Plausible or Implausible

[adrian710]

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Since I am on the lower end of GPA 3.1/3.3, I have been playing with the idea of applying to post-bacc/SMP programs that with the right grades can land you automatic acceptance/interview.

I still plan on applying this coming cycle to DO schools (20+ schools) but is it possible to apply to post-bacc/SMP programs at the same time?

More specifically, if I apply for these post-bacc/SMP this summer (when I send out AACOMAS app) would I go to schools for post-bacc/SMP in the coming Fall 2016 or is it the same year wait like for med school?

Thank you!

@Goro @AlteredScale

 

[OrdinaryDO]

You can apply simultaneously and you would start according to when your school says. Now don't be fooled, the SMP programs are nearly just as difficult to get into as medical school programs. You still need a good GPA and sGPA, along with great LORs and significant background ECs. This is no walk in the park and you should consider a DIY post-back before you run the last resort SMP plan.

 

[adrian710]

EDIT - After looking into Touro-CA MS program it appears that if applying after Jan 2 (when it opens), students would enter in Fall 2016.

Additional insight thoughts are appreciated!

 

[adrian710]

You can apply simultaneously and you would start according to when your school says. Now don't be fooled, the SMP programs are nearly just as difficult to get into as medical school programs. You still need a good GPA and sGPA, along with great LORs and significant background ECs. This is no walk in the park and you should consider a DIY post-back before you run the last resort SMP plan.

So if let's say theoretically... I am accepted to a SMP program (starts in Fall), how can I attend that program without knowing what schools have yet to give me interviews in the months AFTER I have already gone to start SMP?!

Would I just finish out SMP? With the hopes that I have gained admittance to another med school for Fall 2017, half way through SMP?

 

[mathnerd88]

So if let's say theoretically... I am accepted to a SMP program (starts in Fall), how can I attend that program without knowing what schools have yet to give me interviews in the months AFTER I have already gone to start SMP?!

Would I just finish out SMP? With the hopes that I have gained admittance to another med school for Fall 2017, half way through SMP?

I'm not sure why you would think SMP is a good route to take. It is more expensive, and you'll need to do more years of it. I've always felt that these SMPs are for people who've graduated college without taking any medical school prerequisites (majored in art or something,) or have gotten really bad grades throughout college and needed a completely new slate. If you only have a couple of classes you did poorly in, why not just retake them at your local CC? It'll be way more cost efficient, and time wise it would fit better.

Get your GPA to a 3.5 through retakes, and get a solid MCAT score (~505.) Also, if you apply super early, you'll definitely be accepted somewhere.

 

[OrdinaryDO]

If you don't do well in an SMP program, then your shot at medical school is literally none at all. So think long and hard before you apply to an SMP program, because that will be the final decision makers no matter what the outcome may be.

 

[adrian710]

I'm not sure why you would think SMP is a good route to take. It is more expensive, and you'll need to do more years of it. I've always felt that these SMPs are for people who've graduated college without taking any medical school prerequisites (majored in art or something,) or have gotten really bad grades throughout college and needed a completely new slate. If you only have a couple of classes you did poorly in, why not just retake them at your local CC? It'll be way more cost efficient, and time wise it would fit better.

Get your GPA to a 3.5 through retakes, and get a solid MCAT score (~505.) Also, if you apply super early, you'll definitely be accepted somewhere.

Graduated with 3.0/3.2... after 4 retakes 3.1/3.3

 

[Goro]

I agree with the first part, and most of the second, but SMPs are a dime-a dozen. Their sole benefit over a DIY post-bac is that if the SMP is given at a med school, the med school faculty who teach in the SMP know you, and if you do well, provide you with that back door into that med school.

You can apply simultaneously and you would start according to when your school says. Now don't be fooled, the SMP programs are nearly just as difficult to get into as medical school programs. You still need a good GPA and sGPA, along with great LORs and significant background ECs. This is no walk in the park and you should consider a DIY post-back before you run the last resort SMP plan.

 

[adrian710]

I agree with the first part, and most of the second, but SMPs are a dime-a dozen. Their sole benefit over a DIY post-bac is that if the SMP is given at a med school, the med school faculty who teach in the SMP know you, and if you do well, provide you with that back door into that med school.

So would I apply to maybe a couple SMP's and 20+ med schools, attend the SMP if I get in, hope for acceptance through out the year from another med school?

OR is that not smart bc schools won't accept me until they see how I do in SMP? Or do I just not tell them haha?

 

[OrdinaryDO]

So would I apply to maybe a couple SMP's and 20+ med schools, attend the SMP if I get in, hope for acceptance through out the year from another med school?

OR is that not smart bc schools won't accept me until they see how I do in SMP? Or do I just not tell them haha?

With your GPA, I would wait to apply so you don't risk being a re applicant. Now, that's being said without knowing your MCAT, ECs, or sGPA. That is all vital to your decision. Do you have any D's or F's you could retake while taking a few post-Bach graduate classes?

