Increasing SMP chance with full course load

[Sm0ke]

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I'll be applying to SMPs in October and graduating in December. I'm also taking the MCAT in January. I'm currently enrolled for 18 credits and was wondering if anyone could give me some advice.

I only need 3 labs and calculus I to graduate, which is 9 credits. I'm debating dropping 2/3 of the additional classes I'm signed up for and that puts me at 12 credits. I plan on doing light studying for the MCAT throughout the semester and going into full study mode in December (I studied the whole summer for the MCAT so I've gone through my content review books 2-3 times already).

Would taking 18 credits instead of 12 look favorable to adcom members and show that I have a better chance of succeeding in an SMP? If it doesn't make a huge difference, I would rather do 12 credits. I'm not sure how 3 labs in 1 semester compares to lecture courses. 12 credits might allow me a little more time to study for the MCAT as well. I've accumulated 149 credits so taking additional classes wouldn't move my GPA much.

 

[docindev]

Just a few things.

1) do SMP apps even open that early? I think most open around Dec/Jan.
2) Submitting 4 months before you take the MCAT? I don't see much purpose to this. You might as well wait until Feb (after you get mcat score) which is still considered fairly early for submitting SMP apps.
3) to answer your question, units don't matter so much as your stats, unless you're borderline and need a certain amount of units to get you over. Keep in mind though, if you take 18 units and don't do well, then your gpa dips. If you take 12, it allows you time to focus on both the mcat and your classes. that's what I would do, anyway.
4) Question for you, which prep books are you using for the MCAT and how many hrs/day did you spend reviewing content?

 

[Innokus]

There's no way in hell I'd take 18 credits in the fall and take the MCAT in January. That's a one way ticket to spending another few hundred on taking the MCAT again. What were your grades in the last 2 semesters and what's your GPA? That will be a better indication of how competitive you are for an SMP. Why are you applying to an SMP without an MCAT? Is this a retake or do you have GRE scores?

I didn't take that many credits before applying to an SMP and had no issues getting in. I did really well with the classes that I did take and added more time to my ECs. Quality over quantity, you know? I also have a ton of credits like you. I'd focus on finishing the degree with those 9 credits and work on dominating the MCAT. I'd submit the application once fall grades are out. If you are concerned with not taking enough classes, you could just take 4-5 upper level science classes after graduating. That way if you get waitlisted, you can say "Hey I did well on the MCAT and took more science classes in the spring. Please let me in?"

docindev: Some SMPs are open that early.

 

[Sm0ke]

Just a few things.

1) do SMP apps even open that early? I think most open around Dec/Jan.
2) Submitting 4 months before you take the MCAT? I don't see much purpose to this. You might as well wait until Feb (after you get mcat score) which is still considered fairly early for submitting SMP apps.
3) to answer your question, units don't matter so much as your stats, unless you're borderline and need a certain amount of units to get you over. Keep in mind though, if you take 18 units and don't do well, then your gpa dips. If you take 12, it allows you time to focus on both the mcat and your classes. that's what I would do, anyway.
4) Question for you, which prep books are you using for the MCAT and how many hrs/day did you spend reviewing content?

I used TBR and followed SN2ed's study schedule almost exactly, leaving out EK 1001 and hat trick days. I'm in the process of ordering new content books.

There's no way in hell I'd take 18 credits in the fall and take the MCAT in January. That's a one way ticket to spending another few hundred on taking the MCAT again. What were your grades in the last 2 semesters and what's your GPA? That will be a better indication of how competitive you are for an SMP. Why are you applying to an SMP without an MCAT? Is this a retake or do you have GRE scores?

I didn't take that many credits before applying to an SMP and had no issues getting in. I did really well with the classes that I did take and added more time to my ECs. Quality over quantity, you know? I also have a ton of credits like you. I'd focus on finishing the degree with those 9 credits and work on dominating the MCAT. I'd submit the application once fall grades are out. If you are concerned with not taking enough classes, you could just take 4-5 upper level science classes after graduating. That way if you get waitlisted, you can say "Hey I did well on the MCAT and took more science classes in the spring. Please let me in?"

docindev: Some SMPs are open that early.

I need to calculate my overall GPA again but basically: 47 attempted hours with 2.39 gpa from private institution, 12 credits with 2.91 gpa from CC, and 111 credits with 3.385 current gpa at my state school. The reason I'm at 149 credits is because only 38 credits transferred to my current school.

2 semesters ago I took 16 credits: 3 B's, 1 A, and 1 C
last semester I took 20 credits: 6 A's and 1 B

I'm taking the MCAT on Thursday but I'll be voiding it due to poor AAMC FL scores. I've heard of a few people applying to SMP programs without an MCAT score and getting accepted shortly after scores came out. I figured I would get everything in and send fall grades + MCAT score as soon as I get them. However, I may hold off on submitting early like you suggested. Would taking 9 credits be frowned upon by medical schools? I thought students are expected to remain full-time status.

 

[Innokus]

Nice, that's a good turnaround. Your GPA from last semester is promising. I'm sure the SMP will take that into account.

They'll take your application but you simply won't be complete until they have your MCAT score. But once they have that it'll be relatively quick. Like docindev said, applications being sent in around Jan/Feb are super early. Most people don't apply until the summer when they realized that their med school applications weren't working out too well for them. Don't feel rushed.

I've always heard that it's best to be full time. But then again, my advisers never knew about SMPs until more recently and they never told me that my credits from summer classes would make my GPA trend look worse than it already does in AMCAS. Even though it looks better in reality. Students are expected to remain full time but if that's all you need to graduate AND you're taking the MCAT in January, they might be understanding. I'd talk to an adviser or call up a few med schools anonymously.

Edit: You took 20 credits last semester and made mostly A's. They'll be able to tell you weren't slacking and were just finishing up/making sure you were going to do well on the MCAT.

 

[Sm0ke]

Nice, that's a good turnaround. Your GPA from last semester is promising. I'm sure the SMP will take that into account.

They'll take your application but you simply won't be complete until they have your MCAT score. But once they have that it'll be relatively quick. Like docindev said, applications being sent in around Jan/Feb are super early. Most people don't apply until the summer when they realized that their med school applications weren't working out too well for them. Don't feel rushed.

I've always heard that it's best to be full time. But then again, my advisers never knew about SMPs until more recently and they never told me that my credits from summer classes would make my GPA trend look worse than it already does in AMCAS. Even though it looks better in reality. Students are expected to remain full time but if that's all you need to graduate AND you're taking the MCAT in January, they might be understanding. I'd talk to an adviser or call up a few med schools anonymously.

Edit: You took 20 credits last semester and made mostly A's. They'll be able to tell you weren't slacking and were just finishing up/making sure you were going to do well on the MCAT.

Thanks for all your advice! I'm glad to hear you had success with a lighter course load. I think I'm also going to take just the classes I need to graduate and prepare for the MCAT.

 

[Innokus]

No problem! I'd still double check with someone more knowledgeable. This is just my reasoning and my experience that I was able to get into several SMPs while taking a lighter course load. But I'm sure they can reason it out.

 

[SavantFtw]

I'm doing a similar strategy myself, but instead I'm taking around 21 hours.
If I were you, I'd wait and apply till late Feb or in March since there is no rush.
I am graduating on December as well.

 

[goodfishs]

yes, good Nice, that's a good turnaround. Your GPA from last semester is promising. I'm sure the SMP will take that into account. good luck.

：D