Confusion about postbac/SMP programs

[Seaweed_Man]

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Hey guys,
Im currently a junior in college looking to apply to MD schools at the time of/after graduation. However, my grades from my first two years of college don't put me in a great position for applying to MD schools. A large part of this was due to a difficult family situation that forced me to go home a lot while classes were still in session. That being said, my family situation has been fixed, and I've received grades for my fall semester of junior year and have done really well (with orgo 1 and some other difficult classes). I hope to continue this upward trend, and after doing some math, it looks like my gpa at the time of graduation will be around at a 3.5 (cgpa and sgpa, budgeting for leeway with grading for some hard classes like orgo 2 that I still need to take). Given this, I've started thinking about maybe pursuing some kind of postbac to raise that gpa to around a 3.6, or an SMP to show med schools that I'm capable of handling science classes.

My question is, does pursuing a postbac or SMP for gpa boosting seem like a negative mark when applying to schools of higher caliber, i.e. mid-tier/upper mid-tier/higher tier schools? The reason I ask is because I hope to go to a school with lots of resources for research (luckily I was able to maintain my involvement with research since my freshman year, and I go to a school with a large hospital/lots of biomedical research going on) but my gpa will not allow me to do so without a postbac/SMP. Furthermore, is it even worth thinking about mid-tier/upper mid-tier/higher tier schools with my gpa? I still haven't taken the MCAT, but I've set aside a significant amount of time to study for it and am doing everything I can to get a high score.

P.S.: I'm new to SDN, but i've been poking around on it the past couple of weeks and I'm really grateful that a resource/community like this exists.

 

[Instatewaiter]

For you, apply the first time around and if you don't get in either do a DIY post-bac to raise your GPA, a dedicated post-bac or consider a MPH. The first 2 will improve your GPA. The last wont and honestly an MPH is not the best thing for GPA remediation. however, because your GPA is borderline, it may do the trick.

An SMP is too risky as this is really for people with lower GPAs (3.3 or lower usually) than you, but strong MCATs who need to prove they have the dedication to do well in medical school level courses. Often in an SMP you take your courses with medical students and are graded against them. SMPs as they are graduate level coursework will not change your undergraduate GPA. If you do poorly, you basically prove you wont do well in medical school and would permanently destroy your chances.

Realize the tiers that you are used to with undergrad aren't the same in medical school. Those from "low tier" medical schools commonly make it to top tier residencies... myself included. All allopathic medical schools will have ample research opportunities.

Apply broadly. The likelihood of you getting into harvard even with an SMP/postbac is slim to none. Even in those low tier allopathic med schools the average student has more competitive stats than you currently have.

 

[Seaweed_Man]

For you, apply the first time around and if you don't get in either do a DIY post-bac to raise your GPA, a dedicated post-bac or consider a MPH. The first 2 will improve your GPA. The last wont and honestly an MPH is not the best thing for GPA remediation. however, because your GPA is borderline, it may do the trick.

An SMP is too risky as this is really for people with lower GPAs (3.3 or lower usually) than you, but strong MCATs who need to prove they have the dedication to do well in medical school level courses. Often in an SMP you take your courses with medical students and are graded against them. SMPs as they are graduate level coursework will not change your undergraduate GPA. If you do poorly, you basically prove you wont do well in medical school and would permanently destroy your chances.

Realize the tiers that you are used to with undergrad aren't the same in medical school. Those from "low tier" medical schools commonly make it to top tier residencies... myself included. All allopathic medical schools will have ample research opportunities.

Apply broadly. The likelihood of you getting into harvard even with an SMP/postbac is slim to none. Even in those low tier allopathic med schools the average student has more competitive stats than you currently have.

@Instatewaiter I see, thank you so much for the advice. I wasn't sure where I stood on the spectrum, though I expected it was pretty low, but this gave me some insight and perspective on the application process. I guess my goal now is to do well for the next couple of years in school and on the MCAT and build a school list based on that.
Also one more quick question: I was looking into some options that my university offers for students and they let students take an extra year to get a masters degree in a science field that matches their major (i.e. a biology major can get a bio masters, chem major can get a chem masters, etc) and I seem to meet the gpa reqs, etc for this option. Based on what you said, the grad classes would not change my BCPM gpa, but would it be a good idea to use this option as a "DIY" SMP to show medical schools that I can still do well in science classes?

 

[GypsyHummus]

If you are not open to the possibility of DO school and only want MD, you have two options:

1) Nail the MCAT. 515+ should put you in striking distance of lower tier MD schools with a 3.5
2) Do well enough on the MCAT (510+) but get your GPA above the 3.7 mark.

I would NOT recommend an SMP, as they are ridiculously hard and can forever screw up your chances at medical school of any kind.

Good luck.

 

[Seaweed_Man]

Just wanted to come back here and say thanks for the advice @GypsyHummus and @Instatewaiter . I ended up getting accepted to a 1 year MPH program and worked my *** off for the MCAT, classes, research etc. as per your advice. GPA ended up lower than mentioned above but I was fortunate enough to come across some incredible experiences/mentors.

I found out a couple of weeks ago that I was accepted to a top 10 and top 20 school, with many other interviews on the way. I guess miracles do happen 🙂

 

[Instatewaiter]

Good work. Best of luck in the future.

 

[athenaa]

Just wanted to come back here and say thanks for the advice @GypsyHummus and @Instatewaiter . I ended up getting accepted to a 1 year MPH program and worked my *** off for the MCAT, classes, research etc. as per your advice. GPA ended up lower than mentioned above but I was fortunate enough to come across some incredible experiences/mentors.

I found out a couple of weeks ago that I was accepted to a top 10 and top 20 school, with many other interviews on the way. I guess miracles do happen 🙂

Hi OP! I am currently in the situation you were in about 2 years ago. I am new here and was wondering if I could ask you about your journey and decisions that played into how you got to where you are now.

 

[Seaweed_Man]

Hi OP! I am currently in the situation you were in about 2 years ago. I am new here and was wondering if I could ask you about your journey and decisions that played into how you got to where you are now.

@chocolateandmedicine sure thing, will DM you.