Logistics of Reapplying; SMPs

[Icantplayspades]

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So, a post-bacc I was looking into doing is no longer a viable option. I know I don't need to rush to reapply so I just need input on how to proceed as it relates to logistics. I want to retake the MCAT, apply to some SMPs and then reapply after finishing a program. Would this mean I'm not reapplying until 2019? In addition, which post-bacc has the strongest linkage to an associated medical school?

My GPAS aren't great (3.3C and 3.0s) so would an SMP even be helpful? I'd planned on starting an SMP next year so, this year, what should I be doing (apart from studying for MCAT)?

Sorry if this makes no sense.

 

[curbsideconsult]

When exactly are you planning on doing an SMP/post-bacc?

 

[Icantplayspades]

When exactly are you planning on doing an SMP/post-bacc?

Next year, hopefully

 

[curbsideconsult]

Next year is the 2019-2020 app cycle for med school and you're going to do an SMP next year? I'm missing something. Could you provide exact start times? Like the month you're thinking of starting this SMP program.

 

[Icantplayspades]

Next year is the 2019-2020 app cycle for med school and you're going to do an SMP next year? I'm missing something. Could you provide exact start times? Like the month you're thinking of starting this SMP program.

Yeah, I may have misspoken. I guess I'd start an SMP next Fall and reapply in 2020?
I'm not entirely sure about exact start times.

 

[curbsideconsult]

Yeah, I may have misspoken. I guess I'd start an SMP next Fall and reapply in 2020?
I'm not entirely sure about exact start times.

That makes more sense.

Yes, you do need some kind of GPA booster whether it's a DIY post-bacc or an SMP or some other structured program.

The best post-bacc with linkages is Bryn-Mawr, but that's really hard to get into. It's not a grade booster program, it's more of a career-changer program. Do a little googling to find post-baccs with linkages.

Between now and starting a post-bacc, you should be focusing on beefing up your weak areas. Get in a lot of volunteer work, clinical and non-clinical. If your weakness on the MCAT was the CARS, you should invest some time in some heavy duty reading (like philosophy texts).

 

[BuckStrickland]

So, a post-bacc I was looking into doing is no longer a viable option. I know I don't need to rush to reapply so I just need input on how to proceed as it relates to logistics. I want to retake the MCAT, apply to some SMPs and then reapply after finishing a program. Would this mean I'm not reapplying until 2019? In addition, which post-bacc has the strongest linkage to an associated medical school?

My GPAS aren't great (3.3C and 3.0s) so would an SMP even be helpful? I'd planned on starting an SMP next year so, this year, what should I be doing (apart from studying for MCAT)?

Sorry if this makes no sense.

You would be applying to SMP's this cycle (apps are open), and start this Fall. After your first year of the program in the summer of 2019 (most programs tend to be one year), you would apply for admission for Fall 2020, the class of 2024.

You should consider the Anatomy Certificate Program (ACP) at Tulane, the application is currently open and for the money is the cheapest option. From what I understand, though not officially stated, most people who get into the program get into the Tulane medical school. The only catch is that it is not a degree granting program and you wouldn't be able to get federal aid for it.

There is also the Temple SMP which I think used to have guaranteed admission if you completed the program with a certain GPA. If you are an URM the Drexel's DPMS program guarantees admission, too. The VCU certificate program guarantees an interview if you complete above a certain GPA. Pay attention to success rates, here is an example by UC.

 

[Icantplayspades]

You would be applying to SMP's this cycle (apps are open), and start this Fall. After your first year of the program in the summer of 2019 (most programs tend to be one year), you would apply for admission for Fall 2020, the class of 2024.

You should consider the Anatomy Certificate Program (ACP) at Tulane, the application is currently open and for the money is the cheapest option. From what I understand, though not officially stated, most people who get into the program get into the Tulane medical school. The only catch is that it is not a degree granting program and you wouldn't be able to get federal aid for it.

There is also the Temple SMP which I think used to have guaranteed admission if you completed the program with a certain GPA. If you are an URM the Drexel's DPMS program guarantees admission, too. The VCU certificate program guarantees an interview if you complete above a certain GPA. Pay attention to success rates, here is an example by UC.

Only problem is that I’m missing one prerequisite and I need to retake the MCAT (both in Fall)- this means I couldn’t start an SMP until 2019 to reapply in 2020( i.e. class of 2025). I’d be 33 years old-is it even worth it at that point? The specialty I’m interested in is usually 4 years so I’d be 37 when I finished training.

 

[DubbiDoctor]

Since you are URM, apply to Drexel's DPMS program, offering you guaranteed linkage to Drexel Med, a great school. Whether it's worth it is up to you to decide. If you have no debt, and you really want to be a physician, go for it.

 

[BuckStrickland]

Only problem is that I’m missing one prerequisite and I need to retake the MCAT (both in Fall)- this means I couldn’t start an SMP until 2019 to reapply in 2020( i.e. class of 2025). I’d be 33 years old-is it even worth it at that point? The specialty I’m interested in is usually 4 years so I’d be 37 when I finished training.

