Is the SMP necessary?

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markymark71990

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Hey thanks for taking the time to read my story. I am in my first year out of undergrad, 3.7 SGPA 3.79 overall GPA, 31 MCAT (10PS/10VR/11BS) I have a well balanced resume with a lot of clinical experience, a lot of teaching experience, a lot of volunteer work. From age 18-21 I got a DUI and MIC, and got arrested for Possession of marijuana (which was dropped). I got misdemeanors for the DUI and MIC, and my last offense was in 2010. I have been doing most of my volunteer work since 2010 and frankly have pulled myself out of the depths of hell from where I have been. I have overcome a Traumatic brain injury suffered in 2011 from falling a significant height. My volunteer roles have taught me discipline, appreciation, and made me a different person. I am in the process of volunteering for M.A.D.D. (mothers against drunk driving). I applied to 11-12 MD schools with no interviews, 2 DO schools with no interview, but I have been accepted to a few SMPs thus far, with Tulane Pharm program and Midwestern M.A. in Biomedical Science at Downer's Grove, IL being two such programs. My two questions are:

1. Is a SMP necessary for me, or should i focus on other parts of my app (i.e. spending more time volunteering for organizations like M.A.D.D. and perfecting my personal statement)?
At this point I'm more interested in the SMP to not be out of school for another year and to go out to a new area and experience different things, meet new people, work on a thesis, etc.

2. Out of the following, what SMP is the most successful at getting students into a medical program? I have been accepted to Midwestern, Tulane, waitlisted at Cincy, waiting on Georgetown, waiting on Rosalind franklin.

Thanks =)
 
markymark71990 said:
Hey thanks for taking the time to read my story. I am in my first year out of undergrad, 3.7 SGPA 3.79 overall GPA, 31 MCAT (10PS/10VR/11BS) I have a well balanced resume with a lot of clinical experience, a lot of teaching experience, a lot of volunteer work. From age 18-21 I got a DUI and MIC, and got arrested for Possession of marijuana (which was dropped). I got misdemeanors for the DUI and MIC, and my last offense was in 2010. I have been doing most of my volunteer work since 2010 and frankly have pulled myself out of the depths of hell from where I have been. I have overcome a Traumatic brain injury suffered in 2011 from falling a significant height. My volunteer roles have taught me discipline, appreciation, and made me a different person. I am in the process of volunteering for M.A.D.D. (mothers against drunk driving). I applied to 11-12 MD schools with no interviews, 2 DO schools with no interview, but I have been accepted to a few SMPs thus far, with Tulane Pharm program and Midwestern M.A. in Biomedical Science at Downer's Grove, IL being two such programs. My two questions are:

1. Is a SMP necessary for me, or should i focus on other parts of my app (i.e. spending more time volunteering for organizations like M.A.D.D. and perfecting my personal statement)?
At this point I'm more interested in the SMP to not be out of school for another year and to go out to a new area and experience different things, meet new people, work on a thesis, etc.

2. Out of the following, what SMP is the most successful at getting students into a medical program? I have been accepted to Midwestern, Tulane, waitlisted at Cincy, waiting on Georgetown, waiting on Rosalind franklin.

Thanks =)
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Agreed. Although I am not qualified to give advice on this forum (I have yet to get into an SMP, much less an MD/DO program), it looks like your stats are fantastic.

SMPs repair grades, and prove academic worthiness. They can't mitigate past behavior. Only future behavior can do that.
 
markymark71990 said:
Hey thanks for taking the time to read my story. I am in my first year out of undergrad, 3.7 SGPA 3.79 overall GPA, 31 MCAT (10PS/10VR/11BS) I have a well balanced resume with a lot of clinical experience, a lot of teaching experience, a lot of volunteer work. From age 18-21 I got a DUI and MIC, and got arrested for Possession of marijuana (which was dropped). I got misdemeanors for the DUI and MIC, and my last offense was in 2010. I have been doing most of my volunteer work since 2010 and frankly have pulled myself out of the depths of hell from where I have been. I have overcome a Traumatic brain injury suffered in 2011 from falling a significant height. My volunteer roles have taught me discipline, appreciation, and made me a different person. I am in the process of volunteering for M.A.D.D. (mothers against drunk driving). I applied to 11-12 MD schools with no interviews, 2 DO schools with no interview, but I have been accepted to a few SMPs thus far, with Tulane Pharm program and Midwestern M.A. in Biomedical Science at Downer's Grove, IL being two such programs. My two questions are:

1. Is a SMP necessary for me, or should i focus on other parts of my app (i.e. spending more time volunteering for organizations like M.A.D.D. and perfecting my personal statement)?
At this point I'm more interested in the SMP to not be out of school for another year and to go out to a new area and experience different things, meet new people, work on a thesis, etc.

