Carribean vs SMP?

[nontrad1986]

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So I would like some advice...

Im 26 and I have yet to hear back from any of the med schools I applied to.. well, I was rejected by one school.

Anyhow, my stats are not that great because of a poor undegraduate performance, since then I have taken over the classes I did poorly in and achieved a 3.95 post bacc gpa that has done nothing more than put a dent in my undergrad gpa.

My current stats are:

cGPA: 3.1
sGPA: 3.01
MCAT - 29Q

My goal is to get my residency in IM and fellowship in oncology/hematology... so thats 6 years after med school....

I saw the match list for SGU and a few people got into the residency I want.

My question is, should I do a SMP and prolong my education by another year or go to either Ross or SGU? My friend went to ROSS and got a 261 on her step 1 so I'm convincd the education is not so bad.

I know the race to become a doctor is long and hard and I know that this is what I want to do... just want some opinions...

SMP or SGU/ROSS at 26..

Thanks!

 

[mcloaf]

My friend went to ROSS and got a 261 on her step 1 so I'm convinced the education is not so bad.

Thanks!

Anomalies happen. You are unlikely to be one.

Where did you apply this cycle?

 

[Sephiroth]

So I would like some advice...

Im 26 and I have yet to hear back from any of the med schools I applied to.. well, I was rejected by one school.

Anyhow, my stats are not that great because of a poor undegraduate performance, since then I have taken over the classes I did poorly in and achieved a 3.95 post bacc gpa that has done nothing more than put a dent in my undergrad gpa.

My current stats are:

cGPA: 3.1
sGPA: 3.01
MCAT - 29Q

My goal is to get my residency in IM and fellowship in oncology/hematology... so thats 6 years after med school....

I saw the match list for SGU and a few people got into the residency I want.

My question is, should I do a SMP and prolong my education by another year or go to either Ross or SGU? My friend went to ROSS and got a 261 on her step 1 so I'm convincd the education is not so bad.

I know the race to become a doctor is long and hard and I know that this is what I want to do... just want some opinions...

SMP or SGU/ROSS at 26..

Thanks!

If you have a 3.95 post-bac and it consisted mostly of retaking classes you did poorly in, then you should have almost all As in what were your wort classes, correct? Figure out what your AACOMAS GPA would be with grade replacement, because you might be in good shape there.

 

[nontrad1986]

lol. I've been working full-time, volunteering, shadowing, taking classes and was studying for the MCAT at the same time and got a 29 and straight A's (1 A/B or B+). Even though it's not so great, I think with more time available I'll be able to do better in med school; a high step one score is entirely possible. Um.. NYMC, SUNY Downstate, SUNY Upstate, GWU - but got rejected = ( , NYU - suspect I'll get rejected.. and some more DO schools. I haven't heard back from any of them though so I'm thinking its not a great sign.

 

[nontrad1986]

yeah my AACOMAS gpa is high 3.5, and I applied to 3 D.O. schools (couldn't apply to more because I never shadowed a DO) but I still haven't heard back = (

 

[pre med 2014]

yeah my AACOMAS gpa is high 3.5, and I applied to 3 D.O. schools (couldn't apply to more because I never shadowed a DO) but I still haven't heard back = (

Based on the USNWR book I was looking at only like 2 DO schools require the letter.

With a 3.95 post bacc you should get in somewhere??

 

[deleted480308]

The answer is shadow a DO, apply to more DO

 

[mcloaf]

Planning to get a 260+ on Step 1 because you were busy when you got a 29 is not realistic. Plenty of people who score 40+ on the MCAT don't make 260+, though depending on their path they don't need to. Either way, I'm not saying it's impossible, but that it's a rather poor idea to plan for the future based on something that is very much up in the air. The risks of Carib have been elaborated in other threads that should be easy for you to find.

With grade replacement and your MCAT I'd think you'd have a great shot at DO schools, unless you have a big red flag you haven't mentioned.

 

[nontrad1986]

Based on the USNWR book I was looking at only like 2 DO schools require the letter.

With a 3.95 post bacc you should get in somewhere??

I know I really don't understand. I am so depressed 🙁. My essay was good, I have pretty good letters of recommendation, I work in a lab and am trying so hard! This sucks

 

[MedPR]

"ROSS"? Similar to Boss?

