Should I do an SMP?

[kpete1986]

I've been sifting through all the posts on this forum lately because I'm considering doing an SMP to increase my chances of getting into school. I've also read that they are high risk/high reward and shouldn't be taken if they don't have to be.

Here's where I stand as of now:
* I've got a BS in biology with around a 3.35-3.4 cGPA
* You could maybe consider me non-traditional because I'm 24 and a "chiropractic refugee" (as one Dr. put it), but I only went to chiro school for one trimester before I wised up and realized it wasn't my thing.
* Since quitting chiropractic school, I've been back-tracking and getting in all of my EC's
* Clinical volunteer experience in hospitals (emergency room, outpatient surgery, providing refreshments in waiting rooms)
* Non-clinical volunteer experience tutoring at a transitional shelter
* Shadowing in different areas of medicine (emergency, family practice, gen surg, ortho surg, radiology)
* I'm a licensed EMT, although I haven't been able to get a job yet, so I don't have actual work experience with that
* I haven't taken the MCAT yet, but am planning on taking it in April.

I'm just wondering if I should take the risk on an SMP to increase my chances of getting in or if it's not worth it provided I get a halfway decent MCAT. I guess if it came down to me having a choice, I'd prefer to go to an MD school, but I'm also very open to going DO if that makes any difference.

Thanks much everyone!

 

[DrMidlife]

That's not a bad GPA. Depending on where you live, and depending on your MCAT score, you might be ready to succeed with MD/DO apps this coming June.

Don't worry about quitting chiro. You're not supposed to have everything all figured out forever by 24.

In your shoes I'd put everything I've got into the MCAT, and get my best possible score, hopefully ready to take the test before mid-May 2011. Meanwhile, I'd start working on personal statement and letters of recommendation so that they're ready to go. I'd be ready to submit my app to about 25 schools on June 1. If by October I don't have an acceptance, I'd start applying to SMPs for Fall 2012.

Best of luck to you.