How to choose a Special Masters Program (SMP)

[Premedp53]

So I’m pretty much set on taking an SMP as my gap year post bacc. This is in order to improve my academic record as I will most likely graduate undergrad with around a 3.3 cGPA. Haven’t taken the MCAT so I know I’m jumping the gun on looking for an SMP but time is short and if I need to apply I want to know where is best. I’m happy to go DO if that is of any importance. I just don’t know what to look for when looking at SMP’s. Agreement? Rigor? Location? Which programs are known to be trash/great? Please help! Any other side info about SMPs would also be appreciated!

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[IslandStyle808]

Again SMPs are a last resort. Your GPA is high enough that with a good MCAT score you have a strong chance of getting into a school. I would only recommend an SMP if you cannot get your GPA over 3.0.

If you have not taken the MCAT yet, I highly suggest doing so and seeing how you do. I know more bad stories than good when it comes to SMPs.

 

[virtussis]

Focus on the MCAT first, doing well could make this conversation irrelevant. SMPs are designed to be difficult, and many of those that offer linkage require (roughly) >3.6 GPA in their program to matriculate into the next class. If you have not been performing around this level, then I would highly reconsider taking an SMP. Don't waste thousands of dollars and a full year just to ruin your chances at med school.

With that said, if you are confident in your ability and after some critical reflection have identified your deficiencies in prior learning then an SMP may solidify your chances at matriculating. In choosing my SMP, I focused on DO schools with programs that offer linkage, ranking by personal preference after that.

 

[I'mJustCurious]

If you are at the point where you need to do an SMP; price, one year program, and linkage to an interview is probably something you want to look for when applying.

 

[dial1010usa]

Touro Nevada will get you guaranteed interview if you have >3.25 gpa from MHS program and your MCAT >500.

 

[GypsyHummus]

Echoing what people are saying, an SMP is a last resort. When I say that, I mean you have been shut out 3 cycles with no marginal MCAT increase and are thinking of submitting your application to the Caribbean (Never go Caribbean btw).

I have seen SMPs absolutely wreck otherwise good candidates. We are talking people with 3.4 and 500 MCAT scores who decided on doing an SMP/Post Bacc at an associated DO school because they didnt get in after 1 cycle, and got absolute hammered by the workload. They should have just applied in July instead of in November. These people are now working full time in an unrelated field of study.

Put your full effort to the MCAT and make a 505. You can get some love from DO schools with that score, really with 500+ for some of the newer schools. However, a 500+ mcat doesnt just "Happen", and a 3.3 GPA tells me that you were not the strongest student in undergrad. The new MCAT is for strong students, not just students who did well in the pre-recs, as there is a ton of reading comprehension involved with the test (I learned that the hard way). If for some reason you cant break the 500 threshold, (lets say you get a 497) with a 3.3 GPA I would into podiatry before an SMP.

 

[sab3156]

If you go to an SMP program like at BUSM or similar and do well (and do well on the MCAT), you will have chances at MD schools. However, you really don't need an SMP to get into DO schools with your stats. Just do well on the MCAT and you're set.

 

[Jdp00921]

So I’m pretty much set on taking an SMP as my gap year post bacc. This is in order to improve my academic record as I will most likely graduate undergrad with around a 3.3 cGPA. Haven’t taken the MCAT so I know I’m jumping the gun on looking for an SMP but time is short and if I need to apply I want to know where is best. I’m happy to go DO if that is of any importance. I just don’t know what to look for when looking at SMP’s. Agreement? Rigor? Location? Which programs are known to be trash/great? Please help! Any other side info about SMPs would also be appreciated!

As others have said above, I think your MCAT will determine your future. A SMP really may not be necessary what-so-ever.

If you do end up wanting to take a SMP, I like to think that you should take one at a medical school which you have researched and can see yourself going to. SMPs hold the most weight with the school at which you completed the program and therefore, after completing one, your chances are likely greatest at that same school. Just keep in mind that (this is from personal experience and noted by many others in the posts above) SMPs are very challenging. It essentially mirrors a year of medical school but your grades actually really matter - meaning you cannot start off weak and correct it over the first year - the program is only one year. You need to hit the ground running which can be difficult, otherwise, you run the risk of ruining your chances at medical school rather than increasing them.

I'd probably do this: prepare for the MCAT and do as well as you can. If you rock it, you don't need a SMP. If you don't rock it, or feel you would be more comfortable applying after the SMP, just make sure you are prepared to work your a** off to do well!

