Rejected from an SMP - Can't afford being a non-matriculated student

[CanIBeAnonymous]

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Hello!

I'm actually quite devastated right now as I was rejected from every SMP I applied to. I had a decent MCAT and a 4.0 from a bunch of post-bacc classes over the course of a year but due to 1) zero shadowing experience 2) Old MCAT score which I can't update until later this summer 3) a /really/ bad undergraduate GPA I wasn't able to find myself in any SMP.

I was told by one program in particular if I retake the new MCAT and do just as well as the old one and add shadowing experience I should have no problem getting in next cycle. Here's my problem though. I can't have my student loans on forbearance any longer and since I wont be a matriculated student I can't defer them and my loan payments are going to be massive, this on top of living expenses.

I really don't know what to do and I'm freaking out. I definitely need to start working full-time but at the same time I need to be making my resume more competitive so I need to find a job that both pays well and provides some level of clinical/research experience so it could actually bolster my resume.

I live in NYC, so I have access to a lot but I do not know what to look for.

Any help would be appreciated, thank you <3

PS: Does anyone know of any quality two-year SMP programs? At least then I could be a matriculated student and defer these loans further. I had applied to the EVMS One-Year but not their Two-Year and was wondering if anyone had any insight on it.

 

[efle]

my loan payments are going to be massive

Are these private loans or federal? Fed will let you go into an income-based plan that cuts the payments waaaay down.

Anyways, you could work in a clinic, scribing, or research gig, do some shadowing and retake MCAT at some point during this year, and then reapply to SMPs?

 

[Goro]

Hello!

I'm actually quite devastated right now as I was rejected from every SMP I applied to. I had a decent MCAT and a 4.0 from a bunch of post-bacc classes over the course of a year but due to 1) zero shadowing experience 2) Old MCAT score which I can't update until later this summer 3) a /really/ bad undergraduate GPA I wasn't able to find myself in any SMP.

I was told by one program in particular if I retake the new MCAT and do just as well as the old one and add shadowing experience I should have no problem getting in next cycle. Here's my problem though. I can't have my student loans on forbearance any longer and since I wont be a matriculated student I can't defer them and my loan payments are going to be massive, this on top of living expenses.

I really don't know what to do and I'm freaking out. I definitely need to start working full-time but at the same time I need to be making my resume more competitive so I need to find a job that both pays well and provides some level of clinical/research experience so it could actually bolster my resume.

I live in NYC, so I have access to a lot but I do not know what to look for.

Any help would be appreciated, thank you <3

PS: Does anyone know of any quality two-year SMP programs? At least then I could be a matriculated student and defer these loans further. I had applied to the EVMS One-Year but not their Two-Year and was wondering if anyone had any insight on it.

I suggest that you work for a few years and pay down your debt. In the mean time also accrue clinical and nonclinical volunteering. Med schools aren't going anywhere. In fact, more will be opening their doors.

 

[CanIBeAnonymous]

Are these private loans or federal? Fed will let you go into an income-based plan that cuts the payments waaaay down.

Anyways, you could work in a clinic, scribing, or research gig, do some shadowing and retake MCAT at some point during this year, and then reapply to SMPs?

A large chunk are private unfortunately. Would I have difficulty applying to these jobs without any prior experience? I've worked as a carpenter throughout high school, college, and after so I have little experience.

 

[JB50]

Take the MCAT and apply DO

 

[blackroses]

A large chunk are private unfortunately. Would I have difficulty applying to these jobs without any prior experience? I've worked as a carpenter throughout high school, college, and after so I have little experience.

You'll need some prior experience or training for many of these jobs. Don't worry about getting a clinical job right now - worry about getting a job, period. You can gain clinical experience through other routes (such as volunteering).

 

[CanIBeAnonymous]

Any advice on the Two-Year program SMPs? I could use the time there to also volunteer and do research. Their program includes shadowing, so that will be checked off as well.

I feel like such a shmuck for not doing anything appropriately in undergrad. Had a really rough family life and zero guidance. Also immaturity on my side didn't help.

 

[rufflev]

Any advice on the Two-Year program SMPs? I could use the time there to also volunteer and do research. Their program includes shadowing, so that will be checked off as well.

An SMP would be a good option for you to explore, since they typically aim to improve your application as a whole - however, most of these are full or the deadline for applying to SMPs have passed. Considering that you were advised to improve your MCAT score prior to applying to an SMP again - just keep in mind that after three years, your MCAT score will be outdated and you'll likely have to retake it again.

I feel like such a shmuck for not doing anything appropriately in undergrad. Had a really rough family life and zero guidance. Also immaturity on my side didn't help.

The good thing is that now you've figured out what you want, you can start making the steps towards achieving it - and we're here to help you along the way.

 

[libertyyne]

Get a job. Also, specifics might be helpful like ugpa sgpa postbac GPA /credits. MCAT scores and ecs.