help- chances- 3.3 and 3.1 science GPA.

[Bruindoc2be]

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Hi everyone. Any and all advice would be appreciated. I am somewhat confused on what my next steps in my path to medicine should be. I’m really considering an SMP.

Some background info on me:
My first two years were at my local community college and then I transferred to UCLA. Just finished up this past summer.

GPA.
Overall GPA is 3.35 and a 3.1 Science GPA. Honestly, that’s been about my GPA throughout college in general. I have a slightly upward trend in my last year but nothing drastic. I’m just saying its NOT like a 4.0 at CC and then just barely getting by at LA, its pretty average throughout. Mostly B’s, some A’s, but those C’s from time to time just kill.

EC’s
-Worked 15hrs+ during CC years.
-Tutoring/ Mentoring inner city kids for two years. Became the programs Tutoring director my last year at LA.
-Board member of on-campus cultural group my last year.
-Two years at a community clinic but on/off.
- Last 8 months at LA I did research on cancer and depression- received a fellowship and I was heavily involved.

MCAT:
Studying for the Jan’ 08 exam. I got a 26 on my first AAMC practice test (9P, 9V, 8B) about two weeks ago.
I’m very stressed out but I’m going to try to put in 8-10 hrs a day to try to get my score up there, but I’m still a little worried that I’m going to end up postponing it.

Questions/ Concerns-
I’m hoping to get into a med school through an SMP… what are my chances? What if I choke on the test , is there still hope?
If I delay my MCAT until April, do I still have a chance for Fall 08 SMP’s with my stats?
If I do well in an SMP, do you think I’ll get in to a US school by Fall 09?

I’m really hoping for Georgetown Fall 08.

Well, I should get back to MCAT studying.

Thanks.

 

[Perrotfish]

I'm hoping to get into a med school through an SMP… what are my chances? What if I choke on the test , is there still hope?
If I delay my MCAT until April, do I still have a chance for Fall 08 SMP's with my stats?
If I do well in an SMP, do you think I'll get in to a US school by Fall 09?

I'm really hoping for Georgetown Fall 08.

Well, I should get back to MCAT studying.

Chances depends on the test. If you choke on the test then you're taking the test again, unless you want to go to a program like VCU certificate with fairly low admissions standards. Look up the admissions deadlines for the various SMPs to know when you need to do your MCAT by. I believe only Georgetown and Drexel have rolling admissions, so for all other schools you can get your stuff in the day before the deadline and you're fine. You'll be eligible for med school in fall 09 if you do a high linkage program. Otherwise there's going to be a lag year, so you'll be working for a year and waiting for admissions to the class starting Fall of 2010. If you do well in an SMP and do well on the MCAT you should have no problem getting in.

Good luck

 

[caseofthemndays]

You have about average stats for people getting into SMP's. Mind you, some SMP's are geared toward people who didn't do so hot in college. And some even prepare for the MCAT. Drexel's MSP (medical science prep) comes to mind.

 

[Perrotfish]

I’m hoping to get into a med school through an SMP… what are my chances?

Depends on your MCAT

What if I choke on the test , is there still hope?

Only to Drexel MSP. Otherwise not without retaking the MCAT, no

If I delay my MCAT until April, do I still have a chance for Fall 08 SMP’s with my stats?

Georgetown and Drexel have rolling admissions, so if you put off your test you might hurt your chances. All other SMP programs that I know of evaluate everyone all at once, so if you can get the April test results by their deadline you'll be fine

If I do well in an SMP, do you think I’ll get in to a US school by Fall 09?

Generally only at a high linkage SMP. These SMPs accept the majority of their applicants into their medical school the next semester. If you didn't get into one of these and to somewhere like Georgetown or Drexel you would probably end up having a year off, since other schools are probably going to want to wait for your SMP stats before interviewing you.

I’m really hoping for Georgetown Fall 08.

Any particular resaon you've singled out this SMP?


Good luck with the MCATs. Don't take them if you're not scoring 30+ on the practice tests

 

[Lokhtar]

With a 3.35, it might be better to spend a year or two taking a full load of classes and see if you can improve the GPA to above a 3.5. That way, and if you spend some of that time studying for the MCAT, you might get in without a SMP.

SMPs are very dangerous last resorts. Don't do them if your GPA is salvageable.