is a SMP good for postbacc work?

[iapplehead]

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which would be better to do? a SMP or a formal postbacc? in my case, i have not finished orgos or physics yet.. so would i take the formal or a special masters program? and which would benefit me the most? or do i need to have prereqs completed for a SMP? im still confused.. also, what schools would be less competitive to get into if i have a low gpa (2.8) and no mCAT scores? thankx for all of your help!

 

[MediMama23]

which would be better to do? a SMP or a formal postbacc? in my case, i have not finished orgos or physics yet.. so would i take the formal or a special masters program? and which would benefit me the most? or do i need to have prereqs completed for a SMP? im still confused.. also, what schools would be less competitive to get into if i have a low gpa (2.8) and no mCAT scores? thankx for all of your help!

Special Masters does nothing for your undergrad GPA, and since you haven't had all of the prereqs, I don't know that you would qualify for it. You're better off doing a formal postbacc that lets you take the prereqs, or just doing an informal post-bacc at your local university. Your low GPA also screams "take a post-bacc!" That will benefit you the most.

 

[jebus]

Special Masters does nothing for your undergrad GPA, and since you haven't had all of the prereqs, I don't know that you would qualify for it. You're better off doing a formal postbacc that lets you take the prereqs, or just doing an informal post-bacc at your local university. Your low GPA also screams "take a post-bacc!" That will benefit you the most.

Just to add, a number of postbac programs require SAT or ACT scores in lieu of the MCAT (especially for students who have not completed the pre-reqs for medical school). If you want to learn more about postbacs go here: http://services.aamc.org/postbac/
or here: http://hpap.syr.edu/LISTPB.HTM

Good luck!

 

[iapplehead]

thanks guys!... so any recommendations on which schools i should look into with my gpa? where would i start? i am truly clueless and have never done any application process like this before... thanks!

 

[silkworm]

Are you planning to finish the pre-reqs in your current school? And are you planning to take the MCAT before post-bach? Although there are programs that don't need MCAT, you may be limiting your options if you don't take it beforehand.

 

[iapplehead]

Are you planning to finish the pre-reqs in your current school? And are you planning to take the MCAT before post-bach? Although there are programs that don't need MCAT, you may be limiting your options if you don't take it beforehand.

i was thinking about taking the rest of my prereqs in the summer and fall, but i just received an email response from Bryn and she says that i wouldn't even be considered if i had taken too many prereqs, for instance the organics and physics. and i plan on taking other upper level sciences in the summer to boost my UG gpa, which suffers greatly. i don't know what to do.. what are all the other "low gpa" folks doing to get it? and where are my best chances at? i wanna know!... sad but determined... 😕

 

[silkworm]

OK, I am assuming by "Bryn" you mean the program at Bryn Mawer? You need to research the schools further. There are roughly two types of post-bachs:

1) For career changers: for people who haven't taken the pre-reqs, Bryn Mawer, Scripps Mills, etc.

2) For academic enhancment: for people who look to improve their bad GPA. (Georgetown SMP, Boston MAMS, etc) Usually such program expect you have have taken the pre-reqs and MCAT (sometimes other tests such as GRE can be substituted)

You seem to be more a candidate for the 2nd category.