Deciding between an SMP and a regular MS

[leena101]

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I am considerig doing a one year masters during my app year but am really not sure about whether to do an SMP or a regular hard science masters like Tulane Molec/Cell bio or Reproductive bio at Johns Hopkins. I haven't taken my MCAT yet but I'll have about a 3.55 gpa, 3.5 science when I'm applying to med school- not stellar, but not terrible. Is the SMP better for those with low gpas and really high MCATS only? Say I do fine on the MCAT- would you recommend I do an SMP? I'd really rather do an MS, especially the one in reproductive bio because I am really interested in the subject, but I don't know if the SMP would help push me over the edge more since I may be a borderline cadidate at most med schools. Is it better to just pick the masters you want to do or to do the SMP, which seems to hold a lot of weight with adcoms if you do well? Oh and one other thing to mention, my gpa is not very straightforward- I had some bad grades early on in college and then got great ones in jr/sr/postbac years- so my undergrad transcript will not be without its blemishes when I apply. However since my overall ended up ok, I don't know if the SMP is going to help more than a one year MS somewhere.... Any thoughts?

 

[X.O.]

Focus on kicking the crap out of the MCAT and perhaps doing some research to fill the time.

Doing a SMP or a MS isnt going to make a huge difference for you because your stats are pretty much average for most schools.

 

[mosaic]

i'm in a similar situation and will probably do an MS. if you're really interested in repro, i would not hesitate in doing that if your grades are fine.

 

[CUarzt]

i second XO

seems to me your gpa will keep you in the running, and you'll have to show the mcat a thing or two. i dont think a masters program would be of great benefit for your situtation; rock the mcat and pick up some research or clinical time

good luck

 

[emgirl]

Thanks for the replies- I agree, the MCAT will be key for me. I'll prob forgo the SMP and maybe just do an MS in something that interests me, more for my own interest.

 

[Sundarban1]

Thanks for the replies- I agree, the MCAT will be key for me. I'll prob forgo the SMP and maybe just do an MS in something that interests me, more for my own interest.

Rock on. 😎