How to get into medical school with a 2.9 sGPA

[drkkt2017]

I recently graduated from Brown University (a month ago) with a 3.0 GPA and 2.9 sGPA. I will be taking Orgo 2 and an Inorganic Chemistry at a state university near me and have not taken my MCAT yet. I hope to raise my sGPA to a 3.0 with these two classes. Is it possible to get into Medical school with a GPA like this. What kind of MCAT (2015) score should I aim for? Anything I should aim for. Anyone know of any US medical schools that would accept a low GPA? Thanks!

Other stuff: I've worked at a part-time job during all 8 semesters, I speak conversational spanish, have worked in an after-school elementary school mentoring program, and volunteered at a clinic, both in clerical work and clinical assisting.

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[WedgeDawg]

1. This should be posted in the pre-allo forum (a moderator can move the thread there for you)

2. A 3.0/2.9 from Brown is pretty bad. Lethal for MD, and bottom of the barrel for DO (maybe lethal, I'm not really sure). You need to seriously show significant improvement. The best way to do this would likely be by acing a Special Masters Program which would essentially be a "trial run" that shows admissions committee members that you can handle the rigors of medical school academics. You would be expected to maintain a 3.8+ (hopefully higher) throughout this. You will also need a strong MCAT (I can't give you an exact number right now - you should definitely do your SMP first before taking the MCAT). You will not be in any shape to apply to medical school for a couple of years.

 

[GrapesofRath]

1. This should be posted in the pre-allo forum (a moderator can move the thread there for you)

2. A 3.0/2.9 from Brown is pretty bad. Lethal for MD, and bottom of the barrel for DO (maybe lethal, I'm not really sure). You need to seriously show significant improvement. The best way to do this would likely be by acing a Special Masters Program which would essentially be a "trial run" that shows admissions committee members that you can handle the rigors of medical school academics. You would be expected to maintain a 3.8+ (hopefully higher) throughout this. You will also need a strong MCAT (I can't give you an exact number right now - you should definitely do your SMP first before taking the MCAT). You will not be in any shape to apply to medical school for a couple of years.

Most SMPs require MCATs as part of their admission criteria, particularly the one's that involve taking classes with med students.

 

[WedgeDawg]

Most SMPs require MCATs as part of their admission criteria, particularly the one's that involve taking classes with med students.

This is why I generally stay away from offering advice about SMPs, as I am, alas, woefully ignorant!

Thank you for the correction.

 

[reapplicanthelpme2014]

I also graduated from an Ivy with a low GPA. I did a postbacc program for 2 years (39 credits) and received all As, and got accepted to an MD program. Your best bet is to do a postbacc program (not a masters program) to get your GPA up

 

[Winged Scapula]

Moving to Pre Allo

 

[lmn]

Post-bacc/SMP if you can turn your grades around. But first figure out why you did so poorly your entire undergrad career and ask yourself if you are really willing to AND able to make changes and do extremely well in your second try (nothing less than a 3.5++). If you don't make those changes and absolutely crush those classes you are just wasting more time, money, and shutting the door even more on your dreams of med school.

If you're open to DO, utilize grade replacements, the academics should be a lot less strenuous than the good SMP programs - where you are more likely to continue your poor trend.

 

[Instatewaiter]

I also graduated from an Ivy with a low GPA. I did a postbacc program for 2 years (39 credits) and received all As, and got accepted to an MD program. Your best bet is to do a postbacc program (not a masters program) to get your GPA up

The math is often tough with just a post-bacc especially for the OPs circumstances. For instance, let's say you had 120 credits at a 3.0 after college. Those 39 credits at 4.0 only raise your GPA to 3.245 which often still isn't competitive.

An SMP is useful in these circumstances because it proves you can hack it in medical school level courses. Because even if you show you can get a 4.0 in undergrad courses, the low initial GPA will still raise some concerns

 

[Mad Jack]

SMP is the way to go from here. You need to do one and excel in the process.

