Georgetown SMP, Class of 2010

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
gujuDoc - Thanks! Yeah, it looks like i'll be attending Cincy next fall.

easyrock & others - Even to this day my MCAT score still says 'not received,' yet I was accepted about a month ago. I think the most important thing is the status of the whole application. If it says "complete" somewhere near the top, you're all good.
 
I wonder when waitlist movement for this program will begin.

the deposits need to be in by April 15th, so I guess after that they'll figure out who gave a deposit to hold their spot and who isnt coming - then start accepting more people.
 
easyrock & others - Even to this day my MCAT score still says 'not received,' yet I was accepted about a month ago. I think the most important thing is the status of the whole application. If it says "complete" somewhere near the top, you're all good.

I'm still waiting to see that incomplete drop the "in" unfortunately.

Congratulations on the acceptance! 👍
 
so whats the deal - is there no facebook group dedicated to our SMP class?
 
Email them. That's what I did. Cuz they had mine as incomplete forever cuz they couldn't figure something pretty simple out. It was kinda dumb
It hasn't been long enough for me to warrant an inquiry. I'm only approaching the 3 week mark.

Yeah, I read about your experience. It's bothersome that something like that can happen. Hopefully we'll both be hearing some good news soon!
 
so whats the deal - is there no facebook group dedicated to our SMP class?

Why don't you jump on it and start one? 😀

I would... except there's the minor hinderance of actually not being in the program yet, haha
 
Hey fellow bostonians,
Is anyone living in Boston right now but going to DC next fall for the SMP???

If so give me shout. It would be nice to meet some of you before we head down south!

ciao
 
I'm not sure there's really much anyone can do now, since craigslist isn't going to have postings yet about anything over the summer.


So while this is pretty much true, I have been hunting craigslist like a madwoman and I found one or two places that are posted for June/July. I figure if I meet these folks and explain the situation, mayhaps I can persuade them?

One can hope!
 
So while this is pretty much true, I have been hunting craigslist like a madwoman and I found one or two places that are posted for June/July. I figure if I meet these folks and explain the situation, mayhaps I can persuade them?

One can hope!

good find! good luck! keep us updated! 👍
 
So while this is pretty much true, I have been hunting craigslist like a madwoman and I found one or two places that are posted for June/July. I figure if I meet these folks and explain the situation, mayhaps I can persuade them?

One can hope!

whosinthebunker and i are trying to get people together to might be interested in sharing a house. as previously mentioned, she has found several possibilities. we thought we'd figure out who to live with first and then where.

so if anyone is interested, we are looking for potential roommates. we are looking for someone (boy or girl) who is fairly-neat, drama-free, and hopefully easy to get along with. PM me if interested!!
 
Does Gtown send a confirmation e-mails saying that you are complete, because I have been complete since the 24, and I didn't know if I should expect a "Applicant will go under review" e-mail
 
i just got the email putting me on the hold list. i suppose i'm better off than a straight rejection 🙂

Out of curiosity, what were your dates? I'm under review, just wondering when I can expect to hear...
 
I'm sort of panicking right now, because I've tried calling Georgetown but the coordinator never answers her phone. Im a bit confused with the supplemental information section and how to attach my AMCAS application.

I was following the instructions on the website when I came across some parts that confused me, namely:

1) Going by Option A to fill out the supplemental app: Upload a copy of your most recent AMCAS application in the Special Master's section of the on-line application. In the Personal Statement section of the Graduate School application, upload a document that reads, "see AMCAS statement". DO NOT mail a hard copy of the AMCAS. You may type, "see AMCAS" in the Academic Awards, Honors, Scholarships, Work Experience and Publication sections of the on-line application if they are covered in your AMCAS."

Reading these directions, I know I need to attach my AMCAS application. Would uploading a pdf of my AMCAS application onto the Georgetown application system suffice? Furthermore, do I have to actually SUBMIT my AMCAS application to AMCAS in order to apply for the Georgetown SMP application? Or is simpmly have a completed BUT unsubmitted AMCAS application suffice. I ask this because if I am required to submit an AMCAS application through the AMCAS system as well, I need to provide supporting documents to them as well.

Thanks a lot guys, I really appreciate the help, this is the only thing keeping me from submittting and time is really ticking.
 
