GPA enhancement programs: SMPs, postbacs et al...June 2009 List

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July 2011 note: This list needs updating. Or a new list should be made. Anybody interested in doing some work on this...take it and run.
Recent updates: USC & Cincinnati SMPs

I've found 87 programs that fit the category of GPA enhancement, for people who have completed med school prereqs with a low undergrad GPA. 14 count as true "SMPs" in the sense that they put you in medical school classes: these are listed in detail at the end of this post (only very minor edits since the January '09 list). A bunch of these programs are not in the AAMC postbac list, and lots of links on that list are broken. Almost all of these programs have a discussion thread in this forum within the last 6 months, where you can find boatloads of specifics.

Category 1: "Real" SMPs - Med Masters (14 programs)
- Do med school to prove you can do med school.
- Detailed list is the bottom of this post, just minor edits from the January '09 list.

Category 2: Grad work that gets people into med school (33 programs)
- A wee bit o'prestige: your GPA isn't THAT bad and grad work would beef up your app.
- Disaster recovery: your GPA is bad, but one year in an "SMP" could get you in.
Barry - Master of Science in Biomedical Science Miami Shores, FL
Colorado State U - Masters B (MS-B) - Biomedical Science Fort Collins, CO
Columbia - Master of Science Program in Nutrition New York, NY
Commonwealth - Master’s degree in Biomedical Science Scranton, PA
Dartmouth (TDI) - Dartmouth Institute’s Master of Science Hanover, NH
Drexel MSP - Medical Science Preparatory (MSP) certificate program Philadelphia, PA
Edward Via Virginia (VCOM) - Post-Baccalaureate Program Blacksburg, VA
Florida Atlantic - Master's Degree in Biomedical Science Boca Raton, FL
Georgetown CAM - Masters of Science in Physiology Complementary and Alternative Medicine Track Washington, DC
Indiana / Purdue (IUPUI) - The Pre-Professional Non-ThesisMaster of Science Degree Indianapolis, IN
Johns Hopkins (Bloomberg) - Master of Health Science (MHS) Baltimore, MD
Kansas City (KCUMB) - Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (One Year) Kansas City, MO
Lake Erie College (LECOM) - Biomedical Science Program Leading to a Master of Science Degree Erie, PA
Loyola Chicago - M.A. in Medical Sciences Chicago, IL
Marshall - Medical School Preparatory Graduate Program Huntington, WV
Midwestern (AZCOM) - Master of Arts in Biomedical Science Glendale, AZ
Midwestern (CCOM) - Master of Biomedical Sciences (M.B.S.) Downers Grove, IL
Mississippi College - Master of Science in Biology (MS - Medical Sciences) Clinton, MS
Mt. Sinai School of Med (MSBS) - Master of Science program in Biomedical Sciences New York, NY
Mt. Sinai School of Med (Prep-Med) - Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program for Medicine New York, NY
Nova Southeastern (NSUCOM) - Master of Biomedical Sciences Davie, FL
Philadelphia College (PCOM) - Graduate Programs in Biomedical Sciences Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia College (PCOM-GA) - Graduate Programs in Biomedical Sciences - Georgia Campus Atlanta, GA
Rush - Master's Program in Biotechnology Chicago, IL
SUNY Buffalo (Roswell Park) - Interdisciplinary Program in the Biomedical and Natural Sciences Buffalo, NY
Touro College Harlem - Master of Science Interdisciplinary Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences New York, NY
Tulane Cell/Mol Biology - One Year Masters Program in Cell and Molecular Biology New Orleans, LA
Tulane Genetics - Master of Biomedical Science Degree with a concentration in Human Genetics New Orleans, LA
Tulane Pharmacology - Master of Science in Pharmacology New Orleans, LA
U of Med & Dent New Jersey Stratford - Masters of Biomedical Science Stratford, NJ
U of North Texas (TCOM) - Master of Science Degree in Medical Sciences Fort Worth, TX
U of South Carolina - Certificate of Graduate Study, Biomedical Sciences Columbia, SC
U of South Florida 1 Year Masters - One-Year Medical Science Masters Tampa, FL
Wayne State - The Master's of Science in Basic Medical Sciences (BMS) Program Detroit, MI

Category 3: Retakes and/or additional undergrad in a structured environment (19 programs)
- You finished some of the prereqs already.
- You need to retake the prereqs.
- You want upper div science to beef up your undergrad GPA.
American - Postbaccalaureate Premedical Certificate Program Washington, DC
Cal State U Los Angeles - PostBaccalaureate Certificate Program for Pre-Health Professionals Los Angeles, CA
CUNY Hunter - Postbaccalaureate Science Enrichment Program – PBSEP New York, NY
Dominican - Post Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program River Forest, IL
Duquesne - Post-Baccalaureate Pre-medical Program Pittsburgh, PA
East Tennessee State U - Post Baccalaureate (FasTrack) Johnson City, TN
Georgetown PBPM - PostBaccalaureate Pre-Medical Certificate Program Washington, DC
Harvard Extension - Health Careers Program Cambridge, MA
Hofstra - Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Studies Hempstead, NY
Manhattanville College - Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Health Professions (PBPH) Program Purchase, NY
Northeastern - Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program Boston, MA
Sage College (After Work) - Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Studies Albany, NY
U of California Berkeley Extension - Post-Baccalaureate Health Professions Program Berkeley, CA
U of Connecticut - Post-Baccalaureate Program B Farmington, CT
U of Maryland College Park - Science in the Evening Program College Park, MD
U of Oregon - Pre-Health Post-Bac Program Eugene, OR
U of Pennsylvania - Pre-Health Specialized Studies Philadelphia, PA
U of Texas Dallas - Certificate in Biomedical Sciences Dallas, TX
Washington U St Louis - Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program St. Louis, MO

