Can you help? To do Georgetown SMP or RosFrank AP or...

[bluethunder]

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Hi Everyone,

I've been reading up on the different threads here for some time now and have learned a lot from you guys. Now, I am asking for some advice and/or help because I'm confused as to what I should do this next year. I applied to 19 schools this last cycle for admission into Fall 2005 after taking the August MCAT, got two interviews (U. of Wash & Tulane), one wait list (Tulane, still waiting), and all others "declining" me admission 👎. My numbers are BCPM: 3.15, CUM: 3.57, MCAT: 10,10,10,R. The calculus series kicked my butt. (Shouldn't have taken it. But I digress...) I ranged from average to really good on the other prereq's, usually going upwards as the series progressed. I went the non-science route and majored in history. My EC's have been volunteering in an orthopedic clinic for three years now (still there), medical mission trip to Honduras last year with doctors, some shadowing, church stuff, and did a summer medical enrichment program at Univ. of Wash. SOM.

Even with the waitlist I went forward as if not getting into school this year, starting my re-application and looking at my application to see what needs to be improved. I figure that my low science gpa probably hurt me the most and taking the August MCAT (though I did complete my AMCAS in June). Because of this I applied to Georgetown SMP, Rosalind Franklin AP, and Tulane Pharmacology, figuring that I could show adcoms I can do med school by doing well in these grad classes with med students. I got accepted into all three of them (finally some acceptances!) and am trying to decide between going to Georgetown SMP and Rosalind AP. But that is not all. I had an exit interview with the dean at UW to see why I didn't get in. He told me that my grades are not "overwhelming" but ok nonetheless and that my MCAT scores are right there. He even said my interviewers liked me. So, what they would like to see from me is more general life experiences, knowledge of what it means to be a doctor, and knowledge of health care issues.

So, my dilemma is whether or not I do what the dean says and get experiences or go do the SMP or AP. I'm completely conflicted because I don't know what would be better for me or which will "get me into med school." I've applied to AmeriCorps and have a possible opportunity to be a medical assistant at the clinic I've been volunteering at. Then there's the SMP and AP. Just don't know. What do you think would be better or provide more opportunities? Some thoughts and advice on this would help me a lot. Thanks!

 

[redsoxfan]

quick question, did u only apply to top-rated med schools? i ask b/c an interview at U. Wash is impressive. anyhow, it doesnt seem to me like u need to throw away $50,000 on a formal program. i would take a couple upper-level undergrad bio courses (ie biochem, genetics, A&P), as well as get some more clinical experience. this may prove to be more helpful than an SMP.

 

[batchild39]

You wouldn't be throwing away 50k in the SMP, because you gain so much more from this program. Coming out, you will really be prepared for medschool, and you will have a better idea of what you want from medschool in general. Based on your interviews etc, I think this program will only help you with admissions if you really work hard and do above avg. Maybe you should avoid the Ros Frank program, because I think Gtown will give you more options at other schools, unless you really like the medschool at Ros Frank (it's better than people think) in which case you should go for it.

Americorps is also really good. They're all good options, if I were you I'd just do what you would enjoy/value the most regardless of admissions (this will help you in the long run). If you really wanna spend a year helping people do americorps. If you wanna get a head start on medical education go to Gtown. If you wanna go to Ros Frank medschool, do their AP program.

 

[sidewalkman]

Kudos on your UWash interview!

Completely agree with redsoxfan IF UWash is definately your first choice. In fact, doing the SMP right away may even hurt your chances at UWash b/c you decided to get more schooling instead of more life experience like the dean suggested. If you decide other schools would serve you just as well as UWash, then yeah, do the SMP, but how badly do you want to get into UWash versus the other schools on your list? That will go a long way toward making a good decision.

 

[bluethunder]

quick question, did u only apply to top-rated med schools? i ask b/c an interview at U. Wash is impressive. anyhow, it doesnt seem to me like u need to throw away $50,000 on a formal program. i would take a couple upper-level undergrad bio courses (ie biochem, genetics, A&P), as well as get some more clinical experience. this may prove to be more helpful than an SMP.

thanks everyone for your advice and thoughts. they've given me good things to considers. i really appreciate it.

redsoxfan, i did apply to a lot of top-rated med schools; however, i had a few lower-tier ones in there as well. i think i may have needed more of the latter. as for upper-level undergrad bio courses, i took two biochem classes my senior year and did really well. is that what you're talking about? any suggestions for clinical experiences? i assume you mean volunteering stuff...thanks again!