I'm sort of panicking right now, because I've tried calling Georgetown but the coordinator never answers her phone. Im a bit confused with the supplemental information section and how to attach my AMCAS application.

I was following the instructions on the website when I came across some parts that confused me, namely:

1) Going by Option A to fill out the supplemental app: Upload a copy of your most recent AMCAS application in the Special Master's section of the on-line application. In the Personal Statement section of the Graduate School application, upload a document that reads, "see AMCAS statement". DO NOT mail a hard copy of the AMCAS. You may type, "see AMCAS" in the Academic Awards, Honors, Scholarships, Work Experience and Publication sections of the on-line application if they are covered in your AMCAS."

Reading these directions, I know I need to attach my AMCAS application. Would uploading a pdf of my AMCAS application onto the Georgetown application system suffice? Furthermore, do I have to actually SUBMIT my AMCAS application to AMCAS in order to apply for the Georgetown SMP application? Or is simpmly have a completed BUT unsubmitted AMCAS application suffice. I ask this because if I am required to submit an AMCAS application through the AMCAS system as well, I need to provide supporting documents to them as well.

Thanks a lot guys, I really appreciate the help, this is the only thing keeping me from submittting and time is really ticking.

Relax, you're fine as far as timing is concerned. The purpose of providing your AMCAS is to supply your information in a format that is convenient for you and them as well. If you look through the online application system, several items called for are asked on your AMCAS as well. So yes, attaching your AMCAS as is will suffice. Just be sure that all relevant information is provided and have your transcript hard copies sent in.

Best of luck!
 
alright i changed my mind - living alone is ridiculously expensive. Anyone moving down in May or June and interested in a roommate, PM me. Me: 23 yr old male, non smoker, i've got a dog =D. male or female is cool with me
 
alright i changed my mind - living alone is ridiculously expensive. Anyone moving down in May or June and interested in a roommate, PM me. Me: 23 yr old male, non smoker, i've got a dog =D. male or female is cool with me
Hey I got a bunch of questions. What is a cheap price for a studio apt if you live alone or for a 2bedrm apartment if you live with a roommate(having 1 room each and a living room), assuming you want to live near the campus? I know there is a rollerblading/cycling trail near the campus and I'd like to live somewhere down there and I want it cheap! Also I am not looking for a roommate right now because I only have an unofficial acceptance to smp and would have to fill out a bunch of stuff and i would only come to washington in August.
 
I'm sort of panicking right now, because I've tried calling Georgetown but the coordinator never answers her phone. Im a bit confused with the supplemental information section and how to attach my AMCAS application.

I was following the instructions on the website when I came across some parts that confused me, namely:

1) Going by Option A to fill out the supplemental app: Upload a copy of your most recent AMCAS application in the Special Master's section of the on-line application. In the Personal Statement section of the Graduate School application, upload a document that reads, "see AMCAS statement". DO NOT mail a hard copy of the AMCAS. You may type, "see AMCAS" in the Academic Awards, Honors, Scholarships, Work Experience and Publication sections of the on-line application if they are covered in your AMCAS."

Reading these directions, I know I need to attach my AMCAS application. Would uploading a pdf of my AMCAS application onto the Georgetown application system suffice? Furthermore, do I have to actually SUBMIT my AMCAS application to AMCAS in order to apply for the Georgetown SMP application? Or is simpmly have a completed BUT unsubmitted AMCAS application suffice. I ask this because if I am required to submit an AMCAS application through the AMCAS system as well, I need to provide supporting documents to them as well.

Thanks a lot guys, I really appreciate the help, this is the only thing keeping me from submittting and time is really ticking.

I don't think you have to submit it to Amcas. I take it you filled out your Amcas in 2008 but you never submitted it? Then if you download the file as Amcaspdf.cfm it will look the same as submitted except that your gpa is not calculated. That's fine because you are sending your official transcript to the smp anyway. Just make sure that everything in your Amcas form is filled out. I think this option is designed to make the application process easier. They should label this part complete automatically. You can also send LORs using interfolio, that's what I did and it took 2weeks to verify. I would check to make sure they get your LORs in 2weeks or else resend them.
 
Hey fellow bostonians,
Is anyone living in Boston right now but going to DC next fall for the SMP???