Category 4: Online programs (2 programs)
- You have a VERY good reason to not put your butt in a chair in a classroom, such as being in Kabul.
U of New England (UNECOM) - Online Post Baccalaureate Sequence Biddeford, ME
U of South Florida Online Masters - Master’s Program in Medical Sciences: Health Sciences Tampa, FL

Category 5: URMs and/or underserved (18 programs)
- Your ethnicity or hometown or socioeconomic strata doesn't produce many physicians.
- You want to be the one white or Asian rich kid in an URM program (and/or maybe your parents are lawyers).
Chicago area med schools - Post Baccalaureate Program Chicago, IL
Creighton - Premedical Post-Bac Program Omaha, NE
Drexel DPMS - Drexel Pathway to Medical School (DPMS) Philadelphia, PA
Georgetown GEMS - Georgetown Experimental Medical Studies (GEMS) Program Washington, DC
Hampton - Medical Science Program Hampton, VA
Indiana - Master of Science in Medical Science Program Indianapolis, IN
Ohio State U - MEDPATH - Postbaccalaureate Program Columbus, OH
Oklahoma State U (OSUCOM) - Bridge Program Tulsa, OK
Southern Illinois U - Medical/Dental Education Preparatory Program Carbondale, IL
U of California Davis - Postbaccalaureate Program (Consortium) Sacramento, CA
U of California Irvine - Postbaccalaureate Program (Consortium) Irvine, CA
U of California Los Angeles (Drew) - Postbaccalaureate Program (Consortium) Los Angeles, CA
U of California Los Angeles (Geffen) - Reapplication Program (Consortium) Los Angeles, CA
U of California Riverside - Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program (Consortium) Riverside, CA
U of California San Diego - Postbaccalaureate Program (Consortium) San Diego, CA
U of California San Francisco - Post Baccalaureate Program (Consortium) San Francisco, CA
U of Connecticut - Minority Post-Baccalaureate Program B Farmington, CT
Wake Forest - Post Baccalaureate Premedical Program Winston-Salem, NC

Again, Category 1: "Real" SMPs - Med Masters (14 programs)
- Do med school to prove you can do med school.

Georgetown: The Special Master's Program in Physiology (SMP)
Location: Washington, D.C.
Hosted by: Department of Physiology & Biophysics
Year started: 1975
Med school integration: 6 medical school courses, graded against the med school curve
Program duration: 2 semesters
Program starts: early August
Program ends: mid-June
Thesis requirement: Library research paper
Tuition: 42830 IS/OOS '09
Min GPA: 3.0
Min MCAT: 28
Class size: 182
App cost: $125.00
App opens: Dec 1
App closes: May 15
MCAT prep: no
Promises: 50% get accepted somewhere during SMP year, 85% total get accepted somewhere, historically 15% get in at Gtown. Strong support for med school apps during SMP year.

Cincinnati: MS in Physiology (updated 2011-07-15)
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Hosted by: Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology
Year started: 2006
Med school integration: MS students will be included in three of the four M1 blocks, participating in all lectures, all large group and small group exercises and laboratories (including Gross Anatomy), and sit for the same exams as the medical students.
Program duration: 4 quarters
Program starts: mid-August
Program ends: early July
Thesis requirement: Research paper
Tuition: 34000 IS, 34400 OOS '12
Min GPA: 3.0
Min MCAT: 27
Class size: 32
App cost: $100.00
App opens: Dec 1
App closes: Jun 1
MCAT prep: no
Promises: Establishes Ohio residency. More than 50% accepted somewhere during SMP year. Class of '10 is at 91%, previous years are at 94+%. Strong support for med school apps during SMP year.

EVMS: M.S. in Biomedical Sciences - Medical Masters
Location: Norfolk, VA
Hosted by: School of Health Professions
Year started: <= 2001
Med school integration: 7 medical school courses, graded against the med school curve
Program duration: 2 semesters
Program starts: early August
Program ends: mid-May
Thesis requirement: Library research paper
Tuition: 28763 IS, 29298 OOS '09
Min GPA: 2.75
Min MCAT: 26
Class size: 23
App cost: $60.00
App opens: Oct 1
App closes: Apr 1
MCAT prep: no
Promises: 85% accepted somewhere.

Boston: Master of Arts in Medical Sciences (MAMS)
Location: Boston, MA
Hosted by: Division of Graduate Medical Sciences
Year started: 1986
Med school integration: 24 of 32 required units are medical school courses
Program duration: 3 semesters
Program starts: early September
Program ends: mid-August
Thesis requirement: Lab or library-based thesis
Tuition: 36540 IS/OOS '08
Min GPA: 3.0
Min MCAT: 25
Class size: 220
App cost: $60 online, $50 paper
App opens: ?
App closes: Mar 31
MCAT prep: no
Promises: As of y2k, 552/661 accepted at an MD school
Requirements: frequently takes 2 years to complete

Tufts: MS in Biomedical Sciences (MBS)
Location: Boston, MA
Hosted by: School of Medicine
Year started: 2007
Med school integration: 7 of 9 core courses are identical or based on medical school courses, same faculty, typically same exams
Program duration: 2 semesters
Program starts: late August
Program ends: mid-August
Thesis requirement: Lab or library-based thesis
Tuition: 30975 IS/OOS '08
Min GPA: ?
Min MCAT: ?
Class size: 75
App cost: $70.00
App opens: ?
App closes: Jul 15
MCAT prep: yes
Promises: Top 20% of class gets automatic interview.