 

[nontrad1986]

Planning to get a 260+ on Step 1 because you were busy when you got a 29 is not realistic. Plenty of people who score 40+ on the MCAT don't make 260+, though depending on their path they don't need to. Either way, I'm not saying it's impossible, but that it's a rather poor idea to plan for the future based on something that is very much up in the air. The risks of Carib have been elaborated in other threads that should be easy for you to find.

With grade replacement and your MCAT I'd think you'd have a great shot at DO schools, unless you have a big red flag you haven't mentioned.

No I really don't have any red flags! I've never even had a ticket and I had a pretty tough life so I have my reasoning for not doing well in undergrad. And my freind got a 28 on her MCAT. Everything is what you put into it and with more time avaialbe, you can put in a lot more effort. That's all I was trying to say. I'm not a genius but I am a hard worker.

 

[circulus vitios]

lol. I've been working full-time, volunteering, shadowing, taking classes and was studying for the MCAT at the same time and got a 29 and straight A's (1 A/B or B+). Even though it's not so great, I think with more time available I'll be able to do better in med school; a high step one score is entirely possible. Um.. NYMC, SUNY Downstate, SUNY Upstate, GWU - but got rejected = ( , NYU - suspect I'll get rejected.. and some more DO schools. I haven't heard back from any of them though so I'm thinking its not a great sign.

Are you an NY resident? SUNY schools accept few out of state applicants. NYU is a top school and your stats aren't great. GWU gets a ridiculous amount of applicants. You should spend money on a copy of the MSAR and pick some schools that better fit your state of residency, GPA, and MCAT.

 

[TheWeeIceMan]

So I would like some advice...

Im 26 and I have yet to hear back from any of the med schools I applied to.. well, I was rejected by one school.

Anyhow, my stats are not that great because of a poor undegraduate performance, since then I have taken over the classes I did poorly in and achieved a 3.95 post bacc gpa that has done nothing more than put a dent in my undergrad gpa.

My current stats are:

cGPA: 3.1
sGPA: 3.01
MCAT - 29Q

My goal is to get my residency in IM and fellowship in oncology/hematology... so thats 6 years after med school....

I saw the match list for SGU and a few people got into the residency I want.

My question is, should I do a SMP and prolong my education by another year or go to either Ross or SGU? My friend went to ROSS and got a 261 on her step 1 so I'm convincd the education is not so bad.

I know the race to become a doctor is long and hard and I know that this is what I want to do... just want some opinions...

SMP or SGU/ROSS at 26..

Thanks!

I think the answer is neither. You have a pretty solid gpa with the retakes and an MCAT score that is plenty high for DO. Assuming you are not accepted this year, I would find a DO to shadow and apply early for next cycle. No reason to put yourself behind the 8 ball at this point. Good luck.

 

[KnuxNole]

Just because your friend got a 261 doesn't mean anyone coming out of the same school can. Theoretically, it's possible, but you definitely cannot depend on the "education" to get you that. I can argue that it's better to stay away from the Caribbean, because the education at a MD/DO will benefit you on Step 1 AND beyond. The reality is that the overall picture is more important. You can get a 261 at any school.

I would personally do a SMP if I was in your shoes. 1 year is not a long time. Being 26 years old is still young(coming from a fellow 26 y/o 😛), and if this is the path you want to take, a SMP can bring positive results. You can also during this time venture out and find D.O.s to shadow, and be ready to tackle apps 🙂

Oh I forgot about the retakes for D.O. schools >_<
In that case...well assuming it's a no-go, like above dude said is good! There are more D.O. physicians out there than you think!

 

[nontrad1986]

Are you an NY resident? SUNY schools accept few out of state applicants. NYU is a top school and your stats aren't great. GWU gets a ridiculous amount of applicants. You should spend money on a copy of the MSAR and pick some schools that better fit your state of residency, GPA, and MCAT.

