Hi, I have been a lurker for a short time here. I have a few questions and was looking for some guidance. When I graduate from undergrad I calculated that I will have a 3.2 GPA. Can someone tell me the difference in SMP and Postbacc. With my low GPA which route should I take? How do you start researching and having it published? I have volunteered as a CNA for 3 years. I am going to be shadowing a cardiologist really soon and I am looking forward to that experience. I also tutor underprivileged kids in Math and Science at the local recreation center around my way. Also, I am going to school to be Surgical Technologist would this count as clinical experience? I really need advice on this.. btw- I prefer to apply to MD schools in the states. I am not concerned about the name. I just want to get a decent education at an affordable price....
@ affordable
BTW-- I am non traditional student
Can someone give me the stats on medical schools in Ohio
An SMP is a masters program that helps you build your resume so you have a better shot at getting into med school. "True" SMPs are offered at medical schools and have a linkage into their medical programs provided you do well enough in the SMP coursework. These programs are pretty rare, and admissions standards can sometimes be almost as competitive as medical school itself. A post-bacc program is usually a program that allows you to take pre-med coursework if you didnt already in undergrad. It can also allow you to boost your undergrad GPA to make your application more competitive.
If youve already taken the pre-med coursework, a post-bacc probably wont help you. Most (if not all?) MD schools dont allow you to retake a class for a higher grade, so if you got a D in a premed class like O-chem, taking O-chem again in a post-bacc program wont improve your chances. Id instead try for a high-linkage SMP program (like the ones at RFUMS or EVMS) and really do well in them. You might be able to get in with a 3.2 if you have a decent MCAT, and youll have a masters degree after a year on top of it.
To get a research publication, youll have to join a lab and talk to the PI about getting in on a project being submitted for publication. It usually takes several months to get published, and if you dont have research experience already, its going to be very difficult for you to be a part of anything meaningful enough to make a difference on your application. Its usually something you try to do during undergrad after youve learned your bench chops running gels for a year at $7.50/hr before they put you somewhere good (as happened to me). Id say concentrate on your grades and MCAT. Thatll help you out a lot more.
Your volunteering experience is awesome, and shadowing is always good. Do as much shadowing as possible. Being a Surg Tech would count toward clinical experience once you actually start clinical training, but that might take awhile depending on how that program is set up. Being in surgical tech school wont really do much for your application, and, if your sights are on med school, ST school will only cost you money, provide a distraction, and make you appear indecisive. Get a health-related job instead, and put money away while you study for the MCAT, shadow, volunteer, and get your AMCAS materials in order.
At the end of the day, Id aim for SMP programs if I were you. Your GPA isnt totally dismal, so you have a decent shot there as long as you get a 27+ MCAT. Unfortunately, most high-linkage SMPs are at expensive, private medical schools. Again, Id apply to RFUMS and EVMS. You could also try the one at UCinn if you want to stay in Ohio, although the linkage there is not nearly as high as the other two. Just my $0.02.
Best of luck!