 

[JustUnder9000]

Just like everyone's saying-- I had a sub 3.0 undergrad. Not at an Ivy league. terrible MCAT. Did one year post bac program and now am a rising 2nd year in a US MD school. It's not over! Try to find programs with direct admission to a school, and that put you through med school courses-- Good luck!

 

[IlyaR]

2.7s GPA
4.0 SMP
Its possible to make a 180 but you have to give it your all

 

[GrapesofRath]

I will say the more realistic option for success is to take some post-bac classes and apply DO. 65+ percentile on the mcat(rough estimate) and I think you'll be competitive. That MCAT score and a science gpa of around 3.15 with an upward trend should land you an acceptance somewhere

For an MD an SMP is probably the call but realize acing one like everyone is saying isn't nearly as common or realistic as made out on this site and if you don't do well all doctor hopes are done

 

[amapples]

I will say the more realistic option for success is to take some post-bac classes and apply DO. 65+ percentile on the mcat(rough estimate) and I think you'll be competitive. That MCAT score and a science gpa of around 3.15 with an upward trend should land you an acceptance somewhere

For an MD an SMP is probably the call but realize acing one like everyone is saying isn't nearly as common or realistic as made out on this site and if you don't do well all doctor hopes are done

It seems everyone on SDN who did an SMP had a 3.8+. A med school curriculum certainly can't be easy…

 

[GrapesofRath]

It seems everyone on SDN who did an SMP had a 3.8+. A med school curriculum certainly can't be easy…

Let's just say there's a reason the majority of medical students(many of whom have been straight A students there whole life) can't get high pass in these classes which is the standard for succeeding on SMP programs

 

[IlyaR]

It seems everyone on SDN who did an SMP had a 3.8+. A med school curriculum certainly can't be easy…

Seemingly everyone on SDN also gets 35+ MCATs
It's just selection bias. The people that post on these forums tend to be way more involved in the app/admission process/MCAT etc, thus get higher everything

 

[amazing tekkers]

I also graduated from an Ivy with a low GPA. I did a postbacc program for 2 years (39 credits) and received all As, and got accepted to an MD program. Your best bet is to do a postbacc program (not a masters program) to get your GPA up

What sorts of classes did you take? Did you do a master's?

 

[amazing tekkers]

Let's just say there's a reason the majority of medical students(many of whom have been straight A students there whole life) can't get high pass in these classes which is the standard for succeeding on SMP programs

So how can a person go from 2.7 to 4.0 (post-bacc), if med students are struggling, how can this other person be excelling? @IlyaR

 

[Goro]

This thread provides ample proof that there are MD schools that reward reinvention.

Would you three mind PMING me to share what schools those are so we can help future SDNers?

I also graduated from an Ivy with a low GPA. I did a postbacc program for 2 years (39 credits) and received all As, and got accepted to an MD program. Your best bet is to do a postbacc program (not a masters program) to get your GPA up

Just like everyone's saying-- I had a sub 3.0 undergrad. Not at an Ivy league. terrible MCAT. Did one year post bac program and now am a rising 2nd year in a US MD school. It's not over! Try to find programs with direct admission to a school, and that put you through med school courses-- Good luck!

2.7s GPA
4.0 SMP
Its possible to make a 180 but you have to give it your all

 

[ZedsDed]

I will say the more realistic option for success is to take some post-bac classes and apply DO. 65+ percentile on the mcat(rough estimate) and I think you'll be competitive. That MCAT score and a science gpa of around 3.15 with an upward trend should land you an acceptance somewhere

For an MD an SMP is probably the call but realize acing one like everyone is saying isn't nearly as common or realistic as made out on this site and if you don't do well all doctor hopes are done

I agree. But the more established SMP programs like GT and UC have relatively high averages (like GT's 3.4-3.6) because they are curved against the med school class, not against each other. That is nowhere near the 2.7 average of most UG classes. Hence the high success rates of these programs. However to even get in to these programs you better convince their AdCom's that you have become a pretty damn good student with a minimum 31+ MCAT score (really more like 33) and at least a year of 3.7+ grades. In addition, the average GPA is usually around a 3.2. Couple that with the fact that the SMP course-load is usually lighter than the MS1 course load and getting at least a 3.6 in these programs, for those particular students, shouldn't be unattainable. Someone stumbling in with <3.0 and no MCAT score wouldn't get very far anyway. However, there are SMPs with no shame that will take desperate students. Said students will probably fail, and that'll be the end of that. So I think caution is definitely warranted.