Yeah I'm a ny resident and I knew NYU was a long shot. I was placed on re review by gwu for a while and got rejected, that's why the panic is setting in... I honestly thought my mcat would be higher but since it wasn't I didn't want to spend too much money on apps bc I'm poor. I think I'll just start preparing for the mcat and smp and spend the extra year. Beyond the risk of not placing a residency, I'm nervous people will question my credentials later in my career if I go to the carribean :/

 

[KineticChaos]

I'm was in a similar situation. I'm a non-trad, mid-20's, average stats. I was debating between Caribbean and SMP.
I have a couple friends who went the Caribbean route. I can only speak about their experiences, but they all said it has been a difficult time. They said you basically have to learn everything by yourself. The options for residency are much more limited too. While one of my friends was doing his 3rd year rotations at a US hospital he was constantly underestimated by the attendings, residents and fellow med students simply because he came from the Caribbean. From their stories, I decided not to do the Caribbean route.
I'm currently in a SMP and I've had a lot of success with IIs this cycle. My SMP is well known (on the East coast at least) and most of my interviewers have commented that the program is well respected. Every year about 90% of students in my SMP get into med school.
I know it's difficult and this process is often disheartening, but I think investing your time (and money) into an SMP will pay off long-term. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[nontrad1986]

I'm was in a similar situation. I'm a non-trad, mid-20's, average stats. I was debating between Caribbean and SMP.
I have a couple friends who went the Caribbean route. I can only speak about their experiences, but they all said it has been a difficult time. They said you basically have to learn everything by yourself. The options for residency are much more limited too. While one of my friends was doing his 3rd year rotations at a US hospital he was constantly underestimated by the attendings, residents and fellow med students simply because he came from the Caribbean. From their stories, I decided not to do the Caribbean route.
I'm currently in a SMP and I've had a lot of success with IIs this cycle. My SMP is well known (on the East coast at least) and most of my interviewers have commented that the program is well respected. Every year about 90% of students in my SMP get into med school.
I know it's difficult and this process is often disheartening, but I think investing your time (and money) into an SMP will pay off long-term. Good luck with whatever you decide.

THANK YOU! okay, I'm definitely going to do the SMP. I just hope I get into one of those lol. I'm going to apply to Drexel, Tufts, Temple and NYMC.. any other suggestions? I want to do ones that give you the opportunity to either have a seat in their class or an interview if you do well ( I plan on working my arse off during the SMP and am actually going to take the MCAT again in May because temple you need a 3.5 and a 30 to secure a spot in their class if you get accepted) and I want to get the 30 before the program to alleviate some stress.

 

[KineticChaos]

THANK YOU! okay, I'm definitely going to do the SMP. I just hope I get into one of those lol. I'm going to apply to Drexel, Tufts, Temple and NYMC.. any other suggestions? I want to do ones that give you the opportunity to either have a seat in their class or an interview if you do well ( I plan on working my arse off during the SMP and am actually going to take the MCAT again in May because temple you need a 3.5 and a 30 to secure a spot in their class if you get accepted) and I want to get the 30 before the program to alleviate some stress.

.

 

[circulus vitios]

BU also has a fantastic program. No bias 😉

It's also ~$50,000....

 

[nontrad1986]

It's also ~$50,000....

Yeah. That's a bit pricey, the other ones I mentioned are pretty fair priced. Tufts you can apply for a scholarship

 

[circulus vitios]

Yeah. That's a bit pricey, the other ones I mentioned are pretty fair priced. Tufts you can apply for a scholarship

Temple's advanced SMP seems the best. It's only a year long, tuition and fees are ~$25k, and you're guaranteed a spot in Temple medical school if you maintain a >3.5 GPA and a >30 MCAT with no subsection <8.

 

[occams_razor]

definitely do the SMP. you seem competitive for DO with your 3.5 AACOMAS GPA, I'm surprised you haven't heard back from any of the DO schools yet.

 

[TheWeeIceMan]

If you are cool with DO, I really don't see the need for an SMP, but maybe I am in the minority here. If you really want MD, sure, an SMP is probably your best bet.

 

[Anathema]

Temple's advanced SMP seems the best. It's only a year long, tuition and fees are ~$25k, and you're guaranteed a spot in Temple medical school if you maintain a >3.5 GPA and a >30 MCAT with no subsection <8.

Wait say what? Why aren't more people talking about this? Are you doing it?

 

[circulus vitios]

Wait say what? Why aren't more people talking about this? Are you doing it?

It's small and relatively competitive. The OP's GPA is a bit below their mark but it's worth applying for.

http://www.temple.edu/medicine/ppp/prospective_students/entering_profile.htm

Number of applications: 697
Number interviewed: 44
Number matriculated: 35
Average age: 24
Average science GPA: 3.36
Average overall GPA: 3.49