Thread: PMSCE Examination and 3.2. How challenging is it?

Regarding the PreMed program at SGU and the issue of:

1- Acheiving GPA of 3.2.
2- Passing the PMSCE Examination.

Yes, everything needs HARD work. But, is it easy to do (1) + (2)? Especially if someone has to do TWO years of PreMed?

Thanks.

Greetings! Well, I'm a current first term student that completed the Foundations program last fall. Our requirements were very similar to those of Pre-Med, except we only needed to complete one semester's worth of classes. Different people will tell you different things, but please kindly take the advice from someone who's been there...

Maintaining the 3.2 GPA is not at all a difficult task, if you know how to budget your time and make studying a daily habit. The course load itself is not too demanding, and by going over learned material frequently, studying for exams becomes less of a burden...

As for the PMSCE, I must admit it was more than I bargained for. But one thing you should know is that a great majority of students (maybe like 80-85% or higher) that take the exam actually pass it. I'm not saying that everyone makes A's on it, but they pass nevertheless. The thing that makes it real difficult is that it encompasses everyone you learn throughout your Pre-Med career. But still, acing the PMSCE can be done...

Hope this helps!

Thank you so much for your kind reply.

So, does acheiving the required GPA + passing the exam GUARANTEE entry to the first year of the MD program?

What do you mean by the "Foundation program"? Is it something different than the PreMed?

Thanks.

Oh, yes, and congratulations...

I went through the premed program at SGU.Yes,if you maintain a 3.2 gpa or higher AND pass the PMSCE then you have a spot in the school of medicine(full program) for the coming semester.

The PMSCE covers the courses taught in the third year of premed and is a fair exam.There are two portions to the exam.An english section which is in done in the morning and the premed sciences which is done in the afternoon.The results take a week to be released and you would personally collect your results(this might have changed since I was in premed) from DES.

When I was in premed,if you got a gpa between 3.0 and 3.2 AND you passed the PMSCE then you would enter the alternate program (less course load) of medicine.

My class was quite small when I was in premed but that might have changed since.I am not too familiar with the Foundations To Medicine (FTM) program details.I think it would be best to contact SGU concerning the premed program or foundations.You could also request a student manual from them as it contains relevant information for each school at sgu.

Thanks you so much for your reply GNDMD5000

Can you kindly just clarify the Medicine "Alternate program" that you said it is with less load?

Is it an MD program at the end?

Thanks.

Yes it is an M.D degree at the end.

Alternate program for first term simply means you will take half of your courses in the first term.Then the following term you are still in term 1 but you take and complete the remainder of the classes of first term.In general it means you will take 2 academic terms to finish term 1 of medical school.

Another way of looking at it is that the basic sciences portion is supposed to be two years of your medical education.If you are put in the alternate program your basic sciences would be completed in two and a half years,assuming you are placed in the alternate program.

Does one apply to the Pre-Med program or they just apply as a regular MD1 student and get placed in Pre-med from the committee review. Is it possible to start from year 3 rather than going through all three years??

I think it would be best to contact the school and let them know your interest in attending SGU for medicine.

Yes it is possible to start in the third year of premed depending on your education background.