confused about when to apply

[momofj]

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I was just told I should look into a smp due to my u/g gpa and how old my u/g classes are. So if I read correctly you need to have taken the MCAT already correct? I'm planning to take in Jan 2011 (my 1st and 2nd time were low and expired). Planning to apply this October when application cycle starts, but if they need the lastest valid MCAT might have to delay application until results come out. My question is, for those who took the MCAT, did well and still went on to a smp to "prove academic worth"; did you have to take the MCAT again after that?
Maybe I was misinformed but my plan was to apply to the smp Oct 2010, hopefully be accepted, take MCAT in Jan2011, apply to MD and DO schools in June 2011, while waiting to start the smp? or do I apply to medical schools the following June 2012(when almost finished w/ the smp)

Sorry if this messy, I'm a little comfused on how everyone is doing this, thanks for any guidance!

 

[DeucesHigh3]

If you take the MCAT this January, you won't have to take it again (barring 3 unsuccessful cycles).

You can wait to apply to the SMPs until after you get your January score. I'm not sure many people apply in October of the year before, and a lot of people don't even apply until they've gotten a rejection from medical schools the spring that the applications are due. Hell, I applied at the beginning of May this year (for the 2010-2011 school year), and had no trouble with the date of my applications.

As for when to apply to medical schools, that depends on your exact situation. If you're almost competitive already, or realistically plan to really knock your fall SMP grades out of the ballpark, you can apply while you're in the SMP -- just bear in mind that you'll be getting your application read really late in the cycle. On the other hand, many people wait until after they finish the SMP to apply, which has the downside of a glide year, but the upside of having the entire year of medical school grades to show to the admission committees.

 

[momofj]

If you take the MCAT this January, you won't have to take it again (barring 3 unsuccessful cycles).

You can wait to apply to the SMPs until after you get your January score. I'm not sure many people apply in October of the year before, and a lot of people don't even apply until they've gotten a rejection from medical schools the spring that the applications are due. Hell, I applied at the beginning of May this year (for the 2010-2011 school year), and had no trouble with the date of my applications.

As for when to apply to medical schools, that depends on your exact situation. If you're almost competitive already, or realistically plan to really knock your fall SMP grades out of the ballpark, you can apply while you're in the SMP -- just bear in mind that you'll be getting your application read really late in the cycle. On the other hand, many people wait until after they finish the SMP to apply, which has the downside of a glide year, but the upside of having the entire year of medical school grades to show to the admission committees.

Thank you for your quick response. I have actually never applied, due to other circumstances I had to wait after taking the MCAT in 2005 plus the scre was too low, and decided to wait. Now its been too long and I have no academic work to show I can still cut it. So was told to do a smp w/ MCAT aid. by a med school adviser. So I shouldn't even apply in June for medical school, I really don't see the point of being rejected and be a reapplicant; I thought the schools would wait for the fall's grades to consider... if I mentioned I was in a smp. I guess I'de probably have a better chance in applying the following year. Dam!!!😡

 

[DeucesHigh3]

Thank you for your quick response. I have actually never applied, due to other circumstances I had to wait after taking the MCAT in 2005 plus the scre was too low, and decided to wait. Now its been too long and I have no academic work to show I can still cut it. So was told to do a smp w/ MCAT aid. by a med school adviser. So I shouldn't even apply in June for medical school, I really don't see the point of being rejected and be a reapplicant; I thought the schools would wait for the fall's grades to consider... if I mentioned I was in a smp. I guess I'de probably have a better chance in applying the following year. Dam!!!😡

Well it will be late in the cycle (if you don't have SMP grades until ~Jan), but some schools will hold off on looking at your application until you have your grades. So it's definitely possible to apply to med schools the summer before you start an SMP, but it certainly depends on your exact situation (undergrad GPA, MCAT, which SMP you're at, linkages / guaranteed interviews, and which schools you're applying to).