Official 2018 SHPEP thread

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habitualgreatness

habitualgreatness

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Hi everyone! I attended SHPEP this past year at UW, I am also an ambassador for this year! That means I’m here to help you with your application and with answering questions. You may PM me for specific questions to your situation (I’ll do my best to reply within a few days, we all know what the pre-med life is like). However, I would encourage you to post here so that others can get guidance as well. 🙂
———-
The purpose of this is to start a convo around the process. Copied from last years post- Which program sites are you applying to / have already applied to? What have you heard about certain program sites? This forum is to help and encourage SHPEP applicants share stats, acceptances / denials, application tips, experience tips, etc.! I hope you guys post in here and spread the word!!
———
If you are applying, please PM me! I’ll give you my name to list as your referral. Having a listed referral helps get you some extra brownie points, as they assume you know more about the program and what it entails. And, I get extra brownie points with AAMC!
———
Also, in the next coming weeks I will post about my experience at UW! Good luck everyone, I’m excited to follow you all through your journey!

Ps. Research shows (SHPEP is funded by a research grant) that attending SHPEP increases your odds of attending medical school by over 60%, so apply y’all!


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Really excited for this entire process! The application just opened and I was wondering why they changed the application process a little. Last year I didn't apply because I already got an on-campus job as an Orientation Leader but I saw that there was an early deadline and regular deadline but not this year. Does anyone know why they changed it?
 
Question @habitualgreatness what happens on the weekends? Is it classes and activities or??? I might have a graduation to go to on one of the Saturdays. Would I be able to go to it or?
 
Are all expenses paid for? How would this be a wiser use of time than say- shadowing or volunteering?

Do medical schools even care if this is on your resume or is it more for exposure for students who aren't already well into building their applications?
 
Sunbodi said:
Are all expenses paid for? How would this be a wiser use of time than say- shadowing or volunteering?

Do medical schools even care if this is on your resume or is it more for exposure for students who aren't already well into building their applications?
Click to expand...
Travel assistance will either be partially or fully covered by the university (depending on the program site), and there is also a stipend provided for meals and general needs as well. So to answer your question, most, if not all, of the costs would be covered by the university. As far as whether this is a wise use of time, ask yourself, how much shadowing/volunteering could I do in a six-week period that would make it more valuable than the program? Ideally, those two activities should be spread out throughout the duration of undergrad, so in the grand scheme of things, having to postpone those activities for six weeks should not pose much of an issue.
 
I'm filling out my application right now. Was waiting for Fall 2017 grades to come out before I applied. I'm planning to apply to UF, Columbia, then as a 3rd, I'm in between Rutgers and Howard still trying to decide on that one. I already talked to my advisor about writing my recommendation letter and shes really excited so as soon as I fill I finish my essay she says she'll write my recommendation letter. Hopefully, by January 31st all the parts of my application will be finished and turned in.
 
SassySam said:
I'm filling out my application right now. Was waiting for Fall 2017 grades to come out before I applied. I'm planning to apply to UF, Columbia, then as a 3rd, I'm in between Rutgers and Howard still trying to decide on that one. I already talked to my advisor about writing my recommendation letter and shes really excited so as soon as I fill I finish my essay she says she'll write my recommendation letter. Hopefully, by January 31st all the parts of my application will be finished and turned in.
Click to expand...
Great to hear! Best of luck this cycle 🙂
 
I just got my final grades in and sadly my gpa is a 3.6. I know how competitive Howard is, but I'm wondering if its even worth applying to that site if I don't have high enough grades.
 
Does anyone know if applying earlier will increase your chances?
 
lovepeaceandteethgrease said:
has anyone completed their app?
Click to expand...
Yeah! I just completed this morning! I had already written my personal statement so I essentially just edited it down to 600 words (not an easy feat btw especially when you liked the extra 150 words you edited out) XD
 
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SassySam said:
Question @habitualgreatness what happens on the weekends? Is it classes and activities or??? I might have a graduation to go to on one of the Saturdays. Would I be able to go to it or?
Click to expand...

Your weekends are free to do whatever you’d like. (Atleast at UW)

They have recommended “planned” activities but nothing mandatory.


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Sunbodi said:
Are all expenses paid for? How would this be a wiser use of time than say- shadowing or volunteering?

Do medical schools even care if this is on your resume or is it more for exposure for students who aren't already well into building their applications?
Click to expand...