 

[MrSamrtGuy]

I also graduated from an Ivy with a low GPA. I did a postbacc program for 2 years (39 credits) and received all As, and got accepted to an MD program. Your best bet is to do a postbacc program (not a masters program) to get your GPA up

Did you do a formal or DIY postbacc?

 

[keep_swimmin]

I graduated from HYP with a 3.0 sGPA and 3.1 cGPA (both round up...) and 38 - 40 MCAT. I am an ORM. I did a DIY post-bacc for 1 year through which I took 7 science classes + Medical Anthropology. I worked full time through this post-bacc. My applications were complete in late September and I applied broadly to 40 schools, including to five top 10 schools. Now I'm going to one of those top 10 schools.

I don't think I have anything special in my ECs but my letters of recommendation should have been pretty good and, at the risk of sounding really arrogant but for the sake of offering hopefully helpful information, I am good at interviewing. Out of those 40 schools I applied to, I got about 10 IIs and several more hold-for-interviews. I think I could potentially have gotten more IIs but I withdrew from 11 schools while they were still giving out IIs (following an acceptance I was more happy with, of course). If you would like, feel free to PM me for a list of schools I applied to. I basically looked at the MSAR to make my list.

I don't think my story is typical. Just wanted to put this out there because I was told by my pre-med advisors that I NEEDED an SMP and they were well-intentioned but very wrong. I decided not to follow their advice because of the cost and locations of the established SMPs (e.g. Georgetown) and it luckily worked out for me.

Edited: spelling and # of top schools I applied to. Turns out it was 5, not 3.

 

[ZedsDed]

I graduated from HYP with a 3.0 sGPA and 3.1 cGPA (both round up...) and 38 - 40 MCAT. I am an ORM. I did a DIY post-bacc for 1 year though which I took 7 science classes + Medical Anthropology. I worked full time through this post-bacc. My applications were complete in late September and I applied broadly to 40 schools, including to three top 10 schools. Now I'm going to one of those top 10 schools.

I don't think I have anything special in my ECs but my letters of recommendation should have been pretty good and, at the risk of sounding really arrogant but for the sake of offering hopefully helpful information, I am good at interviewing. Out of those 40 schools I applied to, I got about 10 IIs and several more hold-for-interviews. I think I could potentially have gotten more IIs but I withdrew from 11 schools while they were still giving out IIs (following an acceptance I was more happy with, of course). If you would like, feel free to PM me for a list of schools I applied to. I basically looked at the MSAR to make my list.

I don't think my story is typical. Just wanted to put this out there because I was told by my pre-med advisors that I NEEDED an SMP and they were well-intentioned but very wrong. I decided not to follow their advice because of the cost and locations of the established SMPs (e.g. Georgetown) and it luckily worked out for me.

Edited: spelling

Your advisor is a *****. No one with an aced 1-year postbacc and a 40 MCAT needs to do an SMP. However for the majority of students, hypotheticals like "what if a get a 40+ MCAT score" are an exercise in fantastical thinking.

 

[keep_swimmin]

Your advisor is a *****. No one with an aced 1-year postbacc and a 40 MCAT needs to do an SMP.

She advised I do an SMP before I decided to do the post-bacc. She did not even seriously entertain the idea of me doing a 1 year DIY post-bacc...

 

[ZedsDed]

She advised I do an SMP before I decided to do the post-bacc. She did not even seriously entertain the idea of me doing a 1 year DIY post-bacc...

Still dumb.

 

[ZedsDed]

I graduated from HYP with a 3.0 sGPA and 3.1 cGPA (both round up...) and 38 - 40 MCAT. I am an ORM. I did a DIY post-bacc for 1 year though which I took 7 science classes + Medical Anthropology. I worked full time through this post-bacc. My applications were complete in late September and I applied broadly to 40 schools, including to three top 10 schools. Now I'm going to one of those top 10 schools.

