Applying to SMPs, wondering if online classes will make a difference...

[BenjaminTM12]

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Hello everyone, I'd like your advice on what I should do before applying to SMPs at the beginning of the new year. Right now, I'm currently in my 3rd year on the JET Programme. I live and work in a rural town in Northern Japan. There's no opportunity to take any classes at local institutions, and there's no opportunity to volunteer or shadow doctors.

I have a 3.05 cumulative GPA and a 2.7 BCPM GPA. I was thinking about taking some online courses through some institution this spring (suggestions welcome), but would it make any difference? Would it be looked upon favorably as a sign of my newfound commitment to schooling...or would it be too little too late?

I'm going to hopefully begin volunteering as a Big Brother at one or more of the orphanages around the area I live. Hopefully I'll have a few hundred hours before I leave in early August.

Anything else I could do that might be beneficial to my cause?
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I'll squeeze in one more question here also.🙂

I'm taking the MCAT in Tokyo come January, I'm becoming less and less worried about it the more I study for it. Assuming I get a decent MCAT (30+) how do my chances at an SMP look for the fall of 2012?

 

[DrMidlife]

Your GPAs are too low for you to be thinking about SMPs yet.

You need more undergrad and tons more A's.

Online coursework would be a mistake.

When you get back to the US, get A's, and only A's, in enough additional undergrad upper div science to demonstrate that you'll thrive in med school. Such as: do a 2nd bachelors in a hard science like biochem.

When you have a strong MCAT score, then you can try for SMPs. The MCAT average for MD schools is 31+, and you need to be above average.

If you want to go DO, go ahead and apply now to the biomed masters programs that are hosted at DO schools.

If you want to do ECs in Japan, get exposed to their medical system, and then expect to be asked to compare/contrast with the US med system during med school interviews.

Best of luck to you.

 

[BenjaminTM12]

I appreciate your reply DrMidlife. I was a little confused by what you wrote though. You wrote that my GPAs are too low for me to be thinking about SMPs, but you also wrote that when I have a strong MCAT, then I can try for some SMPs.

Just to be clear, I'm assuming the strong MCAT statement is contingent upon my returning to the US and doing undergraduate coursework. Is that right? And if I earn a strong MCAT score this coming January? (I ask only b/c I still might NOT apply to SMPs if my MCAT score isn't high enough in my opinion to shift focus from my subpar GPA)

You also think I'd be somewhat competitive at DO SMPs if I applied now without additional coursework. Is that true regardless of my MCAT score I'll get in February?

Again, DrMidlife, thanks for your reply. I realize you contribute a great deal of your time giving advice and opinion to many different people on many different topics here. Because of that, I really do value your opinion on the matter, and hope you'll get back to me soon.

I do hope to hear from some other people as well, please, don't be shy. Let me have it.🙂

 

[DrMidlife]

I appreciate your reply DrMidlife. I was a little confused by what you wrote though. You wrote that my GPAs are too low for me to be thinking about SMPs, but you also wrote that when I have a strong MCAT, then I can try for some SMPs.

More undergrad plus a strong MCAT would set you up to get into a good SMP.

Just to be clear, I'm assuming the strong MCAT statement is contingent upon my returning to the US and doing undergraduate coursework. Is that right? And if I earn a strong MCAT score this coming January? (I ask only b/c I still might NOT apply to SMPs if my MCAT score isn't high enough in my opinion to shift focus from my subpar GPA)

I expect January 2012 is too soon for you to take the MCAT. I suggest you'll want a bunch of A's in undergrad science before you start MCAT prep. I suggest that your science preparation is not likely sufficient to predict that you'll do well, not yet.

But if you want to see where you are with respect to MCAT readiness, you can take a practice test for free at www.e-mcat.com.

You also think I'd be somewhat competitive at DO SMPs if I applied now without additional coursework. Is that true regardless of my MCAT score I'll get in February?

The masters programs at DO schools take candidates with low GPAs and no MCAT. Their deal, from what I've seen, is that you have to do well in the program (usually 2 years), and get a minimum MCAT (like 24) during the program, to get a DO acceptance at the host school.

Best of luck to you.

 

[BenjaminTM12]

Thanks for your quick response again. You're like a shadow...much obliged.😉

There's no point discussing the MCAT and it's effect on my eligibility any further, it would be MCAT masturbation 🙄(a term I saw used on here before).

I would like to say I'm already signed up for the MCAT (as I mentioned earlier), have been studying for it for the last few months, and am not planning on having to take it again...ever.

That said, let's talk undergrad options...

Would the Harvard Ext. Program be a good fit for me? I know they are mostly for career changers, but I see on their course listings they have many upper level Biology and Chemistry classes. According to their website, for sponsorship I would need 24 credits worth of medical science courses. That's 6 courses, easily completed within a year.

UC Berkeley has similar course listings as well.

Any other programs that come to mind when you say more undergrad classes or would anywhere be ok? I don't think I would need a structured program, right? (I admit I haven't looked into this as much as SMPs, so forgive the ignorance) Thoughts?

Thanks for your opinions and that bit about DO SMP programs, I didn't know that.🙂

Still want to hear from some other people on this...please!!!😕

 

[johnnyscans]

Would the Harvard Ext. Program be a good fit for me? I know they are mostly for career changers, but I see on their course listings they have many upper level Biology and Chemistry classes. According to their website, for sponsorship I would need 24 credits worth of medical science courses. That's 6 courses, easily completed within a year.

Still want to hear from some other people on this...please!!!😕

I'm currently in the Harvard program and can't recommend it highly enough. The price and location can't be beat, and the coursework (so far) is awesome.

They offer many upper level science classes to boost that BCPM. How many science classes have you taken so far?

 

[BenjaminTM12]

Thanks for replying johnnyscans! I really appreciate it.🙂

I`ve taken 22 biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics courses so far.

I have the impression that the Harvard Ext Program is geared more towards those who haven`t taken the required basic sciences. Does that describe the majority of the student body in the program? Or are there many others that are in my position, trying to raise their BCPM GPA by taking upper level science courses?

Is admission into the program as easy as others have said it is? Also would you advise me to take online courses this spring before enrolling in the fall? How long have you been in the program, and what are your expected plans afterwards?