is SMP for me?

[SilvrGrey330]

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Hi,

I have a strong gpa, but weak mcat (22N) but re-took in april and wont know score in june.

gpa is 3.6 science. what are my chances of getting into a SMP next year? incase i dont get into med school. lets say my april mcat is 26 or 27.

also, im only interested in joint SMP with med schools. which ones are these, could someone please list them?

thanks.

 

[PAPPAPPAP]

Hi,

I have a strong gpa, but weak mcat (22N) but re-took in april and wont know score in june.

gpa is 3.6 science. what are my chances of getting into a SMP next year? incase i dont get into med school. lets say my april mcat is 26 or 27.

also, im only interested in joint SMP with med schools. which ones are these, could someone please list them?

thanks.

Well, its really important to know that April MCAT score because some SMP's have a minimum MCAT for admission...for instance 27 to gtown SMP and Drexel IMS. To make a good recommendation, its also useful to know your undergraduate university and more about your ECs, history, etc. Generally, it is my understanding that certain programs are more tailored to students who need to improve MCATs and others are suited more toward coursework. Drexel has multiple programs for different types of students and the MSP program is tailored more towards MCAT prep. http://www.drexel.edu/med/ims/ Hopefully other posts can help you some more...but more info would make it easier.

 

[calbear15]

Hi,

I have a strong gpa, but weak mcat (22N) but re-took in april and wont know score in june.

gpa is 3.6 science. what are my chances of getting into a SMP next year? incase i dont get into med school. lets say my april mcat is 26 or 27.

also, im only interested in joint SMP with med schools. which ones are these, could someone please list them?

thanks.

SilvrGrey,

Off the top of my head, the programs that are "joint with med schools" (meaning you take classes alongside med school students?) are

1. Georgetown
2. BU
3. RFUMS
4. EVMS

I'd recommend that you go read some of the old posts by "Phil Anthropist" because he talked about the post-baccs extensively.

I'd also recommend you to consider taking the GRE. Some programs don't require the MCAT for admissions and as far as I know, you can take the GRE anytime. You have a pretty good GPA so as long as you don't muck up your standardized test scores, I'd say your chances of being accepted to an SMP is very good

 

[SilvrGrey330]

thanks for the helpful info,

so if i get into any of those smps, lets say after a year and i get into their med school....could some of my courses count towards my M1 standing, and maybe be inducted into M2? or pretty close to M2 standing? or do they make u re-peat, and you may just find M1 to be easier.

 

[calbear15]

thanks for the helpful info,

so if i get into any of those smps, lets say after a year and i get into their med school....could some of my courses count towards my M1 standing, and maybe be inducted into M2? or pretty close to M2 standing? or do they make u re-peat, and you may just find M1 to be easier.

No. Generally, you'll still have to pay full 4-years tuition. For those classes that you took in SMP, you may test out of them or some schools may let you repeat. Sometimes people TA the class.

 

[medstylee]

thanks for the helpful info,

so if i get into any of those smps, lets say after a year and i get into their med school....could some of my courses count towards my M1 standing, and maybe be inducted into M2? or pretty close to M2 standing? or do they make u re-peat, and you may just find M1 to be easier.

I think how this works might vary from program to program. A Georgetown, you do not have to repeat any of the courses if you do not wish to. In fact, I think very few people, if any, ever end up repeating (those who get into Gtown usually have the equiv. of HP or H in those courses anyway). With that, you only have to take a small number of classes first year. However, you do need to have enough credits to be considered a full-time student (to get loans). So, most of the Georgetown students become TA's for the physiology and neuroscience courses. I've been told that other options are to take undergraduate courses (intro spanish, for example) or to do research, but I haven't heard of any ex-physios taking the research option. I believe that I saw on another thread, if you go to Rosalind Franklin's program, you may be able to finish the remaining courses during the summer and then enter directly into second year. However, don't quote me on that one. It's on one of these threads. Anyway, best of luck.

 

[barnardgirl]

i applying to the georgetown smp. my cumulative gpa is over 3.0 and my april mcat should be about 29-31, but my science gpa is about 2.7. is there a cut-off of 3.0 for science gpa specifically? also, is it not worth applying at this point? and advice is much, much appreciated.

 

[wannabedoc34]

i applying to the georgetown smp. my cumulative gpa is over 3.0 and my april mcat should be about 29-31, but my science gpa is about 2.7. is there a cut-off of 3.0 for science gpa specifically? also, is it not worth applying at this point? and advice is much, much appreciated.

They say there is a cut-off but you should still apply. The cut-off isn't really SET IN STONE (esp. @ BU).

 

[Lindyhopper]

If your Mcat does not improve (or even if it does) consider embracing the DO approach. Consider applying to DO programs &/or DO post-baccs.

 

[premed]

I have to agree with Lindyhopper. Generally SMPs are more suited for those with low GPAs and higher MCATs. Even if you get a 27 MCAT score, you will be in the low range for acceptance into a US allopathic medical school. If you do get around a 27 and really want to go to a US allopathic medical school, I would suggest the Rosalind Franklin Applied Physiology Master's program. If you are accepted into this program, and you meet their GPA requirements during the year, they will accept you despite a lower MCAT. Other master's programs will still look at the complete application. If I were you, I'd really take some time off to study for the MCATs and try to break a 30. You can study for 3 months and take 1 test. With a good score you won't need a post-bac/master's program. The other option is to spend 40k or so to spend 1-2 years doing a master's program and taking 20+ exams. Buckle down and nail those MCATs! Sign up for a prep course. Good luck!

If your Mcat does not improve (or even if it does) consider embracing the DO approach. Consider applying to DO programs &/or DO post-baccs.

 

[premed]

They say there is a cut-off but you should still apply. The cut-off isn't really SET IN STONE (esp. @ BU).

Same with Georgetown SMP. I would spend the money and give it a shot!