I don't think I have anything special in my ECs but my letters of recommendation should have been pretty good and, at the risk of sounding really arrogant but for the sake of offering hopefully helpful information, I am good at interviewing. Out of those 40 schools I applied to, I got about 10 IIs and several more hold-for-interviews. I think I could potentially have gotten more IIs but I withdrew from 11 schools while they were still giving out IIs (following an acceptance I was more happy with, of course). If you would like, feel free to PM me for a list of schools I applied to. I basically looked at the MSAR to make my list.

I don't think my story is typical. Just wanted to put this out there because I was told by my pre-med advisors that I NEEDED an SMP and they were well-intentioned but very wrong. I decided not to follow their advice because of the cost and locations of the established SMPs (e.g. Georgetown) and it luckily worked out for me.

Edited: spelling

On the flip side, I can think of one user who had two years of 3.7 post bacc work, <3.0 GPA, and a 29-31 MCAT who couldn't find an MD school in the country to take him/her. The MCAT is important kids!

 

[GrapesofRath]

I agree. But the more established SMP programs like GT and UC have relatively high averages (like GT's 3.4-3.6) because they are curved against the med school class, not against each other. That is nowhere near the 2.7 average of most UG classes. Hence the high success rates of these programs. However to even get in to these programs you better convince their AdCom's that you have become a pretty damn good student with a minimum 31+ MCAT score (really more like 33) and at least a year of 3.7+ grades. In addition, the average GPA is usually around a 3.2. Couple that with the fact that the SMP course-load is usually lighter than the MS1 course load and getting at least a 3.6 in these programs, for those particular students, shouldn't be unattainable. Someone stumbling in with <3.0 and no MCAT score wouldn't get very far anyway. However, there are SMPs with no shame that will take desperate students. Said students will probably fail, and that'll be the end of that. So I think caution is definitely warranted.

Most of what you are saying is accurate I'll just add a couple things for fodder

1) I believe the SMP GPA average at these schools like Georgetown that you are speaking of is around a 3.4. That won't cut it for MD purposes. The reason the average is so high at places like Georgetown is because 5/11 classes are grad school classes anybody who puts the time and effort into can get an A. The other 6 classes are medical student classes. That's where the average is a B. So if you calculate someone has a 3.0 in medical classes and a 3.9 in grad classes it comes around to the 3.4 average which make sense. Bottom line is like I always say most people don't get that desire 3.7+ average that's always talked about on here. To get that 3.7, you need around a 4.0 in the graduate school classes and around a 3.5 in the medical school classes. That involves A-/B+ which are given to the top 30% of the class and for every average B you get you need an A/A- which is given to the top 15%. Not easy at all.
2) The Georgetown SMP MCAT average is a 32. You are right on that front emphasizing getting into an SMP is no walk in the park. The average stats at Georgetown's SMP are 3.3/32. Those can get you into multiple DO schools. Hence, there is no point going to an SMP unless you are willing to risk not being a doctor at all and disregarding the DO over going for the MD at all cost.
3) There are SMPs that will take anybody. Those aren't worth anybodys time you nailed it on the head. There the Carribean of SMP programs per se.
4) I've never really bought the whole "you're taking a lighter courseload than medical students so it shouldn't be hard to beat them as long as you just study". There are many many people in MD schools who are straight A students their whole life and can manage their time so they can get A's in either 2 classes or 6 depending on what they need to and adjust accordingly. There are alot who are just very naturally intelligent and can get by without putting in as much effort. That's just how it is from what I've observed. Actually beating them is very difficult even if they are doing twice as much material as you. Many can learn the material plenty well enough even if their time is cut from having to study for so many classes. They are just that good. The benefits you receive from studying tend to plateau after a certain point and alot of these medical students are really good at making so they can learn 80% of what they need to in a very short period of time before those study benefits plateau and using their smarts and test taking skills to get them through the test. Others can disagree that's fine but I just heed caution to those who fall under this mindset that I can just beat straight A students who've had higher grades than me my whole life just because they have more classes than me.

