Need Help planning my way to SMP..

[c19932]

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Hey everyone,

I graduated from UCB bioengineering last semester, which was my 9th semester. my overall GPA is 3.1. however, my "science GPA" excluding bioengineering classes is only around 2.8. If bioengineering classes are included then my GPA would be around 3.1 again. My gpa has shown an upward trend over the years from 2.7s to 4.0s. Currently I have not taken the MCAT. I plan on applying to SMPs in the future but I need your help planning the path.

my current plans include:
1)
- start studying for the mcat now and take it in July and September.
- apply to SMP in January

2)
- do postbac to boost my gpa, which will take another year
- take the mcat after (i wouldnt have time to study for mcat during my postbac, since I am concurrently active in a research lab as a volunteer)
- apply to SMP

3)
- start studying for the mcat now and take it in July and September.
- apply right now to SMPs WITHOUT MCAT SCORE


questions:

What are the chances that I get in a SMP without a MCAT score with my gpa?

Is it necessary (would you suggest so) to do postbac to boost my undergrad gpa before taking the mcat/applying to SMPs?

What SMPs do not require a MCAT score?

What other routes do I have?!


Thank you. any help is appreciated

 

[DrMidlife]

You're jumping the gun.

You need a plan to demonstrate that you can get a long string of mostly A's in hard classes.

Before you can demonstrate this, you need to be able to do it.

Don't figure out how to get mostly A's during an SMP. You'll get killed.

Figure out your academic and endurance issues by working really freaking hard at additional undergrad studies. Start with a single class at a community college, if needed. Do a 2nd bachelors, if needed. Do Berkeley Extension, if needed. When you have a full year of 3.7+ in university coursework, then you have legitimacy for pursuing med school. Until then, you won't be taken seriously by any good SMPs.

Alternatively, look at the masters programs at DO schools, which will take what you have. 2 years later you start DO school, if you do well.

Best of luck to you.

 

[c19932]

You're jumping the gun.

You need a plan to demonstrate that you can get a long string of mostly A's in hard classes.

Before you can demonstrate this, you need to be able to do it.

Don't figure out how to get mostly A's during an SMP. You'll get killed.

Figure out your academic and endurance issues by working really freaking hard at additional undergrad studies. Start with a single class at a community college, if needed. Do a 2nd bachelors, if needed. Do Berkeley Extension, if needed. When you have a full year of 3.7+ in university coursework, then you have legitimacy for pursuing med school. Until then, you won't be taken seriously by any good SMPs.

Alternatively, look at the masters programs at DO schools, which will take what you have. 2 years later you start DO school, if you do well.

Best of luck to you.

Thanks for your reply.

I definitely agree with your suggestion of taking additional undergrad classes to learn how to get good scores and to make sure I am capable of handling SMP in the future. But one question, is your suggestion of taking more classes geared toward whether I have the ability to do well academically, or the idea that it is totally necessary for me to do so to prove to SMPs with a good record of postbac grades? I got a 3.6, 4.0, 4.0, and 3.9 respectively in my last 4 undergrad semesters, but I did lessen the workload per semester by taking 3 instead of 4 classes as usual. Is that not enough of a prove of redemption in the eyes of SMP?

right now I am also leaning toward retaking some of my undergrad courses, since I got C and C- in o chem, physics, and biochem. My school did not allow me to retake classes unless I get a D or below. Would you have any idea how that works? I am under the impression that retaking those classes will not contribute to my undergrad gpa at all.

 

[DrMidlife]

But one question, is your suggestion of taking more classes geared toward whether I have the ability to do well academically, or the idea that it is totally necessary for me to do so to prove to SMPs with a good record of postbac grades?

Both. A good SMP screens applicants for their likelihood to get into med school (because good SMPs care about their results, which are great, and are public).

I got a 3.6, 4.0, 4.0, and 3.9 respectively in my last 4 undergrad semesters, but I did lessen the workload per semester by taking 3 instead of 4 classes as usual. Is that not enough of a prove of redemption in the eyes of SMP?

That'll do it. You took some wicked hard classes during the last 4 semesters, correct?

right now I am also leaning toward retaking some of my undergrad courses, since I got C and C- in o chem, physics, and biochem. My school did not allow me to retake classes unless I get a D or below. Would you have any idea how that works? I am under the impression that retaking those classes will not contribute to my undergrad gpa at all.

Multiple issues there.

1. If you got a C- in a prereq, med schools might not accept that as a completed prereq.

2. If you got C's in prereqs, you didn't learn the material that's on the MCAT.

3. Retakes do not erase the old grade, not for MD schools. Both the old and the new grade are included in GPA calcs. So from a GPA perspective, there's no benefit to a retake vs. a new class. From a prereq and preparedness perspective, you need to retake.

I think you should:

1. Do Berkeley Extension (or similar) to retake the prereqs (get A's, for the love of all that's holy) and take some more upper div sci like genetics & physiology.

2. When you're almost done acing the prereqs, start MCAT prep. Plan on 3-6 months of hard work. Spend some money to get some structure from Kaplan or whatnot.

3. With your strong MCAT score, apply to really good SMPs like Georgetown, EVMS, Cincinnati, Loyola, maybe Boston, maybe Tufts. Their apps open around October, and if you don't apply early, your odds drop.

4. Finish the SMP before you apply to med school, unless you're in EVMS or Cincinnati (find excruciating details on the subtle differences between SMPs by devouring posts in this forum).

5. Prioritize your choices to maximize your chances of getting into a UC. It's easily worth a "lost" year to save $100k+ in OOS costs because what you borrow grows while you're in school & residency and too much debt will stomp you like a grape.

Best of luck to you.

 

[c19932]

Both. A good SMP screens applicants for their likelihood to get into med school (because good SMPs care about their results, which are great, and are public).

That'll do it. You took some wicked hard classes during the last 4 semesters, correct?

Multiple issues there.

1. If you got a C- in a prereq, med schools might not accept that as a completed prereq.

2. If you got C's in prereqs, you didn't learn the material that's on the MCAT.

3. Retakes do not erase the old grade, not for MD schools. Both the old and the new grade are included in GPA calcs. So from a GPA perspective, there's no benefit to a retake vs. a new class. From a prereq and preparedness perspective, you need to retake.

I think you should:

1. Do Berkeley Extension (or similar) to retake the prereqs (get A's, for the love of all that's holy) and take some more upper div sci like genetics & physiology.

2. When you're almost done acing the prereqs, start MCAT prep. Plan on 3-6 months of hard work. Spend some money to get some structure from Kaplan or whatnot.

3. With your strong MCAT score, apply to really good SMPs like Georgetown, EVMS, Cincinnati, Loyola, maybe Boston, maybe Tufts. Their apps open around October, and if you don't apply early, your odds drop.

4. Finish the SMP before you apply to med school, unless you're in EVMS or Cincinnati (find excruciating details on the subtle differences between SMPs by devouring posts in this forum).

5. Prioritize your choices to maximize your chances of getting into a UC. It's easily worth a "lost" year to save $100k+ in OOS costs because what you borrow grows while you're in school & residency and too much debt will stomp you like a grape.

Best of luck to you.

thanks for the advice. I truly appreciate your time and effort to help me out. Retaking my core courses plus additional upper div sci courses seems to be the best move for me right now. I am looking into the SFSU (im from SF) health profession post-bac for fall 2012. hopefully I could get in.