Georgetown SMP program - should I bother?

[cadingcading]

Hi all,

Hoping someone could lend me some advice. I have decided to apply to postbacc programs since it has been a LONG time since I have taken my pre-reqs (>10 years). I do have a science background however it is in agriculture. Both my sci and overall GPAs range between 3.7-3.8. When I took the MCAT last year I received a 26. I was looking into Georgetown's programs as it seems that have a post-bacc certificate and the famous SMP program. Because I took all of my pre-reqs, even though they are old, it seems that I am not eligible for the certificate program. The SMP program has a higher MCAT average however. So it seems that I am between a rock and hard place for that program according to what is online.

Has anyone with a low MCAT score gotten into the Georgetown SMP program - assuming it would be re-taken in the future? Also, are there any other programs in the area which might be a better fit? I am open to going anywhere in Washington DC or Baltimore. Thanks!!

 

[MangoPotato]

SMPs are usually for GPA redemption, and your GPA is fine. With a 10 year gap you might want to retake some core classes to refresh but SMP is not really needed.
Study for the MCAT instead

 

[cadingcading]

Thanks MangoPotato!! I've called up a bunch of admissions offices and few say that they will consider an applicant with classes over 10 years old. Basically if I had a higher MCAT score I would be more competitive but I am worried that my low score is indicative of not having a good grasp of all the material. Since I am new to the Washington DC area, is there a good place for someone like me to enroll?

 

[cadingcading]

Another issue is that my undergrad does not do committee letters so I was hoping to find a place where I could re-take the classes and get a committee letter. Georgetown looked perfect for this.

 

[Akech]

I would really really recommend that you do a regular post-bacc instead. SMP's are specifically programs that let you take medical school classes to prove your mettle if your GPA is low for whatever reason. Do a post-bacc course and familiarize yourself with the material, retake the MCAT, and applying would be your best bet. An SMP has the potential to tank your application on its own if you don't do well.

 

[cadingcading]

SMPs are usually for GPA redemption, and your GPA is fine. With a 10 year gap you might want to retake some core classes to refresh but SMP is not really needed.
Study for the MCAT instead

I would really really recommend that you do a regular post-bacc instead. SMP's are specifically programs that let you take medical school classes to prove your mettle if your GPA is low for whatever reason. Do a post-bacc course and familiarize yourself with the material, retake the MCAT, and applying would be your best bet. An SMP has the potential to tank your application on its own if you don't do well.

Thank you!!! You are absolutely right! I also haven't taken biochem yet gah!

 

[ZedsDed]

Hi all,

Hoping someone could lend me some advice. I have decided to apply to postbacc programs since it has been a LONG time since I have taken my pre-reqs (>10 years). I do have a science background however it is in agriculture. Both my sci and overall GPAs range between 3.7-3.8. When I took the MCAT last year I received a 26. I was looking into Georgetown's programs as it seems that have a post-bacc certificate and the famous SMP program. Because I took all of my pre-reqs, even though they are old, it seems that I am not eligible for the certificate program. The SMP program has a higher MCAT average however. So it seems that I am between a rock and hard place for that program according to what is online.

Has anyone with a low MCAT score gotten into the Georgetown SMP program - assuming it would be re-taken in the future? Also, are there any other programs in the area which might be a better fit? I am open to going anywhere in Washington DC or Baltimore. Thanks!!

Doing any sort of postbaccc work is really unnecessary; your GPA is phenomenal. If you want to make yourself a more competitive applicant, you would need to retake the MCAT.

 

[cadingcading]

Doing any sort of postbaccc work is really unnecessary; your GPA is phenomenal. If you want to make yourself a more competitive applicant, you would need to retake the MCAT.

Thank you ZedsDed . With the new MCAT I haven't taken biochem or sociology so I would have to re-take those. I really want the committee letter though. I don't know, I'm undecided....

 

[ZedsDed]

Thank you ZedsDed . With the new MCAT I haven't taken biochem or sociology so I would have to re-take those. I really want the committee letter though. I don't know, I'm undecided....

A committee letter doesn't make you more or less competitive. It's just a matter of convenience for admissions committees. If you haven't taken all of the prereqs for the new MCAT then it might make sense to take a semester to knock those classes out. Really though, your focus should be the MCAT. A postbacc/SMP wouldn't make you any more competitive, and your current score will still be there at the end of said program.