Should I consider a SMP?

[member3200]

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So here's my deal.
I have a 3.4 cGPA and a 3.4 sGPA with an upward trend. I got a 31Q (10,10,11) on the MCAT.
I currently work as a research technician with 1 publication and I've done some shadowing and have clinical experience.
I sent my secondaries late this year (Oct-Nov) and haven't received any interviews yet.
I would like to consider my options in case I don't get in to any of my schools this year.
Should I consider a SMP for next year? Are there better things I can do between now and the next application cycle to improve my application.

Thanks

 

[Ismet]

So here's my deal.
I have a 3.4 cGPA and a 3.4 sGPA with an upward trend. I got a 31Q (10,10,11) on the MCAT.
I currently work as a research technician with 1 publication and I've done some shadowing and have clinical experience.
I sent my secondaries late this year (Oct-Nov) and haven't received any interviews yet.
I would like to consider my options in case I don't get in to any of my schools this year.
Should I consider a SMP for next year? Are there better things I can do between now and the next application cycle to improve my application.

Thanks

Apply earlier next year (summer). The earlier you apply, the more forgiving they are to a lower GPA. That said, your GPA is not very competitive for allopathic schools, so taking classes to raise it (especially the sGPA) would be beneficial.

You may still get interview offers after Christmas. Also, if you post the list of schools you applied to, you can get some feedback on them (aka you might have applied to too many reach schools/IS heavy schools etc)

 

[gmcguitar4]

IMO, SMP sound great but are way too expensive for what you get out of it. If you took upper level science classes at a cheap local college and ace the courses it still looks really good and you save 40 g's. You can also be working, doing research, and still having fun on the side. If you don't hear back..apply June 1st next cycle. Also, you should consider taking classes starting this spring.

 

[member3200]

You got at right what I'm thinking. A MSP sounds great but I feel like I'm not far enough away from being a competitive applicant to warrant dropping 40grand and relocating. I was definitely thinking about taking classes this spring.

The schools I applied to this cycle were:
Northwestern
Rush
UIC
Emory
NYMC
NYU
Georgetown
Albert Einstein
Wake Forest
Loyola

 

[gmcguitar4]

Well if you don't get in this cycle you should triple the amount of schools on that list. Apply June 1.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

^ horrible idea.

 

[Catalystik]

I have a 3.4 cGPA and a 3.4 sGPA with an upward trend. I got a 31Q (10,10,11) on the MCAT.

-I currently work as a research technician with 1 publication
-some shadowing
-have clinical experience.

-I sent my secondaries late this year (Oct-Nov) and haven't received any interviews yet.

-things I can do between now and the next application cycle to improve my application.

You don't mention your BCPM GPA. What is it?

Besides taking postbac classes in upper-level Bio and Biochem and making your upward grade trend even steeper and more consistent, work on beefing up your ECs. When you have a weakness in your application numbers-wise, sometimes it can be trumped with terrific ECs. You haven't presented yours in a way that give me confidence that they are going to "wow" adcomms.

 

[CopaceticOne]

^ horrible idea.

Maybe triple is extreme, but the list is too limited. Some of those schools get 10k+ applicants. Since you have a bunch of Chicago schools, why not apply to MCW which is ~100 miles away? For the next cycle you apply, I believe you'll need to broaden your school list.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

you'd probably be better served with a good mcat

 

[robertch8]

Your story sounds very similar to mine about a year ago...similar stats, submitted secondaries in October because I took the MCAT at the end of August.

I'm currently doing a SMP but looking back on it, I'm not sure if I really needed to because last year I did lots of health related community service and I took graduate public health courses and it seemed to skyrocket my application--went from 2 interviews and 1 waitlist to already 2 acceptances this cycle. But it remains to be seen whether the SMP will come into play because a couple of schools I've been waitlisted from have told me that they want to see my SMP performance before deciding to take me off their waitlist.

I'd say look into some high linkage SMPs-- Temple, EVMS, Rosalind Franklin, and Toledo come into mind but know that it's not a necessary path and you can simply take Biochemistry, Physiology, and Anatomy at a college near you and probably net the same result. Plus, definitely apply much broader next year and include a lot more lower tiered schools especially if you don't do a high linkage SMP. Oh yeah, and I applied in June this year so that clearly helped.

 

[member3200]

thanks for the advice.
I realize I need to apply to more/ a broader range of schools next year.

As for classes that I could take, I already have a pretty broad range covered from undergrad, but it has been a couple years. Does it matter if I retake physiology even if I did well the first time (since I feel this would help me most if I were to retake the MCAT), would it look better to take a class I haven't taken before, or does it not matter as either should raise my science GPA?

Also, with regard to getting some really solid ECs, what should I look into doing? I already have really solid research and pretty good medical volunteering at an autism center but I haven't done too much in an actual hospital. Would it be better to seek out an experience in a hospital?

 

[Catalystik]

1) Does it matter if I retake physiology even if I did well the first time (since I feel this would help me most if I were to retake the MCAT), would it look better to take a class I haven't taken before, or does it not matter as either should raise my science GPA?

2) Also, with regard to getting some really solid ECs, what should I look into doing? I already have really solid research and pretty good medical volunteering at an autism center but I haven't done too much in an actual hospital. Would it be better to seek out an experience in a hospital?

1) Your reason to retake seems reasonable. Is it possible there is a variant course that would cover mostly the same material, like Mammalian Physiology, or somesuch, in case it might raise some eyebrows?

2) Broadening your experience in a medical environment like a hospital, medical clinic, hospice, or rehab center is a good idea.

If you don't have a listing under Nonmedical Community Service, Teaching, or Leadership, those are other areas to consider adding that would strengthen your application.

 

[aSagacious]

Moving to the 'what are my chances' forum.

 

[235788]

IMO, SMP sound great but are way too expensive for what you get out of it. If you took upper level science classes at a cheap local college and ace the courses it still looks really good and you save 40 g's. You can also be working, doing research, and still having fun on the side. If you don't hear back..apply June 1st next cycle. Also, you should consider taking classes starting this spring.

not all SMPs are 40g, i'm doing one for 22k : )