Q. What is the application deadline date?
A. The application deadline dates for each program are included in the instructions for the respective applications.
Q. What are the prerequisite courses for the MFS program?
A. A year of general biology, chemistry, organic chemistry and physics with labs.
Q. Can the MFS program be taken part time?
A. No. This is a full-time graduate program.
Q. How long is the MFS program?
A. 18 consecutive months.
Q. When are classes offered for the MFS program (i.e., day, evening, etc.)?
A. Class times vary from quarter to quarter.
Q. How many students do you accept into the MFS program?
A. Approximately 25.
Q. Are there any prerequisite courses required for the MCS program?
A. No.
Q. Can the MCS program be taken part time?
A. Yes. This program offers courses in the evening for working professionals. The program can also be taken full time and completed in 15 months.
Q. Do you offer job placement after completion of the program?
A. No. However, we do have a career services department that assists you with job searching, résumé writing and mock interviews.
Q. Is financial aid available?
A. Students are eligible for the Federal Stafford Loan and alternative loans. In order to expedite the financial aid process, applicants should complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) immediately. To obtain a FAFSA form, call 1-800-4FEDAID or download an application from www.fafsa.ed.gov. The FAFSA code for the University is 003256. Because of the nature of the program, acceptances are offered through mid-summer. This may not allow enough time to apply for and receive funds from various loan programs to meet tuition costs when registering in August. Therefore, students must be prepared to meet the initial financial needs for the first semester (tuition and living expenses) out of available funds until potential loans are processed.
Q. Is there housing available?
A. Stiles Hall houses up to 315 graduate students from the Center City and Queen Lane Campuses. The hall contains one-, two-, and three-bedroom unfurnished apartments. Each student is given his or her own bedroom but will share a kitchen, bathroom and living space. Each room has temperature control, cable, local phone service and internet access. For an application and additional information please Graduate Housing at 215-553-7401 or via email: gradhousing@drexel.edu.
Q. When does the program start?
A. The DPMS program begins on June 20th, 2011, for a mandatory 6-week summer enrichment period. The DPMS, IMS, MSP and IHS programs then begin classes the first week of August, with a mandatory orientation session starting on August 1st, 2011.
Q. Is my MCAT score competitive/valid for the IMS Program?
A. MCAT scores are required for students applying to the the IMS program. The program considers all MCAT scores. Most medical schools will not consider scores older than two years prior to the year of matriculation. Those applicants accepted into the IMS program with scores less than 10 in any of the sections should consider retaking the MCAT after completion of the IMS year.
Q. Is there a relationship between the IMS program and the medical school?
A. IMS students who earn grades of B or higher in the fall semester coursework, with a valid cumulative MCAT score of 27 or higher (no less than a 9 in any one section or a cumulative score of 30 with no one section less than a 7) on their most recent MCAT, are guaranteed an interview at Drexel University College of Medicine during the spring semester for the fall term.
Q. What are the requirements for applying to the IMS or MSP programs?
A. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and have completed the premedical science requirements prior to matriculation into the program. Applicants must also have taken the MCAT (or GRE for the MSP program). The required premedical science requirements include, at a minimum, 8 semester hours (including 2 labs) in each of the following courses: General Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and General Physics.
Q. How long is the IMS program?
A. The IMS program is a one-year certificate program. If a student completes the first year with a minimum B average, s/he may elect to continue and complete the Master of Science degree (non-thesis) during the second year.
Q. How is the IMS program structured?
A. Lectures for the IMS students are simulcast live from the medical school to the Center City Campus under the supervision of faculty. Small group conferences and labs for the IMS students are conducted at the Center City Campus. The IMS students take the same examinations as the medical students and are graded with a letter grade based on medical school performance.
Q. How long is the MSP program?
A. The MSP program is a one-year certificate program. If a student completes the first year with a minimum B average in the graduate course work and receives at least a 27 on the April MCAT, s/he is guaranteed admission to the IMS program in the fall. If a student successfully completes the IMS year, s/he will earn a Master of Science degree (non-thesis).
Q. How competitive is the application process?
A. Over the past five years, the program has averaged more than 700 applications for 100 seats in IMS and 70 seats in MSP. For both programs, the average GPA is 3.2. The average MCAT for the IMS program is above a 27 and the average MCAT for the MSP program is in the low 20s. In addition, the program evaluates the applicant's exposure to the health care field as well as community and volunteer activities.
Q. How will this affect my application to medical school?
A. Submitting an application to the IMS or MSP programs will not affect your current application to the M.D. program at Drexel University College of Medicine or any other medical school. The admission process for the IMS, MSP or DPMS program is independent of the medical school.
Drexel University College of Medicine
Medical Science Programs
245 North 15th Street, Mail Stop 344
Room 4104, NCB
Philadelphia, PA 19102-1192
Telephone: 215-762-4692
E-mail: MedicalSciences@DrexelMed.Edu