Should I do an SMP?

[lilybunny]

Ended up with only one II this cycle and haven't heard back from it yet, but should probably start preparing for the worst. My stats are fine (517/3.86) and so are my hours in everything except for volunteering, which I would say is below average but not horrible. My main concern with just flat out reapplying is that really nothing will have changed between my application this cycle and reapplying for next cycle. I am working as a medical assistant currently and am getting a lot of clinical hours and learning a lot from that, but the job was already included in my application for this cycle. I truly have nothing new to add to my application, so I am wondering if applying for an SMP with a strong linkage/guaranteed interview to an MD program if you meet certain standards is a safer option than continuing at my current job or going for a different job (probably research). I am lucky to have parents who are willing to pay for an SMP program if that is the route I choose for next year, so financial factors are not a concern. I did not really anticipate being in this position this cycle, so would really appreciate any feedback on whether an SMP would be a good move here, as well as good SMP programs to consider if that is the case. Thanks!

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[pedneuro6894]

The volunteering is the killer. I'm just an applicant so take this advice with a grain of salt: I don't think an SMP will help you except for getting in to the particular school that you do it at, but even then with your stats being as good as they are, the SMP seems not worth it to me. Either way you need to get involved in volunteering to others less fortunate than yourself, yesterday.

 

[lilybunny]

The volunteering is the killer. I'm just an applicant so take this advice with a grain of salt: I don't think an SMP will help you except for getting in to the particular school that you do it at, but even then with your stats being as good as they are, the SMP seems not worth it to me. Either way you need to get involved in volunteering to others less fortunate than yourself, yesterday.

Yeah, if I had anticipated needing to reapply sooner then I definitely would have prioritized getting more volunteer hours during my gap year. I'm worried that at this point it's too close to the next cycle to actually get enough additional volunteer experience for it to matter while also working full time. For context, my application for this cycle had a little over 200 volunteer hours split between food bank volunteering and being a one-on-one literacy tutor for a recent immigrant to the U.S. Of course could always start something now and have more hours listed under anticipated hours, but I really have no gauge on how admissions committees look at anticipated hours.

 

[pedneuro6894]

Yeah, if I had anticipated needing to reapply sooner then I definitely would have prioritized getting more volunteer hours during my gap year. I'm worried that at this point it's too close to the next cycle to actually get enough additional volunteer experience for it to matter while also working full time. For context, my application for this cycle had a little over 200 volunteer hours split between food bank volunteering and being a one-on-one literacy tutor for a recent immigrant to the U.S. Of course could always start something now and have more hours listed under anticipated hours, but I really have no gauge on how admissions committees look at anticipated hours.

Adcoms do not give any value to anticipated hours, so that probably won't do you any good. Also, 200 hours is definitely not bad! Not wowzers but also shouldn't be a red flag. Your writing can play a big factor too. Did you get your essays edited by advisors, mentors, peers, current med students, etc.?

 

[lilybunny]

Adcoms do not give any value to anticipated hours, so that probably won't do you any good. Also, 200 hours is definitely not bad! Not wowzers but also shouldn't be a red flag. Your writing can play a big factor too. Did you get your essays edited by advisors, mentors, peers, current med students, etc.?

My personal statement was read over/edited by 10+ people, including current med students and my friend's dad who is dean of admissions for a med school. I definitely felt pretty confident about at least my PS, and writing has generally been my strong suit (my minor was in the humanities so did a LOT of writing in undergrad). My secondaries however definitely were not as good as they could have been for most schools, as I did not pre-write much and did not leave myself with as much time as I should have to write that many essays. I had the ones that I really cared about proofread by a few people, and I do think that the school that I got an II at was my strongest why ___ essay, so that is definitely one thing I could work on for next time! But yeah overall just really don't know what went wrong this cycle, which is why I'm pretty hesitant to just reapply like normal with basically the same application.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I don't think metrics of 3.86/517 warrant an SMP. Where is your WAMC profile?

 

[LindaAccepted]

My personal statement was read over/edited by 10+ people, including current med students and my friend's dad who is dean of admissions for a med school. I definitely felt pretty confident about at least my PS, and writing has generally been my strong suit (my minor was in the humanities so did a LOT of writing in undergrad). My secondaries however definitely were not as good as they could have been for most schools, as I did not pre-write much and did not leave myself with as much time as I should have to write that many essays. I had the ones that I really cared about proofread by a few people, and I do think that the school that I got an II at was my strongest why ___ essay, so that is definitely one thing I could work on for next time! But yeah overall just really don't know what went wrong this cycle, which is why I'm pretty hesitant to just reapply like normal with basically the same application.

