Thread: Alternative program

Hmmm... That's odd... I really haven't heard of anyone that was accepted, but automatically put in the decel program... Perhaps you were admitted into one of the following programs? (Call your admissions officer to clarify)

Academic Enhancement Program: Excellently detailed here: http://www.valuemd.com/ftopic7923.html There are a lot of people placed in this program, so this is most likely what you have been accepted into.

Audit Program: You take the full load of first term classes. If you achieve below a certain GPA, you are dimissed. If you achieve above the cutoff GPA, then you are allowed to continue in medical school. If and only if you achieve a 4.0 (A's in all classes), then you don't have to repeat 1st term, and are allowed to continue to the 2nd term without repeating.

If this is something new that they are doing, and you are indeed admitted to the Alternate (Decel) Program, then your 1st term will be split into 2 terms. You will take one 6-credit class (either Anatomy or Biochem) along with one of the smaller classes (Histology=4 credits or Embryo=2credits). Then the next term, you finish the 1st term by taking the 2 classes you did not take previously. You also will take some classes that only meet occasionaly, such as PDP (Professional Development Program) and Clinical Skills.

You should have enough time to study for USMLE Step I, as hundreds of August entrants do each year.

And just to clarify, it will take 2.5 years to complete Basic Sciences... Then another 2 years of Clinicals, and then 3-7+ years of residency... That's when you'll actually be finished. :-)

thanks

actually, this program exists.........people do get placed on the alternate from the beginning. There were about 5 people in this in the Jan. 2004 class.

Yes, it does exist. You would take Histo and biochem (or anatomy) for first term, then anatomy (or biochem) and embryo along with some 2nd term class. It ends up being one extra semester in grenada. If you are decelled in january, you will have the same amount of time to prepare for the boards as anyone who starts in august.

Andy

Hmm, who whuda thunk? Must be something new. Thanks for the clarification.

Plenty of people are automatically placed in the Alternate Program before beginning their studies here. I decelled first term and do not regret my decision at all. However, I must say that more than a bit a stigma comes from being in the alternate program. Don't let anyway get in the way of achieving your goals and/or dream. I've heard plenty of comments from people such as, people in the alternate program are stupid. I enjoyed having more time to study the material in greater depth and to learn it better in addition to having more time for myself. A common misconception is that decels have more free time. I know plenty people like myself who used the extra time to study. Anyway, I wanted to give a more from the inside perspective but if you have any specific questions feel free to PM me.

Originally Posted by emt036

Hmm, who whuda thunk? Must be something new. Thanks for the clarification.

not new but not too common. I dont think much of that approach personally but then i dont make the decisions.