Chances for SMPs?

[jaxon]

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Alright, hear me out.
Rising senior at Boston College. I'll be up front, I really had a rotten time in undergrad in pretty much every aspect. I've had a lot of family issues pop up, and my GPA has really suffered.

The Question: I realize my track record has set me back a couple years. I pretty much was completely preoccupied my first two years of UG, and I'm hoping that an SMP and maybe a year in research will right the ship. What are my chances of getting into any SMPs? Would they benefit me?

My plan was perhaps to do an SMP, then start applying to medical schools the following year as I work in a lab somewhere for 12 months, OR go to BU's MAMS program and do the two year plan, which has fairly extensive research built in from what I can tell. I realize the research won't be anything groundbreaking, but I figure if I want to at least get my foot in the door for any decent school, I have to at least get that box checked.

Biochemistry Major; minors in music and philosophy. sGPA 3.42, cGPA 3.45, URM (hispanic/latino), first gen. college student. I'm a CA resident, but my dad moved to New Hampshire around October of sophomore year, not like that matters.

MCAT: I am taking it in a month, so I'm starting to take practice exams regularly. The only score I have so far is NextStep free diagnostic exam, which I got a 509 on, lowest score being 126 in physical sciences. I'm hoping I'll get somewhere in the 510-513 ballpark on game day.

Extracurrics:
I'm a biology/biochemistry student in this new program that aims to give underprivileged students a chance to survive in sciences called the Gateway program. I was a part of the first class of the program at BC, so I figure that is kind of meaningful maybe. We were placed in the hardest classes with the hardest professors, along with given more homework. I'm a freshman RA, which took up most of my time this past year. Also a general chemistry tutor, and member of chess club and "pre-med" club.

Volunteering (non-clinical):
BC BIGS (Big Brothers Big Sisters) 2013-present. I have been with the same little since beginning of sophomore year; I'm going to also be a student leader for BC BIGS as a senior, which involves event planning, budgeting, advertising, etc.

I'm also part of a group at BC that goes up and down the Appalachian trail to serve underprivileged communities during a spring break service trip. I've done two trips so far, and I'll also be leading my trip next year. This group has weekly meetings and service outings throughout the school year as well.

Volunteering (clinical):
Long story, but I'm just now starting volunteering at a hospital (my application went in March of 2014). So by graduation I should have around 150-175 hours.

I have about 40 shadowing hours under my belt, 10 hours (2 sessions) clinical and 30 hours (7 surgeries) in the ER.

Over the summer, I also have done several ride alongs with an ambulance company in NH, probably coming out to about another 24 hours.

I'll be applying for a position in my schools EMS group. I got my EMT certification at the end of this past year, so if I get a spot that's another 100+ hours give or take by graduation.

Research:
None. Funny thing is I had a ton of research experience in high school, but nothing has really opened up in college. I've been applying and talking with professors just about every semester and it seems like nothing is ever open, but I might just be looking in the wrong places.

LORs:
They are going to be great. My advisor, bless her heart, knows me really well. My Gen Chem professor is the one I tutor for; he also got me the shadowing opportunity with his former surgeon. My third LOR is from my philosophy teacher whom I visited for office hours pretty much every week, and we have a great relationship as well.

Fun Facts:
Been playing the piano since I was 6, black belt in Tae Kwon Do (instructor in high school), I speak Spanish near-fluently and currently working on my Italian, USCF rated chess player, and I used to coach chess at my local library.

Basically I figure my check boxes look like this:
Leadership: check
LORs: check
GPA: X
Research: X
Clinical: half-check
Personal Statement: check

Any advice would be very much appreciated; feel free to be harsh, as long as you're being honest 😀

 

[GrapesofRath]

You don't need an SMP at all. In fact I'd argue its a terrible idea.

Do well this year and graduate with around a 3.5(or even higher). That upward trend combined with a 3.5+ can definitely make you competitive for lower tier MD programs with an appropriate MCAT score(80th+ percentile as the minimum).

Not all Hispanics qualify as a URM but if you do and you graduate with a 3.5 and get 85th+ percentile on the MCAT, forget about an SMP, if you are a URM in that case you can be competitive for some very good schools with those stats.

 

[jaxon]

If I graduate with a 3.5+ GPA, 80%+ MCAT, would you say I should just take a year or two to work in a hospital and get more experience overall? I'm honestly just worried about the zero research, especially since all my in-states are extremely research-heavy.

Maybe I do an SMP, pull a 3.9 or something, then with a masters I can get some kind of good research job, then apply? I know I can get the grades, BC in particular has just been a nightmare for me :/

 

[GrapesofRath]

If I graduate with a 3.5+ GPA, 80%+ MCAT, would you say I should just take a year or two to work in a hospital and get more experience overall? I'm honestly just worried about the zero research, especially since all my in-states are extremely research-heavy.

