I am not sure if I should do a diy postbacc or SMP. No one in my family has gone to medical school, so I don't have much guidance on what to do. I was doing ok, and just had a bad semester which dropped my GPA to a 3.4 (sGPA is about the same). I am wondering if a postbacc to retake the classes I didn't do well in would benefit me more than a SMP?
Stats-
3.4 cGPA and sGPA
4 C's
3 D's
biochemistry TA
top 20 university/ major research university
500+ research hours- 300 in basic and translational brain cancer research at my universities medical school (third author on 2 papers and 5 posters)
66 hours of shadowing (clinical and surgical settings)
hospice volunteer
D1 student athlete
ambassador and graphic design/social media chair for Morgans Message (a student athlete mental health initiative)
German minor
3 solid letters of recommendation
I was planning on applying at the end of this year, but with my grades from this past semester, I am not confident in my application. I feel like my EC's are pretty decent, but the GPA and MCAT are not competitive, which is why I am planning on taking the time to do more research, retake my MCAT and take classes to boost my GPA. I have considered both SMP and DIY postbacc. My main concern is cost. I will be paying for this on my own and would like to limit loans and debt as much as I can since i will likely have to take on massive debt during medical school.
Thoughts on...
-SMP or postbacc?
-which is the best SMP?
-does name matter?
-any that provide financial aid?
-any that offer linkage?
-good postbacc programs?
-anything you would have done differently if you had to do it over again?
thank you in advance!
Stats-
3.4 cGPA and sGPA
4 C's
3 D's
biochemistry TA
top 20 university/ major research university
500+ research hours- 300 in basic and translational brain cancer research at my universities medical school (third author on 2 papers and 5 posters)
66 hours of shadowing (clinical and surgical settings)
hospice volunteer
D1 student athlete
ambassador and graphic design/social media chair for Morgans Message (a student athlete mental health initiative)
German minor
3 solid letters of recommendation
I was planning on applying at the end of this year, but with my grades from this past semester, I am not confident in my application. I feel like my EC's are pretty decent, but the GPA and MCAT are not competitive, which is why I am planning on taking the time to do more research, retake my MCAT and take classes to boost my GPA. I have considered both SMP and DIY postbacc. My main concern is cost. I will be paying for this on my own and would like to limit loans and debt as much as I can since i will likely have to take on massive debt during medical school.
Thoughts on...
-SMP or postbacc?
-which is the best SMP?
-does name matter?
-any that provide financial aid?
-any that offer linkage?
-good postbacc programs?
-anything you would have done differently if you had to do it over again?
thank you in advance!