2. Out of the following, what SMP is the most successful at getting students into a medical program? I have been accepted to Midwestern, Tulane, waitlisted at Cincy, waiting on Georgetown, waiting on Rosalind franklin.

Thanks =)
Click to expand...


After reading the first sentence, I say an SMP would be useless. I think the DUI is what did you in mate. I say take a few years off (I'm talking 2-3) and work to gain some $$$ and do somethings that demonstrate increased maturity. Only time can erase the damage you've done to the app.
 
I'm in the process of getting the conviction set aside. Then I don't even have to report it. It's already been 5 yrs
 
markymark71990 said:
Then I don't even have to report it.
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Actually, you do. Even if you legally "expunge" it, it will still show up on a background check. then, if you didn't report that infraction and a college sees your DUI, any acceptances you may get will be rescinded.
 
markymark71990 said:
I'm in the process of getting the conviction set aside. Then I don't even have to report it. It's already been 5 yrs
Click to expand...
An SMP will do exactly nothing for you. If your stats weren't enough before, then an SMP isn't going to help. I can't believe you got zero interviews, considering the DUI is 5 years in the past. Something else is going on here. How did you explain it in your applications? Have you been arrested since then?
 
I ended up with one interview. There were a lot of little things I can improve on
 
benjaminl1nus said:
Actually, you do. Even if you legally "expunge" it, it will still show up on a background check. then, if you didn't report that infraction and a college sees your DUI, any acceptances you may get will be rescinded.
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technically I don't because it specifically says on the amcas app not to list a conviction if it has been overturned. I May list it just to cover my bases
 
ZedsDed said:
An SMP will do exactly nothing for you. If your stats weren't enough before, then an SMP isn't going to help. I can't believe you got zero interviews, considering the DUI is 5 years in the past. Something else is going on here. How did you explain it in your applications? Have you been arrested since then?
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I havent. I took my MCAT late which could be a factor. I'm not sure why I didn't get any interviews to my two state schools. I'm assuming Its because I did a poor job explaining my prior convictions
 
You have no control over your background checkS that happen sll the time for the rest of your life. Plural. You get no vote.

AMCAS does a check, sure. Then your school can require their own more rigorous check. Then any external programs you want to do as an M1 or M2 can require a background check. Then when you're at a required rural or military site during 3rd year, you may have a few more checks. Then when you apply for residency. Then when you start residency. Then every time you get new hospital privileges. Every time you move to another state or cross state lines. No, you don't get to vote on what kind of background check they'll do or how much they'll care about what comes up.

Point being, you need to be more paranoid about anything that could possibly ever show up on your record. There are still states where you are required to submit to random UAs if you ever had a DUI.

So the first thing is to get some humility. The next thing is to start looking up how to buy one of the more rigorous background checks, so you have a chance to see what's reported. Whether, or how, you talk about this on apps, comes later.

Best of luck to you.
 
Yes I do. This is the 2nd cycle so I've experienced it. I am just saying if I don't technically have to list it on the primary I'm not going to. It will be an automatic reason for schools to weave me out. If they ask why I didn't put it then I will tell them it's because the application didn't ask for it
 
markymark71990 said:
Yes I do. This is the 2nd cycle so I've experienced it. I am just saying if I don't technically have to list it on the primary I'm not going to. It will be an automatic reason for schools to weave me out. If they ask why I didn't put it then I will tell them it's because the application didn't ask for it
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Whatever. You asked if an SMP will help. Answer: no.
 
Thanks. I posted this in february. I like how I'm getting feedback in may
 
The sass here is unbearable. Especially coming from someone in a DO program advising people trying to get into MD programs.
 