Whatever you choose, Good Luck!

 

[soccerlover156]

Do you think a 3.0 cGPA (last 64 credits 3.95gpa) with a 503+ mcat will get me an acceptance into an SMP?

 

[I'mJustCurious]

Do you think a 3.0 cGPA (last 64 credits 3.95gpa) with a 503+ mcat will get me an acceptance into an SMP?

I would say so. I don't want to get your hopes up but I am confident you will land somewhere.

 

[IslandStyle808]

Do you think a 3.0 cGPA (last 64 credits 3.95gpa) with a 503+ mcat will get me an acceptance into an SMP?

Again SMPs are a last resort. Your GPA is high enough that with a good MCAT score you have a strong chance of getting into a school. I would only recommend an SMP if you cannot get your GPA over 3.0.

If you have not taken the MCAT yet, I highly suggest doing so and seeing how you do. I know more bad stories than good when it comes to SMPs.

Even with a 503 you should try for medical school!!!

 

[Magus5454]

Do you think a 3.0 cGPA (last 64 credits 3.95gpa) with a 503+ mcat will get me an acceptance into an SMP?

I would say you're good for DO school with that, your mileage may vary

 

[soccerlover156]

Even with a 503 you should try for medical school!!!

I would say you're good for DO school with that, your mileage may vary

Thank you for the replies, i just feel like i won't make it without an SMP because theirs probably thousands of applicants out there better then me. My EC's are kind of lacking imo, I've been a part of 4 clubs at my undergrad, have no volunteering hours (only in high school) and could probably squeeze in 3 shadowing MD opportunities (about a 100 hours a piece) + rec letters. Currently working on rec letters from science faculty members. Its just been tough trying to rebuild my GPA & now i have to study for MCATs throughout the semester so i think a SMP is beneficial to me. Plus i don't like the idea of being away from school for a year I think it'll slow me down, however i am open to ANY DO school honestly.

Sorry to hijack the thread OP, but i think LECOM's post bacc or LECOM's master's program are pretty nice and have solid reviews. PCOM also seems like a option but i heard its really tough. Thats about all i know as of now

 

[Magus5454]

Thank you for the replies, i just feel like i won't make it without an SMP because theirs probably thousands of applicants out there better then me. My EC's are kind of lacking imo, I've been a part of 4 clubs at my undergrad, have no volunteering hours (only in high school) and could probably squeeze in 3 shadowing MD opportunities (about a 100 hours a piece) + rec letters. Currently working on rec letters from science faculty members. Its just been tough trying to rebuild my GPA & now i have to study for MCATs throughout the semester so i think a SMP is beneficial to me. Plus i don't like the idea of being away from school for a year I think it'll slow me down, however i am open to ANY DO school honestly.

Sorry to hijack the thread OP, but i think LECOM's post bacc or LECOM's master's program are pretty nice and have solid reviews. PCOM also seems like a option but i heard its really tough. Thats about all i know as of now

You've done the hard part with the grade repair. @Goro could likely explain it better than i can.

 

[Goro]

Do you think a 3.0 cGPA (last 64 credits 3.95gpa) with a 503+ mcat will get me an acceptance into an SMP?

I think that this will get you into many DO schools, and maybe your state MD school IF you live in a lucky state like KS, NM, SD etc whose median scores are lower than the national avg.

 

[soccerlover156]

I think that this will get you into many DO schools, and maybe your state MD school IF you live in a lucky state like KS, NM, SD etc whose median scores are lower than the national avg.

Thank you Goro that definitely gave me some reassurance! i guess i'll have to wait and see how the MCATs turn out & according to that ill apply come June. Hopefully before that some SMP out there will accept me and give me a chance to prove myself!

 

[IslandStyle808]

Thank you Goro that definitely gave me some reassurance! i guess i'll have to wait and see how the MCATs turn out & according to that ill apply come June. Hopefully before that some SMP out there will accept me and give me a chance to prove myself!

Do not do an SMP in the mist of applying to medical school! I saw a student do the exact same thing you did and ended up on some waitlist at another DO school because they wanted to see how he would do in the SMP. He would have gotten a straight in considering he had similar stats to yours and was around a 502-503 on his MCAT. The guy barely made it in to the school the SMP was linked to and luckily got off the waitlist from the other school.