 

[Goro]

The schools won't know which SMP'S you're applying to.

You may very well get some love from the newer DO schools. I can't recommend LUCOM.

So would I apply to maybe a couple SMP's and 20+ med schools, attend the SMP if I get in, hope for acceptance through out the year from another med school?

OR is that not smart bc schools won't accept me until they see how I do in SMP? Or do I just not tell them haha?

 

[adrian710]

With your GPA, I would wait to apply so you don't risk being a re applicant. Now, that's being said without knowing your MCAT, ECs, or sGPA. That is all vital to your decision. Do you have any D's or F's you could retake while taking a few post-Bach graduate classes?

Literally with the 4 retakes (C or below) I will probably be at 3.1 sGPA and 3.3 cGPA. Maybe 3.2 sGPA and 3.3 cGPA. MCAT is obviously huge factor remaining. Hoping to score 502+ in April. Grinding for it really hard now and have been for past couple months. 5 LoR's including 1 MD and 1 DO. Good EC's.

That is why I am considering and learning towards Touro-CA SMP and get into their DO program (above 3.0 GPA in SMP and good interview)

But I still want to apply broadly for this next cycle AS WELL as to a couple SMP's.

 

[mathnerd88]

Literally with the 4 retakes (C or below) I will probably be at 3.1 sGPA and 3.3 cGPA. Maybe 3.2 sGPA and 3.3 cGPA. MCAT is obviously huge factor remaining. Hoping to score 502+ in April. Grinding for it really hard now and have been for past couple months. 5 LoR's including 1 MD and 1 DO. Good EC's.

That is why I am considering and learning towards Touro-CA SMP and get into their DO program (above 3.0 GPA in SMP and good interview)

But I still want to apply broadly for this next cycle AS WELL as to a couple SMP's.

How much is SMP? I haven't looked into it.

 

[adrian710]

How much is SMP? I haven't looked into it.

20K

 

[mathnerd88]

20K

How long is the SMP? Is it a year long, or two years?

 

[adrian710]

How long is the SMP? Is it a year long, or two years?

One year. GPA 3.0 and above earns you interview for the next years class. About 90% of SMP students enter DO class to my understanding. Emailing this guy about SMP program to learn and see if grade replacement works for SMP program same way it works for DO school. I'm not even sure you need an MCAT (but obviously more competitive if you have one I'm assuming, however they offer a course on MCAT during the SMP program so maybe they don't mind not having MCAT score bc they want you to pay extra $ for class they have)

Why so interested? You are accepted med student right? What school?

 

[mathnerd88]

One year. GPA 3.0 and above earns you interview for the next years class. About 90% of SMP students enter DO class to my understanding. Emailing this guy about SMP program to learn and see if grade replacement works for SMP program same way it works for DO school. I'm not even sure you need an MCAT (but obviously more competitive if you have one I'm assuming, however they offer a course on MCAT during the SMP program so maybe they don't mind not having MCAT score bc they want you to pay extra $ for class they have)

Why so interested? You are accepted med student right? What school?

No I was just curious. I've never really looked into SMP, and I was wondering for your case, which would be better...

If you're sure you don't need to take the MCAT, then it would be fine, but know that you have to do very well in the SMP to be considered admission.

 

[adrian710]

No I was just curious. I've never really looked into SMP, and I was wondering for your case, which would be better...

If you're sure you don't need to take the MCAT, then it would be fine, but know that you have to do very well in the SMP to be considered admission.

Like I said GPA 3.0 gets you interview and majority of students from this SMP will enter following years DO class. Seems like a good bet. Just an expensive year to get into the DO school and stressful! Also not sure about the MCAT. I will have MCAT either way.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

20 grand and SMP<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< far less $$ for a couple more retakes IMO. A 3.0 may sound easy but it won't be. If you do well on the MCAT this may well be a moot point because I think your numbers should land an acceptance somewhere

 

[adrian710]

20 grand and SMP<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< far less $$ for a couple more retakes IMO. A 3.0 may sound easy but it won't be. If you do well on the MCAT this may well be a moot point because I think your numbers should land an acceptance somewhere

Appreciate the vote of confidence and yes of course I do not want to go this route. I also do not want to be sitting in the dust all of next year. Sure I can get a decent hospital job and save up all here while stress day after day about getting interviews/acceptances, but I feel as if doing an SMP while I am waiting for an acceptance would put me in a position of *get acceptance into a school* (and kinda waste 40K that year) OR *if i doesn't work out I have a good shot at going to touroCA for sure or a diff school bc of this SMP*

You feel me? I just don't know how to keep pushing my GPA up? I won't have anymore C's after these retakes and I'll only be at 3.1 sGPA. I can retake a C+ during summer possibly I guess.

