What are some well known DO SMPs?
Also, can you explain on this? "The post-bacc is highly recommended because of your downward trend. You need to show the adcoms that you have learned from your mistakes before you even consider a SMP. With your grades right now, a SMP program will probably not help you much. Even if you get a 4.0 in a SMP, your undergrad GPA and downward trend would be very very hard to overlook."
Isn't SMP a post-bacc program? Are you saying I should get my GPA up before I apply to SMP?
You're correct. SMP's are a specific type of post-bacc program. I should have clarified and said that I would recommend a academic enhancer post-bacc program where you would take undergraduate classes to boost your AMCAS GPA. Once you get your GPA up, then I would apply for a SMP program. SMP's are academic enhancer programs where you are basically "auditioning" for medical school by taking medical school courses and a few other master's level courses. SMP's will not raise your undergraduate GPA and will instead show as a separate GPA.
That's why you probably need to improve your undergrad GPA before even applying to a SMP. Most of the more popular SMP's are also somewhat competitive to get into so that's another reason to improve your undergrad GPA.
If you're going the DO route, then your GPA can jump up a LOT quicker since they have the grade replacement policy. Retake all of the classes that you screwed up in and then your GPA will hopefully jump up.
Hey guys, I was also wondering what are my chances into both of those programs. I finished with a gpa of 3.26, science gpa of 2.8 (counting my first semester d- in general chem, which I have since gotten an A in), I am planning on taking the MCAT soon so hopefully, god willing, begging, praying, for 30+. I have over 700 hours volunteer at a major hospital in my area and I am currently a student research assistant to a big research institute (Ear infections, Dr. Pichichero, if any of guys have heard of him). So please be brutal, nothing but the truth. I would like to get into an MD but I know myself that I don't have the qualifications met so a good SMP is my next choice. Thank you
A good SMP would require somewhat decent numbers. You have to get a MCAT score above 30. There's no other choice.
Honestly, I think that you might be able to get into these programs (not immediately, but maybe off the waitlist). However, there's a huge caveat. You're going to need to hope that another school will accept you after you do well in those programs. BU and GU med schools have a LOT of students and they look at both your undergrad and your SMP GPA. Even with a 4.0, they're not going to overlook your undergrad GPA. Therefore, I believe that your chances of getting into BU and GU even after a 4.0 in their respective SMP's are very slim. Do well in the programs and apply very broadly if you choose this route.
Here's the brutal truth since you asked for it.
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ECs mainly count after you have a decent set of numbers. I think adcoms like to see more leadership. 700 hours vs. 200 hours in a hospital doesn't make much of a difference. You likely did and saw the same things. You're a SRA to a doctor which is great, but they're going to look for publications and presentations. There's a myriad of students who are SRAs to big docs and have done nothing.
Programs that I think would be more fitting for you include RFU, possibly EVMS, and UToledo. If you can get into one of those, I would go to those over BU and GU.