No, "they" will not overlook your undergrad numbers. One year of SMP doesn't erase 4 years of weak undergrad. (See the stickies at the top of the forum if you don't know what an SMP is.) Your MCAT matters a lot. Your best odds are at DO schools and at your home state publics (or RFU).
But I think what you're asking is should you bother. (I have no idea.) People get in with undergrad numbers like yours. It happens. Take a look at how many views the low GPA thread has - I think it' s over a million now.
What will happen to you depends on a bunch of things.
1. Are you actually in good shape to succeed in an SMP, given that you think you bombed the MCAT? All that MCAT content is assumed to be solid before you start med school classes (which is what you'll be in, at RFU or Midwestern). And all those med school classes? They have hours-long multiple choice exams covering ridiculously large piles of content. Point being, you need to do great, consistent, solid academic work next year, and kill your exams, or don't do the SMP.
2. What's your plan to get a good score on the MCAT? (Assuming your hunch is right.) Will you have a good MCAT score before your SMP host school interview? Do you have a particular fear or loathing of the MCAT, that you haven't yet accepted as an obstacle you have to get over to get into med school?
3. Have you maxed out the rest of your app? Extra curriculars? Clinical experiences? Letters? Essays? Will your app be as spectacular as possible before your SMP school interview?
You can get a better sense of what happens to people by reading the RFU and Midwestern threads in this forum. Don't take any one story as gospel - read for trends.
Best of luck to you.
Thanks for the feedback/advice! I guess overlook wasn't the right word to use. I understand that undergrad stats are very important. I am just curious as to how this whole "interview" thing works. I haven't found much info about it. The reason I am so focused on learning this is because I want to know if it's worth going to one over another. Based on my stats right now, I should be aiming for DO. If I somehow get into Midwestern's program, then that would be more beneficial for me than Rosalind, since they only have an MD program.
In terms of MCAT, I am reviewing all the concepts/doing more practice problems. I am trying to retake it either in August or September (I know it will be tough to do while doing these programs). I did ok on my practice tests, but the actual test was just... a lot different.. I understand the concepts well, it's just that for some reason, I cannot apply those concepts to the MCAT based questions. I believe that is my obstacle for this dumb test. I am working on it though.
For extracurricular activities, I am pretty good on that. I have several hours shadowing MDs, volunteering at hospitals/other health related places, going to Guatemala for medical mission trip this July, etc. I am getting a letter from my anatomy professor, my MD, and from the pre-health committee. The issue I have is that for DO (and Pod), I don't have experience yet. I am trying to find a DO/Pod so I'll have that done quickly. I know that there are DO schools that don't require DO letters, but I want to extend my reach as much as possible. I don't like to limit myself.
People do get into schools with similar undergrad numbers as mine. However, It seems that it's very rare. Whenever I view those "what are my chances" threads, a lot of the responses are for the OP to do SMP( or have a really high mcat score to balance out the bad grades).
I feel that I would be able to handle the work load. With my current numbers, it would make sense to be doubtful. However, there were a lot of personal issues I had to deal with during undergrad that hurt my GPA. Also at the time, I wasn't 100% committed in working in the health field. However, with my experiences, it is something I really want to do, so I am giving my all.
You are correct. I am in that kind of situation where "should I even bother with SMP?" I know that if I end up with a really poor GPA, it pretty much kills the chance of me going to medical school. I just feel that as an applicant right now, I am decent in extracurriculars, but weak in the numbers. I know numbers aren't the only things admission looks for, but I just feel that the GPA I have now is just weighing me down and with the expecting low MCAT score, I just don't know what to really do. What are your thoughts? Should I just try to improve my MCAT score and try to apply to DO schools? or should I take the chance of doing SMP and try to become a better applicant?
