Advice on Post-bacc vs SMP

[MD4Me99]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I’m considered as non-trad as can be and trying to re-invent myself. I’m very confused regarding this path....post-bacc or SMP? I have 2 BS degrees. BS in Biomedical sciences (2009) and BSN (Accelerated in 2011). My cgpa from BS in BMS is 3.1 and my cgpa in BSN is 3.3. Last time I went to school was in 2011. After that I just have some volunteer hours here and there....never worked as a nurse either. I already have all the pre-requisites from doing my BMS degree. I have an F and two D’s which I’ve already repeated before graduating so there’s really not much I can take.

I looked at my local college/Uni’s course offerings and there’s like 4-5 courses that I can take which I haven’t taken before....most others I have taken. So, my dilemma is that are 4-5 courses enough? (3-4cr each)? There are no structures post-baccs where I live. Also, there are a few SMPs but they’re private colleges. What’s the best route? My gpa is already too low....would a post-bacc help.....even though I can only take like 5 courses max from a uni here? Plus, From what I read, many med schools don’t consider SMP gpa. I’m open to any advice. Thanks!

 

[DocJanItor]

So there are a few things to unpack here. One unlucky aspect is that BSN courses are not counted as pre-reqs by medical school but your GPA WILL be counted. Kinda lame. The issue is that any additional course work you take is unlikely to move your GPA significantly since you have so many credits already. Overall I would not advise doing a self-directed post-bacc unless there are specific pre-reqs you've not taken.

Ultimately, SMPs are treated differently by different schools. There are lists out there of SMP/official post-bacc friendly schools and there are certainly plenty of quality schools in those lists. DO schools are most friendly to SMP and/or reinvention. MD schools are +/- depending on the school AND schools that have their own post-baccs will obviously prefer those students over external SMPs.

One of the things you should consider is that given the competitiveness of medical school applications that it's very likely that you will have to move if you get accepted to medical school. It's rare that students are able to attend school close to home unless they're highly competitive and already in the area they wish to attend. I was lucky enough to be able to do that despite the fact that I was not highly competitive. Given that, you might also consider moving for an SMP if you're going to go all in to the medical school route.

 

[MD4Me99]

So there are a few things to unpack here. One unlucky aspect is that BSN courses are not counted as pre-reqs by medical school but your GPA WILL be counted. Kinda lame. The issue is that any additional course work you take is unlikely to move your GPA significantly since you have so many credits already. Overall I would not advise doing a self-directed post-bacc unless there are specific pre-reqs you've not taken.

Ultimately, SMPs are treated differently by different schools. There are lists out there of SMP/official post-bacc friendly schools and there are certainly plenty of quality schools in those lists. DO schools are most friendly to SMP and/or reinvention. MD schools are +/- depending on the school AND schools that have their own post-baccs will obviously prefer those students over external SMPs.

One of the things you should consider is that given the competitiveness of medical school applications that it's very likely that you will have to move if you get accepted to medical school. It's rare that students are able to attend school close to home unless they're highly competitive and already in the area they wish to attend. I was lucky enough to be able to do that despite the fact that I was not highly competitive. Given that, you might also consider moving for an SMP if you're going to go all in to the medical school route.

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I Understand moving for med school is a given but at this point I don’t think it’s feasible to move for an SMP with four kids and a husband who’s very well established in his field (and earning very well lol).

Also, I just happened to find this another Master’s at a public Uni nearby. It’s a one year program with a non-thesis option. MS in biological sciences. Although, this uni has no med school or any linkage type thing....but it’s cheaper than the private uni SMP (which has a different linkage program that I won’t be applying to, but has a few other SMPs that I’m considering and they also have a higher matriculation rate). So, will the private uni be better in this case or can a public uni with no linkage of any sort would do too? Thanks!

 

[GreenDuck12]

Many schools do not give much weight to graduate GPA for a variety of reasons, most notably that graduate GPAs tend to be quite inflated and not an accurate indication of one’s abilities. SMPs are different because they are often comprised of mostly if not entirely first year medical school classes. Doing well in an SMP demonstrates that you have the ability to handle medical school which is what a low GPA would cause an admissions committee to doubt.

the masters program you’re describing at the public university does not sound like an SMP but perhaps it is. If it isn’t an SMP, it is unlikely to significantly improve your application to medical school.

edit: i went through your previous post and Goro recommended a post bac in the instance where you’re not able to relocate for an SMP. I would go with that advice over mine.

 

[MD4Me99]

Many schools do not give much weight to graduate GPA for a variety of reasons, most notably that graduate GPAs tend to be quite inflated and not an accurate indication of one’s abilities. SMPs are different because they are often comprised of mostly if not entirely first year medical school classes. Doing well in an SMP demonstrates that you have the ability to handle medical school which is what a low GPA would cause an admissions committee to doubt.

the masters program you’re describing at the public university does not sound like an SMP but perhaps it is. If it isn’t an SMP, it is unlikely to significantly improve your application to medical school.

edit: i went through your previous post and Goro recommended a post bac in the instance where you’re not able to relocate for an SMP. I would go with that advice over mine.

Thanks for replying. How would one differentiate between a normal masters and an SMP? Even the SMP that has a linkage at a private Uni doesn’t say it’s an SMP....it just says masters.

 

[paradoxic_toxic]

Thanks for replying. How would one differentiate between a normal masters and an SMP? Even the SMP that has a linkage at a private Uni doesn’t say it’s an SMP....it just says masters.

• The degree will usually be a M.S. in health/medical/biomedical sciences. The majority are 1 year non-thesis programs.
• The program description will probably say you'll take classes alongside medical students.
• "Completion of this program will help you prepare for professional health programs such as MD, DO, PharmD, etc..." or something along those lines.
• "X percent of students were accepted to medical school after completing this program" or something along those lines.
• Extremely high tuition.

 

[paradoxic_toxic]

Thanks for replying. How would one differentiate between a normal masters and an SMP? Even the SMP that has a linkage at a private Uni doesn’t say it’s an SMP....it just says masters.

Check out my spreadsheet: Osteopathic Medical School List (2019-2020)
It includes a list of good SMP programs with avg/min GPAs/MCAT and conditional clauses if any. I hope it helps.

 

[GreenDuck12]

Thanks for replying. How would one differentiate between a normal masters and an SMP? Even the SMP that has a linkage at a private Uni doesn’t say it’s an SMP....it just says masters.

I have no affiliation with Princeton but after a quick google search I found this. Check out page 2 of the document

 

[DocJanItor]

Thanks for replying. How would one differentiate between a normal masters and an SMP? Even the SMP that has a linkage at a private Uni doesn’t say it’s an SMP....it just says masters.

Essentially, the program is gear towards getting students into medical school. Most post-baccs and SMPs have webpages dedicated to showing you how well their applicants have done in getting into medical school. They'll also have specific resources for helping applicants to get letters, volunteering, and advice.