Does anyone actually do poorly in SMPs?

[artist27]

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these programs seem really difficult with the amount of upper level science classes, but it seems that everyone gets a pretty high gpa, even if their uGpa was pretty low (based off of this site which is probably not a good sample)
Is this because acceptance is selective and only those who would do well get accepted? Is it supposed to be "easy" to do well? Do only people who have 3.5+ smp gpas post their results?

 

[femmegoblue]

I doubt anyone is going to post a 3.0 GPA in what they know to be their final, do or die chance for medical school. Lots of people in my SMP are under 3.5.

 

[candbgirl]

If you read some of the threads on here, people will say they have a 3.3 in a SMP and can't understand why they haven't been interviewed etc.. The thing with SMPs is if you don't get a 3.6+ it won't help you.


Sent from my iPad using SDN mobile app

 

[flyingjoshua05]

.

 

[Birdman15]

In my SMP, GPA wasn't as important as 'beating the M1 average.' Medical students are smart, and I think a non-negligible portion of my class, including myself, is finding it quite difficult to keep up. As mentioned above, these students are less likely to be posting on SDN. Even the most 'reputable' SMPs report that 20-30% of each class never gets into med school.

 

[ChrisMack390]

Some of these are curved such that only the top percentiles correspond to high GPAs. In these cases there must be plenty of poor GPAs by design.

 

[starspells]

And that is likely based on students who complete the programs and not those who drop out before completion

Programs should list the "success" rate of how many people who matriculate into an SMP successfully get accepted into medical school

Cincinnati does.

 

[Med Ed]

these programs seem really difficult with the amount of upper level science classes, but it seems that everyone gets a pretty high gpa, even if their uGpa was pretty low (based off of this site which is probably not a good sample)
Is this because acceptance is selective and only those who would do well get accepted? Is it supposed to be "easy" to do well? Do only people who have 3.5+ smp gpas post their results?

SMPs come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors. And yes, some people do not perform well in them.

 

[starspells]

SMPs come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors. And yes, some people do not perform well in them.

Are there some that are more respected than others by adcom members? It seems like a lot of medical schools have a "masters in biomedical sciences" program that is "intended to help one gain admission to medical school" but I am wondering if they are all seen in the same light as some of the older programs like Georgetown, Tufts, BU, etc.

 

[ChrisMack390]

Are there some that are more respected by others by adcom members? It seems like a lot of medical schools have a "masters in biomedical sciences" program that is "intended to help one gain admission to medical school" but I am wondering if they are all seen in the same light as some of the older programs like Georgetown, Tufts, BU, etc.

The best one's are probably those that guarantee an interview at a particular school if you do well enough in them.

 

[femmegoblue]

The best one's are probably those that guarantee an interview at a particular school if you do well enough in them.

Which are becoming few and far between!

 

[Goro]

About 20-25% of our SMP students do poorly enough to not only get rejected from our school, they aren't even offered an interview. So yes, people can and do poorly in SMPs.

Do assume that just because one enters an SMP, that they lose the bad habits that clobbered them in UG schools. This can include poor coping skills, poor time mgt, poor work ethic, and poor choice making, for example, trying to study for the MCAT while taking our coursework at the same time. It works at the UG level, but not in an SMP.

We also admits students who have OK GPAs but poor (to us, a 24-25 is poor) MCATs. They use the SMP as a back door into our school.

And no, we're not selective. Our floor for entry is a 2.75 GPA and either no MCAT or a ~18. The latter was a recent change and those students are showing it. Next year our MCAT floor will be a lot higher.

It is NOT supposed to be easy to do well in an SMP...it's an audition for med school! You're taking med school classes.

these programs seem really difficult with the amount of upper level science classes, but it seems that everyone gets a pretty high gpa, even if their uGpa was pretty low (based off of this site which is probably not a good sample)
Is this because acceptance is selective and only those who would do well get accepted? Is it supposed to be "easy" to do well? Do only people who have 3.5+ smp gpas post their results?

 

[Med Ed]

Are there some that are more respected than others by adcom members?

Absolutely. The best ones put their SMP students in actual medical school classes, or parallel tracks that teach at the same level and have the same demands. Someone with spotty undergrad record who proves their mettle in medical school-grade classes goes from a risky bet to a safe bet.

 

[Med Ed]

The best one's are probably those that guarantee an interview at a particular school if you do well enough in them.

There are some strong SMPs that place zero students in the home institution. Reason being if the SMP students were that great in the first place, they wouldn't need a SMP!

 

[Goro]

Seen one, seen 'em all.

Are there some that are more respected than others by adcom members? It seems like a lot of medical schools have a "masters in biomedical sciences" program that is "intended to help one gain admission to medical school" but I am wondering if they are all seen in the same light as some of the older programs like Georgetown, Tufts, BU, etc.

 

[Lawpy]

these programs seem really difficult with the amount of upper level science classes, but it seems that everyone gets a pretty high gpa, even if their uGpa was pretty low (based off of this site which is probably not a good sample)
Is this because acceptance is selective and only those who would do well get accepted? Is it supposed to be "easy" to do well? Do only people who have 3.5+ smp gpas post their results?

I'm willing to bet that someone with a 3.9+/520+ can decisively demolish an SMP. Of course, there isn't any reason for such an applicant to do an SMP (why waste time, money and effort?)

SMP isn't easy. Those who have no choice (i.e. bad GPA, ok MCAT for US MD) have to do better majority of MS1s (matriculant median: 3.7/31/~510) to do well in an SMP. That is difficult, and doing well in an SMP at a reputed place (Georgetown, BU etc) is even more so.

 

[Sardinia]

Osteopathic Medical College Information Book directly tells you DO programs that offers an SMP and direct linkage opportunities. VCOM SMP was very upfront and had a pdf file showing holistic matriculation numbers when it came to students transitioning into either their medical or other DO schools. In addition they presented the students who weren't able to make the transition in a pretty accurate light.