Question

[cheezer]

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Anybody apply to SMPs midway through taking the prereqs?

I'm speaking only hypothetically of course, but I'm thinking of applying to an SMP next Jan/Feb. At that point I'd be done with all preqs besides Orgo2 and Biology2, which I'd complete by June of that year. All in all, I'd have approximately 45 units of postbac work finished by next June. What concerns me is that none of these units, asides from Ochem, would be an upper division. I have an econ degree for my bachelors.

Academically I'm doing fine, with a 4.0 for one semester completed so far and am starting a hospital volunteering program that promises a recommendation letter after 240 hours. I'm going to office hours and getting to know my professors. My cgpa, I'm guessing, should be about a 3.0 by Jan of next year.

Standardized test-wise, I'm thinking of taking the MCAT early Janurary. But I've already taken the GRE and got a 1200.

Anyways, bottom-line, has it been done? Most of the threads I've read mentioned upper division coursework in a postbacc before heading off to an SMP. I'm interested in Tulane, UC, BU etc..., so granted IF things go the way I expect, I'd be applying to these programs in Jan with a cgpa 3.0, bcpm slightly higher than 3.0, a 1200 GRE, 100 volunteer hours, and the promise of MCAT scores when they come around.

Big if's, but I'd appreciate it if someone humored me.

 

[PlAnEjaNe]

Anybody apply to SMPs midway through taking the prereqs?

I'm speaking only hypothetically of course, but I'm thinking of applying to an SMP next Jan/Feb. At that point I'd be done with all preqs besides Orgo2 and Biology2, which I'd complete by June of that year. All in all, I'd have approximately 45 units of postbac work finished by next June. What concerns me is that none of these units, asides from Ochem, would be an upper division. I have an econ degree for my bachelors.

Academically I'm doing fine, with a 4.0 for one semester completed so far and am starting a hospital volunteering program that promises a recommendation letter after 240 hours. I'm going to office hours and getting to know my professors. My cgpa, I'm guessing, should be about a 3.0 by Jan of next year.

Standardized test-wise, I'm thinking of taking the MCAT early Janurary. But I've already taken the GRE and got a 1200.

Anyways, bottom-line, has it been done? Most of the threads I've read mentioned upper division coursework in a postbacc before heading off to an SMP. I'm interested in Tulane, UC, BU etc..., so granted IF things go the way I expect, I'd be applying to these programs in Jan with a cgpa 3.0, bcpm slightly higher than 3.0, a 1200 GRE, 100 volunteer hours, and the promise of MCAT scores when they come around.

Big if's, but I'd appreciate it if someone humored me.

I noticed you are from Cali so I was just wondering if that volunteer/internship was the CCE program in southern cali...if it is let me warn you about getting a letter of rec from that program. First off, their letters are not that well written, secondly the letters are not written by the program director lady (I can't remember her name but she is the one that has been there for YEARS), they are instead, written by the students that run the program....by the person that has the only paid position in the program....I think his name is Brad right now....it was Lauren when I was there. I know this because I was a coordinator for one of the floors and I asked about the letter of rec thing and that's when they told me. Anyways, I just thought you might want to know if that's the program you are doing.


-PlAnEjaNe

 

[nanaschool2000]

Anybody apply to SMPs midway through taking the prereqs?

I'm speaking only hypothetically of course, but I'm thinking of applying to an SMP next Jan/Feb. At that point I'd be done with all preqs besides Orgo2 and Biology2, which I'd complete by June of that year. All in all, I'd have approximately 45 units of postbac work finished by next June. What concerns me is that none of these units, asides from Ochem, would be an upper division. I have an econ degree for my bachelors.

Academically I'm doing fine, with a 4.0 for one semester completed so far and am starting a hospital volunteering program that promises a recommendation letter after 240 hours. I'm going to office hours and getting to know my professors. My cgpa, I'm guessing, should be about a 3.0 by Jan of next year.

Standardized test-wise, I'm thinking of taking the MCAT early Janurary. But I've already taken the GRE and got a 1200.

Anyways, bottom-line, has it been done? Most of the threads I've read mentioned upper division coursework in a postbacc before heading off to an SMP. I'm interested in Tulane, UC, BU etc..., so granted IF things go the way I expect, I'd be applying to these programs in Jan with a cgpa 3.0, bcpm slightly higher than 3.0, a 1200 GRE, 100 volunteer hours, and the promise of MCAT scores when they come around.

Big if's, but I'd appreciate it if someone humored me.

I'm not a med student, but I think I can throw my two cents on this one.
Yes, you can apply in January or Feb (better if you apply when you get your MCAT score). Feb is still early for applying to SMPs starting in August. Depends on your grade, they will make a decision before you have your winter semester (or spring semester ..whatever your school calls it) grades come out in April or after. Even if they hold to make a decision until April, they might already have made an initial review on your application. So, it will fasten your application review process. Also, lots of people apply for SMP way past April. So, don't worry too much. Meanwhile, you gotta

1. Make sure to bring up your GPA to above 3.0. Although I've seen many students got into SMP under 3.0, many of them have a great MCAT score and EC. Bottom line, Higher gpa = better chance you can get into a med school (not only SMP).

2. Rock the MCAT. I haven't taken one yet. I'm also thinking about taking it in January. W/ a similar GRE score, I got into BU MAMS and couple others. I did not apply to Georgetown, EVMS, Loyola, and UC because I was not eligible to apply. They either don't accept GRE or highly recommends MCAT over GRE. So, if you do score good on MCAT, you can apply to many SMPs (most popular and competitive).

3. Think about what MED school wants rather than what SMPs want to see. Although it might be simliar, it's important to think about a big picture. That's one thing I realized recently.

4. Popular SMPs do not necessarily mean the best SMP. Each applicant has different needs. For example, applicants w/ good GPA and low MCAT score usually go for Drexel MSP instead of Georgetown. Do many researches in this forum. It was very helpful to me. There are many hidden programs since they don't advertise it.


Good Luck.