When Does Cost Matter?

[jimjoneskufi]

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I'm waiting to hear from a Masters program associated with a medical school( guaranteed seat upon meeting gpa/mcat cutoff). I feel that the program is prohibitively expensive yet, if offered a seat, I also feel dumb turning it down. In my scenario, what would be some things to consider? I want to go to medical school yet I'm not from great means and money is always on my mind. I just need perspective.

 

[mimelim]

Cost is always a factor. If you have no other realistic options for obtaining a USMD spot, it is likely worth the price. But, a mandatory check of your chances of matriculation is in order. Debt/credit is a magical thing in the US unlike most of the rest of the world. It is also incredibly dangerous.

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

I'm waiting to hear from a Masters program associated with a medical school( guaranteed seat upon meeting gpa/mcat cutoff). I feel that the program is prohibitively expensive yet, if offered a seat, I also feel dumb turning it down. In my scenario, what would be some things to consider? I want to go to medical school yet I'm not from great means and money is always on my mind. I just need perspective.

Forget the GPA cutoff and focus on the MCAT cutoff. The cost is worth it only if you can meet the MCAT requirement. With that being said, a 3.5/501 minimum requirement is a very good deal. If I were in your shoes, I sure as hell wouldn’t turn down the acceptance of it came my way. There aren’t too many of these programs out here, and MMC is a fantastic school. Don’t be scared of the cost, go for it!

 

[jimjoneskufi]

Cost is always a factor. If you have no other realistic options for obtaining a USMD spot, it is likely worth the price. But, a mandatory check of your chances of matriculation is in order. Debt/credit is a magical thing in the US unlike most of the rest of the world. It is also incredibly dangerous.

My credit is good now and I know if I matriculated I'd be successful (matured late in undergrad) so I guess I'll just have to take on the debt. If I was interested in EM or General Surgery (due to extensive shadowing), would I be in debt long?

 

[jimjoneskufi]

Forget the GPA cutoff and focus on the MCAT cutoff. The cost is worth it only if you can meet the MCAT requirement. With that being said, a 3.5/501 minimum requirement is a very good deal. If I were in your shoes, I sure as hell wouldn’t turn down the acceptance of it came my way. There aren’t too many of these programs out here, and MMC is a fantastic school. Don’t be scared of the cost, go for it!

My MCAT is literally right below the threshold but I didn't study for more than a month when I first sat. I guess I need to conquer my fears and, if invited, attend the program.

Thanks!

 

[smukke]

What's their track record of percent accepted? Is this a "traditional SMP" where you take classes with med students? If so, keep in mind that good enough to pass/average is good enough for the current med students but won't be good enough for you, are you ready to take that risk?

 

[jimjoneskufi]

What's their track record of percent accepted? Is this a "traditional SMP" where you take classes with med students? If so, keep in mind that good enough to pass/average is good enough for the current med students but won't be good enough for you, are you ready to take that risk?

Program is auto-acceptance after meeting gpa/MCAT minimum.

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

My MCAT is literally right below the threshold but I didn't study for more than a month when I first sat. I guess I need to conquer my fears and, if invited, attend the program.

Thanks!

I feel you. Mine is too, and I would literally prefer to rip my toenails off and rub my bleeding stub on a concrete wall before I retake the MCAT for the fifth time. But...sometimes we gotta do what we don’t want to, in order to get where we need to. PM me if you decide to take an alternative route (i.e. save your money and reapply this cycle). I may have a school list for you, especially if your stats are similar to mine!

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

Program is auto-acceptance after meeting gpa/MCAT minimum.

Good point. I think she/he meant, how are grades calculated. Is your grade based off of 80= B, 90 = A etc...or is it like DPMS where B = medical school average. If so, that may mess you up

 

[jimjoneskufi]

I feel you. Mine is too, and I would literally prefer to rip my toenails off and rub my bleeding stub on a concrete wall before I retake the MCAT for the fifth time. But...sometimes we gotta do what we don’t want to, in order to get where we need to. PM me if you decide to take an alternative route (i.e. save your money and reapply this cycle). I may have a school list for you, especially if your stats are similar to mine!

Hopefully Meharry will see something in me and I'll just retake the MCAT. If I cannot go to Meharry, I'll regroup and plan. Thanks for the help! I'm glad we're all able to help one another along the way.

