Is SMP my best option

[Newlearner2017]

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I am graduating from JHU this May with GPA of 3.1 and MCAT score of 515. I had a bad semester (1.73 GPA)

Is SMP my best option to improve GPA and to strengthen my application for medical school? What are my chances of getting into one of following SMPs?

• JHU Post-Baccalaureate - Health Science Intensive Program - MS in Biotechnology
• Tufts University School of Medicine - MS in Biomedical Sciences
• Georgetown University - Special Master's Program - MS in Physiology
• Boston University - Master of Science in Medical Sciences Program
• University of Cincinnati - Special Master's Program - MS in Physiology
• Eastern Virginia Medical School - Medical Master's Program (1-year option)
• Vanderbilt - Master's Program in Biomedical Sciences
• Tulane - One Year Masters Program in Cell and Molecular Biology

I appreciate your guidance.
Thanks

 

[2.9GPA]

The Drexel "Pathway to Medical School" one has no GPA requirement, prefers that you have taken the MCAT (which you did and did great on) and provides linkage into their MD program upon acceptance into the program. Sounds like you would be a good fit.

 

[Goro]

I am graduating from JHU this May with GPA of 3.1 and MCAT score of 515. I had a bad semester (1.73 GPA)

Is SMP my best option to improve GPA and to strengthen my application for medical school? What are my chances of getting into one of following SMPs?

• JHU Post-Baccalaureate - Health Science Intensive Program - MS in Biotechnology
• Tufts University School of Medicine - MS in Biomedical Sciences
• Georgetown University - Special Master's Program - MS in Physiology
• Boston University - Master of Science in Medical Sciences Program
• University of Cincinnati - Special Master's Program - MS in Physiology
• Eastern Virginia Medical School - Medical Master's Program (1-year option)
• Vanderbilt - Master's Program in Biomedical Sciences
• Tulane - One Year Masters Program in Cell and Molecular Biology

I appreciate your guidance.
Thanks

When did you have this bad semester? If early on, you might not need the SMP. In fact, you you have had a 3.7+ GPA for JR and SR year, I'd suggest trying an app cycle.

 

[Newlearner2017]

The Drexel "Pathway to Medical School" one has no GPA requirement, prefers that you have taken the MCAT (which you did and did great on) and provides linkage into their MD program upon acceptance into the program. Sounds like you would be a good fit.

Thanks you very much! I started the application.

 

[Newlearner2017]

When did you have this bad semester? If early on, you might not need the SMP. In fact, you you have had a 3.7+ GPA for JR and SR year, I'd suggest trying an app cycle.

I had bad grade in fall semester of Sophomore year. My accumulated GPA prior to fall semester of sophomore was 3.85 but I didn't do as well in JR and SR year. I will end up with GPA of 3.1

 

[PentuPenguin]

If anything, I'd consider a record-enhancing post-bacc. I had a bad YEAR (sophomore) and bad semester (junior fall). Did the post-bacc, showed my commitment and how seriously I wanted to improve, and the cycle has been good. Talk to your advisor, but do consider post baccs too since that GPA gets factored into your undergrad GPA

 

[Newlearner2017]

If anything, I'd consider a record-enhancing post-bacc. I had a bad YEAR (sophomore) and bad semester (junior fall). Did the post-bacc, showed my commitment and how seriously I wanted to improve, and the cycle has been good. Talk to your advisor, but do consider post baccs too since that GPA gets factored into your undergrad GPA

Would it not be hard to bring my GPA up with post-bacc? I think it may be better to go with SMP as GPA is shown separately on the medical school application. It may be better show that I can do well in SMP program which is equivalent to 1st year medical school.

 

[SpicyMayo]

Would it not be hard to bring my GPA up with post-bacc? I think it may be better to go with SMP as GPA is shown separately on the medical school application. It may be better show that I can do well in SMP program which is equivalent to 1st year medical school.

