Is Gtown SMP worth it?

[chris1010]

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I am looking for any possible feedback here. Is the Georgetown program worth the money? I just retook the MCAT in April and got a 30, combining that with my 3.55 cumulative GPA I am wondering how much this program will help my credentials? My other alternative is to continue doing clinical research for a second year (I graduated in 2003). If anyone can shed light on this matter for me it would really be appreciated!!

 

[FowlersGap]

I am looking for any possible feedback here. Is the Georgetown program worth the money? I just retook the MCAT in April and got a 30, combining that with my 3.55 cumulative GPA I am wondering how much this program will help my credentials? My other alternative is to continue doing clinical research for a second year (I graduated in 2003). If anyone can shed light on this matter for me it would really be appreciated!!

it really depends on what you're looking for and what your extras are; do you have enough clinical experience, volunteering...if not then the clinical research gig might be something to look into

are your science grades a little low? if so, then smp's a great way to get an extra boost (especially in the eyes of some east coast schools)

do you want to experience some of the classes a first year goes through? if so then go with the smp; i went to ucla and had all the premed reqs but didn't take phsyiology, so for me i learned a whole lot and i think i can use the info i learned during the physio year to my advantage when i start school

so if you have a solid foundation in phys. and human biology from undergrad and you got some good extras then i'd go for the clinical research thing

 

[DrHuang]

i agree with fowler...a 3.55 is good, but what is ur BCPM? Assuming its close to your overall, i think you have a good shot at getting into med school, esp with schools like finch or drexel, assuming you have the EC stuff like volunteering, etc.

i have similar stats to you, with a 3.45 overall and a 3.4 BCMP and 30 on the M but I want to try and get into GT SOM so thats why i went ahead with the SMP...its an expensive gamble.

 

[stinkycheese]

When did you guys put in your apps and receive acceptances? I have a 3.45 overall and BCPM and a 34 MCAT, and I didn't get in.

 

[DrHuang]

When did you guys put in your apps and receive acceptances? I have a 3.45 overall and BCPM and a 34 MCAT, and I didn't get in.

i sent it in in mid/late january and received an acceptance in late Feb.

 

[MD Rapper]

Are you really less likely to get into a UC by going to Gtown? If so, what other options does one have to look better in the eyes of UC adcoms? I know someone a couple of years ago got into UC Davis from Gtown SMP.. how did he/she do it? Just wanted some insight.. I have a couple days left to make a decision on SMP. I wanted to make sure it is the right choice. My entire application to med schools looks complete except for a slightly low BCPM GPA. Therefore I think Gtown will help a lot. Plus the DC experience is a big plus.

In any case, I wanted to know if there was a tactic for UC admissions that anyone could share.

 

[stinkycheese]

The issue with GT and the UC's, as I understand it, is that the UC's will "table" your application once they see that you are doing the GT masters' program. Apparently, they want to see a full year of grades before admitting you. In this way, it almost seems as though people from Cali with fairly strong (or at least average for UC) stats are bette off not attending GT at all, since you will receive consideration from the UC's sooner. The gamble is whether you think you have a good shot this year... if so, then why invest so much money when it may hurt admissions for this year? But if you do not think you have a good shot at UC admissions this year, then it's better to go to GT and expect that you may not get in until the 2006 cycle, but that you probably will get in somewhere, provided you perform well at GT.

 

[FowlersGap]

The issue with GT and the UC's, as I understand it, is that the UC's will "table" your application once they see that you are doing the GT masters' program. Apparently, they want to see a full year of grades before admitting you. In this way, it almost seems as though people from Cali with fairly strong (or at least average for UC) stats are bette off not attending GT at all, since you will receive consideration from the UC's sooner. The gamble is whether you think you have a good shot this year... if so, then why invest so much money when it may hurt admissions for this year? But if you do not think you have a good shot at UC admissions this year, then it's better to go to GT and expect that you may not get in until the 2006 cycle, but that you probably will get in somewhere, provided you perform well at GT.

this is true and during a class meeting the course directors admitted to this; uc davis in particular doesn't recognize the program until you have completed it; which means your best shot is for 2006; if your goal is to get in to a UC during the 2006 cycle then go to gtown; if you're going to gtown to strengthen your app for UCs for this coming cycle, don't go, because the UCs will likely disregard your app no matter how strong of an app you are; i don't know what the strategy was for the folks who got in to uc davis...the only obvious thing i can think of is that they didn't say they went to gtown on amcas?...