All in all I agree with most of what you said I just thought I'd chime in with my own thoughts. Just really really know what you're getting into with an SMP before you do it that's all my main point is.

 

[amazing tekkers]

She advised I do an SMP before I decided to do the post-bacc. She did not even seriously entertain the idea of me doing a 1 year DIY post-bacc...

What classes did you take? Did you do the post-back at HYP or another school?

 

[ZedsDed]

Most of what you are saying is accurate I'll just add a couple things for fodder

1) I believe the SMP GPA average at these schools like Georgetown that you are speaking of is around a 3.4. That won't cut it for MD purposes. The reason the average is so high at places like Georgetown is because 5/11 classes are grad school classes anybody who puts the time and effort into can get an A. The other 6 classes are medical student classes. That's where the average is a B. So if you calculate someone has a 3.0 in medical classes and a 3.9 in grad classes it comes around to the 3.4 average which make sense. Bottom line is like I always say most people don't get that desire 3.7+ average that's always talked about on here. To get that 3.7, you need around a 4.0 in the graduate school classes and around a 3.5 in the medical school classes. That involves A-/B+ which are given to the top 30% of the class and for every average B you get you need an A/A- which is given to the top 15%. Not easy at all.
2) The Georgetown SMP MCAT average is a 32. You are right on that front emphasizing getting into an SMP is no walk in the park. The average stats at Georgetown's SMP are 3.3/32. Those can get you into multiple DO schools. Hence, there is no point going to an SMP unless you are willing to risk not being a doctor at all and disregarding the DO over going for the MD at all cost.
3) There are SMPs that will take anybody. Those aren't worth anybodys time you nailed it on the head. There the Carribean of SMP programs per se.
4) I've never really bought the whole "you're taking a lighter courseload than medical students so it shouldn't be hard to beat them as long as you just study". There are many many people in MD schools who are straight A students their whole life and can manage their time so they can get A's in either 2 classes or 6 depending on what they need to and adjust accordingly. There are alot who are just very naturally intelligent and can get by without putting in as much effort. That's just how it is from what I've observed. Actually beating them is very difficult even if they are doing twice as much material as you. Many can learn the material plenty well enough even if their time is cut from having to study for so many classes. They are just that good. The benefits you receive from studying tend to plateau after a certain point and alot of these medical students are really good at making so they can learn 80% of what they need to in a very short period of time before those study benefits plateau and using their smarts and test taking skills to get them through the test. Others can disagree that's fine but I just heed caution to those who fall under this mindset that I can just beat straight A students who've had higher grades than me my whole life just because they have more classes than me.

All in all I agree with most of what you said I just thought I'd chime in with my own thoughts. Just really really know what you're getting into with an SMP before you do it that's all my main point is.

I'll just add that I put in a range of stats to reflect the deviation from year-to-year. The program has been around for 40 years after all. All of the rest of your points are entirely reasonable.

 

[keep_swimmin]

What classes did you take? Did you do the post-back at HYP or another school?

I re-took organic chemistry (did really badly in the whole series while I was an undergrad) and physics (also did badly during undergrad). For the other science classes, I also took Neurobiology, Mechanisms of Disease, and Endocrinology. I tacked on Medical Anthropology. I did this all at a Cal State.

 

[cardio7]

Just to stir the conversation pot even more:

Most of what you are saying is accurate I'll just add a couple things for fodder

1) I believe the SMP GPA average at these schools like Georgetown that you are speaking of is around a 3.4. That won't cut it for MD purposes.

A 3.4 is not ideal, but I've had several friends at GT get into MD schools with a SMP GPA of 3.3-3.5, including myself. SMP GPA is critical, but a high MCAT and good extracurriculars will still help round out an applicant and keep them competitive for med schools.

The reason the average is so high at places like Georgetown is because 5/11 classes are grad school classes anybody who puts the time and effort into can get an A.