Tulane ACP: Anatomy Certification Program
Location: New Orleans, LA
Hosted by: Department of Structural and Cellular Biology
Year started: 1996
Med school integration: 2 medical school courses with labs, graded against the med school curve
Program duration: 2-3 semesters
Program starts: early June
Program ends: mid-December or mid-May
Thesis requirement: none
Tuition: 12500 IS/OOS '08
Min GPA: none
Min MCAT: none
Class size: unknown
App cost: $75.00
App opens: ?
App closes: Apr 11
MCAT prep: no
Promises: 90% accepted somewhere, 94% accepted at Tulane last 5 years
Requirements: must be waitlisted at a med school to apply

Temple: Advanced Core in Medical Sciences Program (ACMS)
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Hosted by: School of Medicine
Year started: 2008
Med school integration: Grad school courses taught by med school faculty
Program duration: 2 semesters
Program starts: early September
Program ends: mid-May
Thesis requirement: none
Tuition: 17000 IS, 23500 OOS '08
Min GPA: 3.3
Min MCAT: ?
Class size: ?
App cost: ?
App opens: ?
App closes: Jun 1
MCAT prep: yes
Promises: guaranteed entry into Temple
Requirements: must submit SAT score > 1200, must interview in May/June

USF: Masters in Medical Science with a concentration in Interdisciplinary Medical Science (IMS)
Location: Tampa, FL
Hosted by: College of Medicine Office of Student Diversity and Enrichment
Year started: <= 2004
Med school integration: all medical school year 1 courses except clinicals
Program duration: 3 semesters
Program starts: early July
Program ends: mid-May
Thesis requirement: none
Tuition: 8900 IS, 29900 OOS '08
Min GPA: 3.0
Min MCAT: 22
Class size: 20
App cost: $30
App opens: ?
App closes: Feb 27
MCAT prep: no
Promises: Program recommended for those with strong ECs, strong Letters, but lacking slightly in numerical aspects.

Drexel IMS: Interdepartmental Medical Science (IMS) Program
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Hosted by: Office of Professional Studies in Health Sciences
Year started: 1981
Med school integration: 6 medical school courses, graded against the med school curve
Program duration: one year
Program starts: early August
Program ends: mid-June
Thesis requirement: none
Tuition: 22650 IS/OOS '08
Min GPA: ?
Min MCAT: ?
Class size: 140
App cost: $65.00
App opens: ?
App closes: Jul 10
MCAT prep: no
Promises: B's in SMP and 27 MCAT guarantee Drexel interview. 60% to 85% w/B's or higher accepted somewhere during SMP year, 80% to 92% w/B's or higher total accepted somewhere

Drexel DPMS: Drexel Pathway to Medical School (DPMS) Program
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Hosted by: Office of Professional Studies in Health Sciences
Year started: 2003
Med school integration: 4 medical school courses, graded against the med school curve
Program duration: one year
Program starts: late June
Program ends: mid-June
Thesis requirement: none
Tuition: 22650 IS/OOS '08
Min GPA: 2.9
Min MCAT: 20
Class size: 25
App cost: $65.00
App opens: ?
App closes: May 8
MCAT prep: yes
Promises: B's in SMP and 27 MCAT guarantee Drexel interview. 60% to 85% w/B's or higher accepted somewhere during SMP year, 80% to 92% w/B's or higher total accepted somewhere

VCU: Pre-Medical Basic Health Certificate Program
Location: Richmond, VA
Hosted by: School of Medicine Basic Science Departments
Year started: <= 2003
Med school integration: Grad school courses taught by med school faculty, six tracks to choose from
Program duration: 2 semesters
Program starts: mid-August
Program ends: mid-May
Thesis requirement: none
Tuition: 7224 IS, 15904 OOS '08
Min GPA: 2.8
Min MCAT: 22
Class size: ?
App cost: $50.00
App opens: ?
App closes: June
MCAT prep: no
Requirements: Must get a 3.0 to complete program. Anatomy min 3.0 GPA, min 25 MCAT. Biochem app deadline July 15, min GPA 3.4, min MCAT 25. Physio min GPA 3.0, min MCAT 24.

RFU: Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences
Location: Chicago, IL
Hosted by: Interprofessional Healthcare Studies Department
Year started: <= 2004
Med school integration: Grad school courses taught by med school faculty
Program duration: 3 quarters
Program starts: mid-August
Program ends: mid-May
Thesis requirement: none
Tuition: 36297 IS/OOS '08
Min GPA: ?
Min MCAT: ?
Class size: 100
App cost:
App opens: ?
App closes: Jun 15
MCAT prep: no

NYMC: Basic Medical Sciences Interdisciplinary Program, Accelerated Track
Location: Valhalla, NY
Hosted by: Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences
Year started: <= 2003
Med school integration: 4 medical school courses
Program duration: one year
Program starts: August
Program ends: June
Thesis requirement: Literature review or thesis
Tuition: 23040 IS/OOS '08
Min GPA: 3.0
Min MCAT: 27.0
Class size: 25
App cost: $35
App opens: ?
App closes: Jul 1
MCAT prep: no
Promises: "Students who do well will be offered NYMC interviews."

Toledo: Masters Degree in Medical Sciences
Location: Toledo, OH
Hosted by: College of Graduate Studies
Year started: <= 2006
Med school integration: 4 medical school courses, graded against the med school curve
Program duration: 3 semesters
Program starts: late August
Program ends: early May
Thesis requirement: Journal paper review
Tuition: 16500 IS, 39450 OOS '07
Min GPA: 3.0
Min MCAT: 24
Class size: 35
App cost: $45.00
App opens: Mar 1
App closes: May 1
MCAT prep: no
Promises: Enrollment guarantees Toledo interview. Historically 65% get in somewhere.

UMDNJ Newark: Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences
Location: Newark, NJ
Hosted by: Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (Newark)
Year started: <= 2003
Med school integration: can take medical school courses
Program duration: one or two years
Program starts: early September
Program ends: late June
Thesis requirement: elective research-based thesis
Tuition: 14216 IS, 17709 OOS '08
Min GPA: ?
Min MCAT: ?
Class size: 120
App cost: $40.00
App opens: ?
App closes: 1-Jun
MCAT prep: no
Promises:
Requirements: Must get 3.0 to graduate.

