expensive but when I look at both the curriculums PCOM'S seems more in depth. As well as there are more credit hours. But again like you said it doesn't really matter the name of the program as long as it's accredited (like the Tulane Som admissions professional said)

It doesn't make a difference whichever BMS is more well known. You are making a big investment here and both programs are known to be rigorous. You can easily do a year's worth DIY post-bac and create your own SMP (save money/ little to no risk). DO will factor your BMS GPA into your cumulative GPA.

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[BlackStar90]

Has anyone else been accepted into either program yet?

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[BlackStar90]

Has anyone been accepted to either program?

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[Ryomagoku]

Has anyone been accepted to either program?

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You know there is a thread in postbac forum about PCOM-MBS program. I was accepted at PCOM-MBS GA program but I decided to go with the other program.

 

[BlackStar90]

You know there is a thread in postbac forum about PCOM-MBS program. I was accepted at PCOM-MBS GA program but I decided to go with the other program.

Yeah me too actually. I was accepted there but decided not to pay my deposit because of the bad things I heard about it.

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