You don't need an SMP. The people who do well in SMPs are the same people who would be in the top 25% of their class. The ones that do poorly in SMPs are the same people who would have been in the 2nd-3rd quartile in medical school which is fine!

Don't waist all that money on an SMP. If you do well on the MCAT, it will negate a lot of problems you have went through in the past.

 

[Premedp53]

Thank you for the replies, i just feel like i won't make it without an SMP because theirs probably thousands of applicants out there better then me. My EC's are kind of lacking imo, I've been a part of 4 clubs at my undergrad, have no volunteering hours (only in high school) and could probably squeeze in 3 shadowing MD opportunities (about a 100 hours a piece) + rec letters. Currently working on rec letters from science faculty members. Its just been tough trying to rebuild my GPA & now i have to study for MCATs throughout the semester so i think a SMP is beneficial to me. Plus i don't like the idea of being away from school for a year I think it'll slow me down, however i am open to ANY DO school honestly.

Sorry to hijack the thread OP, but i think LECOM's post bacc or LECOM's master's program are pretty nice and have solid reviews. PCOM also seems like a option but i heard its really tough. Thats about all i know as of now

Lol all good fam, I’m learning from all these posts as well

 

[calivianya]

(...) have no volunteering hours (only in high school)

Just wanted to say this is probably a bigger obstacle than your GPA. Start volunteering now, at least 30 hours per month, and you could have a decent amount before this summer. I agree that you don't need a SMP if you do well enough on the MCAT.

Source: 515 MCAT, 3.55 c/s cumulative/3.85 post bacc who got shut out MD this cycle with thousands of hours of paid clinical experience and 150+ hours clinical volunteering but no community service. I specifically got told in one of my interviews to do some community service "for next year," implying that my interviewer thought I wouldn't get in anywhere without it. Rejected from that school (state school with 506 median MCAT), so he was right about his school, at least.

 

[TheWolfOfMainStreet]

I didn't see your sGPA but if it's somewhat near your cGPA, I would avoid SMP at all costs.

Would focus on killing the MCAT and building out those extracurriculars.

Once you've done that, apply DO, apply day 1, apply broadly.

I did a less than stellar job of following my own advice (applied a little bit later) and I managed to get multiple acceptances.

 

[soccerlover156]

Just wanted to say this is probably a bigger obstacle than your GPA. Start volunteering now, at least 30 hours per month, and you could have a decent amount before this summer. I agree that you don't need a SMP if you do well enough on the MCAT.

Source: 515 MCAT, 3.55 c/s cumulative/3.85 post bacc who got shut out MD this cycle with thousands of hours of paid clinical experience and 150+ hours clinical volunteering but no community service. I specifically got told in one of my interviews to do some community service "for next year," implying that my interviewer thought I wouldn't get in anywhere without it. Rejected from that school (state school with 506 median MCAT), so he was right about his school, at least.

I absolutely agree with you, I'm currently looking for volunteering opportunities at my local hospitals and hope to snatch one soon. Hopefully once i knock the mcat out so i can focus all my attention on my EC's. Thank for the reply and wow those are stellar scores i hope everything worked out for you!

I didn't see your sGPA but if it's somewhat near your cGPA, I would avoid SMP at all costs.

Would focus on killing the MCAT and building out those extracurriculars.

Once you've done that, apply DO, apply day 1, apply broadly.

I did a less than stellar job of following my own advice (applied a little bit later) and I managed to get multiple acceptances.

I believe my sGPA may be on the lower end perhaps 2.9, i was banking on the DO retake policy until it changed last year and this changed my whole trajectory & crushed my hopes so yeah lets see where i am once app's open up.

 

[kus676]

So I’m pretty much set on taking an SMP as my gap year post bacc. This is in order to improve my academic record as I will most likely graduate undergrad with around a 3.3 cGPA. Haven’t taken the MCAT so I know I’m jumping the gun on looking for an SMP but time is short and if I need to apply I want to know where is best. I’m happy to go DO if that is of any importance. I just don’t know what to look for when looking at SMP’s. Agreement? Rigor? Location? Which programs are known to be trash/great? Please help! Any other side info about SMPs would also be appreciated!

