Need advice regarding SMP and medical school application timeline.

[premedthings12]

Hello all. I am having some difficulty figuring out my timeline for SMP and medical school applications. This is going to be a long post, so thank you for your patience and willingness to help! Essentially, I was wondering if it is okay to apply to medical schools the summer before starting your SMP program?

For context, I am about to start my DIY post-bacc journey this upcoming spring semester at a local college. I have some horrible GPA stats (2.78 cpa and 2.44 sgpa) from my BS in Biochemistry that I just completed this past summer.

Obviously, I am in massive need of reinvention. I am thinking it may be best for me to continue taking post-bacc courses for 1-1.5 years. It should take me about 30 credits of As to pull my cgpa up to a 3.0. To pull my sgpa up to a 3.0, I will need to take an additional 30 credits (total of 60 credits). I will also be taking my MCAT this spring, and working on ECs (clinical job, volunteering, etc) during the meantime. I already have 2 years of research + a publication and leadership experience from undergrad.

After all of this, I am thinking of completing a SMP program (fall 2026 - spring 2027). My question is: would it be an okay idea for me to apply to medical schools the summer before the start of my SMP program? It is to my understanding that a hold will be needed for the medical schools to actually obtain my SMP grades, which may hurt my application.

Alternatively, I could try to apply for a SMP program for next year (fall 2025 - spring 2026). In this option, I will only be taking my informal post-bacc courses for the spring and summer semesters. This would mean that by the time I apply to medical school at the end of my SMP program, my sgpa will likely be under 3.0, which could negatively impact me even if my SMP gpa is good.

OR, I could enter a SMP program that starts spring of 2026 lol. Too many options ahh!!!!

Some people have even told me that I should be good for applying to medical school without a SMP, as long as I ace my informal post-bacc courses. But I just feel like I need a SMP to prove myself after my disaster of an undergraduate transcript. Anyways, I hope this ramble made sense. Thank you!

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[Mr.Smile12]

How to Choose a Postbaccalaureate or Special Masters Program (SMP) - SDN

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To answer your question:

I am thinking of completing a SMP program (fall 2026 - spring 2027). My question is: would it be an okay idea for me to apply to medical schools the summer before the start of my SMP program? It is to my understanding that a hold will be needed for the medical schools to actually obtain my SMP grades, which may hurt my application.

That depends on what your SMP directors say about the competitiveness of your application. More than likely, the answer is that it would NOT be smart to apply before you start your SMP. Basically you are putting your chips on "planned coursework," and adcoms prefer seeing your grades than your promises. Your application will be evaluated on your GPA before your SMP, and that places no value on your decision to pursue an SMP.

This is why you look for connections/articulation agreements within each SMP you consider. If you do well after your first semester of an SMP, you could qualify for an interview at an articulation program, with an offer contingent on your overall performance after your SMP year.

 

[premedthings12]

How to Choose a Postbaccalaureate or Special Masters Program (SMP) - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

To answer your question:


That depends on what your SMP directors say about the competitiveness of your application. More than likely, the answer is that it would NOT be smart to apply before you start your SMP. Basically you are putting your chips on "planned coursework," and adcoms prefer seeing your grades than your promises. Your application will be evaluated on your GPA before your SMP, and that places no value on your decision to pursue an SMP.

This is why you look for connections/articulation agreements within each SMP you consider. If you do well after your first semester of an SMP, you could qualify for an interview at an articulation program, with an offer contingent on your overall performance after your SMP year.

Thank you so much for your insight and advice. Would you then advise me to do the SMP this coming year after ~2 semesters of informal post-bacc, or SMP the year after the next with ~4 semesters of informal post-bacc? I hope this question makes sense. Thank you again.

 

[chilly_md]

Thank you so much for your insight and advice. Would you then advise me to do the SMP this coming year after ~2 semesters of informal post-bacc, or SMP the year after the next with ~4 semesters of informal post-bacc? I hope this question makes sense. Thank you again.

See how the informal post-bacc goes first after a semester of science courses before planning on exactly when you will do an SMP. In the meantime, see if the registrar can retroactively change some grades to a W.

 

[premedthings12]

See how the informal post-bacc goes first after a semester of science courses before planning on exactly when you will do an SMP. In the meantime, see if the registrar can retroactively change some grades to a W.

There is a thing called grade forgiveness at the university I graduated from. Essentially, if you repeat a course and get a better grade, the better grade is the only one that counts towards your GPA. However, the original grade from taking the course for the first time still remains on your transcript. Would this be worth it? Since it is still on my transcript, wouldn't it count towards my AMCAS GPA anyway? Regardless, thank you for your advice and I will see if the retroactive withdrawal option is possible.

 

[chilly_md]

There is a thing called grade forgiveness at the university I graduated from. Essentially, if you repeat a course and get a better grade, the better grade is the only one that counts towards your GPA. However, the original grade from taking the course for the first time still remains on your transcript. Would this be worth it? Since it is still on my transcript, wouldn't it count towards my AMCAS GPA anyway? Regardless, thank you for your advice and I will see if the retroactive withdrawal option is possible.

