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- Jun 23, 2020
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FAQ from your fellow MedSci Grad
**Keep in mind they've changed a couple of things since I graduated.(i.e. MCAT no longer required, tuition, etc). I'm not sure if they are requiring to get their laptops like we did, but i include that in the cost for the summer
1. What were your stats? Undergrad: 3.55 GPA; MedSci: 3.85; MCAT: 503, 510
2. What was the costs? Were you in-state/out-of-state? In-state; Tuition- Summer: 5372; Fall: 3955; Spring: 3962. These costs do not include housing/transportation/food which will vary depending where you stay.
3. What are the available scholarships/ways to pay for the program? Are there any grants available? I wasn't aware of any scholarships they offered, but I do believe you can apply to some that have deadlines in March. Only grant i received was for 2000, loans covered all else including housing
4/5. What is your typical day like? Could you have a job whilst in the program? This program is meant to be an application enhancer into a health career. It will simulate a block-schedule in the Fall and Spring meaning back-to-back courses. The summer (f2f cohort) is usually easier to work if you'd like but do so at your own discretion. Here is the current calendar they follow, red means required attendance.
6. How do you do housing? Is it included with the tuition? Housing is not included with tuition, it's a separate costs. You have to find your own apartments. They do have partnerships with certain apartments. Otherwise I would find something relatively cheap since it's only a 1-yr program, unless you choose to do the extended 2-yr research track.
7/8. How did the MCAT prep help you with the actual test? How is the MCAT prep structured? MCAT prep was not that helpful imo. It's based off TPR which will have set classes and homework (optional) assigned with it. The only thing I found useful from TPR was access to all AAMC MCAT prep material. Unless you don't have FAP for AAMC MCAT prep, I wouldn't take the course. What helped me most for retaking MCAT was doing well in MedSci classes and using my new test-taking strategies I gained.
9. Are you in medical school? How did this program prep you for that? Yes! currently at my #1 choice. MedSci definitely boosted my chances for entry for sure, but I would not say it was the determining factor. I strugged with imposter syndrome and low stats before MedSci, but after I saw I could handle the academic rigor, I showed the adcoms that I was more than capable despite my undergrap GPA. The material I learned from MedSci helped me for the first semester, everything else you will learn once you get in.
10. How are the advisors? The advisors were okay to good for the most part. It really depends who you're assigned to. I was fortunate to have the MedSci program director as my advisor. So I would lean on her to be able to write a LOR shes super helpful!
11. How are the classmates? Your cohort will differ from every year. Mine was SUPER collaborative since we all knew this was our 2nd chance at a shot for med/dental/PA/etc school. We had a Slack group created and shared resources so I hope y'alls will be helpful too!
12. What is the linkage rate from this program to medical school? Is it DO school heavy or MD heavy? Is it Texas heavy? From my observations I feel that school is more DO-linked, especially to VCOM. But I'm going to attach a pic from previous classes and where they went.
13. Overall would you say if the program is worth it for someone with low stats to medical school? I would say it is a good program for someone with low stats. It won't fill in the gaps if you are lacking other things in your application, but will do a great job if you take it seriously and do well.
14. What is the total amount of credits? contact the school for accurate total credits but here is what i found. It will vary depending if you opt-in for MCAT prep.
15. Is it feasible to commute for MedSci? I was in the f2f cohort and lived near campus so I personally found it better to be near. However, there were a few classmates that commuted from Frisco and made it work.
Lengthy response, but I hope this helps and if you got any more q's don't hesitate to reach out!
**Keep in mind they've changed a couple of things since I graduated.(i.e. MCAT no longer required, tuition, etc). I'm not sure if they are requiring to get their laptops like we did, but i include that in the cost for the summer
1. What were your stats? Undergrad: 3.55 GPA; MedSci: 3.85; MCAT: 503, 510
2. What was the costs? Were you in-state/out-of-state? In-state; Tuition- Summer: 5372; Fall: 3955; Spring: 3962. These costs do not include housing/transportation/food which will vary depending where you stay.
3. What are the available scholarships/ways to pay for the program? Are there any grants available? I wasn't aware of any scholarships they offered, but I do believe you can apply to some that have deadlines in March. Only grant i received was for 2000, loans covered all else including housing
4/5. What is your typical day like? Could you have a job whilst in the program? This program is meant to be an application enhancer into a health career. It will simulate a block-schedule in the Fall and Spring meaning back-to-back courses. The summer (f2f cohort) is usually easier to work if you'd like but do so at your own discretion. Here is the current calendar they follow, red means required attendance.
6. How do you do housing? Is it included with the tuition? Housing is not included with tuition, it's a separate costs. You have to find your own apartments. They do have partnerships with certain apartments. Otherwise I would find something relatively cheap since it's only a 1-yr program, unless you choose to do the extended 2-yr research track.
7/8. How did the MCAT prep help you with the actual test? How is the MCAT prep structured? MCAT prep was not that helpful imo. It's based off TPR which will have set classes and homework (optional) assigned with it. The only thing I found useful from TPR was access to all AAMC MCAT prep material. Unless you don't have FAP for AAMC MCAT prep, I wouldn't take the course. What helped me most for retaking MCAT was doing well in MedSci classes and using my new test-taking strategies I gained.
9. Are you in medical school? How did this program prep you for that? Yes! currently at my #1 choice. MedSci definitely boosted my chances for entry for sure, but I would not say it was the determining factor. I strugged with imposter syndrome and low stats before MedSci, but after I saw I could handle the academic rigor, I showed the adcoms that I was more than capable despite my undergrap GPA. The material I learned from MedSci helped me for the first semester, everything else you will learn once you get in.
10. How are the advisors? The advisors were okay to good for the most part. It really depends who you're assigned to. I was fortunate to have the MedSci program director as my advisor. So I would lean on her to be able to write a LOR shes super helpful!
11. How are the classmates? Your cohort will differ from every year. Mine was SUPER collaborative since we all knew this was our 2nd chance at a shot for med/dental/PA/etc school. We had a Slack group created and shared resources so I hope y'alls will be helpful too!
12. What is the linkage rate from this program to medical school? Is it DO school heavy or MD heavy? Is it Texas heavy? From my observations I feel that school is more DO-linked, especially to VCOM. But I'm going to attach a pic from previous classes and where they went.
13. Overall would you say if the program is worth it for someone with low stats to medical school? I would say it is a good program for someone with low stats. It won't fill in the gaps if you are lacking other things in your application, but will do a great job if you take it seriously and do well.
14. What is the total amount of credits? contact the school for accurate total credits but here is what i found. It will vary depending if you opt-in for MCAT prep.
15. Is it feasible to commute for MedSci? I was in the f2f cohort and lived near campus so I personally found it better to be near. However, there were a few classmates that commuted from Frisco and made it work.
Lengthy response, but I hope this helps and if you got any more q's don't hesitate to reach out!