If so give me shout. It would be nice to meet some of you before we head down south!

ciao
I live in one of the NYC boroughs.
 
Hey I got a bunch of questions. What is a cheap price for a studio apt if you live alone or for a 2bedrm apartment if you live with a roommate(having 1 room each and a living room), assuming you want to live near the campus? I know there is a rollerblading/cycling trail near the campus and I'd like to live somewhere down there and I want it cheap! Also I am not looking for a roommate right now because I only have an unofficial acceptance to smp and would have to fill out a bunch of stuff and i would only come to washington in August.


well i'll give you an example of some of the places i've been looking at in Rosslyn (which is right across the key bridge from Georgetown....and right across from the cap. crescent trail although theres also a trail on the rosslyn side too)....a studio/1bdrm is looking like 1200-1300/mo w/o utilities as opposed to a 2 bdrm which might be 1800.

I'll be down in early may and throughout the summer so feel free to ask me any questions about housing or whatever when you start making the move. That goes for everyone who might have questions =D
 
hey i got into the georgetown smp for fall 2009 a few weeks ago and am trying to figure out if it's the right thing for me to be doing.

a little about me...3.44 BCPM/overall/non-science (weird they're all the same i know) & 31P MCAT (11-10-10). i graduated in may 2008 from gwu with a b.s. in biomedical engineering. i used to work 16hrs/week in the gwu emergency department as a physician's scribe for 2 years which is the bulk of my clinical work and also shadowed a physician in his private practice for a month but for the full 40hrs/wk for 4 weeks. i've got some other volunteer/activity stuff too but this is teh bulk of it.

i've applied twice to med schools and only interviewed at mcg/mercer (both in georgia where i'm from). i got waitlisted at mcg for fall 2008 and pretty sure i didn't get in this cycle either based on talking to the deans at both schools. mcg is pretty angry about a D+ i got in my senior design capstone project class (i had to resubmit by 100+ page project paper due issues with mechanical drawings and therefore lost 20 points bc it was then counted "late"). mercer just said my interview went badly but the rest was okay...

any opinions? i am seroiusly pondering doing the smp program but am scared if anything goes wrong i am royally screwed...

also since i went to undergrad in dc if anyone has questions about housing/locations etc i might be able to help out.

thanks for your help!
 
Last edited:
well i'll give you an example of some of the places i've been looking at in Rosslyn (which is right across the key bridge from Georgetown....and right across from the cap. crescent trail although theres also a trail on the rosslyn side too)....a studio/1bdrm is looking like 1200-1300/mo w/o utilities as opposed to a 2 bdrm which might be 1800.

I'll be down in early may and throughout the summer so feel free to ask me any questions about housing or whatever when you start making the move. That goes for everyone who might have questions =D
Thanks!
 
Well see that's the thing. The SMP is a huge, huge, huge risk. But I think if you work harder then you've ever worked and put your whole soul into it and don't worry about getting involved in too many activities you will do fine. Also, apply broadly and not just Ga state and private schools, but include OOS schools that are SMP friendly such as NYMC, Drexel, RFU, SLU, your alma mater GWU, EVMS, and since you'll be attending Gtown add their own school to the list as well. Add Albany, some of the SUNYs. I have seen friends of mine get interviews at SUNY Upstate, Downstate, and Buffalo. Add Wayne state. They love postbacs and look more at your latest stuff. Some would also consider AECOM and MSU to be good schools to add. Add some of the other chicago and midwest schools like Loyola, maybe even UIC, and so forth. Look through the AMCAS to decide which ones you want to add for sure. ButThese are the sorta schools I'd apply to. You will get in somewhere if you do well in this program. You can see the range of where people got into and most of the schools I've listed have been listed on the Gtown SMP alumni list at some point or another.

Also, the SMP is a risk but if you are in your final gambit then it is worth it. And it seems to me that you ARE in your FINAL gambit!!! This is your chance to show them you can do it.


Can anyone shed any light on the ratio of people who have never applied to medical school to those that have already applied and been rejected from medical schools in the program?

I recently got into the program and I think it would really help my cause, but I'm very hesitant to assume the extra debt if I don't absolutely need to. Others have suggested that I apply first and see if I get in before doing an SMP, but I have a feeling that they don't really appreciate the competitiveness of the admissions process.
 