Maybe I do an SMP, pull a 3.9 or something, then with a masters I can get some kind of good research job, then apply? I know I can get the grades, BC in particular has just been a nightmare for me :/

If BC has been a nightmare for you don't expect to get a 3.9 at an SMP where you're going to have to beat a large majority of MD students in medical school classes to pull that off. Just do well this year and ditch the SMP it's that simple. SMPs are difficult; it's a lot harder to do well in them then you can be led on to believe here by people loosely just recommending them and seeing so many people post on here who did well(when in reality SDN is an incredibly selective group of people).

Being a CA resident makes everything a little harder but take a year or two off after graduating and just keep building up your EC's. If you are a CA resident you won't really be focusing on your state schools anyway; with your stats your best chances are at OOS schools. Research helps and it's a good idea to get involved if you aren't planning on applying for another 2 years especially. That said it's not some kind of requirement; clincal exposure and a solid amount of volunteering that can clearly demonstrate your altruism are.

This is all under the assumption you don't qualify for URM status. If you do, everything changes and you are in very good shape. Get equivalent of a 32+ and graduate with a 3.5+ with an upward trend and you can start thinking about applying to some very good schools if you start getting involved in research(which btw isn't hard to get you're either trying way too hard, not looking broadly enough or going about it the completely wrong way if after 3 years of trying you can't find anything).

 

[jaxon]

BC hasn't been a nightmare in that it is too hard, I meant that these last three years have just had a lot going on. How should I go about getting some kind of research opportunity? I've applied to research programs every summer (those at medical schools, Amgen, etc.), spoken with professors with labs every semester (at BC, there are only maybe 50-60 UG research spots), and it seems as though if I go to another university or hospital, it's an actual 30 hr/wk paid job, which I can't fit into my schedule.

And as for URM status, my mother's side of the family is Puerto Rican. Don't know if that counts.

EDIT: also I realized I didn't mention this originally. If it matters, I'm also going to be graduating with somewhere in the ballpark of 140-145 credits.

 

[Grace184]

I still don't think PR counts, sorry...unless you're fluent, have family there and want to go to a PR school, that's a big boost- but not URM, just a Plus

And to reiterate what Grapes said, your grades are good- you blow an SMP, there little to no chance of coming back from it (blowing it can even mean 3.5). Not worth it. You're good.

 

[jaxon]

I don't want to go to a PR school, but all of my extended family lives in Puerto Rico, and my uncle on that side is the crux of what will be my personal statement. I am mostly fluent (there is probably some slang that I'm not entirely familiar with).

I guess the next idea is maybe just work a hospital job, like research assistant, scribe, ER tech... And on the side take some classes at Harvard Extension or something? At least to continue the upward trend, maybe get another 10-12 credits of a 4.0 in science

 

[Grace184]

DO schools are an option with your GPAs and a decent MCAT
Is that something you're willing to consider or are you an "MD or bust" applicant?

 

[jaxon]

yea a do school doesn't really interest me

 

[GrapesofRath]

Your gpa isn't that far off for MD schools. Do well this year graduate with around a 3.5 and if you get 85th+ percentile on the MCAT there are lower tier MDs within striking distance. SMP would be a horrible idea. I wouldn't advise post bacc work either if you have a 3.5+ and an upward trend; your gpa won't prevent you from going to an MD school if you have the 3.5+ in your case

 

[jaxon]

Thanks for the advice, grapes. Duly noted

 

[Akewataru]

And to reiterate what Grapes said, your grades are good- you blow an SMP, there little to no chance of coming back from it (blowing it can even mean 3.5). Not worth it. You're good.

Thanks for putting things in perspective for those of us doing an SMP this fall. It is essentially a second/last chance at what much of your competition have already done in their first attempt. If you don't have to do it, DON'T. Kill dat MCAT.

 

[ZedsDed]

Alright, hear me out.
Rising senior at Boston College. I'll be up front, I really had a rotten time in undergrad in pretty much every aspect. I've had a lot of family issues pop up, and my GPA has really suffered.

The Question: I realize my track record has set me back a couple years. I pretty much was completely preoccupied my first two years of UG, and I'm hoping that an SMP and maybe a year in research will right the ship. What are my chances of getting into any SMPs? Would they benefit me?

My plan was perhaps to do an SMP, then start applying to medical schools the following year as I work in a lab somewhere for 12 months, OR go to BU's MAMS program and do the two year plan, which has fairly extensive research built in from what I can tell. I realize the research won't be anything groundbreaking, but I figure if I want to at least get my foot in the door for any decent school, I have to at least get that box checked.

