I agree! If you have the ability to get into med school/DO without the SMP, obviously DO IT! The SMP isn't a magic bullet that will get you into Harvard or something. But if you can't get into med school with your current stats, please DO give the SMP a chance. I never would have been accepted to medical school before the SMP (had an F and many Cs), but I worked really hard in the program and am going to gusom (had a few other options too).
The other thing I didn't realize before this program is that you have to choose very carefully which med schools to apply for. Some schools don't accept grade updates, and therefore won't care at all if you are in an SMP. Other schools LOVE updates and love the SMP. If you want to go to one of those schools that doesn't like updates, then you have a better chance of getting in there the cycle after the SMP so you can put all your SMP grades on your AMCAS. Be smart about where/when you apply, do well in the SMP, and you will get in!
Bottom line: If you can get in now, do it and forget the SMP! If you can't get in now, work hard in the SMP and you WILL get in (maybe not your SMP year due to the updates thing I mentioned, but very likely next year).
Congrats! I always love a good comeback story. Each SMP I met this year who received a GUSOM admit had fantastic personalities. As I found out who some of the admits were it generated faith in the Adcom's decisions.
I finished the year with GUSOM/ VCU/ EVMS waitlists as a VA resident. I also received several DO admits and without waitlist movement will be attending PCOM in the fall. Given that, I want to share my case and advice to the incoming SMPs:
In retrospect, this program is very enriching and will get you prepared for medical school. The lectures in the medical school are top-notch and despite the volume of biomedical information, there are still lecturers like Dr. M and Dr. Read, who go above and beyond to keep students in touch with the humanity of medicine. Trust me, when you're inspired the information will stick better.
However, the utility of the SMP is best for GPA-repair alone. As I read when I was in your shoes, it's
not a cure-all even though you may be out testing students at GUSOM. If you had a 28 MCAT like I did, regardless of your performance in the program your
LizzyM score may still be an insurmountable obstacle for an admit at a US MD school. For example, I finished with a 3.9 (all A's aside from 3 A-'s). As a point of reference, from what I remember, the average SMP -> GUSOM Class of 2019 matriculant had a 3.74 GPA and 32 MCAT.
I'm grateful for my PCOM LoA, and I'm excited to be now pursuing IM in Military Medicine. However, my advice for others is tailored to your goals:
- For those who have their heart set on GUSOM, recognize that you have one shot to be in the "SMP applicant pool" and you should aim to start with the equivalent of a 30+ MCAT. (There are exceptions, since data presented during orientation last year showed an SMP with a 28 was admitted for the 2019 class.) Although less quantifiable, you also should be genuinely involved on campus and make connections to the best of your ability.
- For those who want to go to any medical school, be humble, apply broadly, and go to the SMP. The training, administrative support, and culture of Cura Personalis is worth it.
- For those who are set on an allopathic school, I'd say it depends on what your postbaccalaureate options are. For example, if your state MD school has a postbaccalaureate linkage program where your LizzyM score can be more competitive (given an average performance in the program), go there.
Recognize I am only speaking from my limited experience, however. Amy Richards also holds all of the data and could give you better guidance.
I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best.