 

[jimjoneskufi]

Good point. I think she/he meant, how are grades calculated. Is your grade based off of 80= B, 90 = A etc...or is it like DPMS where B = medical school average. If so, that may mess you up

I think I found a program PDF and I believe it's a traditional grading scheme (i.e. 90=A, etc.).

 

[smukke]

I think I found a program PDF and I believe it's a traditional grading scheme (i.e. 90=A, etc.).

Which still doesn't answer the question of what is their track record for acceptances.
I've had classes in med school where the class average if on a traditional grading scheme was close to a C.

 

[jimjoneskufi]

Which still doesn't answer the question of what is their track record for acceptances.
I've had classes in med school where the class average if on a traditional grading scheme was close to a C.

I cannot answer this. I know that the cutoff is 3.5 but I don't know how many in the program achieve this gpa.

 

[smukke]

I cannot answer this. I know that the cutoff is 3.5 but I don't know how many in the program achieve this gpa.

I'd consider that a bad sign. If sleuthing around on SDN and Google doesn't give you a good perspective, I'd be hesitant.

It's easy for schools to generate an extra $5million just by accepting 100 students at $50k each to their SMP, additional students in lecture cost very little money, and then at the end of the year accept only the top 10 because the program average was a B-.

PS I'll also admit that I'm extremely risk adverse and one of the things that drew me to medicine was the high graduation rate and high salary floor for physicians.

 

[Goro]

I cannot answer this. I know that the cutoff is 3.5 but I don't know how many in the program achieve this gpa.

Even getting a 3.4 can get you into a lot of DO schools. Getting a 3.5+ and a decent MCAT should get you some love at least from your state MD school.
Read this:
Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention

 

[jimjoneskufi]

Even getting a 3.4 can get you into a lot of DO schools. Getting a 3.5+ and a decent MCAT should get you some love at least from your state MD school.
Read this:
Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention

Thanks, do not think I've seen this before; I'll give it a read!

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

Even getting a 3.4 can get you into a lot of DO schools. Getting a 3.5+ and a decent MCAT should get you some love at least from your state MD school.
Read this:
Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention

I love this guide! I’m actually a little sad I never saw this the first time I applied I couldn’t even tell you the amount of pre-med advisers that insisted I retake my C in Orgo, despite acing an upper level chemistry course two years later. *Sighs*

 

[Goro]

I love this guide! I’m actually a little sad I never saw this the first time I applied I couldn’t even tell you the amount of pre-med advisers that insisted I retake my C in Orgo, despite acing an upper level chemistry course two years later. *Sighs*

As the wise LizzyM points out, The smart thing is not to listen to your advisor. The road to medical school is littered with the festering corpses of students who did and found out that the information they'd been given was lousy.

 

[jimjoneskufi]

If I were to do a Masters at my home school( non med school associated), would it be a waste? I spoke with several schools and they recommended a Masters but I know one at a medical school would probably be better.

I'm just trying to plan and the medical masters may not have a decision for a few weeks or so.

 

[trobinsonmd]

If this is literally your only path to becoming an MD, cost does not matter. One school might be 250k, this one could be 500k.. at the end of the day, you are going to be a doctor, probably making around 400k once you are established... a 250k difference is a lot, but I would rather be 500k in the hole than not have any debt and not be a physician.

 

[jimjoneskufi]

If this is literally your only path to becoming an MD, cost does not matter. One school might be 250k, this one could be 500k.. at the end of the day, you are going to be a doctor, probably making around 400k once you are established... a 250k difference is a lot, but I would rather be 500k in the hole than not have any debt and not be a physician.

I've come to the decision that I'll attend if accepted and just deal with finances in the future. Does anyone have any tips for completely crushing this program(i.e. study tips, time management,etc)? In addition, how do I build a circle of colleagues among my peers ( I haven't had to make new friends in so long and I'm kinda introverted, lol)?

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

I've come to the decision that I'll attend if accepted and just deal with finances in the future. Does anyone have any tips for completely crushing this program(i.e. study tips, time management,etc)? In addition, how do I build a circle of colleagues among my peers ( I haven't had to make new friends in so long and I'm kinda introverted, lol)?

Outside of academic tips, I’d recommend to avoid living with someone. If you’re like me, and prefer having your own space, rooming with someone to conserve cost will make you absolutely MISERABLE. Start budgeting from now!

