Prospective SMP Applicant

[arc5005]

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Thinking about applying to SMPs for either Fall 2015, or waiting to apply for Fall 2016

Studied Environmental Science for my BS. got a 3.15 uGPA. Currently taking classes at a community college to boost my GPA up and take pre-med requirements I didn't currently have.

This includes my prospective A's in Anatomy & Organic Chem this semester:
Cumulative GPA: 3.147
Bio/Physics/Chem GPA: 3.306

Freshman GPA 2.770
Sophomore GPA 3.412
Junior GPA 2.857
Senior GPA 3.056
Post-bac GPA 4.000

MCAT: Going to take the 2015 one, either in April or sometime during the summer.

*The GPA may increase more, since I'm taking 4 more science courses in the spring.

Shadowing: None yet
Volunteer work: very minimum with a HIV awareness group targeting the LGBT community.
Extra Curricular:

• CrossFit Fitness Trainer
• Fundraisers in correlation to fitness/crossfit
• Study Abroad Peer Mentor in college
• Part of the LGBT group on campus throughout college.

Recommendations?

I would really like to go to Georgetown, but I feel that I may not be competitive enough to get in. Also thinking about EVMS, Drexel, VCU, etc...

 

[DrMidlife]

First, I hate that you're doing premed coursework at a community college. From a poor undergrad showing, CC work is a cheap seat on a flight to nowhere. "oh but I can't afford..." ...nope. You're talking about spending $50k on an SMP.

Second, you won't be ready for the MCAT before next summer, assuming you can spend the time and money to do months of rigorous formal prep. From your GPA you should be very scared of the MCAT.

Third, without any clinical exposure, you need to hold off on thinking about a $50k SMP or six figures' worth of med school yet. Go see if you can stand to be around obese smelly sick demanding people before you sign up for this. You need to clock >100 hours of clinical time before you can expect to be taken seriously.

Fourth, if you can make friends with DO, that would be a good idea.

Fifth, if you're in California, an SMP won't be enough to get you into a UC.

Sixth, your list of SMPs says you don't care where you'll go to med school (possibly excepting VCU). Huge mistake. HUGE mistake. Unless you have about $250k lying around, you should care passionately about getting into your home state's public med school(s). And you should work your fanny off to make that happen.

Seventh, if you spend less than 10 hours reading posts in this forum from those who have been in exactly your situation and are now in med school before you ask more questions, you are not serious.

Best of luck to you.

 

[arc5005]

First, I hate that you're doing premed coursework at a community college. From a poor undergrad showing, CC work is a cheap seat on a flight to nowhere. "oh but I can't afford..." ...nope. You're talking about spending $50k on an SMP.

Second, you won't be ready for the MCAT before next summer, assuming you can spend the time and money to do months of rigorous formal prep. From your GPA you should be very scared of the MCAT.

Third, without any clinical exposure, you need to hold off on thinking about a $50k SMP or six figures' worth of med school yet. Go see if you can stand to be around obese smelly sick demanding people before you sign up for this. You need to clock >100 hours of clinical time before you can expect to be taken seriously.

Fourth, if you can make friends with DO, that would be a good idea.

Fifth, if you're in California, an SMP won't be enough to get you into a UC.

Sixth, your list of SMPs says you don't care where you'll go to med school (possibly excepting VCU). Huge mistake. HUGE mistake. Unless you have about $250k lying around, you should care passionately about getting into your home state's public med school(s). And you should work your fanny off to make that happen.

Seventh, if you spend less than 10 hours reading posts in this forum from those who have been in exactly your situation and are now in med school before you ask more questions, you are not serious.

Best of luck to you.

1. Just because someone is taking classes at a community college, does not mean they do not care. That's a horrible stigma. A lot of people can't afford to do classes other than at community college. I surely can't and I won't be able to afford a SMP unless I'm able to take loans out. The money won't be coming from personal or family funds. Being able to pay out of pocket for a private school class that costs 3000+ versus being able to take full-time credits for less than 2000 makes a big difference. I'd gladly pay via loans to show that I can excel at SMP classes or a graduate degree to prove myself, but I realistically can't pay for undergrad/grad classes out of pocket at the moment, and I'm doing the best I can with what I have.