Two of the grad classes are a participation-based easy A. The others are curved so that about half of the class can get a A, A-, or B+, and the other half of the class gets a B or lower (subject to instructor preference). I have had friends who barely/did not get above a B in some of the grad classes. I actually found them more frustrating than the med classes because they were less organized and less clinically relevant, in my opinion. We also took 2 grad classes at once while med classes were taken one at a time. It is absolutely possible to get A's in all the grad classes but their difficulty is easily underestimated.

The average stats at Georgetown's SMP are 3.3/32. Those can get you into multiple DO schools. Hence, there is no point going to an SMP unless you are willing to risk not being a doctor at all and disregarding the DO over going for the MD at all cost.

I would say that the average represents the class as a whole but doesn't accurately portray the variety of individuals who pursue this program. The majority of students do not come in with a 3.3/32. A lot of people I met had a ~3.1 GPA or below and a high MCAT, while several others had a better GPA (3.3-3.5) and so-so MCAT who perhaps could've done DO school. You can see how combining stats of these students will skew the numbers toward the middle. Obviously, this is how averages work but my point is that there are more "outliers" than would normally be expected who do significantly alter the norm.
Some people for their own reasons do not want to pursue DO school. Many of the 3.2/32 students were very successful in gaining admission to MD schools after the SMP, so they achieved their goal. Not everyone did however, so this was a risk they took. They are now reapplying or pursuing other healthcare/research options. In my class we also had a large population of California residents aiming for their state schools, so many of them have higher stats as well. Just a few points to consider, as statistics can basically say anything they want!

 

[GrapesofRath]

Just to stir the conversation pot even more:



A 3.4 is not ideal, but I've had several friends at GT get into MD schools with a SMP GPA of 3.3-3.5, including myself. SMP GPA is critical, but a high MCAT and good extracurriculars will still help round out an applicant and keep them competitive for med schools.



Two of the grad classes are a participation-based easy A. The others are curved so that about half of the class can get a A, A-, or B+, and the other half of the class gets a B or lower (subject to instructor preference). I have had friends who barely/did not get above a B in some of the grad classes. I actually found them more frustrating than the med classes because they were less organized and less clinically relevant, in my opinion. We also took 2 grad classes at once while med classes were taken one at a time. It is absolutely possible to get A's in all the grad classes but their difficulty is easily underestimated.



I would say that the average represents the class as a whole but doesn't accurately portray the variety of individuals who pursue this program. The majority of students do not come in with a 3.3/32. A lot of people I met had a ~3.1 GPA or below and a high MCAT, while several others had a better GPA (3.3-3.5) and so-so MCAT who perhaps could've done DO school. You can see how combining stats of these students will skew the numbers toward the middle. Obviously, this is how averages work but my point is that there are more "outliers" than would normally be expected who do significantly alter the norm.
Some people for their own reasons do not want to pursue DO school. Many of the 3.2/32 students were very successful in gaining admission to MD schools after the SMP, so they achieved their goal. Not everyone did however, so this was a risk they took. They are now reapplying or pursuing other healthcare/research options. In my class we also had a large population of California residents aiming for their state schools, so many of them have higher stats as well. Just a few points to consider, as statistics can basically say anything they want!

All fair points. Having someone on here who directly just did Georgetowns SMP as opposed to people like me who just know those who have is a good extra perspective.

As for the getting in with a 3.4 SMP gpa it is what it is. There are examples of it but it's tempting to think if a couple people did it than it is possible for anyone( I'm not quoting you im just saying there people in general reading this who'll think this) when it's not a common thing. That's the main point.

The fact that grad school classes are curved so most don't get an A only further adds to the difficulty of the program and how hard it is to get that 3.7+

 

[cardio7]

I realize that it sounds like false optimism, but the system works very well for a large number of students who perform at the average. This is just for GT's SMP, and I can't vouch for any other programs. We're not routinely getting into Ivy schools, but the program has a good track record of getting the top half of the class (3.4+) into many mid/low-tier MD schools in addition to Georgetown. I would give you concrete numbers if I had them. I agree with you that a higher GPA is certainly preferable, and it will likely lead to a greater number of interviews and acceptances. Nothing is guaranteed, and I won't naively say that our program is much harder than the other SMPs out there, but the SMP-friendly medical schools seem to respect the difficulty of this curriculum.

