Applying to host institution during SMP?

[The Helpful Aye Aye]

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Is there a reason NOT to do this, other than laziness? I understand the logic of waiting to apply until after the program is complete so you don't have to depend on schools being receptive to grade updates, but what about the place you're attending? Shouldn't they be the most understanding of what it means to be in their SMP? They are literally the first ones to see your grades as they come out and, if they reject you, wouldn't it probably be the same result as if you waited a year? You can't improve your application in a surprising way since they know exactly what you were up to during your "gap year."

I am set to attend an SMP this fall and have the low GPA/competitive MCAT combo. I originally thought that I would do one big application cycle for 2016 entry, but based on the above logic it seems to make sense to open up an AMCAS for my host institution in the upcoming cycle. They would probably wait-list and evaluate me during the course of the SMP year, right?

 

[erure]

You're exactly right. I'd definitely apply to at least the host institution during the SMP year unless it was a 2 year program like BU.

 

[DrMidlife]

Each med school that has an SMP has its own unique relationship with the SMP. For the sake of planning, assume there's no relationship. Even if the SMP director's office shares a wall with the admissions office, don't assume they talk to each other or that your SMP program has any say in MD admissions.

Find the M1's who did the SMP last year and interrogate them. Assume no more than 50% of what you hear is really true. There is no rumor mill like an SMP rumor mill.

You generally won't hurt yourself by doing an app year just for the host school. Just be sure you're willing to go the the host school. Hint: compare the cost of attendance of the host med school with the COA of your home state's public schools and make yourself care.

Another thing to keep in mind: you may graduate from your SMP long before you find out your fate at the host med school. You may find that you have no idea what you're supposed to do while you wait, and find yourself paralyzed. Keep the apartment? Get a job? Move back home? Assume you'll get no useful guidance on this. Now is a reasonable time to think about that May-August post-SMP period.

Best of luck to you.

 

[The Helpful Aye Aye]

Each med school that has an SMP has its own unique relationship with the SMP. For the sake of planning, assume there's no relationship. Even if the SMP director's office shares a wall with the admissions office, don't assume they talk to each other or that your SMP program has any say in MD admissions.

Find the M1's who did the SMP last year and interrogate them. Assume no more than 50% of what you hear is really true. There is no rumor mill like an SMP rumor mill.

You generally won't hurt yourself by doing an app year just for the host school. Just be sure you're willing to go the the host school. Hint: compare the cost of attendance of the host med school with the COA of your home state's public schools and make yourself care.

Another thing to keep in mind: you may graduate from your SMP long before you find out your fate at the host med school. You may find that you have no idea what you're supposed to do while you wait, and find yourself paralyzed. Keep the apartment? Get a job? Move back home? Assume you'll get no useful guidance on this. Now is a reasonable time to think about that May-August post-SMP period.

Best of luck to you.

Thanks (to the poster before DrMidlife as well)- I'm definitely trying to play things as safely as possible. I am hoping that if I do the right thing and get my AMCAS in the first day possible I won't get rejected before I start the program lol. That obviously could have to do with other weaknesses in my application, but I think for the particular school I'm attending, there is a non-negligible relationship between the medical school admissions and the SMP program directors. In order for a same year application to be worth it, I pretty much need to assume this relationship exists and that I won't be auto-screened...

Probably just being paranoid!