It’s up to you to decide if it is worth it. My experience was invaluable. I met everyone on the admissions team at UW and made a ton of connections. I landed a paid internship and a research position. Also, if you got to the SHPEP site you will see that it is funded by a research grant. The outcomes from the research project show that those who attend SHPEP are like 60% more likely to be accepted to medical school. (Some % around there) also, some sites offer guaranteed secondaries, and some guaranteed interviews.

You’re the only person who can decide if it’s worth applying to.


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QueenD said:
@SassySam jc but do you go to UF? and also @lovepeaceandteethgrease I plan on choosing UF (for sure), Columbia, and the third one not 100% sure yet but maybe UW or something else.
Click to expand...
No, I don't go to UF. I do go to school in Florida though so it would be easier for me to go to UF if I get in. But if I get in somewhere else and not UF I would still go there. UF is just the top choice.
 
Destinyy10 said:
I just got my final grades in and sadly my gpa is a 3.6. I know how competitive Howard is, but I'm wondering if its even worth applying to that site if I don't have high enough grades.
Click to expand...

Your GPA is just a small part of what they are looking for. Some sites actually prefer less than perfect 4.0 students. They prefer students who can utilize the program and actually get something out of the experience.




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Hi everyone,

I did my best to respond to everyone’s messages. There were quite a few messages about general SHPEP stuff. I would like to encourage you to ask general questions in this forum.

Please message me to list me as your referral! It helps you and it helps me!

As for the general questions, there was a lot of “Which sites are more/less competitive?” And “what should I highlight?” Types of questions.
——-
Each site is looking for something different. I would encourage you to review their medial schools mission statement. If you align with the schools mission statement, then I’d add it to your potential application sites. If you do not align with their mission then I’d encourage you to look at other sites.

As for grades and less than perfect GPA’s I would HIGHLY encourage you to apply. SHPEP is an academic enrichment program. Thus, they prefer students who need the program.

As for credit hours- I had 90+ quarter credit hours. Don’t let that discourage you from applying. If you are still considered a sophomore, apply!

For what to highlight, I would highlight what makes you unique. If you are a POC/disadvantaged highlight your commitment to serving POC/disadvantaged populations. If you are not a POC or disadvantaged, then highlight your commitment to serving those populations.

Hope this helps!

Don’t forget to message me to get your referral!

Good luck everyone!


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@habitualgreatness

Do you know if applying early to increase chances still works this year cause there's no early deadline this year? I emailed the office to ask if applying later would hurt my chances and they said no but do you think they are just saying that even though its not true?
 
llama2020 said:
@habitualgreatness

Do you know if applying early to increase chances still works this year cause there's no early deadline this year? I emailed the office to ask if applying later would hurt my chances and they said no but do you think they are just saying that even though its not true?
Click to expand...

It definitely helps to apply early. Later applicants would potentially have to fight for a spot against applicants they have already advocated a spot for.


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Hey, i was wondering if you think i could get into rutgers or ut health, or columbia with a 3.18 gpa, my personal statement was strong and i should have a good recommendation. I'm really nervous since my gpa isn't too good.
 
Girlington1234 said:
Hey, i was wondering if you think i could get into rutgers or ut health, or columbia with a 3.18 gpa, my personal statement was strong and i should have a good recommendation. I'm really nervous since my gpa isn't too good.
Click to expand...

Looking at past threads it seems they actually prefer lower GPAs since it is an academic enrichment program. While having someone with a higher GPA is good someone with a lower GPA will more likely benefit "academically" than someone with a higher one. These are just my observations...in one of the past threads i think someone got into columbia with a 3.12 but either way I say go for it! 🙂 (again this is just my opinion and observations don't quote me for certain).
 
QueenD said:
Looking at past threads it seems they actually prefer lower GPAs since it is an academic enrichment program. While having someone with a higher GPA is good someone with a lower GPA will more likely benefit "academically" than someone with a higher one. These are just my observations...in one of the past threads i think someone got into columbia with a 3.12 but either way I say go for it! 🙂 (again this is just my opinion and observations don't quote me for certain).
Click to expand...
Thank you For the reply, this really calmed my nerves!
 
Question I'm a double major sophomore so I have waaaay more than the 60 cred limit that the program sets (I have 88 credits) do you know if anyone has gotten in with more than the 60 credits? I've e-mailed and called different sites and only Howard replied saying that they wouldn't accept more than 60 credits....
 