 

[jimjoneskufi]

Outside of academic tips, I’d recommend to avoid living with someone. If you’re like me, and prefer having your own space, rooming with someone to conserve cost will make you absolutely MISERABLE. Start budgeting from now!

I'm currently living with a roommate and this is SO true. I'm generally cool with everyone but living with someone just makes you aware of every annoying trait they exhibit.

 

[Goro]

If I were to do a Masters at my home school( non med school associated), would it be a waste? I spoke with several schools and they recommended a Masters but I know one at a medical school would probably be better.

I'm just trying to plan and the medical masters may not have a decision for a few weeks or so.

A waste? Nope. Just do well. But doing it at a med school does increase your chances at that med school, as the Faculty know you. It's a back door to that med school.

 

[jimjoneskufi]

A waste? Nope. Just do well. But doing it at a med school does increase your chances at that med school, as the Faculty know you. It's a back door to that med school.

One last question: if I do the Masters at my local school, I'd need to finish it before applying( to show my GPA for the entire degree), correct? I believe the Masters takes 2 years so I'd be applying in 2021 for 2022- jeez, I'll be 30 at that point . If I'm interested in EM or surgery would like 34 be too old to start residency?

Additionally I don't know how I'd create a school list post Masters- do I use grad gpa or ugrad gpa in combination with my MCAT? Would the ECs I had in college be too old and would I need to do more recent ECs in grad school?

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

One last question: if I do the Masters at my local school, I'd need to finish it before applying( to show my GPA for the entire degree), correct? I believe the Masters takes 2 years so I'd be applying in 2021 for 2022- jeez, I'll be 30 at that point . If I'm interested in EM or surgery would like 34 be too old to start residency?

Additionally I don't know how I'd create a school list post Masters- do I use grad gpa or ugrad gpa in combination with my MCAT? Would the ECs I had in college be too old and would I need to do more recent ECs in grad school?

Honestly, I feel as if you’re doing yourself a disservice. Rather than spending $$$ on a 2 year Master’s program, why not reapply with a better school list? If that doesn’t pan out, you can always apply to 1 year post baccs and Master programs with linkages in January. Is your GPA/MCAT holding you back?

 

[jimjoneskufi]

Honestly, I feel as if you’re doing yourself a disservice. Rather than spending $$$ on a 2 year Master’s program, why not reapply with a better school list? If that doesn’t pan out, you can always apply to 1 year post baccs and Master programs with linkages in January. Is your GPA/MCAT holding you back?

I know my GPA/MCAT were not great and the schools who provided feedback let me know. In addition, several schools said a Masters would be beneficial (given they were in a science discipline). One adcom member told me that with a Masters and a good MCAT, I'd be an excellent candidate (i.e. everything else in my app was great).

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

I know my GPA/MCAT were not great and the schools who provided feedback let me know. In addition, several schools said a Masters would be beneficial (given they were in a science discipline). One adcom member told me that with a Masters and a good MCAT, I'd be an excellent candidate (i.e. everything else in my app was great).

Do you mind disclosing your GPA and MCAT? Chances are, it’s probably not as bad as people have told you

 

[Goro]

One last question: if I do the Masters at my local school, I'd need to finish it before applying( to show my GPA for the entire degree), correct?
Yes. One semester isn't going to convince us that you can handle med school. Or, merely being in an SMP doesn't prove anything; you have to ace it.



I believe the Masters takes 2 years so I'd be applying in 2021 for 2022- jeez,
Two years? For an SMP? Forget that! You don't need it. There are tons that last only a single year, and that's enough

I'll be 30 at that point . If I'm interested in EM or surgery would like 34 be too old to start residency?

Some of my all time best students have been in their 30s and 40s. My school's oldest student ever (at 53) made it into EM. He;s in practices somewhere in the Midwest.

Additionally I don't know how I'd create a school list post Masters- do I use grad gpa or ugrad gpa in combination with my MCAT? Would the ECs I had in college be too old and would I need to do more recent ECs in grad school?
It's less the GPAs than, in my view, your MCAT PLUS your school list. Successful reinventors typically have a 513+ for MD. Then you have to target the right schools. Some won't give you the time of day, but others reward reinvention....even UCSF, NYU, Columbia, BU, Case, Duke, Mayo and Pitt!