Ended up with only one II this cycle and haven't heard back from it yet, but should probably start preparing for the worst. My stats are fine (517/3.86) and so are my hours in everything except for volunteering, which I would say is below average but not horrible. My main concern with just flat out reapplying is that really nothing will have changed between my application this cycle and reapplying for next cycle. I am working as a medical assistant currently and am getting a lot of clinical hours and learning a lot from that, but the job was already included in my application for this cycle. I truly have nothing new to add to my application, so I am wondering if applying for an SMP with a strong linkage/guaranteed interview to an MD program if you meet certain standards is a safer option than continuing at my current job or going for a different job (probably research). I am lucky to have parents who are willing to pay for an SMP program if that is the route I choose for next year, so financial factors are not a concern. I did not really anticipate being in this position this cycle, so would really appreciate any feedback on whether an SMP would be a good move here, as well as good SMP programs to consider if that is the case. Thanks!

I agree with that an SMP won't do you much good. You didn't provide a school list or a WAMC profile so it's hard so say, but did you aim too high?

While your community service hours appear on the low side, it's unlikely that alone kept you out. At the same time, you should ASAP start doing some community service volunteering at a soup kitchen, a homeless shelter, etc. If you do 4-8 hours a week, which should be doable even if you are working hours a week, it will be better than not doing it at all. You could add easily 60-120 hours by June.

Realize that it's the job of the secondaries to show fit/alignment with the individual schools that you are sending the secondary to. If your secondaries were hastily written or didn't show much depth, then you were behind the eight-ball there. If you do need to reapply, do your homework. Think about and be prepared to articulate why you would be thrilled to go to each individual program. Apply to programs where based on the stats you are at or above the median for GPA and MCAT and can also show that fit with that program's mission and strength.

 

[candbgirl]

-You might still get an A this cycle. You had an interview. That’s more than lots of applicants have had. So keep hoping for good news soon.
-A SMP really won’t help you. Why are you considering it? What do you think it will add to your application?
-You have shared just about no information with us. It would be very helpful if you filled out a WAMC grid before you reapply. In the meantime can you share your school list and your state of residence. Maybe your lack of interviews is a bad list.
-Go find some community service and do it this week. You need to get on this right away.
-Do you have any shadowing, especially with a primary care doc?
-Consider doing a WAMC grid now. It might be very helpful. The more we know the more we can help you figure this out.
Good luck.

 

[Faha]

Which schools did you apply to and where was your interview? Where is your state of residence ?

 

[lilybunny]

-You might still get an A this cycle. You had an interview. That’s more than lots of applicants have had. So keep hoping for good news soon.
-A SMP really won’t help you. Why are you considering it? What do you think it will add to your application?
-You have shared just about no information with us. It would be very helpful if you filled out a WAMC grid before you reapply. In the meantime can you share your school list and your state of residence. Maybe your lack of interviews is a bad list.
-Go find some community service and do it this week. You need to get on this right away.
-Do you have any shadowing, especially with a primary care doc?
-Consider doing a WAMC grid now. It might be very helpful. The more we know the more we can help you figure this out.
Good luck.

I haven't really used this forum much other than keeping track of what interview date they've gotten to for the school I interviewed at, so honestly didn't know the WAMC thing existed until reading the replies to this, but will try to get one of those up asap. For the SMP, the only reason I'm really considering it is because I know several people who have gotten in through interviews they got through their SMP linkage, which I know is anecdotal but this cycle was a bit of a confidence killer so it feels like finding a school that I would be happy to attend that has an SMP with strong linkage would be a safer bet than trying to reapply without any major changes to my app, although I know SMP programs are generally considered a good option for applicants where their academic record is the weaker part of their app. For your other questions:

- I am a VA resident, so unfortunately my in-state schools don't have the strongest in-state bias. I applied to all the VA schools (VCU, EVMS, VT, UVA). I have been rejected from EVMS and VT, no word from the other two but they both should be nearly done with sending out IIs. My entire school list: Einstein, BU, Emory, EVMS, Dartmouth, GW, Georgetown, LSU, Loyola, Thomas Jeff, Brown, Tufts, Tulane, UF, UMD, Miami, Pitt, UVA, VCU, VT, Wake Forest, and Cornell. DEFINITELY would add more schools for next cycle, so open to suggestions for other schools to add. So far I have officially gotten the R from EVMS, VTC, Brown, BU, and Dartmouth.

- interview was at Georgetown back in November, should hear back within the next few weeks. Truly has been my top choice since the beginning of the cycle so REALLY hoping for good news there but of course want to be prepared if not. I know they have a fun habit of waitlisting almost everyone they interview, so hopefully I am able to get off the WL if that is the case for me, but would had to have started reapplying/figuring out my plans for next year by then.

- I have over 100 shadowing hours with a hospitalist and a IR doc on my application. I previously shadowed a nephrologist back in high school for 90 hours, but was unable to include this due to the time frame 🙁 . I also work closely with the dermatologists at my current job and have gotten to see a lot there.

I think that answers everything you all have asked? Thanks so much for taking the time to reply to this thread. I've never made an actual post on here and didn't realize how much people actually responded, but definitely wishing I hopped on here before applying this cycle.

 

[Faha]

I believe you are fine to reapply if not accepted at Georgetown. You do need to apply more broadly. If you are not accepted by late May let us know and we can suggest a broader school list.

