513 MCAT, 3.46c/3.21s reapplicant

[matto_md]

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Hi guys!

I’m currently waitlisted at 1 MD program with no other acceptances after my second application cycle and have been getting a lot of conflicting information lately about what to do if my waitlist does not pan out. A lot of people tell me that my stats are “too high” to do an SMP program (although that seems to be unlikely, as I have now applied twice with no acceptances).

I was wondering if I could get some input on here on whether or not I should be considering an SMP or if I should just try something simpler (i.e. retake the MCAT). For the sake of completeness, I also have about 2000 hours of clinical research, 100 hours of bench research, 300 hours of community service, and 80 hours of physician shadowing.

Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Hi_I'mPaul]

Hi guys!

I’m currently waitlisted at 1 MD program with no other acceptances after my second application cycle and have been getting a lot of conflicting information lately about what to do if my waitlist does not pan out. A lot of people tell me that my stats are “too high” to do an SMP program (although that seems to be unlikely, as I have now applied twice with no acceptances).

I was wondering if I could get some input on here on whether or not I should be considering an SMP or if I should just try something simpler (i.e. retake the MCAT). For the sake of completeness, I also have about 2000 hours of clinical research, 100 hours of bench research, 300 hours of community service, and 80 hours of physician shadowing.

Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated!

It seems like your GPA is a red flag. I did an SMP with a 3.5 sGPA... I too was a reapplicant and went from 0 II my first cycle to 5 interviews this cycle. I also increased my MCAT substantially though. Your MCAT is fine. If you want to work on anything, it's the GPA. Whether through post-bacc or SMP, up to you. Also realize that most MCAT scores expire after 3 years so be careful of that.

Make sure to review everything in your app as well (bad essays? Bad LOR? Not consistent volunteering?). Good luck!

 

[matto_md]

It seems like your GPA is a red flag. I did an SMP with a 3.5 sGPA... I too was a reapplicant and went from 0 II my first cycle to 5 interviews this cycle. I also increased my MCAT substantially though. Your MCAT is fine. If you want to work on anything, it's the GPA. Whether through post-bacc or SMP, up to you. Also realize that most MCAT scores expire after 3 years so be careful of that.

Make sure to review everything in your app as well (bad essays? Bad LOR? Not consistent volunteering?). Good luck!

Thanks so much the advice! Any recommendations for SMP programs? I know a few have linkages to certain med schools but I’m also open to other programs that have high med school placement rates without official linkages.

 

[Hi_I'mPaul]

Thanks so much the advice! Any recommendations for SMP programs? I know a few have linkages to certain med schools but I’m also open to other programs that have high med school placement rates without official linkages.

I only applied to one SMP at one of my state schools (USF Morsani). I thought it was an adequate program that prepared me well! No linkage though. Look at schools in your state to see if they have one if you're interested in it. I've heard Georgetown and Boston University have good ones as well.

 

[DoctorDragon22]

I can attest that Georgetown works well. I went from 1 interview and 0 acceptances my first cycle to 8 interviews and 3 acceptances the year of my SMP. I would say 50% of my class got in that year and about 75% of my class is in med school now.

 

[matto_md]

I only applied to one SMP at one of my state schools (USF Morsani). I thought it was an adequate program that prepared me well! No linkage though. Look at schools in your state to see if they have one if you're interested in it. I've heard Georgetown and Boston University have good ones as well.

Did you apply while still in your SMP or after you finished? It seems as if it makes more sense to apply after final grades are in

 

[Hi_I'mPaul]

Did you apply while still in your SMP or after you finished? It seems as if it makes more sense to apply after final grades are in

I applied both. First, during the program (0 IIs) and this year which is the year after (5 IIs with acceptances)! It'll be most beneficial after because, as you said, all grades are in.

 

[Goro]

Hi guys!

I’m currently waitlisted at 1 MD program with no other acceptances after my second application cycle and have been getting a lot of conflicting information lately about what to do if my waitlist does not pan out. A lot of people tell me that my stats are “too high” to do an SMP program (although that seems to be unlikely, as I have now applied twice with no acceptances).

I was wondering if I could get some input on here on whether or not I should be considering an SMP or if I should just try something simpler (i.e. retake the MCAT). For the sake of completeness, I also have about 2000 hours of clinical research, 100 hours of bench research, 300 hours of community service, and 80 hours of physician shadowing.

Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated!

Apply DO or take the SMP

 

[955897]

Hi guys!

I’m currently waitlisted at 1 MD program with no other acceptances after my second application cycle and have been getting a lot of conflicting information lately about what to do if my waitlist does not pan out. A lot of people tell me that my stats are “too high” to do an SMP program (although that seems to be unlikely, as I have now applied twice with no acceptances).

I was wondering if I could get some input on here on whether or not I should be considering an SMP or if I should just try something simpler (i.e. retake the MCAT). For the sake of completeness, I also have about 2000 hours of clinical research, 100 hours of bench research, 300 hours of community service, and 80 hours of physician shadowing.

Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated!

I would definitely recommend an SMP! You have a decent MCAT score but the GPA does seem to be a red flag. I had applied with a 511 and 3.55 with no interviews. I did an SMP and retook the MCAT - got 10 interviews this time around. It was genuinely the best decision I have ever made. I did the BU MAMS program and applied after the first year of the program. The second year is more of a formality so you have something productive to do during the application cycle. I did research at Mass General and am currently working on 2 first author pubs.