Rejected from SMP, what should I do now?

[medicalschoolhelp1234]

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I graduated three years ago and have been working as a full time research assistant in cancer research at a medical school. I have a few publications and abstracts under my belt. I applied to two smp's and were rejected from both.

I have a 2.8 GPA with a downward trend. (majored in biochemistry)

I took the MCAT three years ago even though I was not prepared and scored a 22. I have been hesitant to retake it since I wanted to do it after completing an SMP. I applied with average GRE scores.

What should I do now?

 

[raiderette]

Informal postbacc for grade replacement and apply DO after making significant improvement on the MCAT.

 

[medicalschoolhelp1234]

Is it possible for me to do postbac now? I think deadlines are passed for fall registration.

 

[charleston27]

You can have a low GPA or a low MCAT to be competitive for an SMP, but definitely not both.

 

[andyrayy]

Is it possible for me to do postbac now? I think deadlines are passed for fall registration.

Informal postbac means just take classes at a nearby university or community college as a non degree seeking student.

 

[medicalschoolhelp1234]

do i just take advanced science courses?

 

[kmp0410]

Grade retake and apply DO

2.8 is too low to bring up to a respectable level if you have already accrued 120+ credit hours. It would literally take another 120 credit hours of straight A's.

Unless you do a direct entry SMP you would be a longshot even if you get in. Which doesn't look likely either.

 

[perfectskin_1]

There are many more than 2 SMPs. Apply to more this coming year. In the meantime you should take some post-bacc classes as a non-degree seeking student that would both improve your GPA and help you prepare for the MCAT. Study for the MCAT and try to do some shadowing/volunteering on the side. Hopefully you get into an SMP next year and if you do well in that you should be fine, but start with improving your GPA and MCAT so you can get into an SMP in the first place.

 

[medicalschoolhelp1234]

So if retaking, I take a course that is similar to the course that I already took?

I am thinking of spending the next year taking undergraduate courses as a non degree student, getting a good mcat score, and apply for smp next application style.

 

[PossibleDOC?]

Ok you have 2 choices as all students in your situation do:

1) Retake all your prereqs and get A's then slay the mcat and go DO
2) If the letters behind your name matter a lot, then take some upper level science classes, get at least a 3.0 GPA, you'll need an absolute stunning MCAT to get into a SMP but once that happens you need to destroy the SMP get a 4.0 and then MAYBE you can get into a low tier MD.

Route 2 is long with no guarantees, route 1 is the more definitive and more likely route

Good Luck to you

 

[perfectskin_1]

Ok you have 2 choices as all students in your situation do:

1) Retake all your prereqs and get A's then slay the mcat and go DO
2) If the letters behind your name matter a lot, then take some upper level science classes, get at least a 3.0 GPA, you'll need an absolute stunning MCAT to get into a SMP but once that happens you need to destroy the SMP get a 4.0 and then MAYBE you can get into a low tier MD.

Route 2 is long with no guarantees, route 1 is the more definitive and more likely route

Good Luck to you

You could also try doing one of the high-linkage DO SMPs. Check out the post-bacc forum on sdn for more info on them.

 

[redhope]

Whatever you do, do not waste your time doing a DO SMP, unless admission is guaranteed in writing. Don't even waste your time if the best they can do is offer you an interview. As long as grade replacement is around you ALWAYS go with that. Low risk/high reward and it's CHEAP.

If you're boning for MD then you have no choice but to do an SMP.

 

[IslandStyle808]

DO SMPs are pointless, since it is high risk/low reward due to the fact that if you do bad in them you hurt your chances of medical school altogether.

OP get the grades up first. There is zero point in taking an SMP without knowing you can at least success in undergraduate courses. SMPs are for those who want to go to an MD school, but cannot get their undergraduate GPA up to a respectable level for the life of them (no matter how many 4.0s they get each semester). So if you are considering the DO route, then just retake courses and become a doctor that way.

 

[Winged Scapula]

CLOSING; CROSS POSTED IN POSTBACC