So, as a non-trad who self-scrutinizes day in and day out, constantly evaluating and re-evaluating how to best use my postbacc/smp work to maximize success in applying to medical school, and having consulted many medical school offices directly, a conclusion I have come to is this: If doing an SMP where you are taking classes alongside med students (like the SMP at georgetown,) you should apply when you begin the program, and submit updates to schools directly as your fall semester grades roll in. For any and all other programs, if you have a shoddy uGPA, you should complete the first year of courses (at least 18-20 credits) before applying; the point is to show medical schools you have what it takes to do well in the classroom. You do not have this evidence at the beginning of a SMP/Post-Bacc, so applying when you are about to begin taking classes will yield little positive outcome. Do the first year of coursework, then apply. You're just wasting your time and money if you do otherwise.