Next Year: SMP or Work/Others

[Futbolfandango]

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So I can still apply to the SMP I am looking into, but I have recently met with a doctor who has contradicted what some others have said. Right now, my cGPA is about a 3.38 and I'm studying for the MCAT so I don't have those scores yet, however, I am confused about what to do next year.

I can either:
1. Start and finish a 1 year masters program in biology (I would basically only be doing this to keep me in school and hopefully look better for medical schools)
2. I can get my EMT, volunteer and/or work with an ambulance, possibly travel to Haiti or Honduras for clinical experience with a doctor that I know.

So it comes down to one or the other for next year. Any input on which would look better?

 

[Mehd School]

Are you interested in MD schools? If yes, consider the SMP.

Are you interested in solely DO schools? If yes, retake science courses below a B-, as well as getting your EMT and clinical/work experience.

 

[hallowmann]

So I can still apply to the SMP I am looking into, but I have recently met with a doctor who has contradicted what some others have said. Right now, my cGPA is about a 3.38 and I'm studying for the MCAT so I don't have those scores yet, however, I am confused about what to do next year.

I can either:
1. Start and finish a 1 year masters program in biology (I would basically only be doing this to keep me in school and hopefully look better for medical schools)
2. I can get my EMT, volunteer and/or work with an ambulance, possibly travel to Haiti or Honduras for clinical experience with a doctor that I know.

So it comes down to one or the other for next year. Any input on which would look better?

Its hard to give you advice, without knowing more about your stats. If you have a lot of clinical volunteer experience, while option (2) would be a plus, it wouldn't really address the weak parts of your application. If you want to apply MD, the SMP would probably be the most valuable, whereas if you want to apply DO, I'd imagine the clinical experience would be better and all you'd really need is a 27 or higher on the MCAT to be safe. This is of course provided that the SMP is not at a DO school, in which case, both would probably help your DO app a fair amount.

 

[Mehd School]

Are you interested in MD schools? If yes, consider the SMP.

I forgot to say, only continue with this option if you are aware of the inherent risk associated with SMPs.

 

[MicaDR2012]

In my opinion, an SMP can be invaluable if you need to boost your application, contingent on that the rest of your application and MCAT scores are satisfactory. And If you choose an SMP that has a linkage with acceptance, than all you have to worry about is doing well in the program and you are guaranteed a spot in the medical school (which is a big win in my opinion).
That being said, I don't know if doing an SMP at one school will boost your application at another school. I say this b/c as I have interviewed at other schools, not one has asked me about the SMP that I did. Maybe it did affect my application, maybe it didn't (And I have been accepted to a couple of schools). Who knows. So if you do decide to do an SMP, I would consider doing it at a school that you are seriously interested in attending.
One more thing, the best thing about an SMP, in my opinion, is that it gets you into the mindset of studying for medical school. It doesn't matter how smart you may think you are, it's a completely different ballgame than undergrad (and even some grad programs), and the SMP allows you to develop good study habits before its game-time.

 

[Goro]

You're fine for DO with that GPA. So, no need for the SMP.

So I can still apply to the SMP I am looking into, but I have recently met with a doctor who has contradicted what some others have said. Right now, my cGPA is about a 3.38 and I'm studying for the MCAT so I don't have those scores yet, however, I am confused about what to do next year.

I can either:
1. Start and finish a 1 year masters program in biology (I would basically only be doing this to keep me in school and hopefully look better for medical schools)
2. I can get my EMT, volunteer and/or work with an ambulance, possibly travel to Haiti or Honduras for clinical experience with a doctor that I know.

So it comes down to one or the other for next year. Any input on which would look better?

 

[Mehd School]

IAnd If you choose an SMP that has a linkage with acceptance, than all you have to worry about is doing well in the program and you are guaranteed a spot in the medical school (which is a big win in my opinion).

Please point me in the direction of the list of schools that have a guaranteed acceptance policy built into their SMP's. I'm not saying you're wrong, but my research on the matter has turned up info that mainly states you are guaranteed nothing but an interview at some programs. Others have nothing guaranteed at all.

 

[MicaDR2012]

Please point me in the direction of the list of schools that have a guaranteed acceptance policy built into their SMP's. I'm not saying you're wrong, but my research on the matter has turned up info that mainly states you are guaranteed nothing but an interview at some programs. Others have nothing guaranteed at all.

For the DO schools, I know the TouroCOM and LECOM have strong linkage; for MD schools, Drexel, Eastern Virginia, and SUNY Buffalo (you have to had applied to Medical School and been rejected before you apply to this program) have strong linkage. Acceptance into the associated med school is contingent on maintaining a certain GPA (usually >3.0, but as high as 3.5), and you do have to interview (but it is really just a formality).

These programs usually reserve seats in the entering med class for their students in the SMP. It's one of those situations where you have the seat, and it's yours to lose.

 

[Mehd School]

You've just posted schools with strong linkages...something most med school SMP programs have. As it stands, it doesn't appear that there is a school that advertises 100% guaranteed acceptance, it's just assumed.

Anyway, my original opinion on SMPs stands. Nothing is guaranteed, and there really isn't any case to utilize one to matriculate DO.

 

[MedPR]

Option 2 and go to DO school.

 

[MicaDR2012]

You've just posted schools with strong linkages...something most med school SMP programs have. As it stands, it doesn't appear that there is a school that advertises 100% guaranteed acceptance, it's just assumed.

Anyway, my original opinion on SMPs stands. Nothing is guaranteed, and there really isn't any case to utilize one to matriculate DO.

LECOM, East Virginia, Drexel and TouroCOM are 100% guaranteed acceptance, as long as you do well in the program and meet the minimums (i.e. MCAT). There has to be contingency, however, since no school is going to want someone as a medical student that was not able to perform well in the SMP.
As it stands, you do well, you are in. They do reserve the seats for each one of their SMP students, you are not competing for a seat into the med school along with those that are not in the program.

 

[Mehd School]

LECOM, East Virginia, Drexel and TouroCOM are 100% guaranteed acceptance, as long as you do well in the program and meet the minimums (i.e. MCAT). There has to be contingency, however, since no school is going to want someone as a medical student that was not able to perform well in the SMP.
As it stands, you do well, you are in. They do reserve the seats for each one of their SMP students, you are not competing for a seat into the med school along with those that are not in the program.

Ok, thank you. I was under the impression that those schools (especially LECOM, I know less about the MD schools) that the only guarantee was an interview if you met the minimum requirements. I'll look into this a little further, as it seems some things have changed. 👍

 

[coolingglasses]

I mean... you can get into a DO school with that GPA if you can hit 27+ on your MCAT. It's not outstanding, but it's really not terrible.

Hell, I don't want to get your hopes up, but if you get 31+ I think you could throw in some MD schools as well.

 

[Temperature101]

Please point me in the direction of the list of schools that have a guaranteed acceptance policy built into their SMP's. I'm not saying you're wrong, but my research on the matter has turned up info that mainly states you are guaranteed nothing but an interview at some programs. Others have nothing guaranteed at all.

The interview is a formality at LECOM since everyone has to do it. You pretty much in if you maintain that 3.0 gpa in their program and have a 23. It is probably like that at many schools. But it might be hard to maintain the gpa requirement (at least that is what I heard regarding LECOM program).