In the case of recommendation letters, they say that your recommender should be from your major field of study, how strict is this?
 
QueenD said:
Someone got accepted last year to one of the schools with a GPA of 3.12 but it wasn't columbia. Either way still go for it🙂 Good luck to you!
Click to expand...

What school was it?
 
Shayla Flowere said:
Question I'm a double major sophomore so I have waaaay more than the 60 cred limit that the program sets (I have 88 credits) do you know if anyone has gotten in with more than the 60 credits? I've e-mailed and called different sites and only Howard replied saying that they wouldn't accept more than 60 credits....
Click to expand...

I had the same problem. And i emailed and no response but i feel like they care more about being a sophomore or freshman. At least I’m hoping. Because most of mine is from dual enrolled classes.
 
updat said:
I had the same problem. And i emailed and no response but i feel like they care more about being a sophomore or freshman. At least I’m hoping. Because most of mine is from dual enrolled classes.
Click to expand...

Yeah same. Have you finished all your essays yet? What sites are you applying to?
 
Shayla Flowere said:
Yeah same. Have you finished all your essays yet? What sites are you applying to?
Click to expand...

Yeah i turned in all my stuff. I asked a professor for a rec letter but she’s gone till Jan 3 so waiting on her to come back. And i applied to UF Rutgers and Alabama what about you?
 
QueenD said:
Looking at past threads it seems they actually prefer lower GPAs since it is an academic enrichment program. While having someone with a higher GPA is good someone with a lower GPA will more likely benefit "academically" than someone with a higher one. These are just my observations...in one of the past threads i think someone got into columbia with a 3.12 but either way I say go for it! 🙂 (again this is just my opinion and observations don't quote me for certain).
Click to expand...

This is absolutely correct.


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Shayla Flowere said:
Question I'm a double major sophomore so I have waaaay more than the 60 cred limit that the program sets (I have 88 credits) do you know if anyone has gotten in with more than the 60 credits? I've e-mailed and called different sites and only Howard replied saying that they wouldn't accept more than 60 credits....
Click to expand...

See above. But yes, I got in with over 90 quarter credits. 🙂


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Rising_Sagicorn said:
In the case of recommendation letters, they say that your recommender should be from your major field of study, how strict is this?
Click to expand...

To be honest, my recommendation came from my anthropology professor. So, not my direct field.

What’s your major? Who (their fields) are your options?


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updat said:
I had the same problem. And i emailed and no response but i feel like they care more about being a sophomore or freshman. At least I’m hoping. Because most of mine is from dual enrolled classes.
Click to expand...

Correct, the credit restriction is because it is considered an academic enrichment program. Which includes taking general science prep courses. So someone who is a jr for instance will have completed the courses already and not benefit from the program as much as someone who hasn’t taken upper division courses.


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I'm applying to:
UW
LSU-New Orleans
University of Nebraska
3.02 GPA
Sophomore
URM
I think that all those sites are really competitive though, should I switch out LSU with UI or UF? I just have to decide my sites in order to submit my app but I'm so worried about getting into the sites I chose. I like the ones I have because they have a focus on serving underserved population--and UW is my dream med school.
 
URM
Attend community college-3.75
Dual enrollment at BSU -3.33
With 26 credits
Applying for
UCLA
Florida
LSU- New Orleans or Western
 
Do you guys know about how many people apply to UW, UCLA or Western U? I know Columbia gets around 2000+, but is it the same for the other campuses?
 
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I'm not sure the exact number but I know that UCLA and UW are really popular sites. I'm not sure about how competitive Western U is though, it seems really lackluster in the experiences that it provides. What are your stats? Are you URM?
 
Shayla Flowere said:
I'm not sure the exact number but I know that UCLA and UW are really popular sites. I'm not sure about how competitive Western U is though, it seems really lackluster in the experiences that it provides. What are your stats? Are you URM?
Click to expand...
Sophomore, 3.7 GPA from a junior college in Washington state. I’m worried that I might not get in because I’m Asian and not financially disadvantaged. I wrote about how I want to serve the disadvantaged/underserved but I don’t know if that’s enough
 
On the website they say that you should be fine if you have evidence of serving disadvantaged and underserved populations--I think that might be something really important to have if you don't have those experiences already. If you have strong LOR's and essays you should be fine! It might give you an advantage that your from Washington state. I'm not sure if sites like to accept applicants from in state or not.
 
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