Which masters program should I go to?

[mrspooky]

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I just got accepted into the Tufts masters program in Biomedical Sciences! While I'm quite happy about this, I also have the possible option of attending the Drexel Interdepartmental Medical Sciences program (they haven't given me notice of acceptance yet).

Thing is I'm not sure which to attend, and it's rather hard to decide. As far as the pros/cons for each:

The Tufts MBS:
+Is one of the best in the country
+Small class sizes
+Most classes mirror first year medical school courses
-Is across the country, so moving would be much more difficult
-The curriculum says that "significant time and resources" are allocated to MCAT prep, something I don't need at all since I already got a 37 on my MCAT
-Out of state costs would likely be higher

The Drexel IMS:
+Also quite prestigious, but I don't know how successful its students are compared to Tufts
+Is a Special Masters Program, so you do the same coursework as the Drexel medical students.
+Grading curve fosters a noncompetitive environment, so you're encouraged to cooperate as much as possible.
+Located in California, a three-hour drive away.
+Less expensive
-I don't know how well Drexel stacks against Tufts in terms of how challenging the coursework is, and how well it'd do to get me into med school.

Any advice on people who know more about these universities/programs?

 

[DrMidlife]

Use of "best" and "prestigious" are cracking me up here. You only do these programs because your GPA isn't competitive for med school, so take it down at bit, yeah?

If you go to the postbac forum, you'll find lengthy and comprehensive information about these 2 programs and lots more.

These programs are classified as Special Masters Programs, or SMPs. The "best" SMP is the one that is most likely to get you from your GPA to a US MD acceptance (Tulane ACP, Temple ACMS). The most prestigious SMP is the one that most med schools have heard of (Georgetown).

Neither Tufts MBS nor most of the Drexel programs publish their results in getting students into US MD schools, which means they're taking money from students that aren't getting into US MD schools on the other side. Drexel offers so many programs that the alleged prestige is completely diluted. Do people get into US MD schools from Tufts & Drexel? Sure. With your GPA will Tufts or Drexel get you into a US MD school? Maybe.

Best of luck to you.

 

[LostInPreMed]

SMP programs are really good at allowing students to prove that they can take 1st year med school classes and handle the work load. Typically there is also some sort of a linkage that says if you meet X and Y requirements, your app will get bummed up and you will get an automatic secondary or interview from the med school which you are going through as an SMP student. As a result, your best chances are always with you SMP school, although it looks good to other schools too that you did well in a 1st year program! Good Luck!


Onwards!