I took the Touro-CA smp and was accepted after a gap year. (I needed an MCAT score) Great program with passionate teachers and good amount of research options. You need above a 3.0 to receive the guaranteed interview, but above a 3.5 is recommended for the best chance at acceptance. Curriculum is not easy but its not supposed to be. It will test your ability to handle medical school and if you can do well, you have a good chance of admission into the COM. We had a class of about 60 and I think about 23-25 were accepted into the following year. Then there are others who are applying this cycle; I know 3 so far who have gotten in. Top 5 students after the first semester got early interviews which were pretty much guaranteed acceptances. I also know a few who have taken acceptances at other medical schools. This program will help if you do well, but if you screw up it may end your chances. Proceed with caution.

 

[Robin-jay]

Echoing what people are saying, an SMP is a last resort. When I say that, I mean you have been shut out 3 cycles with no marginal MCAT increase and are thinking of submitting your application to the Caribbean (Never go Caribbean btw).

I have seen SMPs absolutely wreck otherwise good candidates. We are talking people with 3.4 and 500 MCAT scores who decided on doing an SMP/Post Bacc at an associated DO school because they didnt get in after 1 cycle, and got absolute hammered by the workload. They should have just applied in July instead of in November. These people are now working full time in an unrelated field of study.

Put your full effort to the MCAT and make a 505. You can get some love from DO schools with that score, really with 500+ for some of the newer schools. However, a 500+ mcat doesnt just "Happen", and a 3.3 GPA tells me that you were not the strongest student in undergrad. The new MCAT is for strong students, not just students who did well in the pre-recs, as there is a ton of reading comprehension involved with the test (I learned that the hard way). If for some reason you cant break the 500 threshold, (lets say you get a 497) with a 3.3 GPA I would into podiatry before an SMP.

Should it be the last resort after a few cycles?

I had a friend who could never break 493 ish on the MCAT after 3 attempts, and failed his first cycle.

To prove he could handle to workload, he took an SMP and was accepted to a place that averaged 505 ish MCAT. a 493 and a 505 are huge differences.

Seemed like a very fast and efficient path imo. I think a fourth MCAT and 500 MCAT score would have been less meaningful than his SMP program.

Not so sure it should be as much as a "last resort" as people make it out to be. It is high risk and high reward, but then again, maybe DO schools have a less rigorous SMP? I don't know.

 

[GypsyHummus]

I suppose it depends. I know at my SMP, people are getting creamed. They are purposely trying to fail people

What was your friend's GPA? To me, GPA matters more than the MCAT because it shows your study prowess much better. If your friend had a GPA around the 3.6-3.8 in a heavy science major like Chem or Engineering, I would say then yes, going to an SMP might be a good idea. Also, what do the last two years look like?

And an SMP is still a better idea than the Caribbean.

Should it be the last resort after a few cycles?

I had a friend who could never break 493 ish on the MCAT after 3 attempts, and failed his first cycle.

To prove he could handle to workload, he took an SMP and was accepted to a place that averaged 505 ish MCAT. a 493 and a 505 are huge differences.

Seemed like a very fast and efficient path imo. I think a fourth MCAT and 500 MCAT score would have been less meaningful than his SMP program.

Not so sure it should be as much as a "last resort" as people make it out to be. It is high risk and high reward, but then again, maybe DO schools have a less rigorous SMP? I don't know.

 

[Robin-jay]

I suppose it depends. I know at my SMP, people are getting creamed. They are purposely trying to fail people

What was your friend's GPA? To me, GPA matters more than the MCAT because it shows your study prowess much better. If your friend had a GPA around the 3.6-3.8 in a heavy science major like Chem or Engineering, I would say then yes, going to an SMP might be a good idea. Also, what do the last two years look like?

And an SMP is still a better idea than the Caribbean.

He had biology degree with a 3.4-3.6 GPA. His last two years were probably similar to his first two years.

Took The MCAT 3 times for a 493 ish max score.

Went to a DO SMP and was accepted (the place has an average near 505).

What SMP is near you that people are getting creamed in? Is it MD or DO?

 

[deleted446889]

Just wanted to say this is probably a bigger obstacle than your GPA. Start volunteering now, at least 30 hours per month, and you could have a decent amount before this summer. I agree that you don't need a SMP if you do well enough on the MCAT.

Source: 515 MCAT, 3.55 c/s cumulative/3.85 post bacc who got shut out MD this cycle with thousands of hours of paid clinical experience and 150+ hours clinical volunteering but no community service. I specifically got told in one of my interviews to do some community service "for next year," implying that my interviewer thought I wouldn't get in anywhere without it. Rejected from that school (state school with 506 median MCAT), so he was right about his school, at least.