USC: Master of Science in Global Medicine (added 2011-07-03)
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Hosted by: USC Keck School of Medicine
Year started: <= 2008
Med school integration: First half of med school year one core curriculum taken with med students
Program duration: one year
Program starts: Late August
Program ends: Late August
Thesis requirement: ?
Tuition: 41600 IS/OOS '11
Min GPA: 3.0
Min MCAT: 28
Class size: 40
App cost: $75.00
App opens: ?
App closes: June 15th for Fall admission, October 15th for Spring admission
MCAT prep: no
Promises: Upon completion of the M.S in Global Medicine, students will be equipped to serve as leaders in various domains within the allied health field, including, but not limited to, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and nursing.
Requirements: Must get 3.0 to graduate.

<edits to Jan '09 list>
EVMS: 23 students, tuition 28,763 IS, 29,298 OOS
Loyola: moved to category 2 (no med school integration)
Gtown: tuition now $42830
USF: IMS now 20 students
USC: added to SMP list
Cincinnati: updates from QQm

Great list, DrMidlife! Just one addition/correction that I can see:

The Drexel DPMS program (geared for URM applicants) offers conditional acceptances at Drexel Med to all those who join the program. In order to maintain that acceptance and matriculate the following fall, students must have a 3.0 GPA in the program and an 8PS, 7V, 8BS on the MCAT. It's a great program for those who fit Drexel's applicant profile.

Originally Posted by TyrKinase

Great list, DrMidlife! Just one addition/correction that I can see:

The Drexel DPMS program (geared for URM applicants) offers conditional acceptances at Drexel Med to all those who join the program. In order to maintain that acceptance and matriculate the following fall, students must have a 3.0 GPA in the program and an 8PS, 7V, 8BS on the MCAT. It's a great program for those who fit Drexel's applicant profile.

DPMS is there in the URM list (Category 5). I wore myself out trying to collect details on all these programs, so I just decided to not include supporting details except for the "true" SMPs.

Thank you Dr. MidLife. Seriously, excellent list, this is basically a one stop resource for all that is SMP-related. Thank you again!

Wow... crazy complete list. Awesome job DrMidlife!

Thank you!

thanks!!!

Thank you so much! really appreciate it

Thanks, Dr. Midlife.

Do you know of anyone who has taken PB courses at Manhattanville and actually gotten into medical school? I've been searching for info on how well people have done on their mcats and acceptances and have not found much information. Was wondering if you knew if it was a good program.

Thanks

Originally Posted by michellec

Thanks, Dr. Midlife.

Do you know of anyone who has taken PB courses at Manhattanville and actually gotten into medical school? I've been searching for info on how well people have done on their mcats and acceptances and have not found much information. Was wondering if you knew if it was a good program.

Thanks

I only know of the program through SDN and the AAMC list. There's precious little content about the program available from either source. SDN posters have spelled it wrong ("manhattenville") but you won't find much in those threads either. I found nothing in mdapps.

I'm thinking you might find some info by asking the med students at the less prestigious NY/NJ/PA schools, like NYMC and Albany, over in the allo forum. Please report back here (in one of the Manhattanville/Manhattenville threads) if you find any info. (We recently had some success figuring out IUPUI this way.)

Best of luck to you.

can you only do the drexel DPMS if you are a URM or Financially challenged

because i like the number of med school courses you take in that, it doesn't seem too too heavy

Originally Posted by Parthenon89

can you only do the drexel DPMS if you are a URM or Financially challenged

because i like the number of med school courses you take in that, it doesn't seem too too heavy

Yes, the program is designed for URMs. Drexel's definition is very flexible from what I've seen, so if you think you have even a bit of a shot, go ahead and give them a call.

Originally Posted by DrMidlife

Category 5: URMs and/or underserved (18 programs)
- Your ethnicity or hometown or socioeconomic strata doesn't produce many physicians.
- You want to be the one white or Asian rich kid in an URM program (and/or maybe your parents are lawyers).

Is this sarcasm?

Ok, say I'm a URM and both my parents are lawyers. Does this affect my chances?

Some additional info on the RFU BMS program...

1) The school is located in North Chicago and NOT Chicago

2) Students will take 4 or 5 (???) medical school classes with M1 students

3) Roughly 70% of BMS graduates get into Chicago Medical School. Keep in mind that typically only 75% of BMS students actually finish the program.

Thanks DrMidlife! You have single handedly brought more people into health professions who thought they did not have a chance anymore!

Just curious how would you rank CATEGORY 3 from your informed point of view. I ask because I will be enrolling in one from this list. Maybe top 5 or 10 please?

Originally Posted by RAS11

Thanks DrMidlife! You have single handedly brought more people into health professions who thought they did have a chance anymore!

Just curious how would you rank CATEGORY 3 from your informed point of view. I ask because I will be enrolling in one from this list. Maybe top 5 or 10 please?

Ranking really can't be done - there's no data available on how successful these programs are in getting folks into med school, or on how many A's they give out, or on how helpful the support staff are, or how easy they make it to register for classes, or how connected they are to med schools. I suggest looking for discussion threads here in the postbac forum.

Also note that pretty much any university will let you enroll, in one form or another, to keep taking undergrad coursework. The programs I've listed here should be more structured than ad hoc enrollment (or 5th year postbac, or non-degree-seeking), but this isn't necessarily true.

Will this become a sticky soon??

Originally Posted by DrChuck24

Will this become a sticky soon??

We've only got one mod, Braluk, and I've pm'ed and im'ed him. This is probably the worst time of the year to try to get a med student's attention.

Originally Posted by DrMidlife

We've only got one mod, Braluk, and I've pm'ed and im'ed him. This is probably the worst time of the year to try to get a med student's attention.

Oh gotcha..didn't know we had only one mod here.

