At what point is a post-bacc or SMP necessary?

[Nesstastic]

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I couldn't quite seem to find the answer I was looking for on other threads. For background, I'll graduate with ~3.35 cGPA and 3.16 sGPA. White male with pretty good ECs. I'm okay going to pretty much any US med school. With what MCAT would I be fine without a post-bacc or SMP? Or would bringing my cGPA above 3.4 and sGPA above 3.2 drastically improve my chances?

 

[drducky.]

Those stats are fine for newer DO schools with a 505+ mcat (higher is better obv)

 

[Nesstastic]

Those stats are fine for newer DO schools with a 505+ mcat (higher is better obv)

Okay thanks! And what about some of the slightly more established ones like RVUCOM, PNWUCOM, WesternU-Lebanon, KYCOM or LMU?

 

[drducky.]

Okay thanks! And what about some of the slightly more established ones like RVUCOM, PNWUCOM, WesternU-Lebanon, KYCOM or LMU?

Probably like 508+. With your gpa though, I'd still apply to newer DO schools even if you do score high on the MCAT.

 

[Goro]

I couldn't quite seem to find the answer I was looking for on other threads. For background, I'll graduate with ~3.35 cGPA and 3.16 sGPA. White male with pretty good ECs. I'm okay going to pretty much any US med school. With what MCAT would I be fine without a post-bacc or SMP? Or would bringing my cGPA above 3.4 and sGPA above 3.2 drastically improve my chances?

For you, a post bacc or SMP is fine right now. Your sgpa is lethal for MD schools and also for a fair number of DO schools as well.

 

[workaholic181]

I gotta agree with @Goro . Unless you have a very strong upward trend I think an SMP would be a good idea. You have no chance for MD with those stats. Your GPAs are gonna hold you back for DO too. I think it's possible you could get into a DO school, but the question is would it be a program you'd rather go to right now, vs taking a year for a SMP and improved chances at more established schools, or MD schools.

If I were you, I'd take the MCAT this spring and apply to SMPs. Having a good MCAT score opens up a lot of doors in the SMP world. If you do take this route, look for SMPs with conditional acceptances (not a lot of those) or programs that have strong linkages to their medical school or other medical schools. Good luck with whatever you decide!