First off, I'm really sorry it took me so long to do this! I am at USUHS...and the general rule of thumb is...if the government can make something (i.e. medical education) really hard, convoluted, and inefficient, it WILL! They gave us a ton of tests, stupid classes, and mandatory military events
Congratulations to all who made it into SMP! Here is some helpful information put together by people from my class:
http://www.georgetown.edu/users/lnr/physios/survivalguide/introduction.htm
For those of you who are still applying, don't worry! My friend applied really late (I think late July) and still got in and got some loans before school started. They say they want a 3.0 and 27 MCAT but in reality it varies a lot. I know people who failed several pre-med classes (retaken) and still got in. Also, MCAT varies. A lot of people take the MCATs the weekend before classes start...they WANT you to apply during your SMP year to medical school. But I also know people who have taken their MCAT after SMP year (and they probably aced most of it). After the 5+ hour Neuro final, I thought to myself that the MCATs are a joke! For myself...I had 3.43 total GPA (but only 3.0 science - I bombed Chemistry and Biology) and 31 mcat.
A good rule of thumb for anyone thinking about going through SMP is to have most of your application squared away. Letters of Recommendations from undergrad, MCAT, AMCAS, transcripts. That will give you time to focus on studying - because you will be studying for about 11 months straight. But if not, don't worry - sometimes it takes 2 years to get into medical school. They say 50% get in first time and 80% get in second time. Plus, they take 20 students into Georgetown medicine, but let me warn you guys right now: I wanted Georgetown so bad when I started and I was really hurt when they turned me down. Don't get your hopes too high about getting into Gtown. Just focus on getting A's whenever possible. In the bottom line, medical schools only look for the grade in these postbacc courses

Sadly, most schools don't realize that most of our courses are MEDICAL - not graduate.
Here's a breakdown of the courses/texts/hints.
GENERAL HINT: ALWAYS BUY THE NOTESETS AND OLD EXAMS! They cost about 200 bucks at the beginning of the semester, but they are worth it. Sometimes professors don't put all their information in their notes. Notesets are student-run subscription..and they do a good job picking up what the professors forget to put in. Also, course notes are about 25 bucks a pop. So make sure you have cash. Don't be afraid to spend money this year. It will be worth it.
Embryology - is one tough class for anyone who hasn't had development biology. Only one test with 150 questions in 20 lectures. It moves fast and don't be afraid when you get that C. It's tough b/c we don't get gross anatomy - which helps a lot in seeing structures. This class tests your 3-D abilities. Remember, everything is from 3 tissue types - ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm. Remember the timing of each major event. Remember the bad stuff (low surfactant, spina bifidas, teratogens). BOOK: LARSEN's EMBRYOLOGY and the Board Review Series: Embryology
Microbiology/Immunology - is tough for anyone who hasn't had immunology and microbiology (duh!). Immunology, like embryology, is tough in that few undergrad classes prepare you for the detailed interactions you need to know. Notecards. Draw pictures. Chalkboards. 2 tests - 1 on immunolgy; 1 on microbiology. BOOK: HOW THE IMMUNE SYSTEM WORKS (i think that's what it's called)...or any board review book on immunology. don't bother with microbiology review books - they are above what we need to know.
Histology - tests 3-D knowledge and function of tissues. There are no notesets for this class - so force yourself to go to each class to make sure the professors didn't add stuff. I know Dr. Culty's lectures (particularly BONES) left out some stuff. Plus no one can understand what she is saying, so sit up front and have your coffee ready. 2 tests with 2 practical exams. Basically practical exams are 50 seconds per question - a slide will pop up on the projector and you have to identify the cell. BOOK: any review book on histology. also don't bother using that stupid gartner atlas. it sucks and i never used it. find some other atlas. Junqueria book is awesome - but i recommend getting an older 9th edition...it is smaller and has the same stuff as the 10th edition.
CAM - is an elective. Take it. It's fun and relaxing. Complementary and Alternative Medicine. If not, then that's ok, too.
CMP (sherman's class). I love Dr. Sherman, but honestly it's hard to hear him from way up where i usually sit. most people skip his class for various reasons. his notes are a little scattered i thought. basically just pretend you love biochemistry and cell signalling. draw lots of diagrams of reactions and their regulation. Importantly, Sherman does a good job with insulin and blood-glucose levels in response to feeding/fasting/starvation/etc. That material will be covered in medical school countless times again. Cell signalling is also very very ubiquitous throughout medicine...especially in pharmacology. Master them now (you'll probably get an A, too). BOOK - don't bother getting a biochem book unless you like having new biochem books. maybe a review book on biochemistry would help first-timers in biochem. but i used the notesets extensively and drew my own diagrams.
January is when you start getting interviews. Interviews typically last until April. Don't be afraid if your interview is late. Most people from SMP get in off waitlists - that's b/c admissions ppl wait ot see our grades from SMP. Just focus on getting the grade, doing well on interviews (don't get nervous!) and the rest will fall in its place. if you don't get in htis year, just try again
Physiology is done well at Georgetown. It's also the name of your degree! Do well in this course (Unfortunately, I was somewhat apathetic of physiology). Draw pictures. Get the review book. I ended up selling my Boron book b/c I never used it. Guyton sucks b/c it is oversimplified; Boron is the opposite. I think 3 tests. It is also 7 credits!!!
Endocrinology is about a month long. THe first test is like 1 week after the first class! Do well...pretend you like endocrinology. It's actually fun. I don't recommend getting any new books. The notesets do fine.
Neuroscience is a killer. For one, we dont' get gross so we are at a big disadvantage in stuff like spinal cord sections, cranial nerves, etc. That's ok! Just memorize. Also you will be touching human brains, so buy some gloves and get used to the smell! Learn all the pathways. Learn every bump on the surface of the brain. Learn what each cross section of spinal cord level looks like and brain. Brain will be sliced in 3 ways, so learn to use 3-D! Also learn what happens when stuff goes wrong. I recommend the review book for neuro. Don't get the text unless it makes you feel good. Review book + notesets should be fine. Draw pictures!
Biostats is alright. Kind of a lame course. Just buy the HIGH-YIELD review book - it is small and orange. The big one is too complicated. Also, even though you don't want to, go to class. Dr. Chiazze got pissed when only 20 ppl went to calss that he decided to give thsoe 20 people extra credit.
Summer paper - have fun with it. It's honestly not bad and you almost always get an A. You just have to meet with your mentor a couple of times to help you pick a topic and the right sources. Then just read 10+ articles and summarize them.
General Advice on doing well.
Dont' be afraid to spend money if you need to. I was stingy last year and it cost me in several ways (I opted to commute from Fairfax, VA).
Do something to get rid of the stress constructively.
Pretend studying is fun. Do this by drawing pictures with different color pens. Study sheets are in a constant state of flux - sometimes you learn that your sheet didn't work too well - so just modify it.
Study groups may help - but I did everything myself and got a 3.5...I also didnt' get into Georgetown, so that could be a factor. Try to limit group size to 4.
Procrastination/Cramming is acceptible as long as you remember to get your application stuff squared away as soon as possible.
Tests generally last 3 hours. This gives you time to go to the bathroom, stretch, and eat breakfast.
Good luck!
Geoff
PM me if u got more questions...also refer to that LINK I sent above. It is really comprehensive.