No, it will count for AMCAS still for that specific policy and would not be worth pursuing. Sometimes the registrar can change some classes or a semester's worth of them to withdrawal, especially if you had hardships. It would be better to have some W's than D's or F's if those are weighing your GPA down.

 

[premedthings12]

No, it will count for AMCAS still for that specific policy and would not be worth pursuing. Sometimes the registrar can change some classes or a semester's worth of them to withdrawal, especially if you had hardships. It would be better to have some W's than D's or F's if those are weighing your GPA down.

Alright, thank you. Another silly question: would doing that for a semester's worth of class... essentially "erase" that semester? As in, would my bachelor's degree still be valid or will those credits become worthless? I have signed up at the local college as a second-degree seeking student, so I am trying to see if the retroactive withdrawals would affect the future courses I am going to take. Again, sorry for the silly question.

 

[chilly_md]

Alright, thank you. Another silly question: would doing that for a semester's worth of class... essentially "erase" that semester? As in, would my bachelor's degree still be valid or will those credits become worthless? I have signed up at the local college as a second-degree seeking student, so I am trying to see if the retroactive withdrawals would affect the future courses I am going to take. Again, sorry for the silly question.

If you didn’t get graduation credit for them (as would be the case for F’s and usually D’s for major specific classes), then I don’t see how it would. You probably won’t be able to change a subpar one if you were getting mostly C’s and some B-‘s to pass your classes.

 

[premedthings12]

If you didn’t get graduation credit for them (as would be the case for F’s and usually D’s for major specific classes), then I don’t see how it would. You probably won’t be able to change a subpar one if you were getting mostly C’s and some B-‘s to pass your classes.

Okay, thank you so much!

 

[Goro]

Thank you so much for your insight and advice. Would you then advise me to do the SMP this coming year after ~2 semesters of informal post-bacc, or SMP the year after the next with ~4 semesters of informal post-bacc? I hope this question makes sense. Thank you again.

You apply when you have the best possible app. That means after you ace the SMP, or 30ish credits of upper level science courses.
What's your hurry? Med schools aren't going anywhere, and you're in a marathon now, not a sprint.

 

[Goro]

There is a thing called grade forgiveness at the university I graduated from. Essentially, if you repeat a course and get a better grade, the better grade is the only one that counts towards your GPA. However, the original grade from taking the course for the first time still remains on your transcript. Would this be worth it? Since it is still on my transcript, wouldn't it count towards my AMCAS GPA anyway? Regardless, thank you for your advice and I will see if the retroactive withdrawal option is possible.

Grade replacement is not a thing for AMCAS or AACOMAS. ALL of your classes will be included in your GPA calculation, unless you're able to get retroactive Ws. This is a things at some schools, so contact your Uni's Registar. The worst they'll say is "no"

 

[premedthings12]

You apply when you have the best possible app. That means after you ace the SMP, or 30ish credits of upper level science courses.
What's your hurry? Med schools aren't going anywhere, and you're in a marathon now, not a sprint.

Thank you for your advice. And you're absolutely right. Do you think it will be okay to apply with a sub 3.0 undergraduate sgpa after doing good at 30ish credits of informal postbacc + (well-performed) SMP? I hope this makes sense.

 

[Goro]

Thank you for your advice. And you're absolutely right. Do you think it will be okay to apply with a sub 3.0 undergraduate sgpa after doing good at 30ish credits of informal postbacc + (well-performed) SMP? I hope this makes sense.

Yes. There are plenty of med schools that reward reinvention.

 

[premedthings12]

Yes. There are plenty of med schools that reward reinvention.

Hello!

Apologies for restarting this conversation by asking another question after 2+ weeks.

If I continue doing post-bacc courses for this following spring semester AS WELL as the following 2025-2026 academic career and do well, do you think a SMP would still be necessary? I am thinking of starting my SMP applications for fall 2025 as I begin my post-bacc courses next week. I am just anxious of the possibility that I will be rejected since my cgpa is so low (I know that there are some SMP programs that accept sub 3.0 cGPAs). And while I am willing to sacrifice a lot for this career path, I would obviously prefer to not spend more money than I already have to.

Thank you for your patience and help.

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

Hello!

Apologies for restarting this conversation by asking another question after 2+ weeks.

If I continue doing post-bacc courses for this following spring semester AS WELL as the following 2025-2026 academic career and do well, do you think a SMP would still be necessary? I am thinking of starting my SMP applications for fall 2025 as I begin my post-bacc courses next week. I am just anxious of the possibility that I will be rejected since my cgpa is so low (I know that there are some SMP programs that accept sub 3.0 cGPAs). And while I am willing to sacrifice a lot for this career path, I would obviously prefer to not spend more money than I already have to.

Thank you for your patience and help.