To anyone listening- An SMP is the best way to prove yourself if you have a sub-3.0 uGPA. If you are considering this path, it is NOT enough to aim for the average in any SMP. This is likely your last chance to get into medical school, so your goal is to get an A in every class. Whether or not that happens is up to you! If you fall short of a 4.0 (likely), just put in as much effort as possible and do the best that you can. Falling below the average is not a situation in which you want to find yourself.

 

[amapples]

2) The Georgetown SMP MCAT average is a 32. You are right on that front emphasizing getting into an SMP is no walk in the park. The average stats at Georgetown's SMP are 3.3/32. Those can get you into multiple DO schools. Hence, there is no point going to an SMP unless you are willing to risk not being a doctor at all and disregarding the DO over going for the MD at all cost.

I realize that it sounds like false optimism, but the system works very well for a large number of students who perform at the average. This is just for GT's SMP, and I can't vouch for any other programs. We're not routinely getting into Ivy schools, but the program has a good track record of getting the top half of the class (3.4+) into many mid/low-tier MD schools in addition to Georgetown. I would give you concrete numbers if I had them. I agree with you that a higher GPA is certainly preferable, and it will likely lead to a greater number of interviews and acceptances. Nothing is guaranteed, and I won't naively say that our program is much harder than the other SMPs out there, but the SMP-friendly medical schools seem to respect the difficulty of this curriculum.

To anyone listening- An SMP is the best way to prove yourself if you have a sub-3.0 uGPA. If you are considering this path, it is NOT enough to aim for the average in any SMP. This is likely your last chance to get into medical school, so your goal is to get an A in every class. Whether or not that happens is up to you! If you fall short of a 4.0 (likely), just put in as much effort as possible and do the best that you can. Falling below the average is not a situation in which you want to find yourself.

I've seen this on another thread where Goro commented. Why do you think getting a 3.3 or 3.4 in an SMP is a death knell? Isn't 3.4 the average for most DO schools?

Clearly in cardio7's case she's said many of her classmates with 3.4's have gotten into MD.

 

[ZedsDed]

I've seen this on another thread where Goro commented. Why do you think getting a 3.3 or 3.4 in an SMP is a death knell? Isn't 3.4 the average for most DO schools?

Clearly in cardio7's case she's said many of her classmates with 3.4's have gotten into MD.

A 3.4 in an SMP is generally not acceptable for students who need to redeem their track record from undergrad.

 

[amapples]

A 3.4 in an SMP is generally not acceptable for students who need to redeem their track record from undergrad.

What happens if one has a 3.4-3.5 going and receives around the same? That is my fear with SMPS.

 

[GrapesofRath]

A 3.4 in an SMP is generally not acceptable for students who need to redeem their track record from undergrad.

+1

You don't do an SMP unless there is a very good reason for you to believe you'll do well in it. That's why I'm alot more hesitant to recommend them than many people on this site who just throw around the word loosely to anyone with a below average GPA.

 

[cardio7]

I think that @GrapesofRath is referring to MD schools specifically. It's not exactly a death knell, but it's definitely not preferred. The successful 3.4's generally have other redeeming qualities such as very high MCATs or significant life experience that shows they are a good fit for a particular school.

EDIT: I am referring to a 3.4 SMP GPA.

 

[GrapesofRath]

What happens if one has a 3.4-3.5 going and receives around the same? That is my fear with SMPS.

Don't do an SMP with a 3.4+ GPA. If you want to improve your GPA a year of post-bacc work can put in 3.5 territory and you're GPA with that upward trend won't be a major issue anymore.

 

[amapples]

+1

You don't do an SMP unless there is a very good reason for you to believe you'll do well in it. That's why I'm alot more hesitant to recommend them than many people on this site who just throw around the word loosely to anyone with a below average GPA.

