Difficulty of SMP

[coto7061]

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Hi all -

I was wondering how difficult SMP programs such as Tufts or Georgetown are compared to undergraduate science courses. Is there difficulty different from traditional masters programs or other SMP's across the nation? Since GPA is important in SMP's for admissions to medical schools, how difficult is it to pull a high GPA?

 

[lilly_lahore]

I am sure SMPs are very difficult. Do not entertain this idea if you are not ready to work super hard

 

[Hi_I'mPaul]

Hi all -

I was wondering how difficult SMP programs such as Tufts or Georgetown are compared to undergraduate science courses. Is there difficulty different from traditional masters programs or other SMP's across the nation? Since GPA is important in SMP's for admissions to medical schools, how difficult is it to pull a high GPA?

I cannot give my opinion on SMPs at Tufts/Georgetown, but I just completed an SMP and USF Morsani and I found the program to be fantastic. It was difficult but definitely doable with the motivation and time management skills necessary to do well. It is a master's degree, so obviously the courses will be more in-depth. Also, you will be taking 4 hard sciences courses at a time which is probably different than undergrad.

 

[Fall_of_Dorian_Gray]

I graduated from the Georgetown SMP program and can say it was the hardest I've studied in my life so far. It's definitely manageable if you go in and hit the ground running. If you are aiming for a 4.0, then... prepare to do nothing much else than study. If you're thinking more in the 3.5 (which is arguably creeping up on the cost/benefit balance), you can get by with less.

I would say that the program has been an invaluable experience for me, personally. But, I can't attest to how effective it is in helping (I'm applying this year). That said, an SMP only benefits certain types of applications and if your undergraduate GPA is already high enough, I would recommend saving yourself the 80k in loans to work on your application with a DIY post-bac/MCAT score increase/community activities. Try as you might during the SMP year, you won't be able to add anything too significant in terms of community service during the year. (although a couple of my classmates pulled off working on top of going to class 0.o which I don't think I could have done).

 

[Goro]

I was wondering how difficult SMP programs such as Tufts or Georgetown are compared to undergraduate science courses.
Considering that they're medical school courses, I'd estimate that they 2-3x "more difficult" The major difficulty is dealing with the volume of the material, as opposed to its rigor.

Is there difficulty different from traditional masters programs or other SMP's across the nation?
Yes because traditional MS courses (which I have taken) are more conceptual and also cover things like techniques, and seminars or journal clubs. But compare dot others SMPs? That's hard to say.

Since GPA is important in SMP's for admissions to medical schools, how difficult is it to pull a high GPA?
That's 100% on you. Work ethic, time mgt skills, and intellect all play part. But from our own SMP''s history, I'd say ~50% of our students do well enough to get into med school.

 

[toedrag]

Agree with everything said above. In my 2 year SMP, we took classes side by side with PA students and medical students. Performing well in these classes does give you a huge boost of confidence that you can do well in medical school. You can prove to the adcoms and to yourself that you have what it takes to succeed. Not to mention, you could even be ahead of your classmates during your first/second year in some classes.

 

[a-robit]

Just finished the Georgetown SMP this past June. It was honestly the most rewarding/difficult year I have had yet. You are going to need top notch time management skills, and be prepared to make a paradigm shift from whatever you had done previously. During the first block of classes, I often studied for 5-6 hours every day after class, and then studied between 6-8 hours each day on weekends to stay on top of materials. Studying really is a full-time job here, since this is your hail-mary pass. I'm applying this year as well, so I don't know how schools balance SMP performance with your undergraduate performance, but coming out of the other side, you have a way better idea of how you would handle medical school.