Just finished my last year at TCNJ for TCNJ/NJMS 7 Year -- I'll answer any questions

jay0312 · 05-09-2012, 12:35 PM

Hey guys,

I realize that this post may be out of season, since enrollments have been sent out -- so my apologies for that. Personally, I didn't use this site when I was applying to different schools, but this forum would come up occasionally when a bunch of us were hanging out. We would reminisce about how we used to be junkies to the college process, and we'd always get a few laughs.

I just finished up my last (junior year) at TCNJ. Had a great time, made a lot of good friends, did a lot of fun stuff ( I was actually president of the smed club we have over here). I think it's a great program, and I would love to answer any of you questions, especially regarding the TCNJ side of things. I'm not an admissions guy, so I can't judge whether you'll make it or not... but fire away.

fallpsat · 05-09-2012, 02:20 PM

is this program for everyone or just people in NJ or NY?

jay0312 · 05-09-2012, 03:39 PM

Everyone is welcome. I've seen students from California and Texas. I'm not sure how it works for internationals, however.

theking101 · 05-09-2012, 04:09 PM

Do they offer full rides/tuition for undergrad? Is it possible to complete the undergrad portion in 2 years if you have a lot of AP credit? What's the minimum MCAT/GPA requirement to stay in the program?

Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions!

jay0312 · 05-09-2012, 05:12 PM

theking101:

I don't think TCNJ offers full rides anymore -- but I believe they used to in years past. Money's tight. But as a smed, you get the highest scholarships they offer. This is something you probably want to contact the financial office for, as you'll want the gritty details.

It's definitely possible to complete in two years if your APs are good and you have that intention from the start. I know people who have done it. Whether you can go directly to NJMS after 2 years is a different story. Unfortunately, I don't know the answer to that question. The students that have completed TCNJ in 2 years have taken the year off/done some sort of research during that time.

The MCAT is required, though if you're in the program there is no minimum score. The GPA requirement is 3.5 for all semesters. It's not extremely difficult to maintain, but you can't completely slack off either.

dineroman13 · 05-09-2012, 05:33 PM

Does being out of state put me at a disadvantage for getting into this program?

jay0312 · 05-09-2012, 05:36 PM

Sorry dineroman13, I don't know the answer to that question.

LaPrincesa · 06-01-2012, 08:20 PM

would you be willing to share your stats and extracurriculars?
also, what did you like most about this program and why did you choose to go to it - over other schools or programs?

jay0312 · 06-04-2012, 08:44 PM

I suppose I wasn't the ideal applicant. You probably don't want to look to me for STATS and such as most of the kids who enrolled/got in had better stats/ecs than I did. I'm guessing the essay and the interview matters a lot.

Anyways
2240/7APS/Basically straight As with maybe an A- or two/ 350+hrs hospital volunteering/tutoring/community service/science+math olympiad

no shadowing/no research

A lot of the SMEDs in my class were valedictorians or #2s, had way higher SATS, research, shadowing, etc... so take my stats with a grain of salt.

My general advice is to try not to be an instant cookie cutter mold of the typical seven year applicant. Be yourself. You want to look like to naturally belong, not that you're trying to hard to be something that you may not naturally be. Work hard and do what you like.

neoevolution · 06-05-2012, 06:43 PM

Lol, your stats are pretty great for any program except for maybe the most competitive or ones that require research. What else did the other SMEDs have in their apps?

jay0312 · 06-10-2012, 09:56 PM

Some of the other SMEDs just had better apps. Higher SATs (2300+), close to #1 or even being #1, research, shadowing, leadership positions, and the like.

I'm not saying that they all had EVERYTHING, i'm just saying that a lot of the other kids had way better, more standout apps than I did.

Pharmagal · 06-24-2012, 01:39 PM

Most applicants to this program tend to have SAT scores >=2250. SAT IIs are generally within 750-800.

It's an excellent program. I would highly recommend it. Their entrance criteria have recently changed to reflect the above. I think they require a total of at least 1480 and above for verbal+math sections.

However, those in doubt about state residency, there is no harm in applying. You can only win if you play.

jay0312 · 07-10-2012, 09:29 PM

To piggyback on Pharmagal...I'd say all of my peers from out of state were able to figure out a way to be in-state residents when medical school actually started. I'm not sure if anyone did it during undergrad, and if they didn't...well, it was probably from a lack of trying.

saye329 · 07-28-2012, 11:13 AM

How was the life? Did you have time to hang out with your friends, go on vacation for a time, visit family worry free? I guess what I'm really asking is did you have time to really live and enjoy your college years.
And also how about the schedule? how often did you have classes and what was a semester like?

Glacius · 08-27-2012, 04:14 PM

Don't worry, you'll have plenty of free time. Unless you decide to overload every semester and take the hardest classes. Class time depends on how many lab courses you're taking which is usually 1 or maybe 2 for some semesters. People usually take 4 classes a semester. Each class meets for around an hour and a half twice a week and an extra 3 hours if it has a lab component. Some classes also have an extra 1 hour recitation once a week. Enjoy college because your free time goes down drastically during med school.