LizzyM score question

[Ambidextrous27]

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[theseeker4]

So I want to do a LizzyM score for myself but am not sure what to put for GPA since my uGrad cGPA is 3.14 and sGPA is 2.98, but now I'm in an SMP and my GPA is a 3.97. How will schools see me?

The LizzyM score is a rough guideline for what schools are safeties, at your level, and reach schools. It doesn't work for special cases, such as an SMP. I would call around to schools you are interested in and see how they view SMP performance in light of poor undergrad performance.

 

[LizzyM]

I'd suggest using 3.27 or 3.31.

I got these numbers by counting your undergrad gpa as 120 credits at 3.14 per credit and the SMP as 30 credits at 3.97 per credit. The new weighted average is 3.31. If you discount the SMP by 5% for the assumption that masters degree credits are discounted by admissions offices on the grounds that grades are inflated somewhat the average is 3.27.

 

[Ambidextrous27]

I definitely see where you are coming from, but it seems to me if smp really has such a small impact that so many students who do them wouldn't be having the success that they are with getting into medical school.

Also, not sure if it matters but most of my grades were A+'s meaning a final average of 95 or better in med school classes.

Don't mean to beat a dead horse but it's petty depressing to think that so much time, money and effort went into something that has very little impact.

 

[Ambidextrous27]

Also, it is mentioned in the SMP forum that medical schools don't look at SMP the same way they do other graduate programs and that the grades are given the same importance as undergrad grades. What are people's thoughts on that?

 

[LizzyM]

Also, it is mentioned in the SMP forum that medical schools don't look at SMP the same way they do other graduate programs and that the grades are given the same importance as undergrad grades. What are people's thoughts on that?

OK, so don't use the correction and call your gpa 3.31 for the purposes of the LizzyM score. That means that for the most part, you are going to be applying to schools at the lower end of the spectrum and I would propose that those are the schools where you have the best shot.

If you prefer, try using as a gpa whatever is the average gpa of the matriculants at the medical school where you did your SMP.

This isn't how adcoms see you , it is how you should assess yourself and choose the schools you'll make an application to. Being overly optimistic costs both money and time, particularly if you are unsuccessful and have to reapply in a subsequent cycle.

 

[alexrgross]

I definitely see where you are coming from, but it seems to me if smp really has such a small impact that so many students who do them wouldn't be having the success that they are with getting into medical school.

Also, not sure if it matters but most of my grades were A+'s meaning a final average of 95 or better in med school classes.

Don't mean to beat a dead horse but it's petty depressing to think that so much time, money and effort went into something that has very little impact.

Your grade trend matters, and the point is that competition-wise your scores will not compare to another 3.27 who performed at that level always. Do not worry about the SMP not mattering, it is a safe and good choice - plus, you are more than numbers.
On the other hand, I just got off the phone with an dean of med school admissions, and he said, "...upwards trend people who did a post-bacc, than Masters, and still did not get in."

So maybe you try for a PhD, or another Masters, in case "SMP" is not working out next cycle. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Ambidextrous27]

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[Ambidextrous27]

OK, so don't use the correction and call your gpa 3.31 for the purposes of the LizzyM score. That means that for the most part, you are going to be applying to schools at the lower end of the spectrum and I would propose that those are the schools where you have the best shot.

If you prefer, try using as a gpa whatever is the average gpa of the matriculants at the medical school where you did your SMP.

This isn't how adcoms see you , it is how you should assess yourself and choose the schools you'll make an application to. Being overly optimistic costs both money and time, particularly if you are unsuccessful and have to reapply in a subsequent cycle.

So I suddenly came upon this thread that I had started when I was trying to decide which schools to apply to (which feels like years ago!). I just wanted to post an update for anyone doing an SMP and wondering about how it will affect your chances..

LizzyM suggested (and I'm not necessarily saying she was wrong) that I should apply to low tier schools because that is where I would have the best shot. I ended up with acceptances to 6 different schools, among them USC, BU, NYU and Tufts -- and honestly because of the advice I got here on SDN I ended up spending a lot of money applying to low tier schools that I didn't really want to go to. My point is to all you future SMPers that if you have done well then your prospects are strong and to take all the advice you get here on SDN with a grain of salt! Use your own judgement when evaluating the strength of your application (and be honest about it) and you will be all set...

All that said this is also advice you get on SDN so take it for what it's worth

 

[Goro]

There are some MD schools that believe in reinvention (NYMC, Drexel, Tulane, Tufts, Albany, among others). These, plus all DO programs, will place the weight on the SMP work. For the MD programs, you'll need to ace the MCAT too.

Also, it is mentioned in the SMP forum that medical schools don't look at SMP the same way they do other graduate programs and that the grades are given the same importance as undergrad grades. What are people's thoughts on that?