ADVICE please

[Stephannie]

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Hi I was wondering if someone could give me some advice
I'm a senior with a 2.8 GPA. I'm doing a 5th year to raise my GPA. During my 5th year I plan on applying to a master program since I know the highest my undergrad GPA will get is a 3.0-3.1
am I better off applying to a SMP or Biomedical Sciences Master program?
even with a SMP or MS, do you think I'll have a chance at a MD program with my stats?

Thank you so much!

Stephanie

 

[NJD519]

Hi I was wondering if someone could give me some advice
I'm a senior with a 2.8 GPA. I'm doing a 5th year to raise my GPA. During my 5th year I plan on applying to a master program since I know the highest my undergrad GPA will get is a 3.0-3.1
am I better off applying to a SMP or Biomedical Sciences Master program?
even with a SMP or MS, do you think I'll have a chance at a MD program with my stats?

Thank you so much!

Stephanie

In my opinion, your best bet would be a SMP with high linkage. Also, you obviously need to do your very best at the MCAT (not like you wouldn't anyways). I say a SMP with high linkage because regardless of what you may have heard with respect to admissions committees looking at "the whole package" of the applicant, they focus mainly on uGPA when your GPA is that low. So even if your name is Sam Witwicky and you just saved the human race from robot aliens, ADCOMS will still focus their attention on GPA. That being said, if you get accepted into a SMP and do very, very well then I think you do have a shot. It is just a lot of work.

 

[kimposibl]

In my opinion, your best bet would be a SMP with high linkage. Also, you obviously need to do your very best at the MCAT (not like you wouldn't anyways). I say a SMP with high linkage because regardless of what you may have heard with respect to admissions committees looking at "the whole package" of the applicant, they focus mainly on uGPA when your GPA is that low. So even if your name is Sam Witwicky and you just saved the human race from robot aliens, ADCOMS will still focus their attention on GPA. That being said, if you get accepted into a SMP and do very, very well then I think you do have a shot. It is just a lot of work.

But what if OP is Cpt America?

Good advice. 👍

 

[darklabel]

In my opinion, your best bet would be a SMP with high linkage. Also, you obviously need to do your very best at the MCAT (not like you wouldn't anyways). I say a SMP with high linkage because regardless of what you may have heard with respect to admissions committees looking at "the whole package" of the applicant, they focus mainly on uGPA when your GPA is that low. So even if your name is Sam Witwicky and you just saved the human race from robot aliens, ADCOMS will still focus their attention on GPA. That being said, if you get accepted into a SMP and do very, very well then I think you do have a shot. It is just a lot of work.

Another good thing about SMP's with high linkage is that they are known to be difficult so while medical schools will focus on that ugrad gpa, a 3.9-4.0 in the Georgetown SMP is no easy feat and will get you quite a bit of interest.

But the trade off is very few get such a high GPA and it is quite difficult and expensive.

And looks like someone just saw Transformers

 

[Stephannie]

Hehe thanks for the advice! Seems like I'll be applying to some SMPs. Do you know how good Barry University's program is? I'd like to stay in Florida if possible

Also, I would be applying to medical school around the same time I start my SMP, will that be enough time for medical school to see my performance? It just sounds to me like an immediate rejection since they'll see your uGPA and throw you out. If you apply to Med Schools early then they won't even see any grades since you don't start SMP until August.

 

[darklabel]

Hehe thanks for the advice! Seems like I'll be applying to some SMPs. Do you know how good Barry University's program is? I'd like to stay in Florida if possible

Also, I would be applying to medical school around the same time I start my SMP, will that be enough time for medical school to see my performance? It just sounds to me like an immediate rejection since they'll see your uGPA and throw you out. If you apply to Med Schools early then they won't even see any grades since you don't start SMP until August.

Are you talking about for entrance in Fall '13 or Fall '14?

If you're entering next year then you can still apply to the USF MSMS program (which is far better than Barry's).

If you get rejected or their class is full then I suppose Barry's will have to do, just remember that when they report the number of graduates in professional schools, they include all kinds of people including DO, Pod and such.

 

[deleted248403]

IIRC Barry you don't take classes with the med students.

And any SMP where you don't take classes with med students/dent students is a fake SMP, and really isn't what you want to be doing. Better to sit out a year and improve your app then spend $50k on something thats a waste of time

 

[Stephannie]

Are you talking about for entrance in Fall '13 or Fall '14?

If you're entering next year then you can still apply to the USF MSMS program (which is far better than Barry's).

If you get rejected or their class is full then I suppose Barry's will have to do, just remember that when they report the number of graduates in professional schools, they include all kinds of people including DO, Pod and such.

Yes, I would be entering a graduate program Fall '14

Oh nice! Does this USF program have a good reputation? and do you know if I would need to take the MCAT? I think it says a GRE would do.

 

[common man]

1. study full time for the mcat this summer and take it in late summer. leave yourself space to reschedule if needed because if you don't take it by September then the next test is January. you'll forget what you studied.
2. take a full load of science classes in the fall and the spring. these have to be classes that medical schools can recognize such as genetics or immunology and not something like ecology. adcoms will only care for science classes.
3. get started with SMP apps in the fall but don't finish them until you get your fall grades. you need to show something in order to get accepted - whether it is a great mcat or 1-2 semesters (2 if possible) of great grades in science classes.
4. do the SMP
5. apply early to med schools AFTER doing the SMP.