That's pretty insane. Did you apply late? I find it mind-boggling that stats like yours didn't land at least one MD and only one DO acceptance.

 

[Cath Up]

Lol all good fam, I’m learning from all these posts as well

Thank you for the replies, i just feel like i won't make it without an SMP because theirs probably thousands of applicants out there better then me. My EC's are kind of lacking imo, I've been a part of 4 clubs at my undergrad, have no volunteering hours (only in high school) and could probably squeeze in 3 shadowing MD opportunities (about a 100 hours a piece) + rec letters. Currently working on rec letters from science faculty members. Its just been tough trying to rebuild my GPA & now i have to study for MCATs throughout the semester so i think a SMP is beneficial to me. Plus i don't like the idea of being away from school for a year I think it'll slow me down, however i am open to ANY DO school honestly.

Sorry to hijack the thread OP, but i think LECOM's post bacc or LECOM's master's program are pretty nice and have solid reviews. PCOM also seems like a option but i heard its really tough. Thats about all i know as of now

You need ECs. an SMP won't fix that. If you are applying DO, shadow a DO and get a LOR. This is not needed for every school but can be very beneficial.

Also, I applied to LECOM and was accepted in my first cycle, with a short DIY postbacc (no SMP), and have a lower GPA than OP. I probably gave too much credence to statistics and thought my chances would be super low. If you can get decent ECs and do well on the MCAT, you don't need 50k+ extra debt to get into med school. If you are applying MD only, an SMP is probably more desirable.

 

[calivianya]

That's pretty insane. Did you apply late? I find it mind-boggling that stats like yours didn't land at least one MD and only one DO acceptance.

My application was very unbalanced. I now understand that that's the kiss of death, even with extensive clinical exposure. You've got to play the game and check the boxes, and I did not. Hopefully, someone else can learn from my mistakes.

I had all of my secondaries done in July/early August but my LOR writers held me up until mid-September, so that's a factor too.

 

[Amelia.]

If you score above 500 in MCAT and your GPA is above 3.3. You can easily get into the Touro Nevada.

 

[dial1010usa]

If you score above 500 in MCAT and your GPA is above 3.3. You can easily get into the Touro Nevada.

Are you talking about Touro Nevada DO or SMP? Where did you get that information?

 

[dostudentdoc]

Hello, (sorry for the long post)

My cGPA is about 3.17 and my sGPA is about a 2.99 if you do not count biostatistics and 3 with biostatistics. I took the mcat in September and got a 496 but I'm retaking it an April, hoping to score over 505. I have a ton of experiences ranging from 3 years of research, 1 full year of being a medical assistant, studying abroad for a semester, volunteering abroad and setting up free clinics in Tijuana and being a part of my officer board for a student organization. I have not applied for DO schools yet.

I know I have strong LORs from an MD, PI, adviser for my volunteer abroad , and my biostatistic professor (which i'm not sure if schools will accept as a science course). I also have a LOR from my molecular biology professor but I'm not sure the strength of the letter and i'm not sure if he wrote a general letter for medical school or if he wrote a letter addressing to a SMP program.

I have applied to SMP programs because my GPA is pretty low. I have been accepted to Touro Nevada and waiting response for Touro California and Western University. My question is should I attend SMP? or Should I apply to DO schools this upcoming cycle? or do both? What should I do about my LOR? I'm not sure if I meet the biological/physical LOR requirement if biostatistic is not considered for most school?

 

[deleted709753]

So I’m pretty much set on taking an SMP as my gap year post bacc. This is in order to improve my academic record as I will most likely graduate undergrad with around a 3.3 cGPA. Haven’t taken the MCAT so I know I’m jumping the gun on looking for an SMP but time is short and if I need to apply I want to know where is best. I’m happy to go DO if that is of any importance. I just don’t know what to look for when looking at SMP’s. Agreement? Rigor? Location? Which programs are known to be trash/great? Please help! Any other side info about SMPs would also be appreciated!

I did an SMP at an MD school and was surprised to see how receptive DO schools were to me when I was applying. If I were in your shoes, I would look into Georgetown SMP, Cincinnati SMP, RFU BMS and EVMS med masters, just to name a few.

 

[FEHLBN]

I did an SMP at a DO school and here is my advice...ONLY go to an SMP that will guarantee you an interview to their DO/MD program provided you perform decently. At the DO SMP I attended, MANY students in the SMP who performed well weren't even granted an interview. It can be a big risk and a lot of money. If you do go, choose wisely.