Thread: Aug. MERP vs. SGU January MD

Hey guys,

Ive read what I could find about MERP but the overall quality is still not clear to me. I was placed in MERP for Aug. 2012 and I just received an acceptance for St. George for Jan., wait listed for Aug. (#119). For those who successfully completed MERP, was it helpful? ...overall. Is it or has it helped with with your first year? would you do it again? (recommend it to others). MERP + Ross MD is still cheaper than St. George MD and I have spoken to a few current students I trust who had great things to say about Ross. Before I spoke to them St. George was the only Caribbean school I was considering b/c, unfortunately, there are so many negative reviews. So if anyone who knows about MERP, Ross, and St. G who can give the good and bad, I would greatly appreciate the information.

To give you a little background...
Im 28 and took 2 yrs off of College. Before this I did poorly but since I returned I've completed more hours and maintained a 3.9 w/an upward trend and harder classes than before. My pre-med science GPA is a 3.9, overall Science 3.51 (...astronomy!), cumulative 2.8. MCAT = 25R (9 PS, 6VR, 10Bio) I have NOT taken upper level science coursework.

Edit: I am also wait listed for a Masters program in Ca. that guarantees an interview for the DO program as long as you make a 3.0+ I was told by a former student 100% of those who applied to the DO program were accepted. Im waiting to hear if I received interviews from a bunch of DO programs as well. My cumulative GPA is above a 3.0 for DO schools due to grade replacement.

What seems good about MERP is bc I haven't taken upper level bio's it could be helpful and ease the transition in to med school. I believe my work ethic and study habits are very strong and this would not be a reason for me to go to MERP (I'm up at 4am and work until as late as I need to...)

Thanks!

I've heard that merp students are better off in the long run, its basically getting everyone up to speed on a lot of things so you can hit the ground running come M1. It might be a good choice since you've been out of school awhile and everyone forgets all that crap anyway. Did you say you were accepted to M1 @SGU? Did you consider AUC?

Originally Posted by drrichand1

I've heard that merp students are better off in the long run, its basically getting everyone up to speed on a lot of things so you can hit the ground running come M1. It might be a good choice since you've been out of school awhile and everyone forgets all that crap anyway. Did you say you were accepted to M1 @SGU? Did you consider AUC?

Thanks for the quick response!

I didn't apply to AUC and ye, I was accepted for direct admission in to the Jan. SGU class. And sorry for any confusion about my time away from school. I took 75 credit hours from 2009 to present, which includes the pre-medical sciences. So those are fresh. But I did not go beyond these courses.

And what you say makes sense. I do want to set myself for success and allow for the best possible GPA in medical school, which makes MERP seem like a good option. Honestly, I wasn't even considering it before the call from my interviewer. If I didn't get in for this term I was going to take upper level courses but I did (and do) feel ready and capable to start now.

Are you a Ross student?

Well you had to have at least the prereq's done to get direct admission to SGU, that should suffice as far as upper level classes. I was premed undergrad so I have taken a lot beyond that but don't think you at that much of a disadvantage. I think SGU has the best connections and reputation as far as landing a residency you want. But Ross or any of the big 4 will get you where you need to be. I'm am applying to american medical schools this cycle and If I don't get in I will be going to AUC in May.

I heard a lot of bad things about Ross too, just as you said from illegitimate post or upset students but I had an american medical school actually reference it to me as a good school to consider. Do you know if the class size has gone down at Ross, that was my biggest concern because I read when they had 400+, students where having a hard time scheduling clinicals.

Originally Posted by drrichand1

Well you had to have at least the prereq's done to get direct admission to SGU, that should suffice as far as upper level classes. I was premed undergrad so I have taken a lot beyond that but don't think you at that much of a disadvantage. I think SGU has the best connections and reputation as far as landing a residency you want. But Ross or any of the big 4 will get you where you need to be. I'm am applying to american medical schools this cycle and If I don't get in I will be going to AUC in May.

I heard a lot of bad things about Ross too, just as you said from illegitimate post or upset students but I had an american medical school actually reference it to me as a good school to consider. Do you know if the class size has gone down at Ross, that was my biggest concern because I read when they had 400+, students where having a hard time scheduling clinicals.

I was kind of confused by Ross telling me the reason I wasn't admitted to the MD class because I don't have classes beyond the normal pre-med classes. So if you reading this and want to go to Ross it would be a good idea to take biochem, anatomy, genetics...a few of those classes.

Ross did cut down their class size. And Ive heard good things from friends...one is ending 2nd semester and the other is about to apply to residency. My understanding is its what you make of it. Im starting to lean toward St. G, though.

Good luck with this years cycle! I wasn't going to apply US MD but I am going to send out my application next week to a few schools...

Wait for DO > SGU> MERP

the direct route is always the better choice...while you may succeed there is always the chance that you don't make the cut in MERP and you don't advance to the MD program...the january sgu acceptance automatically places you in med school...and the january start allows you to see what your chances are in getting into a DO program for aug 2013...if you get accepted you can always withdraw from sgu.

Of your stated opportunities, MERP should be your last choice. Your goal is to get a seat in medical school, not a seat in some caribbean school post bac program. You've already secured the seat in the top Carib med school for Jan. The direct route is usually the best and cheapest route. Plus, the January acceptance would give you time to see if you're accepted for the DO program. Ranking of your options should be DO > SGU and very last possible option MERP. Unless you have an extra $30,000 dollars you don't mind throwing at your journey just for the sake of it, MERP shouldn't even be in your thoughts.

to the OP, you may want to consider retaking the MCAT...that 6 VR is the kiss of death for you for any USMD school and m/l will keep you from any DO school as well...that cGPA of 2.8 is gonna keep you from a USMD school but you should at least try....and if you are going to apply to USMD and DO schools, apply broadly, not "just a few"....give yourself every chance and KNOW that you tried your best to get into a USMD or DO school.

Cool, thanks for all the replies!
Verbal wasn't my section but I'm still surprised how much my actual score differed from my avg, 10, I was expecting b/w a 7-9 depending on the day...I am not taking it again. Ive already taken it a few times and I was so burnt out at the end...

m/l? ...and a 6 in verbal will keep someone out of DO school? I hope not... what a waste. I don't understand why they would take someone who scores a 12 in verbal and 7's or 8's in the sciences? We are applying to become physicians who study biology, right? I have yet to speak to a physician who learned Aristotle or Avant-Guarde art in medical school. That makes sense

I applied broadly to DO schools and will to MD schools, thanks for input.