 

[Goro]

Ended up with only one II this cycle and haven't heard back from it yet, but should probably start preparing for the worst. My stats are fine (517/3.86) and so are my hours in everything except for volunteering, which I would say is below average but not horrible. My main concern with just flat out reapplying is that really nothing will have changed between my application this cycle and reapplying for next cycle. I am working as a medical assistant currently and am getting a lot of clinical hours and learning a lot from that, but the job was already included in my application for this cycle. I truly have nothing new to add to my application, so I am wondering if applying for an SMP with a strong linkage/guaranteed interview to an MD program if you meet certain standards is a safer option than continuing at my current job or going for a different job (probably research). I am lucky to have parents who are willing to pay for an SMP program if that is the route I choose for next year, so financial factors are not a concern. I did not really anticipate being in this position this cycle, so would really appreciate any feedback on whether an SMP would be a good move here, as well as good SMP programs to consider if that is the case. Thanks!

SMP would a waste of money

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I am a VA resident, so unfortunately my in-state schools don't have the strongest in-state bias. I applied to all the VA schools (VCU, EVMS, VT, UVA). I have been rejected from EVMS and VT, no word from the other two but they both should be nearly done with sending out IIs.

Your metrics should make you a good pick for the Virginia schools, and you got picked up by Georgetown.

my application for this cycle had a little over 200 volunteer hours split between food bank volunteering and being a one-on-one literacy tutor for a recent immigrant to the U.S.

This is your Achilles heel. Tutoring doesn't help you since every premed does some teaching, tutoring, or mentoring of peers, school children, or immigrants. If you had 150 hours of food bank volunteering, you could have avoided getting screened out at most schools, but if you fell below 150...

My personal statement was read over/edited by 10+ people, including current med students and my friend's dad who is dean of admissions for a med school. I definitely felt pretty confident about at least my PS, and writing has generally been my strong suit (my minor was in the humanities so did a LOT of writing in undergrad). My secondaries however definitely were not as good as they could have been for most schools, as I did not pre-write much and did not leave myself with as much time as I should have to write that many essays.

That leaves your activities descriptions.

How did they edit your PS or other essays? What did they focus on? What advice did you take?

Again, you never know... you could get an offer from Georgetown (eventually). You would have been in a better position with more community service that demonstrates curae personalis, but we'll just have to trust the process.

 

[LizzyM]

Do you really want to pay for 5 years of medical school rather than 4. A SMP is a 50,000 bet (maybe more) that you can out-perform the average medical student at that school. They have no value in the marketplace other than getting you into medical school (no marketable skills acquired in general) so you either win or GAME OVER and you figure out an alternate career.

Your MCAT was a bit on the low side for some of the schools on the list (e.g. Cornell) but you can dream. The point is, you could have made a more targeted list that would have set you up for a higher likelihood of success. As it is, G'town tends to look for community service so it is interesting that they showed an interest. I also seem to recall that G'town likes if you show an interest as they really like a high yield (making offers only to those who will say yes).

 

[candbgirl]

Do you really want to pay for 5 years of medical school rather than 4. A SMP is a 50,000 bet (maybe more) that you can out-perform the average medical student at that school. They have no value in the marketplace other than getting you into medical school (no marketable skills acquired in general) so you either win or GAME OVER and you figure out an alternate career.

Your MCAT was a bit on the low side for some of the schools on the list (e.g. Cornell) but you can dream. The point is, you could have made a more targeted list that would have set you up for a higher likelihood of success. As it is, G'town tends to look for community service so it is interesting that they showed an interest. I also seem to recall that G'town likes if you show an interest as they really like a high yield (making offers only to those who will say yes).

You are so correct on this.As far as I remember, Gtown was considered “needy”. They love updates and love letter of intent.

 

[lilybunny]

Do you really want to pay for 5 years of medical school rather than 4. A SMP is a 50,000 bet (maybe more) that you can out-perform the average medical student at that school. They have no value in the marketplace other than getting you into medical school (no marketable skills acquired in general) so you either win or GAME OVER and you figure out an alternate career.

Your MCAT was a bit on the low side for some of the schools on the list (e.g. Cornell) but you can dream. The point is, you could have made a more targeted list that would have set you up for a higher likelihood of success. As it is, G'town tends to look for community service so it is interesting that they showed an interest. I also seem to recall that G'town likes if you show an interest as they really like a high yield (making offers only to those who will say yes).

Your first two sentences here were the reality check I needed, lol. Thanks for the advice everyone, will not be going for an SMP and am resuming my food bank volunteering that I stopped after graduation this week to gear up for likely reapplication. Also I know Cornell was out there, that one I applied to for a really specific reason since they have research in something kind of niche that I have always wanted to get involved in for personal reasons, but it probably will not be on my reapp list. As for Georgetown, I think my why Georgetown essay pulled me through despite being on the lower end for service hours, as I was able to talk about cura personalis in the context of working with a diverse population in my job and in my human subjects research. They also have an academic pathway that is unique to their school but is related to what I minored in, so I was able to talk about that as well.

Anyway, I think I got my "should I do an SMP?" answer. Will see you all on the WAMC thread if I don't get good news in the next two weeks. Thanks again!