Grades in a SMP

[cammy1313]

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For the SMP? That's nonsense.

All you need is to finish the program. School's recognize how difficult the program is. Getting B's is just fine. (although you should at least pull some As in the grad courses.) I finished with something like a 3.3 last year and have had little trouble getting into several MD schools so far this year.

Congratulations, that's great!

But, just to be fair to those seeking info, BU's post-bac specifically indicated a 3.5 was necessary for acceptance to their med school. And, as I've explained in other threads, your undergrad GPA and MCAT may get you into a med program without much consideration to your post-bac GPA. So if you're a borderline applicant maybe having simply done the post-bac is enough to sway adcoms in the right direction. The large chunk of change you have to fork over for it alone shows true dedication. So, dbpatto, maybe if you could indicate what your other stats were it might be more helpful?

 

[dbpatto]

Gettin a 4.0 in it will require your life and then some. Doing "well" will require many weekends in studying. Doing "ok" means going to class and cramming the few days before the exam. Its not easy.

Your grades are good enough. Improve your MCAT first before you consider the SMP.

Keep in mind that the difference between 4.0 and doing "well" is marginal. You can kill yourself, beating the Med School mean in a class, only to fall a point below the High Pass range and come away with a flat "B" instead of an "A-" or an "A." It can be quite painful.

Many of the kids I know that got in last year barely scraped by the required 3.0 mark... and right now they're first-years in MD programs.

Keep in mind that nearly half of SMP students do not get in the year they do the program. Everyone enters with thoughts of glory, but be realistic. Just get through the program and things will work out for you one way or another.

I disagree about retaking the MCAT before the SMP. If anything do it after!
I improved from a 28 to a 32 when I retook the MCAT the August after the program ended. It was a breeze - I only studied for a few weeks prior to the test. Other ex-Physios made similar improvements.

 

[dbpatto]

Congratulations, that's great!

But, just to be fair to those seeking info, BU's post-bac specifically indicated a 3.5 was necessary for acceptance to their med school. And, as I've explained in other threads, your undergrad GPA and MCAT may get you into a med program without much consideration to your post-bac GPA. So if you're a borderline applicant maybe having simply done the post-bac is enough to sway adcoms in the right direction. The large chunk of change you have to fork over for it alone shows true dedication. So, dbpatto, maybe if you could indicate what your other stats were it might be more helpful?

Surely.

Keep in mind - I am the average SMP student with these stats. The program is intended for people in this relative position.

Emory Grad - 3.3 GPA overal - science was probably about 3.1-3.2 range.
MCAT was 28 -9V 9P 10B- in August 2002

I worked pretty hard in the SMP - 3.3 GPA I think. Had 4 interviews throughout the year. NYMC, NJMS, RWJ, Drexel.

Got waitlisted, didn't workout.

Retook the MCAT August 2004 and improved to 32 -11V 10P 11B -

Listen, I'm sure the program at BU is great. I just suspect that the SMP grading system is a different than BUs. Although you need a 3.0 to graduate, you can do very well in the SMP and still come away with below a 3.5 - I don't really don't know of many people who came away with above a 3.5 in the SMP. Of course there are always a few outliers who manage to get somewhere up there in the ridiculous GPA range... but very often they are kids who probably didn't need to do the program in the first place. I don't think I'd be out of line in suggesting that the vast majority of people who come through the Georgetown probably finish with GPAs easily below a 3.5
There's no point in scaring these kids into killing themselves at these programs. Go in with the intent of doing well, and you guys will do fine - be relaxed and confident, not blindly ambitious.

 

[medstylee]

Surely.

Keep in mind - I am the average SMP student with these stats. The program is intended for people in this relative position.

Emory Grad - 3.3 GPA overal - science was probably about 3.1-3.2 range.
MCAT was 28 -9V 9P 10B- in August 2002

I worked pretty hard in the SMP - 3.3 GPA I think. Had 4 interviews throughout the year. NYMC, NJMS, RWJ, Drexel.

Got waitlisted, didn't workout.

