Is SMP a good idea at this point?

[golgi body]

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I'm sitting on a couple waitlists with no acceptances and need to start thinking about my next move. As a re-applicant, I feel that something drastic needs to change in my application so that I don't end up with a third unsuccessful cycle. I have been looking at SMPs and noticed there are some with linkages and some without. For someone like me with borderline stats (3.5, 514), would this be a good idea? Tulane ACLS looks good with direct linkage and is cheap.

I know they say SMP should be a last resort but I really want to do something proactive to get accepted into medical school rather than working a minimum wage healthcare job for another year.

 

[stubblesmcgee]

Your GPA is borderline like you say, which makes me think that doing an informal post-bacc might be better for you than a pricy SMP.

 

[Arsartium]

Did you reach out to admissions offices after your last application cycle? Not all are open to consultation after the cycle, but it might be a good idea to get what information you can on what could make your application more competitive. I know Ohio State is willing to briefly discuss your app, for instance.

Without more information about the rest of your app, I feel ill-equipped to advise you. However, with a gpa of 3.5, if you have a strong GPA trend in last 30 credits or so then the GPA may not be the problem. How was your research? volunteering? clinical experience? personal statement? Do you interview well? Though SMPs may be pricey, one with linkage like Tulane's may be worth it for guaranteed acceptance (if meet criteria). Just know that with poor performance your chances are reduced significantly. High risk, High reward.

But hey waitlist movement should be very soon! Hang in there!

 

[golgi body]

Did you reach out to admissions offices after your last application cycle? Not all are open to consultation after the cycle, but it might be a good idea to get what information you can on what could make your application more competitive. I know Ohio State is willing to briefly discuss your app, for instance.

Without more information about the rest of your app, I feel ill-equipped to advise you. However, with a gpa of 3.5, if you have a strong GPA trend in last 30 credits or so then the GPA may not be the problem. How was your research? volunteering? clinical experience? personal statement? Do you interview well? Though SMPs may be pricey, one with linkage like Tulane's may be worth it for guaranteed acceptance (if meet criteria). Just know that with poor performance your chances are reduced significantly. High risk, High reward.

But hey waitlist movement should be very soon! Hang in there!

Thanks for the reply. Let me tell you a little more.

Yes, I have an upward gpa trend. Last year ended with 3.9+ in science major.

3 years translational molecular bio research- 2nd author pub

Volunteering is pretty box-checky, with around 150 hours across various clinical/non-clinical positions

Clinical experience is adequate. I have the normal hospital volunteering and shadowing, plus 600 hours working a healthcare job with direct patient contact during my gap year.

I am also ORM

 

[Arsartium]

Thanks for the reply. Let me tell you a little more.

Yes, I have an upward gpa trend. Last year ended with 3.9+ in science major.

3 years translational molecular bio research- 2nd author pub

Volunteering is pretty box-checky, with around 150 hours across various clinical/non-clinical positions

Clinical experience is adequate. I have the normal hospital volunteering and shadowing, plus 600 hours working a healthcare job with direct patient contact during my gap year.

I am also ORM

It looks like you have everything necessary for a successful application. No, I don't think you need an SMP, or even a post-bacc tbh. Perhaps you had too few schools or a top-heavy list? Volunteering could be more robust, but otherwise I'm at a loss. @Goro @gyngyn @LizzyM may be more helpful.

 

[Goro]

Thanks for the reply. Let me tell you a little more.

Yes, I have an upward gpa trend. Last year ended with 3.9+ in science major.

3 years translational molecular bio research- 2nd author pub

Volunteering is pretty box-checky, with around 150 hours across various clinical/non-clinical positions

Clinical experience is adequate. I have the normal hospital volunteering and shadowing, plus 600 hours working a healthcare job with direct patient contact during my gap year.

I am also ORM

With a good list, you should be fine.
Get in more service to others less fortunate than yourself.

You do NOT need a post-bac or SMP!!!

 

[golgi body]

It looks like you have everything necessary for a successful application. No, I don't think you need an SMP, or even a post-bacc tbh. Perhaps you had too few schools or a top-heavy list? Volunteering could be more robust, but otherwise I'm at a loss. @Goro @gyngyn @LizzyM may be more helpful.

With a good list, you should be fine.
Get in more service to others less fortunate than yourself.

You do NOT need a post-bac or SMP!!!

I thought I had a pretty solid app as well. I received 2 OOS II, but nothing IS which I found odd especially since my state has a lot of schools (not CA).

My essays weren’t amazing but I’m assuming they weren’t terrible either considering I received interviews/waitlists. Could sub-par essays be the cause?

And I had a good list of about 25 schools across mid/low tiers

 

[Goro]

I thought I had a pretty solid app as well. I received 2 OOS II, but nothing IS which I found odd especially since my state has a lot of schools (not CA).

My essays weren’t amazing but I’m assuming they weren’t terrible either considering I received interviews/waitlists. Could sub-par essays be the cause?

And I had a good list of about 25 schools across mid/low tiers

The bolded is telling us more that the two OOS IIs.

 

[golgi body]

The bolded is telling us more that the two OOS IIs.

How do you mean?

 

[Goro]

How do you mean?

State schools favor the home team. If you can't get an II from one of your own schools, then something is very wrong with your app.

And yes kids, we know CA doesn't count here.

 

[golgi body]

State schools favor the home team. If you can't get an II from one of your own schools, then something is very wrong with your app.

And yes kids, we know CA doesn't count here.

That’s what I was thinking. However, my OOS IIs came from a well-established mid tier and a newer, rising school with a good match list. If there was something terribly wrong with my app, why would they interview/WL me?

 

[Goro]

That’s what I was thinking. However, my OOS IIs came from a well-established mid tier and a newer, rising school with a good match list. If there was something terribly wrong with my app, why would they interview/WL me?

I didn't say that your app was lethal.
And you still got wait listed.