+1 similar situation but at a different University. It shouldn't be a surprise to people who have done their research like yourself. But you have to think about it. Other than a diy post bac, these SMPs are the only way for many desperate students to prove to admins that they can handle medicine. A second chance at medicine, so to speak. Whoever came up with the idea is a genius! A "guaranteed interview" doesn't mean squid-dit-ly-do if the rest of your apps is terrible. Like you mentioned, yes, some of us will get in that way but the numbers are so so low. My SMP (that I almost went into) costs about $30K for the "guaranteed interview" and a certificate.
Such a lucrative scheme for the desperate premeds. People can look into bridge programs that actually guarantee acceptances but those have their own set of problems. I'm so glad I got out before it's too late (like a week into the program lol) and hunker down, retook my MCAT, add a bit more EC anId now I'm about 3 months away from being an OSM-I student