Advice needed on SMP

[PhiPhenomenon]

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Hey,

I haven't posted here in a while and suffice to say a lot of interesting things happened in that time. I'm just writing to ask for some general information on SMPs. I all ready went through the information on the sticky posts but my question has more to do on what sorts of schools I can get into following the completion of one (obviously assuming adequate performance).

My stats are cGPA 3.1 w/ 116 credits and sGPA 3.0 w/ 7 credits (slacking, jaded, got into the wrong school so I figured 'what's the ****ing point?' yadda, yadda, yadda). I haven't 'officially' completed any of the pre-reqs yet but am currently taking the finals for the first round of them... in Canada at UBC (long story). I plan to finish up around 90 credits before I would even apply to med school/SMP by 2013 w/ summer school (I plan on getting a BCS (computer science degree)). I just wanted to know how much the GPA from an SMP would cancel out my undergraduate record, or if it even does so. Obviously if I get 4.0 in 90 credits that works to be ~3.5 cGPA but being realistic with the intensity of the course load and other obligations, I'm expecting a roughly 3.7 gpa in 90 credits, which works out to ~3.38 cGPA and hopefully ~3.5 sGPA.

I have not taken the MCAT either, so any info as to whether or not that would help supplement my chances getting into a certain school with an SMP would be appreciated. I know I might not 'need' an SMP if I play my cards right but I'm setting the current trajectory as if I would need an SMP (doing your pre-reqs at a foriegn university, even if it is one of the best in the world, can't help much I'd imagine).

I'm not so worried about the stats for getting into an SMP, hopefully Georgetown, moreso about whether my stats would suffice for getting into a particular school (in this case USC Keck).

Also, I am a dual citizen with both Canada and the United States, which is simply wunderbar considering the tuition I pay here.

Thanks,

PP

 

[PhiPhenomenon]

No one?

 

[FightinUruKai]

I'm not quite sure what the story is here. Are you still completing your undergraduate degree, or is this a second degree? Are you currently in a post bacc program? Are you canadian, or do you have US citizenship?

As for how effective the SMP would be to get you into medical school, I would suggest looking at specific programs and take a look at their numbers for matriculation to medical school after completion. Some have better track records than others.

If you can pull off your grades like you have planned, your gpa doesn't look THAT bad, however. Especially with an upwards trend. I would say focus on blowing away the mcat than going into an SMP after completing your post bac.

 

[PhiPhenomenon]

I'm not quite sure what the story is here. Are you still completing your undergraduate degree, or is this a second degree? Are you currently in a post bacc program? Are you canadian, or do you have US citizenship?

As for how effective the SMP would be to get you into medical school, I would suggest looking at specific programs and take a look at their numbers for matriculation to medical school after completion. Some have better track records than others.

If you can pull off your grades like you have planned, your gpa doesn't look THAT bad, however. Especially with an upwards trend. I would say focus on blowing away the mcat than going into an SMP after completing your post bac.

Kewl and thanks.

To answer your questions, I am both a Canadian and American citizen (we do exist) who is working for a second bachelors degree (I already have a B.S. in psychology from Northern Arizona University) in the same amount of time it would take to complete the pre-reqs +1 semester. And yes there is a strong upwards trend.

I'm currently planning my trajectory for applying 2012-2013 cycle with an SMP back up. Considering how competitive the field is, how variable my final stats could be and my lack of ability to read the minds of adcoms, I'm thinking an SMP is most likely course. Oddly, it is somewhat harder to get into med school in Canada than it is in the United States if you can believe that.

The biggest question I'm looking to answer is if completing an SMP would essentially 'reboot' my undergrad GPA. This is partially because would REALLY like to get into USC Keck or a UC school and wanted to know if an SMP would help. I saw a few people get into UCs and USC from the Georgetown program (even if it is only around 1-5/100) but I don't know if I would fit that profile.

 

[FightinUruKai]

The biggest question I'm looking to answer is if completing an SMP would essentially 'reboot' my undergrad GPA. This is partially because would REALLY like to get into USC Keck or a UC school and wanted to know if an SMP would help. I saw a few people get into UCs and USC from the Georgetown program (even if it is only around 1-5/100) but I don't know if I would fit that profile.

An smp doesn't really reset your undergrad, it's more like a last ditch effort bandaid on top of it.

 

[PhiPhenomenon]

An smp doesn't really reset your undergrad, it's more like a last ditch effort bandaid on top of it.

Good to know. Thank you.