Second Bachelors Vs SMP

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I am trying to figure out what's a good thing. I have applied from to a second bachelors program in biomedical technology and have been accepted. I have already accepted my position. There is a chance that I'll be getting into a SMP program. If I get into the SMP program should I do it? I am trying to weight the pro and cons. I graduated from a liberal arts college with humanities degree and I have 2.67 GPA (I had some things going on in my life which isn't important to these boards). I have a horrible MCAT. Definitely need to retake to go to medical school. I was thinking of doing the second bachelors then do a SMP then go to medical school. I figured it would take 3-4 years to do this but I am okay with that. I would really like to go to medical school at the age of 28. I figure with the second bachelors at least I could find a job especially if I don't get into a SMP or medical school. Also, I am already coming in with most of the credits needed for the second bachelors. I figure I will be in debt anyway so I am not really worried about the loans (I am already 22,000 and some in dept already). What would be the best option to get into medical? IF I get into the SMP do it, kick ass, retake the MCAT apply DO (I don't care if I go DO or MD most patients don't pay attention to that anyway) or do the second bachelors, kick ass in it, retake the MCAT, apply to a SMP, kick some more ass then apply to medical school.

Sorry for the ramble. Hope this makes sense.

My biggest worry is - will you be able to handle an SMP? With a non-science undergrad degree and a "horrible" MCAT, it seems like you don't have a very strong base of science knowledge. SMPs can be very fast paced - "true" SMPs are basically medical school curricula.

Doing very well in an SMP would look the best to medical schools, but doing badly in an SMP can look really bad. IMO if you aren't comfortable with your current science education I would suggest the 2nd bachelor's route.

Calling some SMP admissions people would probably be the most beneficial. Tell them your background and talk to them about the difficulty of their program.

Low GPA + "horrible" MCAT = not ready for SMP - and ultimately, not ready for med school

Do some informal additional undergrad classes, get As, then re-think the MCAT and SMP

This is relatively similar to what I am doing now. If you are not squemeash about the time commitment I would say you are making a reasonable decision - 2nd bacc and SMP. Partly because you need the pre-reqs and science exposure, and partly because you need major uGPA work.

I am not squeamish about the time frame. I just want to be in medical school but the time I am 30. I figured I am 25 in a few months and that it's doable in 3-5 years.

Rob I know I am not ready for med school which is why I am giving myself 3-5 years. If I had it my way I would have a magic wand change the pass and be almost done medical school now. Unfortunately, life doesn't work that way. However, from your response it seems as if you are against the second bachelors. Is that true or am I misreading that? If you are against the second bachelors and are more so into taking the informal classes then what's the reason behind that besides money?

As of right now, I am definitely going second bachelors-MCAT-SMPs-medical school. I think it's a feasible plan and if I work hard and bust my ass I can get the there.

Originally Posted by DOA45

I am not squeamish about the time frame. I just want to be in medical school but the time I am 30. I figured I am 25 in a few months and that it's doable in 3-5 years.

Rob I know I am not ready for med school which is why I am giving myself 3-5 years. If I had it my way I would have a magic wand change the pass and be almost done medical school now. Unfortunately, life doesn't work that way. However, from your response it seems as if you are against the second bachelors. Is that true or am I misreading that? If you are against the second bachelors and are more so into taking the informal classes then what's the reason behind that besides money?

As of right now, I am definitely going second bachelors-MCAT-SMPs-medical school. I think it's a feasible plan and if I work hard and bust my ass I can get the there.

You have a reasonable expectation, so do this. You GPA is not particularly high to begin with, and I am not sure what that will do to your chances of getting the GPA to a level where you can be comfortable applying. I would not worry too much about 3-5 years, try to remember doing GPA repair is not a safe bet - you have your poor study habits to overcome and a long plateau of GPA ~ 3.8 to maintain. You will go along, getting grades, and seeing where you are and make changes.

I actually got in to the SMP-URM. I heard back from it today. However, I am deciding against it. I think I am better off getting a second bachelors then moving forward.