MAPD
I was an instructor at MAPD during 1993. You do have to maintain a 3.0 to get "the interview." You also have to keep up with the program and mind all of your Ps and Qs to get "the interview."
Theoretically, if you have a Private and enroll in MAPD, you can challenge the Private portion of the course. However, I am sure that few people challenge it successfully. Probably, as Carlos said, because you absolutely, positively have to train or re-train yourself into the Mesa way. Notwithstanding the fact that one thing Mesa does well is generate revenue, so forcing you to take the entire program is another Mesa ploy to make money.
It does take about eighteen months to finish the program, complete with the A.S. in Aviation Technology from San Juan. Most of the students I knew already had a degree or some college, and were not attending San Juan full time. I would recommend that course of action. Flying at Mesa and going to school full time is a big load.
One thing about MAPD is it works. You are monitored closely from start to finish. Problem students are identified early and certain of them will be allowed to finish but will not get "the interview." Once more, if you mind all your Ps and Qs and stay with the program, you'll get "the interview." In the meantime, you will be indoctrinated thoroughly in Mesa line procedures and even have ten hours of Beech 1900 time in your logbook. When I was there, they even gave MAPD students a 135 checkride, but that was in the old days of 1993 when Mesa could operate its 1900s under 135. In any event, you will go to class virtually line-ready. However, be aware that class can be a horse of a different color compared to school. Despite their Mesa line indoctrination, I've heard of MAPD grads who've been washed out in favor of more experienced street hires.
Hope that helps some more. Here's a
link to MAPD. This link is to
San Juan College . Scroll down to find the syllabus for the Aviation Technology program. Also, you might try calling Charlie Houghton at San Juan at (505) 326-3311
for more information.