in need of advice

[cannedhead325]

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I've posted here before about SMPs, but I'm having some serious doubts about whether I should apply for this upcoming cycle. And I need to make a decision soon. Any help would be awesome.

I will graduate at the end of next semester from McGill (but I'm American). I've taken the MCAT and received a 32 (12V 10P 10B). My GPA should be about a 3.2 after the fall semester, with a science GPA of 2.75. However, my extracurricular activities are fairly limited, and I've had virtually no meaningful contact with my professors, which means no quality recommendations.

Should I take a year off before applying to SMPs to address some of my weaknesses? Namely, I'd try to obtain research experience under a professor or two, and I'd volunteer at the hospital more. Or should I just apply for SMPs and assume, if admitted, that doing well will negate these weaknesses?

Thanks!

 

[Perrotfish]

The question is if you should apply to an SMP at all. Your options are

1) Apply to the SMP. With your GPA and MCAT you're probably get into whatever one you apply to. If you do well you will get in to medical school. If you don't, of course, you'll never be admitted into medical school

2) Apply DO, again with your stats you have a very good chance, even with weak ECs.

3) Spend a year taking more undergraduate courses. If you can get to a 3.4 with a 3.0 BCPM you might be competitive for medical school (assuming you apply broadly). If you chose this option, this would be a good time to get those recommendations (does your school have research for graded undergraduate credit?)

Anyway this is just one premed's opinion but the short answer is no: improving your ECs is a terrible reason to put off an SMP. If you need something 'meaningful' in a hurry try a mission trip.