I know this timeline is not as convenient as you like but it'll give you the least stress. take your time and do it right.

I suggest calling up the SMP admissions office and see if one semester of grades can make you competitive. I know some programs like BU MAMS take in lot of people to make money. I mention this because the office will try to help you as best as they can so you can get accepted into the program and make them money.

I strongly recommend giving the MCAT full focus and not taking it during the spring when you have classes. At the same time, if you feel that science classes will help you for the MCAT (or vice versa) - that is something to consider. I don't know if universities offer enough classes in the summer for you to take a full load of upper level science classes so you can be more free in the spring but that's definitely worth looking into.

 

[Stephannie]

1. study full time for the mcat this summer and take it in late summer. leave yourself space to reschedule if needed because if you don't take it by September then the next test is January. you'll forget what you studied.
2. take a full load of science classes in the fall and the spring. these have to be classes that medical schools can recognize such as genetics or immunology and not something like ecology. adcoms will only care for science classes.
3. get started with SMP apps in the fall but don't finish them until you get your fall grades. you need to show something in order to get accepted - whether it is a great mcat or 1-2 semesters (2 if possible) of great grades in science classes.
4. do the SMP
5. apply early to med schools AFTER doing the SMP.

I know this timeline is not as convenient as you like but it'll give you the least stress. take your time and do it right.

I suggest calling up the SMP admissions office and see if one semester of grades can make you competitive. I know some programs like BU MAMS take in lot of people to make money. I mention this because the office will try to help you as best as they can so you can get accepted into the program and make them money.

I strongly recommend giving the MCAT full focus and not taking it during the spring when you have classes. At the same time, if you feel that science classes will help you for the MCAT (or vice versa) - that is something to consider. I don't know if universities offer enough classes in the summer for you to take a full load of upper level science classes so you can be more free in the spring but that's definitely worth looking into.

Thank you! this does sound like a great plan. Question though, you said apply to medical school after SMP. So I wouldn't be in school the year I'm applying? I rather not take a year off school. Could I maybe do a 2 year SMP or something like that so I could apply while still in school but with already some grades.

 

[darklabel]

Yes, I would be entering a graduate program Fall '14

Oh nice! Does this USF program have a good reputation? and do you know if I would need to take the MCAT? I think it says a GRE would do.

If you read the sticky above titled "GPA enhancement programs: SMPs, postbacs et al...June 2009 List" it should give you a list available good SMPs.

Since you'll be in it for Fall '14 I suggest you apply to USF IMS (Which requires the MCAT). Most from the program tend to stay in USF-COM, but it is quite competitive with only 15-20 spots available.

USF MSMS Pre-Professional track is good too, but there are ~200 spots and for the COM, usually only ~10% even get an interview. It does accept the GRE though. MSMS focuses you on getting into DO as well though so I'm not sure about you're feelings on that.

If you want to stay in FL and have the best shot at MD, I would try for USF IMS, if not then USF MSMS works too, but for either program, there isn't a guarantee of anything.

 

[Stephannie]

If you read the sticky above titled "GPA enhancement programs: SMPs, postbacs et al...June 2009 List" it should give you a list available good SMPs.

Since you'll be in it for Fall '14 I suggest you apply to USF IMS (Which requires the MCAT). Most from the program tend to stay in USF-COM, but it is quite competitive with only 15-20 spots available.

USF MSMS Pre-Professional track is good too, but there are ~200 spots and for the COM, usually only ~10% even get an interview. It does accept the GRE though. MSMS focuses you on getting into DO as well though so I'm not sure about you're feelings on that.

If you want to stay in FL and have the best shot at MD, I would try for USF IMS, if not then USF MSMS works too, but for either program, there isn't a guarantee of anything.

Thank you so much! this is all great information. I will definitely be looking into USF's programs and all the other SMPs. At this point I'm okay with going anywhere, even out of state.
Do you know about Florida Atlantic University's master of Biomedical Sciences? Do you think something like this help me or not really?

 

[darklabel]

Thank you so much! this is all great information. I will definitely be looking into USF's programs and all the other SMPs. At this point I'm okay with going anywhere, even out of state.
Do you know about Florida Atlantic University's master of Biomedical Sciences? Do you think something like this help me or not really?

I truthfully know nothing about the program (AAMC doesn't have it listed). It seems more geared for PhD students but they do have a non-thesis based one. But as robflanker said, if it doesn't let you take med school classes then it isn't worth your time and seeing the list of graduate classes, you don't really take any with med school students by the looks of it.

http://med.fau.edu/education/graduate.php

I guess no harm in applying but like I said USF IMS is the best if restricted towards FL. There are great programs all over the country if you're willing to move.

 

[common man]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=640302

do category 1 to get the most bang for your buck. especially with your gpa - you need category 1, assuming you can handle it. those programs help the most for people with really low numbers. other programs will help but not help as much as category 1.