Biochemistry Major; minors in music and philosophy. sGPA 3.42, cGPA 3.45, URM (hispanic/latino), first gen. college student. I'm a CA resident, but my dad moved to New Hampshire around October of sophomore year, not like that matters.

MCAT: I am taking it in a month, so I'm starting to take practice exams regularly. The only score I have so far is NextStep free diagnostic exam, which I got a 509 on, lowest score being 126 in physical sciences. I'm hoping I'll get somewhere in the 510-513 ballpark on game day.

Extracurrics:
I'm a biology/biochemistry student in this new program that aims to give underprivileged students a chance to survive in sciences called the Gateway program. I was a part of the first class of the program at BC, so I figure that is kind of meaningful maybe. We were placed in the hardest classes with the hardest professors, along with given more homework. I'm a freshman RA, which took up most of my time this past year. Also a general chemistry tutor, and member of chess club and "pre-med" club.

Volunteering (non-clinical):
BC BIGS (Big Brothers Big Sisters) 2013-present. I have been with the same little since beginning of sophomore year; I'm going to also be a student leader for BC BIGS as a senior, which involves event planning, budgeting, advertising, etc.

I'm also part of a group at BC that goes up and down the Appalachian trail to serve underprivileged communities during a spring break service trip. I've done two trips so far, and I'll also be leading my trip next year. This group has weekly meetings and service outings throughout the school year as well.

Volunteering (clinical):
Long story, but I'm just now starting volunteering at a hospital (my application went in March of 2014). So by graduation I should have around 150-175 hours.

I have about 40 shadowing hours under my belt, 10 hours (2 sessions) clinical and 30 hours (7 surgeries) in the ER.

Over the summer, I also have done several ride alongs with an ambulance company in NH, probably coming out to about another 24 hours.

I'll be applying for a position in my schools EMS group. I got my EMT certification at the end of this past year, so if I get a spot that's another 100+ hours give or take by graduation.

Research:
None. Funny thing is I had a ton of research experience in high school, but nothing has really opened up in college. I've been applying and talking with professors just about every semester and it seems like nothing is ever open, but I might just be looking in the wrong places.

LORs:
They are going to be great. My advisor, bless her heart, knows me really well. My Gen Chem professor is the one I tutor for; he also got me the shadowing opportunity with his former surgeon. My third LOR is from my philosophy teacher whom I visited for office hours pretty much every week, and we have a great relationship as well.

Fun Facts:
Been playing the piano since I was 6, black belt in Tae Kwon Do (instructor in high school), I speak Spanish near-fluently and currently working on my Italian, USCF rated chess player, and I used to coach chess at my local library.

Basically I figure my check boxes look like this:
Leadership: check
LORs: check
GPA: X
Research: X
Clinical: half-check
Personal Statement: check

Any advice would be very much appreciated; feel free to be harsh, as long as you're being honest 😀

Every month or so someone posts in the postbacc forum that they blew an SMP. Some have terrible GPAs, some don't. All of them are screwed. An SMP is a good option for those who have no other choice (i.e. they have nothing to lose, and are willing to risk it all for an MD.) You have options, a lot of them in fact. There is no reason to put yourself in such a precarious position.

 

[jaxon]

Every month or so someone posts in the postbacc forum that they blew an SMP. Some have terrible GPAs, some don't. All of them are screwed. An SMP is a good option for those who have no other choice (i.e. they have nothing to lose, and are willing to risk it all for an MD.) You have options, a lot of them in fact. There is no reason to put yourself in such a precarious position.

Yea thanks to all of you for actually letting me know this. My advisors (major and premed) basically told me they were like post-bacc's, but you get a degree at the end of it, which opens up more options for jobs if I don't plan on applying right away. Didn't know they were absolutely last resorts

 

[GrapesofRath]

Yea thanks to all of you for actually letting me know this. My advisors (major and premed) basically told me they were like post-bacc's, but you get a degree at the end of it, which opens up more options for jobs if I don't plan on applying right away. Didn't know they were absolutely last resorts

"SMPs help in getting better job options in the job market"-----a pre med advisor who's professional full time job is to advice pre meds actually said something this incredibly stupid.

Put this one in the archives. You really can't make this stuff up folks

 

[michigan123]

got into MWU MA and MBS program and TUFTS MBS. which one should i do?!?

I like being in the chicago area though over boston, but Tufts is more renown? does that matter as much for SMPs and medical school applications?

 

[darkeon]

Traditionally, Puerto Ricans and Mexicans are the Hispanic ethnicity deemed URM. Each school can view this differently though as demographics vary by region.