2. Most of my pre-med requirements come from my Undergraduate 4 year institution anyways. Unfortunately most of them are B's and a couple A's. I took a lot of classes in college that brought my GPA down, because I had no idea what I wanted to do and switched my major multiple times, including a D in Spanish 101, a C in an Accounting class, etc... I graduated to graduate, and now 2-3 years later, I'm deciding that medical school is the path I'd like to take.

3. I've read a lot of the ratings and reviews of SMPs, which is why I'm considering a SMP over other options.

4. I'm not trying to go to any of my state's schools. I have my eyes set on a specific medical school, or hopefully a SMP/Med school in a certain area, but it isn't within my state anyways. This is due to personal reasons and wanting to also be near my significant other.

5. I agree that I need clinical experience and I'm hoping to obtain that by both shadowing. I'd also like to perhaps get a research position at a hospital starting in the summer, most likely at the university I'd like to eventually get into med school at. This is why I was thinking of waiting to apply for a SMP until fall 2016.

6. I understand that Medical School is no joke and that I'm competing with people who have wanted to be a doctor their whole life and with those who have repeatedly received A's in undergrad. Unfortunately, I did not know that when I was 18 or when I was 22. Now that I'm in my mid-20's, I'm more understanding of what I want to do and obviously have a long road ahead of me to get to where I want to be.

Thank you for the feedback.

 

[The Helpful Aye Aye]

1. Just because someone is taking classes at a community college, does not mean they do not care. That's a horrible stigma. A lot of people can't afford to do classes other than at community college. I surely can't and I won't be able to afford a SMP unless I'm able to take loans out. The money won't be coming from personal or family funds. Being able to pay out of pocket for a private school class that costs 3000+ versus being able to take full-time credits for less than 2000 makes a big difference. I'd gladly pay via loans to show that I can excel at SMP classes or a graduate degree to prove myself, but I realistically can't pay for undergrad/grad classes out of pocket at the moment, and I'm doing the best I can with what I have.

You may need to take a break and work to save money, since schools err towards the side of not accepting community college pre-requisites. The reality is that the remedial route is one for people will immense amount of privilege or the patience/maturity to work hard and pay their way through it themselves. More undergraduate is the way to the go in most cases, since SMPs aren't viewed the same by every school. On my interview trail I've been told that the SMP amounted to a very expensive EC and I should have done more research instead- it's not a cure-all.

 

[arc5005]

Would DO schools be more willing to accept Community College credits?

 

[The Helpful Aye Aye]

Would DO schools be more willing to accept Community College credits?

Better hit Google and the search function.

But seriously, the reason why posts like this get so much ribbing (let's call it "tough love") is to emphasize that your grades, age, personal situation, and lack of finances are not unique. Take time to go through these forums, especially the non-traditional forums and see what people did who were like you. I was in your situation a year and half ago and it feels as though the universe dealt you some unwieldy cards and, on top of that, you come to forum where people aren't going to walk you through the process step-by-step. You need to do your own research on the topic (especially concerning whether or not school X accepts Community College credits) and ask better questions. For MD schools, take a peek at a friends' or purchase your own MSAR to see what the situation is for your credits and MD schools. There is no DO equivalent for MSAR, so you'll have to go to individual school websites or call to find out.

 

[arc5005]

I am going to try to transfer and get into a state school's classes for the spring 2015 semester. Hopefully that'll look better.

 

[joker2400]

I am going to try to transfer and get into a state school's classes for the spring 2015 semester. Hopefully that'll look better.

It will. Also, don't make the mistake of thinking that shadowing = clinical experience, it doesn't. They are evaluated separately. You should look into some type of medical volunteer position or a clinical job at a hospital near you.