I'm in NYC too! w00t... and awfully sad to leave!

well i guess i might as well join the party...im from NYC too (although i live in michigan now for my jobby)
 
Hey, all,

I'm a Gtown ex-physio, moving out of town around late May/early June. If you're interested in living in a row house 0.45 miles from school (aka 10 min walk, W St and 38th St), let me know.

My roommates are 3 guys (1 in the finished basement), late 20s, really chill and respectful roommates. I think another SMP has lived here before me at some point, so they're familiar with the program. We all kind of do our own thing, hanging out when we happen to converge. In the 6 mos I've lived here, they've only had one gathering, but low-key, not crazy party.

If you want my furniture, I'll leave/sell you whatever you need (bed, desk, chair, extra ikea closet (the room itself has a non-walk-in, but deep one, with built in very sturdy shelving), industrial bookshelf (holds 500lbs)). W/D in basement, decent amount of common space, dishwasher in kitchen. Front and back porch, D2/1 bus nearby, easy street parking. Sorry, no pets. $800/month, ~<$70/month utilities, medium sized room.

PM me if you want photos, my uber-detailed description, or if you have any q's about Gtown SMP in general!

Congrats, people!
 
since april 15 is the deadline for deposits, i can't imagine it would hurt to send one in soon (assuming that, in fact, georgetown is the top choice and if offered, you would attend). then again, i don't know what the website says about LOI's that you hinted at in your post.

I would think your LOI should pretty much just be a letter of continued interest. Tell them why you think you'd be a perfect fit, why you like them specifically, what you want to do with the degree, and what you've been up to. And at the end, say something to the effect of "If offered a position in the special master's program class of 2010, I will accept"

sounds about right to me
 
Last edited:
Financial aid: if i take out staffoed and gradplus loans, how does this process work? Will the banks just give me the cash that I can use towards tuition? And can I use the cash to play in the casino as long as it has not been charged for tution? I heard Georgetown makes you pay 1/2 in August and 1/2 in December?
 
you get a check at the beginning of each semester - lump sum including tuition/living expenses, etc
 
Anybody else with an acceptance having trouble deciding if this is the right move?! Damn, this is a TOUGH decision!
 
not really a tough decision. If i get picked up off of my alternate list - then i lose a $500 deposit. If I don't, then I have a Master's to work on. Pretty easy actually.

I did my time as a lab tech and know that's not what i want to do anymore....so i guess it depends on your circumstances
 
not really a tough decision. If i get picked up off of my alternate list - then i lose a $500 deposit. If I don't, then I have a Master's to work on. Pretty easy actually.

I did my time as a lab tech and know that's not what i want to do anymore....so i guess it depends on your circumstances


Sounds like our circumstances are very similar
 
I have a quick question. I submitted my application on March 3rd, my application was complete on March 30th. I had to call them to see why my MCAT scores were not "complete" even though they were uploaded on March 2nd or why my recommendations were not "complete" even though they were submitted in early March. After that, my status page indicated that everything was complete (March 30th), but I never received an email indicating that my application was complete. Should I have received an email? When can I expect to hear from them about a decision? Also, should I even get an email from them prior to receiving a decision? I'm not sure how long they generally take, and I don't want to seem like I am nagging the admissions office with another call so soon.
 
Hey JPGR, that's pretty much what I went through, I had to call them directly and once I got a hold of the right guy my mcat scores and app status were updated within seconds. Within hours of my app being complete I received an email from Aureller Cabiness stating my application is now complete and that it is going under review. This is what it said exactly:

"Thank you for your interest in the Special Masters Program. Your application is complete and under review. We are currently migrating to a new computer system, please allow at least four weeks for a reply."

So if you haven't received such an email maybe you should try contacting Ms. Cabiness.
 
Anyone want to start talking about finding roommates for the SMP program?

Ideally August 1st would be my move in day. I'm looking for a roommate and a 2BR apartment. I plan on visiting DC in the month of June at the latest.