I asked a question here once. Once. I confused SMPs with MBSs. Those two who double teamed you did the same to me. It's silly though, they're not advisors or experts, one of them I know isn't even in an MD program. I could get into a DO program tomorrow if I wanted to. So to pretend they're the concrete library of knowledge? Please.
 
ayylmao said:
I asked a question here once. Once. I confused SMPs with MBSs. Those two who double teamed you did the same to me. It's silly though, they're not advisors or experts, one of them I know isn't even in an MD program. I could get into a DO program tomorrow if I wanted to. So to pretend they're the concrete library of knowledge? Please.
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I don't remember you, and I don't believe anyone here is in a DO program, and I've never claimed to be an expert of any kind. I'm giving the OP advice based on my experience (I have a record as well.) He can take it or leave it. I realize the people on this forum can come across as acerbic, and that probably is unnecessary. I'm sorry if you felt I was rude OP, that wasn't my intention. As for DrMidlife, well, she has almost a decade under her belt of researching this stuff. Most premed advisors in schools know nothing. Mine told me that as long as I graduated with a 3.5, one of the UCs "would obviously take me." DrMidlife is trying to help premeds avoid becoming a 4 time re-applicant like she was, because not enough people gave her the unfiltered truth. About the statement in bold...somehow I doubt it. But go ahead and keep that attitude, I'm sure it will do wonders for you.
 
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I could. That's just a matter of fact given my GPA, MCAT, publications and applying broadly.

The point is: You guys create a toxic environment here for people coming to ask questions about their future. This whole attitude of being internet experts is presumptuous at best. Applying 4x does not make me think of you as an authority on the matter, no matter how much research you've compiled. Attacking strangers online makes me think even less of you and your opinions.
 
ayylmao said:
I could. That's just a matter of fact given my GPA, MCAT, publications and applying broadly.
Click to expand...
Unless your GPA is over a 3.4 (which, you probably wouldn't be on this forum if it was), you cannot make such a presumption. But alright, we'll leave it alone.
ayylmao said:
The point is: You guys create a toxic environment here for people coming to ask questions about their future.
Click to expand...
If you are this vindictive every time someone hurts your feelings, you are not going to survive in this profession. That is not out of my mouth. Feel free to ask the AdCom's on this website and they will tell you the same thing. I have never seen DrMidlife bash someone on here. If I had to guess, I would say that you either:
A.) Kept asking the same questions
B.) Didn't want to do your own research and wanted her to give you all the answers
C.) Came in with an attitude of some kind
She probably then gave you a curt response, and you responded with sarcasm and/or sass. She then bit your head off and you've been whining ever since.
ayylmao said:
This whole attitude of being internet experts is presumptuous at best. Applying 4x does not make me think of you as an authority on the matter, no matter how much research you've compiled. Attacking strangers online makes me think even less of you and your opinions.
Click to expand...
I am not a prominent user, so I am not an expert. I give my 2 cents, people can take it or leave it. Having experience does make you more knowledgeable, if you can't see this then I don't know what to tell you. Again, you're missing the point. You could've learned something from somebody who has actually been in your position and succeeded. But I suspect you are on the verge of turning into a troll.
ayylmao said:
lol like are you a real person? because it's just funny.
Click to expand...
Suspicion confirmed. You are wayyyy too sensitive. If you're not going to contribute, not going to debate, not going to learn, or not even going to quietly observe, then you should leave. Harassing users will get you nowhere, we have mods for a reason.
 
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ZedsDed said:
Unless your GPA is over a 3.4 (which, you probably wouldn't be on this forum if it was), you cannot make such a presumption. But alright, we'll leave it alone.

If you are this vindictive every time someone hurts your feelings, you are not going to survive in this profession. That is not out of my mouth. Feel free to ask the AdCom's on this website and they will tell you the same thing. I have never seen DrMidlife bash someone on here. If I had to guess, I would say that you either:
A.) Kept asking the same questions
B.) Didn't want to do your own research and wanted her to give you all the answers
C.) Came in with an attitude of some kind
She probably then gave you a curt response, and you responded with sarcasm and/or sass. She then bit your head off and you've been butthurt ever since.

I am not a prominent user, so I am not an expert. I give my 2 cents, people can take it or leave it. Having experience does make you more knowledgeable, if you can't see this then I don't know what to tell you. Again, you're missing the point. You could've learned something from somebody who has actually been in your position and succeeded. But I suspect you are on the verge of turning into a troll.

Suspicion confirmed. You are wayyyy too sensitive. If you're not going to contribute, not going to debate, not going to learn, or not even going to quietly observe, then you should leave. Harassing users will get you nowhere, we have mods for a reason.
Click to expand...