Temple: Advanced Core in Medical Sciences Program (ACMS)
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Hosted by: School of Medicine
Year started: 2008
Med school integration: Grad school courses taught by med school faculty
Program duration: 2 semesters
Program starts: early September
Program ends: mid-May
Thesis requirement: none
Tuition: 17000 IS, 23500 OOS '08
Min GPA: 3.3
Min MCAT: ?
Class size: 25
App cost: ?
App opens: ?
App closes: Jun 1
MCAT prep: yes
Promises: guaranteed entry into Temple if you maintain a 3.5 gpa and get a 30 on the MCAT
Requirements: must submit SAT score > 1200 I never submitted my SAT, just my MCAT, must interview in May/June they interviewed into July


They also have the BCMS, you take all the prereqs in one year, starts during the summer, 20 students, includes MCAT prep, not sure about the linkage.

Out of curiousity, does anyone know if the GPA requirements are felxible or rigid? I mean if the school requires say a 3.0 and 24 MCAT but you have a 2.8ish, pretty high MCAT (over 30), and good credentials/ECs... would they consider you or would your app simply get tossed because you don't meet the minimum or would they look at it based upon your other "good deeds" and decide from that?
I sit right on the doorstep with a 2.87 but see that most require 3.0ish or higher. There are several with no GPA listed or that I could slide into, but just curious if the others would be options or if they are very stringent.

Originally Posted by sbreland

Out of curiousity, does anyone know if the GPA requirements are felxible or rigid? I mean if the school requires say a 3.0 and 24 MCAT but you have a 2.8ish, pretty high MCAT (over 30), and good credentials/ECs... would they consider you or would your app simply get tossed because you don't meet the minimum or would they look at it based upon your other "good deeds" and decide from that?
I sit right on the doorstep with a 2.87 but see that most require 3.0ish or higher. There are several with no GPA listed or that I could slide into, but just curious if the others would be options or if they are very stringent.

I think it's worth trying, but put effort into contingency planning as well. EVMS is the obvious target.

Looking at your location, you can play the Iraq card to your benefit: you'll find that some percentage (maybe 50%) are going to view your service as a strong app asset and be willing to fight for you. Put together a killer essay - don't hold back. Give 'em "the flying sands of Baghdad" and juice it up.

You're in the category of folks who can get away with online coursework, since you're overseas, so if at all possible, do some work on that 2.87 by taking whatever you can. Get A's. The online curriculum at UNECOM looks pretty good to me.

Regardless, don't set yourself up to get into an SMP and then not be ready to apply to med school. You should really, really, really have a cumulative GPA over 3.0 for MD or DO or even Carib. It's humiliating to put all the time and effort and money into applying and then get summarily rejected for a sub-cutoff GPA. 60% of applicants are rejected (MD and DO) and that's a nicely credentialed demographic.

Best of luck to you.

THANKS, DrMidlife. Anyone who takes time to put an exhaustive list like this and shares it with everyone is ... AWESOME. I'm new to SDN - so pardon me if there is a similar list like this.

Quick question to everyone...

Does anyone know if SMP is good for Vet Schools applicants?

Anyone here has SMP and have been a successful Vet School applicant?

Wow, thanks gujuDoc.

Originally Posted by DrMidlife

I think it's worth trying, but put effort into contingency planning as well. EVMS is the obvious target.

Looking at your location, you can play the Iraq card to your benefit: you'll find that some percentage (maybe 50%) are going to view your service as a strong app asset and be willing to fight for you. Put together a killer essay - don't hold back. Give 'em "the flying sands of Baghdad" and juice it up.

You're in the category of folks who can get away with online coursework, since you're overseas, so if at all possible, do some work on that 2.87 by taking whatever you can. Get A's. The online curriculum at UNECOM looks pretty good to me.

Regardless, don't set yourself up to get into an SMP and then not be ready to apply to med school. You should really, really, really have a cumulative GPA over 3.0 for MD or DO or even Carib. It's humiliating to put all the time and effort and money into applying and then get summarily rejected for a sub-cutoff GPA. 60% of applicants are rejected (MD and DO) and that's a nicely credentialed demographic.

Best of luck to you.

Thanks for the recommendations. I have a real hard time with GPA issues because simply I have a 3.4ish or better over my last 2 college years but my first go around in college (over 10 years ago) put me in a hole that's nearly impossible to dig out of. I have something like 226 credits, so each class doesn't do much. I am taking online classes now and in the fall to grade replace (for DO) and to just bump it up in general overall. I figured out that in order to get a 3.0 it would take about 60 credits with all As to make it to 3.0, so my GPA is rather stagnant.
I hope to figure out a good way to incorporate this Iraq experience into my applications without looking like I am exploiting it. I am not military but I am working over here in support of them as a paramedic and have been a medic for 6 yrs (about 10 years overall in medicine) so I am hoping that it will help out.
I'm definitely taking your advice and working to improve so we'll see what happens

Hmmm.... so I just finished my AACOMAS app (not verified yet though) and my calculated GPA on there is, LOL, 2.99! .01 GPA points short... I mean seriously, what are the odds Good news is though that I am almost finished with my 5 credit summer class (last prereq of Physics II) and I have an A, so I'll likely be over 3.0 after this semester and will have around a 3.3 sGPA... looks like that could change some decisions a little

Originally Posted by sbreland

Hmmm.... so I just finished my AACOMAS app (not verified yet though) and my calculated GPA on there is, LOL, 2.99! .01 GPA points short... I mean seriously, what are the odds Good news is though that I am almost finished with my 5 credit summer class (last prereq of Physics II) and I have an A, so I'll likely be over 3.0 after this semester and will have around a 3.3 sGPA... looks like that could change some decisions a little

DMU rejected me outright for a 2.98 science GPA, fyi. When that school says 3.0 they effing mean it.

Originally Posted by DrMidlife

DMU rejected me outright for a 2.98 science GPA, fyi. When that school says 3.0 they effing mean it.