Retook the MCAT August 2004 and improved to 32 -11V 10P 11B -

Listen, I'm sure the program at BU is great. I just suspect that the SMP grading system is a different than BUs. Although you need a 3.0 to graduate, you can do very well in the SMP and still come away with below a 3.5 - I don't really don't know of many people who came away with above a 3.5 in the SMP. Of course there are always a few outliers who manage to get somewhere up there in the ridiculous GPA range... but very often they are kids who probably didn't need to do the program in the first place. I don't think I'd be out of line in suggesting that the vast majority of people who come through the Georgetown probably finish with GPAs easily below a 3.5
There's no point in scaring these kids into killing themselves at these programs. Go in with the intent of doing well, and you guys will do fine - be relaxed and confident, not blindly ambitious.

Thanks for your advice and input, dbpatto. If you don't mind, I was wondering what kind of GPA you came out of the first semester of SMP with? Thanks again.

 

[Fusion]

Surely.

Keep in mind - I am the average SMP student with these stats. The program is intended for people in this relative position.

Emory Grad - 3.3 GPA overal - science was probably about 3.1-3.2 range.
MCAT was 28 -9V 9P 10B- in August 2002

I worked pretty hard in the SMP - 3.3 GPA I think. Had 4 interviews throughout the year. NYMC, NJMS, RWJ, Drexel.

Got waitlisted, didn't workout.

Retook the MCAT August 2004 and improved to 32 -11V 10P 11B -

Listen, I'm sure the program at BU is great. I just suspect that the SMP grading system is a different than BUs. Although you need a 3.0 to graduate, you can do very well in the SMP and still come away with below a 3.5 - I don't really don't know of many people who came away with above a 3.5 in the SMP. Of course there are always a few outliers who manage to get somewhere up there in the ridiculous GPA range... but very often they are kids who probably didn't need to do the program in the first place. I don't think I'd be out of line in suggesting that the vast majority of people who come through the Georgetown probably finish with GPAs easily below a 3.5
There's no point in scaring these kids into killing themselves at these programs. Go in with the intent of doing well, and you guys will do fine - be relaxed and confident, not blindly ambitious.

dbpatto -

When you applied before as an August MCAT'er, when did you receive your interviews? Just wondering b/c I finished the BU Medical Sciences program w/ a similar graduate GPA as yours in May 2004 and retook the MCAT in Aug 2004 as well (scored a 30). So far, I've only had one interview (state school), a handful of pre-interview rejections, and am waiting to hear back from 20 schools. Any insight would be much appreciated!

 

[cammy1313]

Thanks for that info dbpatto, I'm sure it'll help a lot of post-bac'ers out there!

 

[dbpatto]

Umm, I think my GPA the first semester was something like a 3.4... I somehow managed to get a B+ in CMP... I was one of the few who actually didn't get an A. It was probably my angriest moment at Georgetown, heheh. (Pretty much everyone gets an A in the CMP course.. it's worth 4 credits and is essentially an easy grad course intended to boost our GPA.) I got B in Embryo (I was 1% away from a High Pass too... Grr.) B in Histo.. had an A in Immuno, and an A in Pathways... hrmm. I might be missing a class. Don't remember.

The only interview I was offered before Christmas was NJMS. I had that one in January. All the rest were offered in January or February and I had the actual interviews in March. (very late, and probably part of the reason I was so readily waitlisted at the institutions.)

If anyone wants anymore advice about the Georgetown SMP please feel free to PM me. I'd be happy to help with anything.
Best of luck.

 

[exmike]

Umm, I think my GPA the first semester was something like a 3.4... I somehow managed to get a B+ in CMP... I was one of the few who actually didn't get an A. It was probably my angriest moment at Georgetown, heheh. (Pretty much everyone gets an A in the CMP course.. it's worth 4 credits and is essentially an easy grad course intended to boost our GPA.) I got B in Embryo (I was 1% away from a High Pass too... Grr.) B in Histo.. had an A in Immuno, and an A in Pathways... hrmm. I might be missing a class. Don't remember.

The only interview I was offered before Christmas was NJMS. I had that one in January. All the rest were offered in January or February and I had the actual interviews in March. (very late, and probably part of the reason I was so readily waitlisted at the institutions.)

If anyone wants anymore advice about the Georgetown SMP please feel free to PM me. I'd be happy to help with anything.
Best of luck.

In the SMP if you get an A in Physiology and Neuroanatomy, you're golden

 

[dbpatto]

In the SMP if you get an A in Physiology and Neuroanatomy, you're golden

Yeah, if you're shooting for G'town, that is something I'll definately agree with.

