Need Advice Post-bacc vs. SMP

[bananabana]

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For context: IL resident, have not applied to med school yet. I graduated in 2024 from a T10 University with a 3.33 cGPA, 3.02 sGPA (used AMCAS calculator) -- slight downward trend, science major. 518 MCAT, first try, May 2025, and I'm currently taking two science classes at another university (one is a retake of C- prereq, and another just an upper-level bio class), which end in two weeks, have high A's in both. After finishing those, it will raise me to a 3.37 cGPA and 3.12 sGPA.

My original plan was to do a DIY post-bacc (~30 credits) at the same university (not the one I graduated from) this year and apply in the 2026-2027 cycle. If I were to get As in all 30 credits, this would raise me to a 3.51 cGPA and 3.39 sGPA (obviously still low). However, my premed advisor recommended I do an SMP instead. I applied and was accepted into two SMPs -- Loyola MAMS and MSMP, which both have guaranteed interviews at Loyola Stritch if I meet the GPA requirements in the program.

Now, I am confused about how I should proceed. I feel confident in other aspects of my application -- clinical hours, volunteering, research, etc. but obviously my GPA is a major weak point. I am not applying this cycle, and don't know whether doing an SMP or the post-bacc will be better in my situation. I know in any situation, my GPA is low, but I'm hoping with a strong GPA in either a post-bac or SMP combined with my MCAT & ECs (and good story), I can have a shot, but I don't know which would be the better move.

I am confident that I can do well in either the post bacc or the SMP because I have addressed my issues from undergrad, especially when studying for the MCAT, and in my classes I took this summer (my undergrad performance was terrible due many things, but overall just really underdeveloped study habits and undiagnosed ADHD, which I have now corrected, and am medicated).

I keep getting mixed messages from advisors and just from doing research online, with some very strongly suggesting the SMP and others the post-bacc. I know SMP are high-risk, high-reward, but I'm struggling to understand if the payoff is worth the cost difference between doing a post-bacc (~$52k vs $12k).

What would be the best thing to do in this situation? I really appreciate your help, thank you!!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Choose which Loyola SMP you want. The people running those programs are going to help you address the apparent deficiency (your GPA), and if you qualify for the guaranteed interviews, you won't have as much to worry about. Are you willing to bet on your success with the help of Loyola's advisors and faculty (i.e., their expertise and their committee letter)? It's up to you.

 

[bananabana]

Choose which Loyola SMP you want. The people running those programs are going to help you address the apparent deficiency (your GPA), and if you qualify for the guaranteed interviews, you won't have as much to worry about. Are you willing to bet on your success with the help of Loyola's advisors and faculty (i.e., their expertise and their committee letter)? It's up to you.

Thank you so much. So, you're saying the SMP is the better option compared to the post-bacc?

 

[Goro]

For context: IL resident, have not applied to med school yet. I graduated in 2024 from a T10 University with a 3.33 cGPA, 3.02 sGPA (used AMCAS calculator) -- slight downward trend, science major. 518 MCAT, first try, May 2025, and I'm currently taking two science classes at another university (one is a retake of C- prereq, and another just an upper-level bio class), which end in two weeks, have high A's in both. After finishing those, it will raise me to a 3.37 cGPA and 3.12 sGPA.

My original plan was to do a DIY post-bacc (~30 credits) at the same university (not the one I graduated from) this year and apply in the 2026-2027 cycle. If I were to get As in all 30 credits, this would raise me to a 3.51 cGPA and 3.39 sGPA (obviously still low). However, my premed advisor recommended I do an SMP instead. I applied and was accepted into two SMPs -- Loyola MAMS and MSMP, which both have guaranteed interviews at Loyola Stritch if I meet the GPA requirements in the program.

Now, I am confused about how I should proceed. I feel confident in other aspects of my application -- clinical hours, volunteering, research, etc. but obviously my GPA is a major weak point. I am not applying this cycle, and don't know whether doing an SMP or the post-bacc will be better in my situation. I know in any situation, my GPA is low, but I'm hoping with a strong GPA in either a post-bac or SMP combined with my MCAT & ECs (and good story), I can have a shot, but I don't know which would be the better move.

I am confident that I can do well in either the post bacc or the SMP because I have addressed my issues from undergrad, especially when studying for the MCAT, and in my classes I took this summer (my undergrad performance was terrible due many things, but overall just really underdeveloped study habits and undiagnosed ADHD, which I have now corrected, and am medicated).

I keep getting mixed messages from advisors and just from doing research online, with some very strongly suggesting the SMP and others the post-bacc. I know SMP are high-risk, high-reward, but I'm struggling to understand if the payoff is worth the cost difference between doing a post-bacc (~$52k vs $12k).

What would be the best thing to do in this situation? I really appreciate your help, thank you!!

Read my post on reinvention for pre-meds. And remember, it's not about raising the gpas, but showing the you of now is not the you of them.

 

[bananabana]

Read my post on reinvention for pre-meds. And remember, it's not about raising the gpas, but showing the you of now is not the you of them.

Thank you so much!