Oh, no doubt, LOL... I'm a day late and a damn single penny (.01) short! It will come though... I feel better now

Fortunately my sGPA is up around 3.3ish right now (before the Physics class) so things are looking much nicer

I need some help...

I have a horrible 2.87 from a UC. I graduated last year, over the year, I took some classes at a community college (G_chem and O-chem) and got both A's.

I took the MCATs, and got, a horrible 17.Q. ....

Do I have a shot, ANYWHERE?????

Preferably, although i know i am late, i would like to start September of this year (in 2months) or latest in January

HELP!!

Originally Posted by gujuDoc

Wait so I'm confused? Did you get the As in the cc after the 2.87 postgraduation?

explain your situation more clearly. what is your science GPA? Did you finish all prereqs? What was your major?

And no you need to do a postbac and get As and get a higher MCAT score.

sorry

yes my gpa was a 2.87 with a BS in Biochemistry & Cell Biology from a UC

I retook G-chem and O-chem at a CC and got both A's.


I was wondering what programs I can apply to right now, where they have openings this September or January 2010, that can help my chances of entering medical school when I apply next year 2010.

Originally Posted by yezzur

sorry

yes my gpa was a 2.87 with a BS in Biochemistry & Cell Biology from a UC

I retook G-chem and O-chem at a CC and got both A's.


I was wondering what programs I can apply to right now, where they have openings this September or January 2010, that can help my chances of entering medical school when I apply next year 2010.

I'm pretty sure its safe to say that most formal SMPs and postbac admissions are done at this point as deadlines are all passed and the ones with no deadlines have pretty much filled up classes. So if I were you I'd do a postbac in another degree perhaps biology.

You also do not have an MCAT score that would do you any good which is why a postbac is a better option. SMPs are for people who have a decent MCAT score with low GPA. And yours isn't even at the minimum limit at most places which for minority based and disadvantaged based SMPs is 21-22 and for USF IMS 22. And for others from 25-26 range to as high as 28+ range for admissions to an SMP.

Originally Posted by gujuDoc

I'm pretty sure its safe to say that most formal SMPs and postbac admissions are done at this point as deadlines are all passed and the ones with no deadlines have pretty much filled up classes. So if I were you I'd do a postbac in another degree perhaps biology.

You also do not have an MCAT score that would do you any good which is why a postbac is a better option. SMPs are for people who have a decent MCAT score with low GPA. And yours isn't even at the minimum limit at most places which for minority based and disadvantaged based SMPs is 21-22 and for USF IMS 22. And for others from 25-26 range to as high as 28+ range for admissions to an SMP.

thanks!
Do you know any programs that I might be able to get in.

I have done some searching and I ran into UMDNJ - Stratford and Duquesne and TCOM and Commonwealth
what do you think

Originally Posted by gujuDoc

Unless you apply to those which take GRE scores and do well on the GRE I'm not sure you will qualify for any SMPs.

You have 2 options. Do really well on GREs and apply to all SMPs that take GRE scores or otherwise do postbac programs that are not SMPs but ugrad postbac programs like UPenn special sciences or just another science degree and do really well in courses and retake the MCAT and get a higher score.

What are the major two differences between the category 2 and category 3, like what effects will it show when applying to medical school

Cat 2 is grad work, which won't touch your undergrad GPA. If you have a sub-3.0 GPA, and it's mathematically possible to improve on that, then stay away from Cat 2.

Originally Posted by DrMidlife

Cat 2 is grad work, which won't touch your undergrad GPA. If you have a sub-3.0 GPA, and it's mathematically possible to improve on that, then stay away from Cat 2.

Okay, well i do have a GPA lower than 3.0 (2.87) however, I did retake some classes at community college, will they factors those grades in?

and also, I noticed a lot of schools in category 2, has some kind of connection, with medical school, like if you meet a certain criteria, then they'll give you an interview.

Is it that kind of same deal with Category 3 schools?

so i was wondering since i have a 2.77cgpa but only have 127 total credit hours i assume taking another year could some what bring it up possibly even to a 3.0 if I get straight A's.. but my question is since i graduate in dec. would it be worth the money to take the classes in spring since if i choose to apply for an SMP would they even still consider those grades?

30 credits would bring your overall up to a 3.0.

Originally Posted by JRmed

so i was wondering since i have a 2.77cgpa but only have 127 total credit hours i assume taking another year could some what bring it up possibly even to a 3.0 if I get straight A's.. but my question is since i graduate in dec. would it be worth the money to take the classes in spring since if i choose to apply for an SMP would they even still consider those grades?

Also, some SMPs encourage you to give grade updates and MCAT updates esp. if they waitlist you. I know Gtown does this. So does Tufts.

Originally Posted by gujuDoc

Also, some SMPs encourage you to give grade updates and MCAT updates esp. if they waitlist you. I know Gtown does this. So does Tufts.

And yeah i would take 30credits but unfortunately i dont know that i can pay for that many credits, since money is kind of tight.. but on the plus side of my situation since i'm hispanic (first to grad from college) and believe i might be able to qualifty for the GEMS or similiar programs, which i heard have a high rate of exceptance into the med school.. just wanna boost my grades high enough to be competative

Originally Posted by JRmed

And yeah i would take 30credits but unfortunately i dont know that i can pay for that many credits, since money is kind of tight.. but on the plus side of my situation since i'm hispanic (first to grad from college) and believe i might be able to qualify for the GEMS or similar programs, which i heard have a high rate of acceptance into the med school.. just wanna boost my grades high enough to be competitive

Yes but if you are saying you can't afford postbac, how the heck do you expect to afford an SMP which is by far the most expensive route including the minority based ones. And don't assume being minority will automatically get you in or being disadvantaged will automatically get you into one of those like GEMS or Wakeforest postbac. I'd apply but keep in mind that they are competitive and have only very few people per class 10 at Wake, 20 at GEMS, not sure for the other URM ones.