I am a 23yo male originally from Italy who to college and worked in Boston for a couple of years.

let me know if anyone is interested
 
I got accepted to the Georgetown SMP on March 11th and have yet to receive any sort of letter in the mail other than the email they sent me. Does anyone know anything about the deposit and stuff? The email said it could be up to 4 weeks before getting an official letter in the mail but it's now been over 4 so I wanted to know if anyone else is having this issue.

I tried calling/emailing them including the name of the person in the email but have gotten no replies/answering machines when I called. I think they might have Easter/Spring break and wanted to know if anyone knows what I should do. I don't want to miss the deadline for the deposit (assuming that there is one!).
 
I got accepted to the Georgetown SMP on March 11th and have yet to receive any sort of letter in the mail other than the email they sent me. Does anyone know anything about the deposit and stuff? The email said it could be up to 4 weeks before getting an official letter in the mail but it's now been over 4 so I wanted to know if anyone else is having this issue.

I tried calling/emailing them including the name of the person in the email but have gotten no replies/answering machines when I called. I think they might have Easter/Spring break and wanted to know if anyone knows what I should do. I don't want to miss the deadline for the deposit (assuming that there is one!).

Mine took a bit more than 5 weeks. I think your deadline would def not be April 15 like those of us who got in much earlier. Congrats!
 
I researched the program before applying, and have done more research since getting accepted. Almost everything I've seen has been positive, and it seems like a great opportunity. It's also a risk and a huge investment of time and money. With that in mind, I want to make sure that I have the whole story. Here's a question for some of the current SMP students that have been posting here:

What are some of the negative aspects of the program at Georgetown (apart from the generic risks associated with any SMP) ?

And yes, I might consider moving into your apartment if you answer.
 
I researched the program before applying, and have done more research since getting accepted. Almost everything I've seen has been positive, and it seems like a great opportunity. It's also a risk and a huge investment of time and money. With that in mind, I want to make sure that I have the whole story. Here's a question for some of the current SMP students that have been posting here:

What are some of the negative aspects of the program at Georgetown (apart from the generic risks associated with any SMP) ?

And yes, I might consider moving into your apartment if you answer.

- The facilities are a little old.
- The medical students look down at you, even if not obviously, the feeling is still there.
- It is really stressful, and expensive, and the fact is that 40 to 50% won't get into medical school for that year.
- Did I mention it was expensive?
- THe other fact is that even though everyone comes into the program saying they will get straight A's, only 15% or so in each class end up actually getting A'.s That means that the majority of the class end up with B's and a GPA in the low 3's...
- Some of the BS busywork you have to go through in order for the Graduate school to feel comfortable giving you a Masters.
- The new curriculum is good, except for a research paper aspect in the SDR module where you are graded by peers. Many of my co-students grades were a step or two lower in that class because of unfair grading by peers.

Hmmm, those are the ones that popped into my head right off the bat. If you've read my blog you know that ultimately I am a huge fan of the program. But even great programs have some negatives, and these are the ones I could think of now. Good luck!
 
- The facilities are a little old.
- The medical students look down at you, even if not obviously, the feeling is still there.
- It is really stressful, and expensive, and the fact is that 40 to 50% won't get into medical school for that year.
- Did I mention it was expensive?
- THe other fact is that even though everyone comes into the program saying they will get straight A's, only 15% or so in each class end up actually getting A'.s That means that the majority of the class end up with B's and a GPA in the low 3's...
- Some of the BS busywork you have to go through in order for the Graduate school to feel comfortable giving you a Masters.
- The new curriculum is good, except for a research paper aspect in the SDR module where you are graded by peers. Many of my co-students grades were a step or two lower in that class because of unfair grading by peers.

Hmmm, those are the ones that popped into my head right off the bat. If you've read my blog you know that ultimately I am a huge fan of the program. But even great programs have some negatives, and these are the ones I could think of now. Good luck!


Thanks for your help DrJD. Cost is a big factor for me, but it seems like if you're going to take out the loans for an SMP, Georgetown has the best product out there. To your second point, I'm a little curious about how grades from this program are perceived. What would you consider a "good" GPA coming out of the program? I'm sure that everyone wants a 4.0, but at what point would the program begin to hurt you rather than help you? Just want to get a sense of the risk level associated before I drop my 50 grand.

Thanks again for all of your help.
 
Do you have to interview to get into the SMP? Thanks.
 
Top