I think you could reasonably get into a good DO or lower tier MD with 3-4 semesters of As at the undergrad level. I'd probably roll the dice and do an app cycle before you apply for a SMP. If you get zero love your first cycle, do a SMP and reapply at the end of that.

 

[Goro]

I think you could reasonably get into a good DO or lower tier MD with 3-4 semesters of As at the undergrad level. I'd probably roll the dice and do an app cycle before you apply for a SMP. If you get zero love your first cycle, do a SMP and reapply at the end of that.

Agree 1000%. Just make sure to take the MCAT when you're 100% ready and studying for it will not interfere with your coursework, OP.

 

[premedthings12]

Agree 1000%. Just make sure to take the MCAT when you're 100% ready and studying for it will not interfere with your coursework, OP.

Okay, thank you. I currently have my MCAT scheduled for this coming April. I have rescheduled and push it back so many times that I am quite reluctant to push it back more. Does it seem like a good idea to keep this date, as long as I feel ready (I have already been studying for quite some time)?

 

[Goro]

Okay, thank you. I currently have my MCAT scheduled for this coming April. I have rescheduled and push it back so many times that I am quite reluctant to push it back more. Does it seem like a good idea to keep this date, as long as I feel ready (I have already been studying for quite some time)?

Go for it.

 

[premedthings12]

Go for it.

Just to make sure, would you recommend me to not apply for SMP programs starting in Fall 2025? Sorry for the questions. I'm usually not this neurotic I promise 😭.

 

[Goro]

Just to make sure, would you recommend me to not apply for SMP programs starting in Fall 2025? Sorry for the questions. I'm usually not this neurotic I promise 😭.

If you can finish 30ish hrs of upper level science coursework with a good GPA by May/June, then skip the SMP for 2025-26, and see how the 2025-26 app cycle goes. If you then strike out, apply to SMP for 2026-27.

Just work a little longer as an attending, then.

 

[premedthings12]

If you can finish 30ish hrs of upper level science coursework with a good GPA by May/June, then skip the SMP for 2025-26, and see how the 2025-26 app cycle goes. If you then strike out, apply to SMP for 2026-27.

Just work a little longer as an attending, then.

Unfortunately, I think I will only be able to complete 21-24ish credits by then. I can try to fit some more in through accelerated semesters/classes, but I don't know how "relevant" those classes will be for a premed (as in they may not count towards science GPA).

 

[Goro]

Unfortunately, I think I will only be able to complete 21-24ish credits by then. I can try to fit some more in through accelerated semesters/classes, but I don't know how "relevant" those classes will be for a premed (as in they may not count towards science GPA).

What's the point of taking those classes? You should be taking classes that mimic Medical School course subjects, like anatomy, physiology, microbiology, neuroscience, pathology, immunology, histology, physiology, by statistics, Medical genetics, cell biology,

 

[premedthings12]

What's the point of taking those classes? You should be taking classes that mimic Medical School course subjects, like anatomy, physiology, microbiology, neuroscience, pathology, immunology, histology, physiology, by statistics, Medical genetics, cell biology,

That makes sense. I guess I was anxious which made me want to just blindly take classes to increase my undergrad cGPA. Your (and the other commenter's) advice helped as it made me feel less rushed. So I will keep this in mind. I have taken a lot of these classes already, though. However, I did not do the best so I would be fine with retaking if I have to (I am attending a smaller university with less available courses for post-bacc).

 

[premedthings12]

What's the point of taking those classes? You should be taking classes that mimic Medical School course subjects, like anatomy, physiology, microbiology, neuroscience, pathology, immunology, histology, physiology, by statistics, Medical genetics, cell biology,

If I take these 21-24 credits and get all As, I will still be under a 3.0 for my cGPA. I can take more credits for the first summer semester, however that semester ends during the last week of June. 33 credits of As will bring me to a 3.0. I'm just very afraid of potentially getting screened out. I know that you said it should be fine for sGPA, but I wanted to confirm about the cGPA. In the meantime, I am working as a scribe and doing volunteering. I am thinking it is better for me to apply after my first summer semester ends, if I do want to apply this summer. Thank you again.

 

[Goro]

If I take these 21-24 credits and get all As, I will still be under a 3.0 for my cGPA. I can take more credits for the first summer semester, however that semester ends during the last week of June. 33 credits of As will bring me to a 3.0. I'm just very afraid of potentially getting screened out. I know that you said it should be fine for sGPA, but I wanted to confirm about the cGPA. In the meantime, I am working as a scribe and doing volunteering. I am thinking it is better for me to apply after my first summer semester ends, if I do want to apply this summer. Thank you again.

You're in a marathon now, not a sprint. Med schools aren't going anywhere, so you should apply when you have the best possible app.

By thie, even more med schools will have opened thier doors or expanded their class sizes.

 

[premedthings12]

You're in a marathon now, not a sprint. Med schools aren't going anywhere, so you should apply when you have the best possible app.

By thie, even more med schools will have opened thier doors or expanded their class sizes.

Got it. Thank you!