2.9gpa, SMP?

[Faye74]

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Hey guys,

I'm having a major mental crisis so I'm just looking for some advice. I'll make it short.
I'm starting my 5 year of undergrad now in August, I'm a Psych major, pre-med. I have screwed up when it comes to grades, don't know if it's because I didn't know how to study or what. My GPA is now a 2.9, I've been doing good lately and my goal is to finish my 5th year and graduate with a 3.0 or higher.

I plan to apply to a SMP sometime during fall semester. I have not taken the MCAT yet. Some SMPs accept GREs so Im not sure whether to take the GRE and postpone the MCAT or not.

I don't really know whether I have a real chances at a Medical school anymore and I'm getting quite discouraged, its bad.

What type of extracurriculars should I have to be competitive?

I just want some genuine advice on what do you guys think I should do, what SMPs are good for me, will an SMP help me even with my gpa, am I even competitive for an SMP?

Anything will help

Thank you all in advance

*FL resident
Chilean

 

[Dr Turkelton]

When I applied to SMP's I had a slightly lower gpa than you and a 31 mcat. I got into Drexel, VCU UMDNJ and Wayne State, didn't really apply to many others. If you think you can get a 30+ on the mcat then take it in January and apply to a bunch of SMP's. You will get into quite a few places. You should even have a good shot at the high linkage programs like EVMS or RFU if you can get a 33+ and have decent EC's.

 

[Toss]

It's really hard to judge you without any MCAT scores. Even a practice score would let us ballpark your situation.

I don't really know whether I have a real chances at a Medical school anymore and I'm getting quite discouraged, its bad.

Would you apply to DO schools?

 

[chayo234]

Tons of people get into medical school after 2-3 yrs of hard work after graduating with an abysmal GPA. Read the low-GPA success stories thread if you need some comfort/motivation.

Take the GRE if you can get an above average score without studying. Otherwise, I don't see the reason not to study for the MCAT since both require studying. It will save you miles of headache if you get the MCAT out of the way before starting SMP/Applications.

Standard ECs are research, shadowing, and volunteering. Follow your interest/passion on what you want to do for those.

Low GPA (sub 3.0) applicants should have high MCAT (33+) and high GPA (3.8+) SMP to become competitive once more.

 

[PeachyOrange]

To be very honest, your main goal should be improving your GPA at this point and studying for the mcat and not on resume filler extra curriculars. Since you already know you will be doing an SMP next year, worry about shadowing and research in the summers before.
With that said, your GPA is in the borderline avg range for SMP. MD schools offering cert programs will need a slightly higher mcat (about 26-28 above min) while the DO schools offering these programs will accept you with a 24 mcat with your GPA. So you really have to take practice tests and see where you stand while applying to these SMP programs.

There's still hope with your stats, it's all upto you on how you want to proceed.

 

[PeachyOrange]

If you don't mind the DO route, look into Leecom Bradenton SMP

 

[Faye74]

Thank you all for you responses!

I have nothing against DO, but I will like to do my best to get into a MD program.

In reality, how much does the SMP really increase your chances?

When should I apply to an SMP? I want to make sure that if I'm taking the MCAT, I have enough time to get the results.

Also, if I do an SMP, I should be applying to Medical School that summer before the program starts right? will medical school even have time look at how I'm doing? Seems like all they'll see is my undergrad GPA.

Anyone that has gotten into an SMP with my GPA want to share their story, or even better someone that has gotten into med school after the SMP? 🙂

 

[deleted248403]

Thank you all for you responses!

I have nothing against DO, but I will like to do my best to get into a MD program.

In reality, how much does the SMP really increase your chances?

When should I apply to an SMP? I want to make sure that if I'm taking the MCAT, I have enough time to get the results.

Also, if I do an SMP, I should be applying to Medical School that summer before the program starts right? will medical school even have time look at how I'm doing? Seems like all they'll see is my undergrad GPA.

Anyone that has gotten into an SMP with my GPA want to share their story, or even better someone that has gotten into med school after the SMP? 🙂

Most of these have been answered in the forum so do some reading.

The only one that hasn't directly been addressed is how much an SMP helps... right now you have 0 chance at an MD, an SMP gives you some chance at an MD program. So, it helps a lot.