Should I do an SMP/MS?

[Dr. Scribe]

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Hello SDNers,

Now that this admissions cycle is nearly over (and I haven't been accepted :/), I'd like to ask you all for advice on what I should do to improve my app. I am from Florida and would like to stay in-state for medical school. This cycle I received 2 IIs (UCF,USF) and was waitlisted at both schools. I am Indian and my stats were 3.69c 3.67s and 33 mcat (UF undergrad). My ECs were decent but I'm definitely lacking in research experience (which I could tell hurt me in my interviews). I've been considering doing the MS in medical sciences program at USF to stay on the path to medical school, prepare myself for the material I'll learn in medical school, and hopefully show USF that I do really want to attend their program (honestly loved the school on interview day).

Thanks so much for the help

 

[Cookiess]

What are some things that you think didn't go well this cycle? Did you submit in early June and apply broadly? Were all your LOR submitted on time? Do all your LOR seem to be solid?

I'm asking these questions because I'm not entirely sure the SMP is worth the time and financial investment given that you've already had a couple of interviews. Your GPA and MCAT are fine so it may be that your EC aren't as strong and the lack of research that are affecting you. Thus, you may not really benefit from doing an SMP, other than improving your chances of getting into USF specifically. If you're ok with the time and cost of doing an SMP at USF, it might help your chances of getting into USF medical school. But I'd consider other less expensive and time consuming options first.

In the meantime, consider submitting an update letter to USF (if USF accepts them) once early May rolls around and the waitlist starts moving.

 

[Catalystik]

Hello SDNers,

Now that this admissions cycle is nearly over (and I haven't been accepted :/), I'd like to ask you all for advice on what I should do to improve my app. I am from Florida and would like to stay in-state for medical school. This cycle I received 2 IIs (UCF,USF) and was waitlisted at both schools. I am Indian and my stats were 3.69c 3.67s and 33 mcat (UF undergrad). My ECs were decent but I'm definitely lacking in research experience (which I could tell hurt me in my interviews). I've been considering doing the MS in medical sciences program at USF to stay on the path to medical school, prepare myself for the material I'll learn in medical school, and hopefully show USF that I do really want to attend their program (honestly loved the school on interview day).

Thanks so much for the help

I agree that your stats look fine and don't warrant an academic redemption program. If you are lacking in research, focus on that (as a volunteer, for class credit, or through employment), as well as strengthening your other ECs. Doing a funded research-based masters is an option, but these usually take two years.

 

[Goro]

In addition to advice above, suggest working on your interview skills.

IF you get shut out this cycle, contact the Admissions deans and see if you can get feedback (not advice) on your rejections.

Hello SDNers,

Now that this admissions cycle is nearly over (and I haven't been accepted :/), I'd like to ask you all for advice on what I should do to improve my app. I am from Florida and would like to stay in-state for medical school. This cycle I received 2 IIs (UCF,USF) and was waitlisted at both schools. I am Indian and my stats were 3.69c 3.67s and 33 mcat (UF undergrad). My ECs were decent but I'm definitely lacking in research experience (which I could tell hurt me in my interviews). I've been considering doing the MS in medical sciences program at USF to stay on the path to medical school, prepare myself for the material I'll learn in medical school, and hopefully show USF that I do really want to attend their program (honestly loved the school on interview day).

Thanks so much for the help

 

[Dr. Scribe]

Thanks for the input everyone. It seems like the consensus is that I do not need to do the Master's in Medical Sciences program, but what if I want to do it? Do you all believe that completing such a program would benefit me in medical school?

I would love to get feedback on my PS and secondaries if any of you would be willing to read them!!
I did apply early (secondaries sent in July) and my best guess is that my LORs were decent, not stellar.

 

[Dr. Scribe]

Academic factors are not the issue. Start with pulling your application apart: how is written, who reviewed it, critically analyze the PS and your secondaries.

You also mentioned you are Indian; are you an international student

I was born in central Florida to Indian (Asian) parents.

 

[Dr. Scribe]

No I dont. Since your problem is not academic, taking an SMP, in my view, would not seem to be identifying and addressing the weakness the adcoms may be seeing in your application. Whether that is average ECs or lack of research, I dont know. But I also am wondering, despite you strong desire to stay in-state, how many over all medical schools did you apply to? While you have this desire, is it more important to stay in Florida or go to medical school?

I only applied to 3 OOS schools: Drexel, Tulane, and Georgetown. Please don't misunderstand me, I'd rather go to medical school than stay in FL but I can see how my actions may tell a different story.

 

[Dr. Scribe]

No I dont. Since your problem is not academic, taking an SMP, in my view, would not seem to be identifying and addressing the weakness the adcoms may be seeing in your application. Whether that is average ECs or lack of research, I dont know. But I also am wondering, despite you strong desire to stay in-state, how many over all medical schools did you apply to? While you have this desire, is it more important to stay in Florida or go to medical school?

I should also mention that my major was in Exercise Physiology and that I did not do well in certain pre-reqs (B,B- in orgo1/2, B- in Phys 2, and B in biochem) so maybe doing the MS would show adcoms I can handle the coursework of medical school.

I'm going to apply to DO schools this time around as well...again, thanks so much for the help (I would be lose without all of you)

 

[tantacles]

I only applied to 3 OOS schools: Drexel, Tulane, and Georgetown. Please don't misunderstand me, I'd rather go to medical school than stay in FL but I can see how my actions may tell a different story.

I think you just identified your own problem. Ideally, you should apply to 15-20 schools at which you have a good chance of receiving an interview. This means that you need to broaden your application and choose some more appropriate schools. The MSAR can guide you, and you should choose schools that have GPA and MCAT medians at or below your own (with a few having medians below yours to be safe) as well as a high rate of OOS acceptances. Until you do this, you really haven't done your due diligence, and I can't recommend an SMP. SMP's, for an applicant, serve the purpose of redeeming you from a poor GPA and/or MCAT, and they really only increase your chances significantly at the school you do the SMP at and can be catastrophic if they don't go well.

So do some research, apply to more schools, and work on your interview skills. It's not over yet for you.

 

[Dr. Scribe]

Just wanted to follow up with everyone and ask for some more advice. I ended up attending the USF SMP and will be applying this cycle with a 3.958 (missed 4.0 by 1 question) between the Fall and Spring semesters. I continued to volunteer and got involved in research as well. I'll need to retake the MCAT as my 33 will expire, but assuming I do around the same on the new MCAT, what schools would you think will be high yield for me?
Thank you for your time and consideration.

 

[Dr. Scribe]

Bump