They don't give scholarships for these programs. you do realize that right? You'd pay for postbac the same way you get into a SMP via loans.

Originally Posted by gujuDoc

Yes but if you are saying you can't afford postbac, how the heck do you expect to afford an SMP which is by far the most expensive route including the minority based ones. And don't assume being minority will automatically get you in or being disadvantaged will automatically get you into one of those like GEMS or Wakeforest postbac. I'd apply but keep in mind that they are competitive and have only very few people per class 10 at Wake, 20 at GEMS, not sure for the other URM ones.

They don't give scholarships for these programs. you do realize that right? You'd pay for postbac the same way you get into a SMP via loans.

well the difference is that i dont want to take out a loan for a small amount for a local 1 year postbac instead i before to pay if i can which is what i've been doing to this point and fortunately haven't accured much debt as of yet but if i am fortunate enough to get excepted into one of those programs i would ofcoure be forced to take out a huge loan since i would not be able to work, but in this sense i feel the money is more then well spent.. and no i'm not taking anything for granted as i will still do my best to raise my gpa as much as possible.. also i am not 100% but from what i remember wake takes 15 now but allows usually about 10 into med school, but yes you are right most schools cut off around 20 or so.

yet the GEMS programs allows more based off amount of applicants from GEMS FAQ for 2009:
In 2006, 139 applied and 29 acceptances were offered. There were
187 applications in 2007 and 37 applicants were accepted. Last year 149 applied and 27 were accepted.
The average cumulative science grade point averages and combined MCAT
scores of the three most recent GEMS group were:
Year SGPA MCAT
2006 2.73 22.1
2007 2.92 22.2
2008 2.79 23.6

from these numbers are the only reason i feel i might stand a chance.. granted some might not agree or see its fair it might be a chance for me to get into med school or atleast be more competative

Originally Posted by JRmed

well the difference is that i dont want to take out a loan for a small amount for a local 1 year postbac instead i before to pay if i can which is what i've been doing to this point and fortunately haven't accured much debt as of yet but if i am fortunate enough to get excepted into one of those programs i would ofcoure be forced to take out a huge loan since i would not be able to work, but in this sense i feel the money is more then well spent.. and no i'm not taking anything for granted as i will still do my best to raise my gpa as much as possible.. also i am not 100% but from what i remember wake takes 15 now but allows usually about 10 into med school, but yes you are right most schools cut off around 20 or so.

yet the GEMS programs allows more based off amount of applicants from GEMS FAQ for 2009:
In 2006, 139 applied and 29 acceptances were offered. There were
187 applications in 2007 and 37 applicants were accepted. Last year 149 applied and 27 were accepted.
The average cumulative science grade point averages and combined MCAT
scores of the three most recent GEMS group were:
Year SGPA MCAT
2006 2.73 22.1
2007 2.92 22.2
2008 2.79 23.6

from these numbers are the only reason i feel i might stand a chance.. granted some might not agree or see its fair it might be a chance for me to get into med school or atleast be more competative

Not to be a grammar nazi, but can you please try to use the right word.

it is not EXCEPTED but ACCEPTED and ACCEPTANCE!! No I'm not yelling by caps locking the words but emphasizing. I noticed that in your previous post and it was annoying me some.

now that said, yes those are the averages and there are still people who get rejected despite falling within range and having circumstances that can explain them. So don't assume you'll get in even if you get an interview. There's only 20-25 at GEMS, there are only 10 at Wakeforest postbac. Not sure how many in the other minority based programs.

You are hispanic but did not specify whether you are mexican, puerto rican, or another hispanic group. Minority in medicine aka URM for all intents and purposes = puerto rican, native american, mexican, and any black regardless of what country they are from from the tips of latin america to the northern tips of north america and all islands in between to Africa and Euroasia and everywhere in between and around such.

Also based on SDNers from this past year's GEMS cycle keep in mind that if youlook at which ones were getting rejected they were the ones with 30+ MCAT scores not the ones with lower MCAT scores. Look through GEMS thread if you don't believe me.

I will continue to look around and read as much as I can to learn what I can.. B/c you asked I am Venezuelan to be specific and my parents have only been in the country about 20 years. Thanks for your help, and I'll work on my grammar I guess that's just the URM in me, my apologies. Again I only pray I am fortunate enough to get into one of those programs, I believe that is all that anyone with lower gpa is hoping, no need to be negative.

Originally Posted by JRmed

I will continue to look around and read as much as I can to learn what I can.. B/c you asked I am Venezuelan to be specific and my parents have only been in the country about 20 years. Thanks for your help, and I'll work on my grammar I guess that's just the URM, in me my apologies. Again I only pray I am fortunate enough to get into one of those programs, I believe that is all that anyone with lower gpa is hoping

Again, YOU ARE NOT A URM!!! You are a hispanic but NOT URM. URM = MEXICAN, BLACK, PUERTO RICAN, or NATIVE AMERICAN!!!

The only way you could be URM as Venezualan is if you prove high degree of native american blood or african blood.

But for all intents and purposes you probably are neither.

SECONDLY NEVER USE URM status as an excuse for wrong grammar. I've met many URMS in my life, many of whom are are not native speakers of English from latin american countries, i've met asians who are not native speakers of english and with even poorer english then most latin americans, I've met Africans who are not native speakers of English.

Yet most of them never go on and say its my URMness or make excuses. They make note of the mistake and correct it next time.

THIRDLY, You just admitted to living here 20 years. That is far more time then most of my friends from foreign countries so give me a break.

wow the above post is a little tough but anyways, I'm looking for some advice on my situation. I went to a state University, and will graduate with a 3.1-3.2(at most 3.2) GPA (both science and cum) and I am studying for the MCAT, which SMP's should I be looking into? RFU? BU? Barry? (Barry has a nice location miami shores) so yea, I really don't know how to go about this, my EC's are mediocre, volunteering in hospital for two summers, and I used to tutor math, that's about it.