Do you have a compelling and cohesive story for why you want to become a physician? If not, seriously consider a one year SMP. I had similar stats to you, a sub 3.0 GPA and slightly lower MCAT from a slightly more prestigious university, and the one year SMP opened doors for me that I never thought possible. I can only vouch for the program I attended, but seriously look into University of Cincinnati COM's SMP in physiology. Small class size, all med school classes side by side with the M1s (except their neuro block), super personalized attention, and a proven track record for getting people into MD schools. You're gonna work super hard but if you put in the work you will reap the rewards. Every single one of my 10 close friends from the program (there were 29 total students) have already matriculated or are narrowing down their acceptances for this current cycle. If you want to throw in your app this cycle for MD programs like Goro said I wouldn't say it's the worst idea in the world, you seem to have a good grasp on what makes one competitive for med school. Just know that a year of an SMP will add some extremely substantial things to your app besides 30+ credits of allopathic coursework. I did research at Cincinnati Children's, got immersed in some awesome volunteering, made relationships with M1s, M2s, M3s, and connected with amazing mentors. Also I arranged a gap year job that really became the focal point of my app. I could keep going on lol but the SMP really gave me the opportunity to see if I could make it in med school. Yes it was expensive and you will need to decide if the money is worth it for you, but it got me into my dream school so it was worth it for me. PM if you want any more info

 

[Newlearner2017]

Do you have a compelling and cohesive story for why you want to become a physician? If not, seriously consider a one year SMP. I had similar stats to you, a sub 3.0 GPA and slightly lower MCAT from a slightly more prestigious university, and the one year SMP opened doors for me that I never thought possible. I can only vouch for the program I attended, but seriously look into University of Cincinnati COM's SMP in physiology. Small class size, all med school classes side by side with the M1s (except their neuro block), super personalized attention, and a proven track record for getting people into MD schools. You're gonna work super hard but if you put in the work you will reap the rewards. Every single one of my 10 close friends from the program (there were 29 total students) have already matriculated or are narrowing down their acceptances for this current cycle. If you want to throw in your app this cycle for MD programs like Goro said I wouldn't say it's the worst idea in the world, you seem to have a good grasp on what makes one competitive for med school. Just know that a year of an SMP will add some extremely substantial things to your app besides 30+ credits of allopathic coursework. I did research at Cincinnati Children's, got immersed in some awesome volunteering, made relationships with M1s, M2s, M3s, and connected with amazing mentors. Also I arranged a gap year job that really became the focal point of my app. I could keep going on lol but the SMP really gave me the opportunity to see if I could make it in med school. Yes it was expensive and you will need to decide if the money is worth it for you, but it got me into my dream school so it was worth it for me. PM if you want any more info

Thank you very much for your encouragement and great information on University of Cincinnati COM's SMP in physiology that is my list. I am submitting the application for SMPs I listed. I will have closer look at University of Cincinnati.

 

[Newlearner2017]

I am graduating from JHU this May with GPA of 3.1 and MCAT score of 515. I had a bad semester (1.73 GPA)

Is SMP my best option to improve GPA and to strengthen my application for medical school? What are my chances of getting into one of following SMPs?

• JHU Post-Baccalaureate - Health Science Intensive Program - MS in Biotechnology
• Tufts University School of Medicine - MS in Biomedical Sciences
• Georgetown University - Special Master's Program - MS in Physiology
• Boston University - Master of Science in Medical Sciences Program
• University of Cincinnati - Special Master's Program - MS in Physiology
• Eastern Virginia Medical School - Medical Master's Program (1-year option)
• Vanderbilt - Master's Program in Biomedical Sciences
• Tulane - One Year Masters Program in Cell and Molecular Biology

I appreciate your guidance.
Thanks

What are my chances of getting into one of above SMPs?

 

[955897]

I attended the BU MAMS program and it was genuinely the best decision I have ever made. I think you have a good chance of acceptance into BUs SMP. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[FatePrevails]

I attended the BU MAMS program and it was genuinely the best decision I have ever made. I think you have a good chance of acceptance into BUs SMP. Let me know if you have any questions.

Hi! I am currently applying to this program. Can I private message you? I have a few questions 🙂

 

[955897]

Hi! I am currently applying to this program. Can I private message you? I have a few questions 🙂

Definitely!

 

[FatePrevails]

Definitely!

It says that I cannot send you a private message because you have "limited who can view your account and who can message you" 🙁

 

[955897]

It says that I cannot send you a private message because you have "limited who can view your account and who can message you" 🙁

I corrected my settings

 

[day2day]

I corrected my settings

Hello! I understand this post comes a year later but the BU MAMS program sent me an acceptance and I'd love to hear your experience if you are open to sharing.