Should I do a Special Masters Program?

[cadbury325]

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Hi!
I have a little dilemma.
My gpa is 3.3 and my MCAT scores were a 27 (11bs, 9Ps, 7VR). I am a senior and I am applying this June. I was thinking about doing a special masters program (such as the ones that BU and Georgetown offer). However, some people are now telling me that I shouldn't and it wouldn't help my chances. I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on what I should consider doing. Should I apply to one of these masters programs and is it going to help me?

Thanks!

 

[shellfish]

Hi!
I have a little dilemma.
My gpa is 3.3 and my MCAT scores were a 27 (11bs, 9Ps, 7VR). I am a senior and I am applying this June. I was thinking about doing a special masters program (such as the ones that BU and Georgetown offer). However, some people are now telling me that I shouldn't and it wouldn't help my chances. I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on what I should consider doing. Should I apply to one of these masters programs and is it going to help me?

Thanks!

I went to the BU masters program. I can PM you my stats before I started the masters program if you want. Now I am a 4th year medical student at a US allopathic medical school. I don't know what it is like now, but when I was there, most people got interviews at BU as long as their GPA in the masters program was over 3.4-3.5. Out of 90, about 1/3 of the masters class went on to medical school at BU, while another 1/3 went to other US allopathic schools. 1 went osteo, 1 went dental, and 1 went for an MBA. I don't know about the rest. Keep in mind that if you enter this program, you would be entering med school 2 years after you begin the program, not the year following the program. There are only about 1-2 lucky ducks in the class that get to start the year after the program begins. Hope this helps.

 

[junebuguf]

In general, SMP's *always* help your admissions chances (assuming, of course, that you do well in the program.) However, both your gpa and mcat are on the low side, and as I understand it, these programs help ameliorate one or the other, but usually not both. Also, from what I've heard and read about these programs, to second what the previous poster said, you will almost certainly have to wait two years after beginning the program to matriculate.

If I were you, I would not be applying to med schools next june with your numbers, unless you are a URM or live in a state with relatively low admissions standards (SC, AR...) If you were not a science major, you might consider simply doing a post-bacc program at the undergrad level taking upper level bio classes.

Whatever you do, retake the MCAT and aim for > 31. With a low gpa, you need at least a *good* mcat score. A low mcat and low gpa spells R-E-A-P-P-L-I-C-A-N-T

 

[medstylee]

In general, SMP's *always* help your admissions chances (assuming, of course, that you do well in the program.) However, both your gpa and mcat are on the low side, and as I understand it, these programs help ameliorate one or the other, but usually not both.

this isn't really true. if you attend georgetown's program, you will be able to enter a medical school the year after you begin the program - it's only 1 year long. about 60% of the students in smp do that. also, your numbers make you a good candidate for this program and others. i'm in the smp this year and the average stats for our group are very close to yours - GPA is the same, mcat for smp is a bit higher. in any case, there are a lot of students who come into the smp program every year with 3.3 and 27 and get into us medical schools, including georgetown. the goal of this program and others is to help you, the applicant, show that you are indeed capable of performing well in the medical school setting. the administrators, directors, and advisors really try hard to help us get in. with hard work on your part, it's usually a very successful combination. if you're willing to spend the extra tuition money, i'd strongly suggest that you go for one of the special masters programs - georgetown specifically since it is probably most highly regarded and since it is only 1 year long. feel free to pm me if you have any specific questions, cadbury. best of luck.

 

[sidewalkman]

You sound like a good candidate for an SMP to me. I see no reason why it wouldn't help you, provided you do well in it.