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Should I do an SMP or Upper Level Undergrad Science?
- Thread starter samuraiR
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D
deleted248403
I disagree with Isoprop.
You have the grades, you have the MCAT - you must be missing something else. I wouldn't retake the MCAT - its unlikely (statistically) you will get 35+, and you have a great score now. The worst thing that could happen would be you get a lower score, and its not worth the risk IMO. I also think your grades wouldnt change that much with another years worth of upper level classes - your sGPA would but prob not your cGPA.
In your case, I would consider doing an MPH (if you were interested) to make yourself a more interesting candidate. If you don't get in this year, adding a differentiating factor would help - i.e. a cool EC (teach for america...), or an impressive research accomplishment (published...), or something that sets you apart.
An SMP is definitely not the solution - lots of $$$ and you won't get the bang for your buck in your situation. Nor is the extra year.
Did you apply late? how was your personal statement? are you a bad interviewer? If you don't get in, you should dispassionately review these and see if there is room for improvement.
I also think this might be a good example of how CC aren't viewed as rigorous. They clearly accept them enough to offer you some interviews, but would As at a 4-yr have helped you vs CC? I don't know, but if I were an adcom - As at 4-yrs would be more interesting.
good luck to you and sorry for the long post
You have the grades, you have the MCAT - you must be missing something else. I wouldn't retake the MCAT - its unlikely (statistically) you will get 35+, and you have a great score now. The worst thing that could happen would be you get a lower score, and its not worth the risk IMO. I also think your grades wouldnt change that much with another years worth of upper level classes - your sGPA would but prob not your cGPA.
In your case, I would consider doing an MPH (if you were interested) to make yourself a more interesting candidate. If you don't get in this year, adding a differentiating factor would help - i.e. a cool EC (teach for america...), or an impressive research accomplishment (published...), or something that sets you apart.
An SMP is definitely not the solution - lots of $$$ and you won't get the bang for your buck in your situation. Nor is the extra year.
Did you apply late? how was your personal statement? are you a bad interviewer? If you don't get in, you should dispassionately review these and see if there is room for improvement.
I also think this might be a good example of how CC aren't viewed as rigorous. They clearly accept them enough to offer you some interviews, but would As at a 4-yr have helped you vs CC? I don't know, but if I were an adcom - As at 4-yrs would be more interesting.
good luck to you and sorry for the long post
D
deleted248403
If you don't get in for Fall 2011, and want to get in for Fall 2012 - then you are running out of time to do something about it.
Think about it - you are going to apply in May/June/July of this year - what have you done differently or will do differently by then? Prob nothing substantial. Even if you started an SMP in September 2011, you wont have anything to show until December, and then its getting late in the cycle. So the SMP really isnt helping your chances.
You need to do something NOW if you want it to help you get in for Fall 2011 or 2012.
I was just throwing out MPH or Teach for america as examples - not really thinking of the length of the program; i'm sure there are other 1-yr examples. Maybe go do a medical mission trip for 6mo, i dunno - might need to get inventive here.
The SMP is a waste of time for you - its big time $$$$, won't necessarily help your app. If you get waitlisted somewhere, then the Tulane program might be a good option. Other then that, I wouldn't do an SMP
Think about it - you are going to apply in May/June/July of this year - what have you done differently or will do differently by then? Prob nothing substantial. Even if you started an SMP in September 2011, you wont have anything to show until December, and then its getting late in the cycle. So the SMP really isnt helping your chances.
You need to do something NOW if you want it to help you get in for Fall 2011 or 2012.
I was just throwing out MPH or Teach for america as examples - not really thinking of the length of the program; i'm sure there are other 1-yr examples. Maybe go do a medical mission trip for 6mo, i dunno - might need to get inventive here.
The SMP is a waste of time for you - its big time $$$$, won't necessarily help your app. If you get waitlisted somewhere, then the Tulane program might be a good option. Other then that, I wouldn't do an SMP
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I agree w/robflanker.
Improving your stats doesn't seem like a high-yield strategy. There's nothing wrong with your stats.
If you do an SMP, then you're effectively spending $50k to solve a problem that you don't have.
But a reapp has to be a substantially improved app. If you don't have substantial improvements in process at this point in the app year, you can't really get anything done in time for the next app year. In particular, you really need a new LOR in a reapp.
It's possible that reorganizing your package would get the job done. Maybe hire a professional (Judy Colwell, MedEdits). Maybe apply to different schools. Maybe consult your LOR writers and find out if there's anything you should know.
I always recommend the Peace Corps in these cases, which I realize is way bigger than you want to go, but I think you need to consider going big. What if you cleared your calendar and went to work for the next six months as a volunteer for RAM or similar?
I suggest that you should be willing to find out the hard way whether medicine is really what you want to do. Get your hands as dirty as possible, to give your story credibility (to adcoms and to yourself). Do you actually give a crap about the suffering of people with whom you'd never socialize? This is a serious question.
Best of luck to you.
Improving your stats doesn't seem like a high-yield strategy. There's nothing wrong with your stats.
If you do an SMP, then you're effectively spending $50k to solve a problem that you don't have.
But a reapp has to be a substantially improved app. If you don't have substantial improvements in process at this point in the app year, you can't really get anything done in time for the next app year. In particular, you really need a new LOR in a reapp.
It's possible that reorganizing your package would get the job done. Maybe hire a professional (Judy Colwell, MedEdits). Maybe apply to different schools. Maybe consult your LOR writers and find out if there's anything you should know.
I always recommend the Peace Corps in these cases, which I realize is way bigger than you want to go, but I think you need to consider going big. What if you cleared your calendar and went to work for the next six months as a volunteer for RAM or similar?
I suggest that you should be willing to find out the hard way whether medicine is really what you want to do. Get your hands as dirty as possible, to give your story credibility (to adcoms and to yourself). Do you actually give a crap about the suffering of people with whom you'd never socialize? This is a serious question.
Best of luck to you.
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Well, I sort of disagree with the other advice above. The fact that almost all your sci classes are coming from a CC and (likely) your science LORs are coming from a CC profs are probably giving you a difficult time. Nothing wrong with CC classes as long as you take science classes at a 4-year. Combined with a good but unimpressive clinical ECs leaves your app borderline. I agree that the problem is not your GPA but where you took your prereq classes.
Peace Corps is a 2 year minimum if I remember correctly, and I would NOT recommend it b/c your excellent MCAT score will prob expire.
I'm gonna suggest an informal post-bacc at a 4 year uni of upper div classes. You can do it part time if you wish. Combined with more clinical hours (hospital volunteering). No need to go all out with peace corp, medical missions, etc.
Even if you start these activities after you complete your app next cycle, you can update medical schools adcoms about your progress.
Peace Corps is a 2 year minimum if I remember correctly, and I would NOT recommend it b/c your excellent MCAT score will prob expire.
I'm gonna suggest an informal post-bacc at a 4 year uni of upper div classes. You can do it part time if you wish. Combined with more clinical hours (hospital volunteering). No need to go all out with peace corp, medical missions, etc.
Even if you start these activities after you complete your app next cycle, you can update medical schools adcoms about your progress.