"Butthurt" is gaybashing. Mods please delete.
 
ayylmao said:
"Butthurt" is gaybashing. Mods please delete.
Click to expand...
As a queer man I find this both hilarious and telling. The term is popular internet slang for "pain in the rear." But I'll edit it for you, lest your feelings get hurt. Now please either go away, or contribute something.
 
"That's gay" is also Internet slang for "that's dumb." You don't hear me saying either of those things (or calling for mods to remove someone else)
 
ayylmao said:
"That's gay" is also Internet slang for "that's dumb." You don't hear me saying either of those things (or calling for mods to remove someone else)
Click to expand...
I didn't call for mods to remove you. Can we stop now? This isn't going anywhere. I hope you find the formus of value to you, in one way or another.
 
I have not, instead I've been called out on multiple occasions and acted rude towards. I've done my own research, with very little help given to me from any of the so called experts on this forum.
 
Rather than assuming I am a troll, you should look at the attitude many people take on here when new members ask questions. I assume the point of this forums are to educate premeds instead of sassing them for not having read through every single post on here. If you honestly can't put in the effort to be nice, then why comment at all?
 
Weird how nobody acknowledged my suggestion lol. If OP is still out there, your grades are good and if you get into Temple ACMS there will be no ambiguity as to whether or not you'd be starting med school the following fall. If.

In regards to all the whining about DrMidlife, take your butt to a paid admissions consultant or the premed office of your undergraduate if you want advice. Their job is to educate premeds and stop them from ever needing this forum in the first place.
 
The Helpful Aye Aye said:
Weird how nobody acknowledged my suggestion lol. If OP is still out there, your grades are good and if you get into Temple ACMS there will be no ambiguity as to whether or not you'd be starting med school the following fall. If.

In regards to all the whining about DrMidlife, take your butt to a paid admissions consultant or the premed office of your undergraduate if you want advice. Their job is to educate premeds and stop them from ever needing this forum in the first place.
Click to expand...
The problem isn't his stats though. I would think the DUI would be a red flag there same as it would be applying for an MD program. Maybe the OP could call anonymously and ask? The faculty is going to be pretty slammed right now though.
 
The Helpful Aye Aye said:
Weird how nobody acknowledged my suggestion lol. If OP is still out there, your grades are good and if you get into Temple ACMS there will be no ambiguity as to whether or not you'd be starting med school the following fall. If.

In regards to all the whining about DrMidlife, take your butt to a paid admissions consultant or the premed office of your undergraduate if you want advice. Their job is to educate premeds and stop them from ever needing this forum in the first place.
Click to expand...

Funny because my premed advisors sometimes tell me quite different things than the supposed internet experts on this forum. My point is that if you don't want to make this place toxic and unwelcoming, don't be.
 
I have gotten good advice from adcoms. The issue is whether or not I can successfully complete rotations during years 3 and 4. I was accepted into multiple SMP s but realized back in March I'm not fixing my problem. The problem isn't so much the DUI but how I addressed it. I am applying for a fingerprint clearance card so I can inform my state schools that I can be cleared to rotate and the hospitals that require it. I honestly appreciate everyone's advice and am working on my application materials for a successful application cycle this go around. thanks again.
 
ZedsDed said:
The problem isn't his stats though. I would think the DUI would be a red flag there same as it would be applying for an MD program. Maybe the OP could call anonymously and ask? The faculty is going to be pretty slammed right now though.
Click to expand...

Temple's program (and even regular SMPs) is full of people who don't need it. If he can, by merit of being overqualified, swing a guaranteed acceptance at Temple why wouldn't he? He either needs a linkage program that'll take him or several people to look over his application to figure out what's wrong. Since I can't see his application, the easiest thing for me to suggest was the guaranteed linkage. His acceptances at Tulane and Midwestern suggest that he has a shot of getting into Temple ACMS.
 
The Helpful Aye Aye said:
Temple's program (and even regular SMPs) is full of people who don't need it. If he can, by merit of being overqualified, swing a guaranteed acceptance at Temple why wouldn't he? He either needs a linkage program that'll take him or several people to look over his application to figure out what's wrong. Since I can't see his application, the easiest thing for me to suggest was the guaranteed linkage. His acceptances at Tulane and Midwestern suggest that he has a shot of getting into Temple ACMS.
Click to expand...
According to the temple ACMS threads on SDN, people have been rejected before for having stats that are too high. The program is catered towards a weird 3.5<X<3.7 applicant type. But he can give it a shot.
 
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