Originally Posted by dapmp91

wow the above post is a little tough but anyways, I'm looking for some advice on my situation. I went to a state University, and will graduate with a 3.1-3.2(at most 3.2) GPA (both science and cum) and I am studying for the MCAT, which SMP's should I be looking into? RFU? BU? Barry? (Barry has a nice location miami shores) so yea, I really don't know how to go about this, my EC's are mediocre, volunteering in hospital for two summers, and I used to tutor math, that's about it.

Your GPA is in the average range of all SMPs. If you have a decent MCAT you will qualify for all of them i.e. 28+.

If you do not have a MCAT score and need a GRE score then BU and Tufts are 2 that I know will look at you.

If you have a lower MCAT score i.e. below 28 but in the 20s then RFU is the way to go or USF IMS or EVMS if it is at least 26. Barry also for low MCAT scores is good but not a true SMP. 25 is the min. at Loyola and 27 with at least an 8 in a given section is good for Drexel IMS.

if your ecs are mediocre then try to strengthen them by at least volunteering a little while in an SMP. BU will give you the chance to do research and what not. But keep in mind that the better known SMPs are costly real costly i.e. 60,000 dollars expensive for BU or Gtown SMP or RFU. 30,000 for USF IMS. Drexel IMS tuition is 26,500 but with living expenses can be about 45,000 dollars.

EVMS is about 45,000 with living expenses and all taken into acct. Same with UCincy which is another good one to look into if you have 28+ on the MCAT

I would rank the top 3 SMPs as Gtown, BU, and UCincy. Try to get a high score and those are the best.

For strong linkage programs RFU, EVMS, UCincy are the best. USF IMS also has strong linkage.

Drexel and Barry seem to show lesser stats for acceptance into specifically MD schools but if that is what works best for cost effective reasons you can look into those programs.

I'd say you'd easily qualify for any of them if you get a strong MCAT score and have an upper trend in your GPA towards the end of the years.

Also, I'd say that there are DO SMPs but the MD SMPs will be recognized really well known by both MD and DO schools whereas I'm not sure of the reputation of the DO based SMPs at MD schools. But I'm sure they are good too. I'd consider doing one of the MD SMPs. EVMS, UCincy, BU, Gtown are like the most well known ones these days. RFU's is also pretty good and like EVMS with strong linkage to their med school.

Originally Posted by gujuDoc

Again, YOU ARE NOT A URM!!! You are a hispanic but NOT URM. URM = MEXICAN, BLACK, PUERTO RICAN, or NATIVE AMERICAN!!!

The only way you could be URM as Venezualan is if you prove high degree of native american blood or african blood.

But for all intents and purposes you probably are neither.

SECONDLY NEVER USE URM status as an excuse for wrong grammar. I've met many URMS in my life, many of whom are are not native speakers of English from latin american countries, i've met asians who are not native speakers of english and with even poorer english then most latin americans, I've met Africans who are not native speakers of English.

Yet most of them never go on and say its my URMness or make excuses. They make note of the mistake and correct it next time.

THIRDLY, You just admitted to living here 20 years. That is far more time then most of my friends from foreign countries so give me a break.

hahaha wow you need to take it easy why so up tight i know things are stressful trying to get into med school but serious.. and perhaps you have a short temper but lifes to short lighten up hope you dont act like that if you ever become a doctor.. and i wasn't using the urm thing as an excuse for my incorrect grammer it was a joke.. and lastly this forum is, from my understanding to exchange information and help answers each others questions not to bicker back and forth.. so thanks for the grammer lesson but this will be the last time i respond to you unless its for something productive. chao

Originally Posted by JRmed

hahaha wow you need to take it easy why so up tight i know things are stressful trying to get into med school but serious.. and perhaps you have a short temper but lifes to short lighten up hope you dont act like that if you ever become a doctor.. and i wasn't using the urm thing as an excuse for my incorrect grammer it was a joke.. and lastly this forum is, from my understanding to exchange information and help answers each others questions not to bicker back and forth.. so thanks for the grammer lesson but this will be the last time i respond to you unless its for something productive. chao

It didn't sound like a joke and if it was you should've made that clear. that's why I got off on you as I hate when I see people using such as an excuse and that is what it sounded like from the post. If it was a joke then I'm sorry I went off on you but it didn't come off that way in the post and I don't like when I see people use that as an excuse.

I did advise you as much as I could. Look into the programs I told you to do so as well as the other minority ones on the list Dr.Midlife set up in the disadvantaged people's category if you really think you qualify as a URM but apply to the normal ones as well. Also, from the GEMS one don't expect to get in if you get 30+ cuz it seems like they want the disadvantage status ones or minority ones who can't seem to break into the competitive range MCAT scores due to severe struggles. Just a fair warning though you should still apply if you think you qualify.

I have a 3.0 at a state university as a junior, and I'm planning on bringing the GPA up as much as possible, obviously... in the processes of studying for the MCAT. I have some EC's..volunteering, shadowing research etc..hoping for a decent score on the MCAT (24-29).. any advice on the situation and which SMP/post-bacc I should be leaning toward, specifically direct linkage programs. Also, I'm a minority but not an URN.. would that have any effect on my admissions to a program? thanks.

Since I see a lot of talk about USF on here...

I'm graduating from USF in the spring and was thinking about applying to the USF IMS program for the fall of 2010. I've already added USF to my AMCAS application, but I don't think my stats (GPA specifically) are strong enough to be considered for regular MD admission this year. How do I go about applying to IMS? Is there a separate application, or do they "select" students through the regular MD admissions pool like FSU does? Thanks for any help.

I forgot to mention - I am puerto rican & cuban, if that matters in my selecting a post-bacc program, since some of them appear to be taylored specifically to urm's.