Entering Into an SMP With a High MCAT Score

[ManimalJax]

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If I enrolled into an SMP program with a high MCAT score (33+) and all I need is a GPA boost, do you know if I am still required to take the MCAT again upon completion of the program? I have been researching SMPs as of late and most of them seem to have an MCAT course as part of their curriculum.

 

[Lokhtar]

No, unless your scores become more than 3 years old. Though I don't know what SMPs you've been searching since most of them are for people who've already taken the MCAT. You might be thinking of record-enchancing post-bacs.

 

[ManimalJax]

I am considering mostly SMP programs in Philadelphia, where I live. I did my undergraduate work at Temple University. I started out with a few pre-med courses and got really bad grades. I then switched over to political science and history and did really well in those majors. For a good while, I wanted to get a Master's and then a Ph.D in political science or go to law school. However, after graduating from Temple, I rediscovered an interest in medicine and completed Drexel's evening post-bac program (the one where you take the four basic pre-med pre-requisites). I did pretty well in the program and ended with a 3.56 GPA.

Unfortunately, those pre-med courses that I took at Temple a million years ago bring my BCPM GPA down into the gutter. So, I am looking to enroll into an SMP program by fall of next year. I plan on taking the MCAT before enrolling into whichever program would accept me.

Now, I have been looking at mostly Philadelphia SMPs. What I want to know is on what basis does a school make their decision to accept an SMP student. For example, a school like U. Penn...what would make me more competitive to get into their Special Science program?

 

[Lokhtar]

OK, you are confusing SMP and post-bacs. SMP are graduate courses where you take some courses with medical students. UPENN does not have a SMP program.

You are just looking for an academic enhancer program, like the Penn SS. I think with the MCAT already in the bag, you should be pretty good to go at most of these.

 

[hung]

Temple has a new smp that has a conditional admission to their med school. check it out.

 

[ManimalJax]

Is there a minimum MCAT score that is required to get into the UPenn SS program?