Nontrad considering SMP. Need advice.

[astrostellar]

(First off, apologies, because this could be relevant to about 4 different forums...)

I'm a 26-year-old nontrad in the military. I have rough grades dragging down my cGPA from 2009-2011 and one semester in 2014 (when I was getting divorced.) Right now, I've maintained a 4.0 going to school part time (since fall 2015, and I've been gradually increasing my credits per semester while working.) My AMCAS GPA is 2.45(c)/2.25(s) with LOTS of prereqs to go. I'm slated to get out of the military at the end of 2019 and to school full time on the GI bill, then graduate in Fall of 2020.

I've done my AMCAS GPA calculations and even if I finish all my prereqs and degree credits at a 4.0, my GPA will still only be a 3.1(c)/3.3(s), with over 300 total credit hours from all college + military. I was originally going to do post-bacc classes to raise my GPA, but I discovered it's kinda futile. There's no way my GPA will go above a 3.3/3.5, even with an extra two years of full-time postbacc classes @4.0.

Because of this, I'm considering doing an SMP. Honestly, the idea of an SMP is pretty appealing to me for several reasons, including possibly spending 1-1 1/2 years back on the East Coast near my family before running off to med school, and the idea of having a master's is pretty snazzy. I don't hate school. I also like the idea of being more prepared for med school-level classes, even if it takes me an year or so, and I have more GI bill to help pay for it.

Is this the right path for someone in my situation? Or is it a money sink? I realize I could apply as a nontrad/upward trend/3.1(c)/3.3(s) because I'll have all my prereqs, but I'm not sure I like my chances. I would be lucky to ever get in anywhere, but I'm specifically trying to increase my chances for more shots at Northeast and PNW area schools.

TL;DR: Military, older bad grades, upward trend, GPA when graduating will be about 3.1/3.3, over 300 credit hours, can't raise much higher even if I did 2 yrs postbacc classes, considering SMP, worth it?

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[mfrey28]

Just a pre-med but am also nontrad. Med schools look favorably upon strong upward GPA trends. This may not completely outweigh the low GPA overall but will help. Doing well on the MCAT will obviously greatly increase your chances of acceptance. General consensus seems to be 515+ for MD and 505+ for DO. Your military experience will be great asset in terms of personal statement and demonstrating leadership. Not trying to discourage you from applying to schools in the PNW but most of them heavily favor in-state applicants or those from the surrounding area.

 

[astrostellar]

Just a pre-med but am also nontrad. Med schools look favorably upon strong upward GPA trends. This may not completely outweigh the low GPA overall but will help. Doing well on the MCAT will obviously greatly increase your chances of acceptance. General consensus seems to be 515+ for MD and 505+ for DO. Your military experience will be great asset in terms of personal statement and demonstrating leadership. Not trying to discourage you from applying to schools in the PNW but most of them heavily favor in-state applicants or those from the surrounding area.

Hi! Thanks for the reply. I'm actually an AK state resident, which I'm hoping will help me a little, haha.

 

[esob]

If you aren't going to start the process until 2019, you might consider moving to a state like TX that has a fresh start program. As of 2019, it looks like most of your "rough grades" will be > 10 years old and can be wiped out by TMDSAS when applying to TX schools. If you ace your prereqs and get a good MCAT score you would be an extremely strong candidate for TX schools thanks to being prior military.

 

[HopefulSlav]

@Goro addressed a similar candidate a few weeks ago. I would say to rock the MCAT and then see where you stand. You may not have to do an SMP. Positive trends are positive.

 

[BC_89]

If you aren't going to start the process until 2019, you might consider moving to a state like TX that has a fresh start program. As of 2019, it looks like most of your "rough grades" will be > 10 years old and can be wiped out by TMDSAS when applying to TX schools. If you ace your prereqs and get a good MCAT score you would be an extremely strong candidate for TX schools thanks to being prior military.

1000 x This...if possible gain your residency status in TX. Utilize the GI Bill, then what you can do is upon finishing your pre-reqs from your chosen university in tx ENROLL in a cc for just one class....upon enrollment before the course begins tell them you wish to apply for the Texas academic fresh start program...from that time, all grades you had from 10 yrs and beyond will be dismissed based on the time-frame of your cc enrollment ....NOT initial university enrollment from when you used the GI Bill! That should wipe away all your rough grades instead of some. Succeed on the MCAT then apply.

TX also has some of the cheapest tuition rates for med school...although this may push back your med application a year to gain state residency, your chances increase greatly with only excellent grades calculated (assume you do well) and a dismissal of past courses that you talked about..it’s always worth looking into

 

[DocJanItor]

Not sure what your job/school situation will be like in the coming months, but you should look at this as kind of a step ladder. The first step is "Can I take a full load of prereqs and still maintain a high GPA?". If so, the next step is to knock them all out and study for the MCAT. You'll need a compelling MCAT to get into a good SMP program. Your veteran status will definitely help you with admissions into an SMP and eventually med school. It may be possible that a 3.1 and good/great MCAT score would get you into a DO school.

If you can do really well in your pre-reqs AND do well on the MCAT, an SMP will be a make or break situation for you. Do well and more doors will open for you; do poorly and you'll have a very hard time getting accepted anywhere. My SMP was probably 75% of the medical school course load. It's a good metric for your probable performance in med school. This means that it will be significantly harder than any course load you've taken in undergrad (or, honestly, grad school).

 

[esob]

Have you seen TMDSAS admissions statistics? They have some of the lowest matriculant/applicant rates in the country, including for in state. Moreover, a lot of the Texas schools have, ahem, non-traditional admissions criteria as well - look at UTGVR's class photo for last year.

OP, a lot of the advice you got here is very rosy and relies heavily on turning around 2.4 to a 4.0. In a major that, unless it was engineering, was easier than the prereqs. And performing better than 90% of one of the smartest groups of people in the world on the hardest exam in the world. And then piecing together the subjective side of things, which gets about 30% of candidates who clear hurdles for the MCAT and grades.

I'm not entirely sure of what non traditional admissions criteria you are referring to, but I wouldn't base anything on UTRGV's photo, as they are a new school and have a fairly unique demographic they are looking for. The rest may be true, but still doesn't change the fact that applying in Texas with a (theoretical) 4.0 trumps applying anywhere else with a 3.0. I'm not saying it's easy but I've done it so it's not impossible either.

 

[mk04447]

I'd say do whatever works. SMP worked for me, but with family obligations only one school was an option. A number of my classmates got accepted into other schools halfway through the program and dropped out; at the time I thought this was a juvenile character flaw, but in retrospect who cares. Medical school will reinvent you, change the way you think and provide all that you need, the masters will only be additional initials on your business cards. Apply to both and if you don't get the nod from med school this year start the SMP. Ride the wave from there, your objective is all that matters.