Dilemma

[Dr.SP]

I have been accepted to both Ross and St. Georges. However I received a call today from Drexel Medical School stating that they have this new post-bac program in which they are selecting only 10 students (Only by invitation). The program is for one year beginning in August and ending in May. The program also involves taking the Mcat over and obtaining a 27 and requires you maintain a 3.5 overall at the conclusion of this program. Here is the big thing: they will give me provisional acceptance into their medical school and if I meet their requirements of a 27 and 3.5 at the conclusion of the program I would be automatically accepted into their medical school. So I don’t understand what to do, I would loose one year plus have to pay 27,000 not including living and food expenses, on the other hand I would graduate from a US medical school. But the problem is that what if I don’t get the 27 I would have nowhere to go, no more Ross or St. Georges. Currently I have an undergraduate gpa of 3.65 and mcats of 27. So please give me some advise, I am very very very very confused. :? :? :? :?

[Nimitt]

I think you have a great opportunity to get into a US school. The post bach program sounds good on paper now find out how many of the 10 students actually get in and make sure that the classes arent like a pyramid where they weed out studetns so that only 1 get in. Other than that financial it is cheaper to do the post bach than spend a year at Ross or St. Georges. Also by staying a year you may also improve your chances of getting into another med school not just the one you are doing the post bac. One more thing, you can always reapply to Ross and SGU they arent going anywhere. You seem like a solid student so I dont see you having a problem reapplying (unless you are completely insane, in which case I cant promise you anything!). If you dont want to wait a year thats a different story. Hope that helps...

Nimitt
3rd year
SGU

[stephew]

I have been accepted to both Ross and St. Georges. However I received a call today from Drexel Medical School stating that they have this new post-bac program in which they are selecting only 10 students (Only by invitation). The program is for one year beginning in August and ending in May. The program also involves taking the Mcat over and obtaining a 27 and requires you maintain a 3.5 overall at the conclusion of this program. Here is the big thing: they will give me provisional acceptance into their medical school and if I meet their requirements of a 27 and 3.5 at the conclusion of the program I would be automatically accepted into their medical school. So I don’t understand what to do, I would loose one year plus have to pay 27,000 not including living and food expenses, on the other hand I would graduate from a US medical school. But the problem is that what if I don’t get the 27 I would have nowhere to go, no more Ross or St. Georges. Currently I have an undergraduate gpa of 3.65 and mcats of 27. So please give me some advise, I am very very very very confused. :? :? :? :?

This is a tough one... first: is this a post back premed or a "masters" like at Georgetown. Also confirm, is this guarenteed admission if you get into the program? What is concerning is they want you to take the mcat over again...and get the same score? see if you can renegotiate this. If you can take the progarm and if you dont get the GPA go to SGU or ROss jan term. But I would seriously try to negotiate out of taking that MCAT again or better yet, take it again but not have your acceptance contingent upon getting 27 or better- you already did the 27. But if you do better then you'll have other options in the states too.

[Dr.SP]

Is there a way that I can defer the start of medical school for either st.georges or Ross. For example can I ask for a deferral from august 2004 to aug 2005 soo that way if I don't pull of the gpa or mcats I would still have ross and st.georges?

[stephew]

not with sgu; they dont accept deferals

[Andrew21]

Get more info, do the drexel thing. The fact of the matter is, if you were invited to this program, you are probably going to be quailified to get into SGU a year later if the drexel thing doesn't work out. go for it

Andy

[stephew]

id really see if there was any way out of retaking the mcat. it makes no sense.

[bigbnlc]

The program also involves taking the Mcat over and obtaining a 27 and requires you maintain a 3.5 overall at the conclusion of this program.

Why would you have to take the MCATS again if you already meet the requirements of a 27? Also you have a 3.65 going into the program you most likely would be able to maintain a gpa of 3.5. As far as I know Drexel has MSP, IMS, and DSPM post-bac programs and have not heard of any other secret ones? Do you mean the IMS program? This program guarantees you an interview with the stats you cited but not conditional acceptance. I know the minority drexel post-bac does come with conditional acceptance. So basically you can go to medical school now in the carribean or apply to a post-bac program retake the MCAT to be more competitive or enter this recently started program which I've never heard of but sounds good as you already meet the MCAT requirement hmm.. You should really research this more and come to a better educated decision.

[stephew]

The program also involves taking the Mcat over and obtaining a 27 and requires you maintain a 3.5 overall at the conclusion of this program.

Why would you have to take the MCATS again if you already meet the requirements of a 27? .

that was the point made several times.

[bigbnlc]

Yeah it took me awhile to register and post. I see the point was made well during that time. btw 2nd post weeeee!

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[stephew]

Yeah it took me awhile to register and post. I see the point was made well during that time. btw 2nd post weeeee!

congrats on post #2.

As for sgu and ross always being there to accept your money: do understand that not everyone- even with top scores is accepted. If there is something weird on the application or the interview is not good, you dont just get in anyway. Barring this sort of senarior however you would be a very strong candidate.