Non-SMP postbacc vs SMP

[chiddler]

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Here's a thread I posted a few days ago with my stats. I should also add that i've taken 203.5 units of classes.

My first question is which would be better for me: an SMP or a non-SMP bost bacc?

My second question is what is a generally accepted GPA for SMP to get into a med school? What I find is, given the 10% tier grading system, a 3.8+ minimum GPA to be a strong applicant seems unreasonably high. What is (estimated) to be a good GPA for acceptance, and is it doing well realistic given one studies hard?

Speaking to a friend who has been working hard in med school, he tells me that he scores just above average. He's not a lazy individual which is making prospect of an SMP very intimidating.

 

[Deleted member 237747]

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[chiddler]

3.8 GPA looks high in SMP or Post Bacc i.e like almost all A's? What is a realistic GPA in such a program to achieve to make it to a DO/MD school, considering a sub 3.0 undergrad GPA. I am more interested in more SMP like Post bacc e.g. PCOM where a sub 3.0 may be acceptable.

sorry friend i'm having a little difficulty understanding what you wrote. can you please rephrase?

 

[deleted248403]

1) Do an SMP

2) You get a 3.5+ or so in an SMP while doing well in any medical school classes you take then you will be in decent standing

3) When you get to medical school, everyone goes from being top of their undergrad classes to a much lower standing. Not everyone here can be top 10%. It takes a while to adjust to but there are some really smart people in medical school; one has to keep that in mind

 

[Innokus]

Is that 205 credits of science classes? If so, you won't be able to move it much further. You mentioned on that other thread that you had a 3.5-3.8 in your last two years. How easy were your classes?

1)If you're over 120 units of sciences classes, you won't be able to move it much. But, you do have an upward trend which is good and a postbac could improve your GPA by a bit. SMP is also good since you are kinda on the edge of being borderline and not borderline. Depends on if you want to risk it.

2)You should ideally get a 3.5 or higher. Usually a 3.7+. The reason is that you don't take ALL the med school courses at an SMP. You usually take half to three quarters. As a result, you should be able to perform higher than a medical student. You're taking less classes and have more time since you're not in lab and whatnot.

As a result, you can't be like your friend and be "just average". You have a low GPA and have to prove that you can handle it and that you are showing a positive trend. It is realistic to do well if you work hard. Keep in mind that working hard may be going over 1500+ PPT slides in a week. I know that from someone who is currently a med student.

Most of the successful SMP students all say that you just gotta keep up the pace and never fall behind. Like 8-10+ hours of studying per day. It is intimidating but you gotta be prepared to give up your weekends if necessary. An SMP is a last chance. Mess up and you'll be studying from the Caribbean.

 

[chiddler]

Thanks a lot for the very helpful response.