37 is still pretty young my friend haha you will be considered "that young doctor"

 

[Icantplayspades]

37 is still pretty young my friend haha you will be considered "that young doctor"

Thanks, that eases my mind lol

 

[Goro]

So, a post-bacc I was looking into doing is no longer a viable option. I know I don't need to rush to reapply so I just need input on how to proceed as it relates to logistics. I want to retake the MCAT, apply to some SMPs and then reapply after finishing a program. Would this mean I'm not reapplying until 2019? In addition, which post-bacc has the strongest linkage to an associated medical school?

My GPAS aren't great (3.3C and 3.0s) so would an SMP even be helpful? I'd planned on starting an SMP next year so, this year, what should I be doing (apart from studying for MCAT)?

Sorry if this makes no sense.

Apply to SMPs now for Fall 2018 entry
Retake MCAT this summer
Matriculate SMP
Ace SMP
Ideally, interview with med school offering your SMP Spring 2019.
Matriculate that med school Fall 2019

Alternatively:
Ace SMP
Apply to med schools in the 2019-20 cycle
Matriculate med school Fall 2020

OR:
Apply to SMPs now for Fall 2018 entry
Matriculate SMP
Ace SMP
Retake MCAT next summer
Apply to med schools in the 2019-20 cycle
Matriculate med school Fall 2020

Many SMPs have linkage. I think LECOM has the strongest...maintain an 3.x GPA and you're in.

 

[monty55]

Apply to SMPs now for Fall 2018 entry
Retake MCAT this summer
Matriculate SMP
Ace SMP
Ideally, interview with med school offering your SMP Spring 2019.
Matriculate that med school Fall 2019

Alternatively:
Ace SMP
Apply to med schools in the 2019-20 cycle
Matriculate med school Fall 2020

OR:
Apply to SMPs now for Fall 2018 entry
Matriculate SMP
Ace SMP
Retake MCAT next summer
Apply to med schools in the 2019-20 cycle
Matriculate med school Fall 2020

Many SMPs have linkage. I think LECOM has the strongest...maintain an 3.x GPA and you're in.

As someone with very similar GPAs who needed an SMP and MCAT retake, I would HIGHLY suggest taking the MCAT after an SMP. It will feel like a cake walk. You still need to study for MCAT specific stuff, but your studying skills will (if you’re doing it right) be so good that it should not take very long. I studied for a month after my program ended and increased by score 9 points (to a 90th+ percentile score).

 

[Icantplayspades]

As someone with very similar GPAs who needed an SMP and MCAT retake, I would HIGHLY suggest taking the MCAT after an SMP. It will feel like a cake walk. You still need to study for MCAT specific stuff, but your studying skills will (if you’re doing it right) be so good that it should not take very long. I studied for a month after my program ended and increased by score 9 points (to a 90th+ percentile score).

How did affect your future med school matriculation? Sounds like a good plan!
My only concern is that my low MCAT will lessen my chances for acceptance to an SMP.

Which SMP did you pursue?

 

[Goro]

As someone with very similar GPAs who needed an SMP and MCAT retake, I would HIGHLY suggest taking the MCAT after an SMP. It will feel like a cake walk. You still need to study for MCAT specific stuff, but your studying skills will (if you’re doing it right) be so good that it should not take very long. I studied for a month after my program ended and increased by score 9 points (to a 90th+ percentile score).

100% agree! In our program, we've found that it's GPA suicide to try and balance both the MCAT and the SMP. Students end cratering both.

 

[monty55]

How did affect your future med school matriculation? Sounds like a good plan!
My only concern is that my low MCAT will lessen my chances for acceptance to an SMP.

Which SMP did you pursue?

It meant I couldn’t apply during the program, which in all honesty I am glad I didn’t. I needed the full year of grades and it was good for me to not have the added stress of applications during the beginning of the program.

I also had to apply later than I wanted (I applied late my first cycle, so I was paranoid about this). But timing worked out well because my program lightened up towards the end so I worked on my AMCAS and submitted to a few schools in the first few weeks of June while still in school (we only had one class left and it was a research project so I wasn’t worried about the grade). I know the advice is to wait for your MCAT score before submitting your AMCAS, but my philosophy was that I was going to apply to a select group of schools no matter what (state schools, “less competitive”, etc) so I just added those to my original application - that may have been neurotic, but it worked out.

Then once program ended, I studied for about a month and took the MCAT 7/22. While waiting for my scores I pre-wrote all my secondaries (I did not send any secondaries until my scores were in). Then once scores came in, I immediately applied and added a few more schools “in range”.

I really think this was the best strategy for me. Trying to stress and take the MCAT earlier would have meant a lower score. I know my application was not too late, because I got 8+ interviews (I think schools really do love a good come back!)

I did the University of Cincinnati SMP (which is even sweeter this year because they are offering an automatic interview if you maintain a certain gpa). It is pretty competitive and they do like high MCATs, so it depends what yours is, but mine was not stellar and they took a chance on me!

 

[Icantplayspades]

I looked at my state schools and it seems like I need about a 512+ MCAT upon completing an SMP. My question is this: if the GPA average for matriculants in my state is about 3.7, would a 3.7+ in an SMP have any weight (in combination with my new MCAT)?

Thanks