Heheh, although I think most everyone kinda runs out of steam around the end of Physiology (middle of march?) before Neuro starts... either cause they've been accepted somewhere and just don't care anymore, or because they're just plain burned out. 🙂

I'm thoroughly impressed with those few kids who chugged on full pace through the end of Neuro and got an A in it. (I think it was like 5 people or so, and I'm pretty sure they all got an acceptance from Georgetown.)

 

[MD Rapper]

x

 

[dynx]

Yeah, if you're shooting for G'town, that is something I'll definately agree with.

Heheh, although I think most everyone kinda runs out of steam around the end of Physiology (middle of march?) before Neuro starts... either cause they've been accepted somewhere and just don't care anymore, or because they're just plain burned out. 🙂

I'm thoroughly impressed with those few kids who chugged on full pace through the end of Neuro and got an A in it. (I think it was like 5 people or so, and I'm pretty sure they all got an acceptance from Georgetown.)

Here's a third in agreement. And furthermore if you really put effort into these classes your first year of medical school will be a BREEEEEZE. The neuro course is as indepth as you will get in any first year course if not better and physio is physio.
As far as the other posters go, I would say if you aim for a 3.5 you should be fine...you want to land somewhere around there and you WILL have to work very hard but its not killing yourself by any means. If you apply to CA LEAVE THE SMP OFF YOUR APPs to those schools (and ONLY those schools) this is something they don't hint at till you get there, most CA schools will auto reject you wanting to wait to see your grades for the full year...no use shooting yourself in the foot if you have even a snowballs chance in hell...Good luck all you future Physios...Oh and hit the toooooooooombs.

 

[MD Rapper]

x

 

[monu1234]

Hey, I'm currently filling out apps for masters program at BU, Drexel (should I do the 1 year or 2 year program, i'm leaning towards the 2 year becuase that way it'll be a more gradual transition BUT IT WILL COST MORE) and umdnj. does anyone have any advice as far as the admissions process regarding filling out, writing a personal statement, letters of rec and extra curic... should i mention that i played a varsity sport in college and that contributed to my low gpa my first 3 semesters?

 

[Singing Devil]

Hey, I'm currently filling out apps for masters program at BU, Drexel (should I do the 1 year or 2 year program, i'm leaning towards the 2 year becuase that way it'll be a more gradual transition BUT IT WILL COST MORE) and umdnj. does anyone have any advice as far as the admissions process regarding filling out, writing a personal statement, letters of rec and extra curic... should i mention that i played a varsity sport in college and that contributed to my low gpa my first 3 semesters?

The two year program at BU sets you up better for applying to medical schools than the one-year, which pretty much ends up being a shotgun for BU. Plus, you can do a research thesis, which is almost impossible in the one-year plan (you end up doing a library thesis instead, which is the equivalent of a long term paper).

As far as application issues--be honest and contrite, but confident in your ability. That's the best policy when trying to explain a bad academic history.

 

[jackbnimble]

i think (and hope!) that this thread's notion, that getting A's in SMP will make or break you, is blown a little bit out of proportion. i've spoken to some formers smp-ers who are now at georgetown med and they hadn't gotten A's in all their classes. at georgetown, allegedly 60% of the students are accepted to medical school that same year. it's impossible that they all have over 3.5. i mean, only 10% of the class gets an A in each course.

for those of you who did georgetown smp in the past, when did you start hearing about interviews? i'm on hold at a bunch and, other than that, i haven't heard from a ton of schools at all. does most of the news come after the first semester grades are released?

thanks again.

I think that 60% includes some that apply to DO school. A couple of the graduate school courses are fairly easy and help get a B+ in med school courses up to a 3.5 overall.

jackb

 

[medstylee]

for those of you who did the georgetown smp last year or in previous years, do you remember approximately when your grades from fall semester were finalized or posted online? most of our grades are still not posted. it seems kind of ridiculous to be this late - these classes were finished weeks or even months ago. how long can medical schools really keep waiting for these grades? a little scary. anyway, lemme know if you remember. thanks. happy new year.

 

[exmike]

for those of you who did the georgetown smp last year or in previous years, do you remember approximately when your grades from fall semester were finalized or posted online? most of our grades are still not posted. it seems kind of ridiculous to be this late - these classes were finished weeks or even months ago. how long can medical schools really keep waiting for these grades? a little scary. anyway, lemme know if you remember. thanks. happy new year.

i think they were read mid january. thats when i sent them out - to no avail.