 

[adrian710]

I'm not sure why you would think SMP is a good route to take. It is more expensive, and you'll need to do more years of it. I've always felt that these SMPs are for people who've graduated college without taking any medical school prerequisites (majored in art or something,) or have gotten really bad grades throughout college and needed a completely new slate. If you only have a couple of classes you did poorly in, why not just retake them at your local CC? It'll be way more cost efficient, and time wise it would fit better.

Get your GPA to a 3.5 through retakes, and get a solid MCAT score (~505.) Also, if you apply super early, you'll definitely be accepted somewhere.

What's super early?

 

[mathnerd88]

What's super early?

Applying super early, like submitting AACOMAS by the first week of June.

 

[ZT_530]

Focus on the MCAT and kill it! I have similar gpa's (both bellow 3.2) and I have received 6 interviews so far and am hoping for a couple more from my top schools. I think much of this is due to my MCAT which is very solid. Doing well on the MCAT + a DIY post-bac would be much cheaper and in my opinion simplify the process. The grade replacement policy really makes it possible to improve your gpa quickly.

 

[adrian710]

Focus on the MCAT and kill it! I have similar gpa's (both bellow 3.2) and I have received 6 interviews so far and am hoping for a couple more from my top schools. I think much of this is due to my MCAT which is very solid. Doing well on the MCAT + a DIY post-bac would be much cheaper and in my opinion simplify the process. The grade replacement policy really makes it possible to improve your gpa quickly.

Like I said with the 4 retakes, still ending up with 3.1 sGPA and 3.3 cGPA. Did you apply with <3.2 GPA and a killer MCAT and got 6 interviews? If so, well done. What was your MCAT if you don't mind me asking?

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

OP did you somehow get like straight B's? I'm having a hard time understanding how some retakes can't help you.

 

[ZT_530]

Like I said with the 4 retakes, still ending up with 3.1 sGPA and 3.3 cGPA. Did you apply with <3.2 GPA and a killer MCAT and got 6 interviews? If so, well done. What was your MCAT if you don't mind me asking?

cGPA = 3.18, sGPA = 3.04, MCAT = 513. I think the rest of my application is solid but not unusually so. Focus on the MCAT. Get a 508 or above, apply early and broadly, and I think you will get some love.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

If you don't mind me asking where did you interview? And what has been the result?

 

[adrian710]

cGPA = 3.18, sGPA = 3.04, MCAT = 513. I think the rest of my application is solid but not unusually so. Focus on the MCAT. Get a 508 or above, apply early and broadly, and I think you will get some love.

Damn 513. Well done. MCAT on April 1st. Been grinding for a couple months now really learning info, especially bio. As soon as I am done with intense learning of info I will do practice tests and review them throughly (1 per week) for hopefully a couple months.

 

[adrian710]

OP did you somehow get like straight B's? I'm having a hard time understanding how some retakes can't help you.

Yeah I mean I got 3.0 most science classes with a few 3.5's (upper level). I 2.0/2.5 both gen chems and physics (which are the ones I'm retaking). And I 3.5/4.0 all non-science.

 

[ZT_530]

If you don't mind me asking where did you interview? And what has been the result?

LECOM, BCOM, LUCOM, ACOM, TUNCOM, PNWU. So far i've only interviewed at the first three. One acceptance, one waitlist, and the other i'm still waiting to hear back from.

 

[adrian710]

LECOM, BCOM, LUCOM, ACOM, TUNCOM, PNWU. So far i've only interviewed at the first three. One acceptance, one waitlist, and the other i'm still waiting to hear back from.

How many schools did you apply to? Where's the acceptance from?

 

[Promethean]

LECOM seems to REALLY like to bring its post-baccs onboard as MS1s. A significant number of my classmates got in via the post-bacc program, and they are generally highly successful in their first year, from what I can see. Already knowing the school, the faculty, and having seen some of the material once, they tend to be leaders among our class.

I have long been a big fan of the DIY post-bacc option, but if you have the opportunity to do LECOM's post-bacc, I'd say go for it. Especially if the alternative is having to go through another application cycle anyway.

To be fair, I didn't meet anyone who didn't do well in the post-bacc program. There must be some, but I only see those who made it through and did well.

 

[adrian710]

LECOM seems to REALLY like to bring its post-baccs onboard as MS1s. A significant number of my classmates got in via the post-bacc program, and they are generally highly successful in their first year, from what I can see. Already knowing the school, the faculty, and having seen some of the material once, they tend to be leaders among our class.

I have long been a big fan of the DIY post-bacc option, but if you have the opportunity to do LECOM's post-bacc, I'd say go for it. Especially if the alternative is having to go through another application cycle anyway.

To be fair, I didn't meet anyone who didn't do well in the post-bacc program. There must be some, but I only see those who made it through and did well.

Thanks for the insight mate

 

[Promethean]

Thanks for the insight mate

Right on. If you do end up here (Erie), look me up. I like being helpful.

 

[adrian710]

Right on. If you do end up here (Erie), look me up. I like being helpful.

Deal. Cheers brotha, take care.