That's kind of you…

 

[GrapesofRath]

I think that @GrapesofRath is referring to MD schools specifically. It's not exactly a death knell, but it's definitely not preferred. The successful 3.4's generally have other redeeming qualities such as very high MCATs or significant life experience that shows they are a good fit for a particular school.

The average applicant at Georgetown has a 3.3/32. Yes there is lots of variation as others have touched on but there are many people who get into these SMP programs who could get into a DO school if that was their aim prior to doing the SMP.

 

[GrapesofRath]

That's kind of you…

ok

 

[amapples]

ok

I was being serious.

Don't do an SMP with a 3.4+ GPA. If you want to improve your GPA a year of post-bacc work can put in 3.5 territory and you're GPA with that upward trend won't be a major issue anymore.

Every 4 credit class barely even adds .01 to my GPA at this point.

 

[reapplicanthelpme2014]

What sorts of classes did you take? Did you do a master's?

I took upper-level science classes like Advanced anatomy, advanced physiology, and endocrinology. I think that medical schools appreciated me doing well in higher level science classes as it showed that I was likely to handle a rigorous medical school curriculum well.

 

[GrapesofRath]

I was being serious.



Every 4 credit class barely even adds .01 to my GPA at this point.

If you did 4 years at a 3.4 rate and do 15 credits a semester at a 3.85 rate you will move your GPA up to close to a 3.5 if you do it for 2 semeters. If you want to make it happen you can. A 3.5 with an upward trend won't be the reason you get shut out from MD schools if you do.

Doing undergrad level classes at 15 credit rigor with a 3.85 or getting a 3.7+ in an SMP at a medical school level rigor------which one do you think is more realistic?

 

[cardio7]

@amapples, with limited information I wouldn't recommend an SMP for you. It's not worth the risk of doing poorly and negating all the work you've already done. Have you taken the MCAT? If not, do your best to ace it. Upper-level classes are your best bet.

You guys are posting so fast I can't even keep up!

 

[amapples]

If you did 4 years at a 3.4 rate and do 15 credits a semester at a 3.85 rate you will move your GPA up to close to a 3.5. If you want to make it happen you can. A 3.5 with an upward trend won't be the reason you get shut out from MD schools if you do.

Doing undergrad level classes at 15 credit rigor with a 3.85 or getting a 3.7+ in an SMP at a medical school level rigor------which one do you think is more realistic?

A 3.7 from an SMP almost pretty much guarantees an acceptance somewhere. Whereas a post bacc does not. Did you do an SMP? Do you have any advice or insight to offer on how it was and how you approached your classes?

 

[amapples]

@amapples, with limited information I wouldn't recommend an SMP for you. It's not worth the risk of doing poorly and negating all the work you've already done. Have you taken the MCAT? If not, do your best to ace it. Upper-level classes are your best bet.

You guys are posting so fast I can't even keep up!

I'm applying a cycle and if I don't get in anywhere I'm going to have to possibly consider it! :/

 

[GrapesofRath]

A 3.7 from an SMP almost pretty much guarantees an acceptance somewhere. Whereas a post bacc does not. Did you do an SMP? Do you have any advice or insight to offer on how it was and how you approached your classes?

You don't seem to realize how difficult getting a 3.7 from an SMP is. Just because there are tons of people on this site who come back posting about it doesn't mean it is something most do.

Keep in mind a 3.4 with a solid MCAT score will get into a DO school. Don't do well in an SMP? Forget about DO even.

 

[lmn]

A 3.7 from an SMP almost pretty much guarantees an acceptance somewhere. Whereas a post bacc does not. Did you do an SMP? Do you have any advice or insight to offer on how it was and how you approached your classes?

Mind showing some evidence to support this claim? I highly doubt just getting a 3.7 in an SMP guarantees even a low MD or DO school admission.

 

[amapples]

Mind showing some evidence to support this claim? I highly doubt just getting a 3.7 in an SMP guarantees even a low MD or DO school admission.

I meant it in the sense that the chances of one getting into med school are pretty high after an SMP. There are no guarantees. There's many other factors at play of course.