Should I do SMP or Research?

[mpjhballer8]

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Hello All,

So I just got accepted into the UNT SMP program and I just got my mcat score back yesterday(2nd time taking). I have to accept my seat within the SMP by the 12th and I have no idea if I should or not. So I graduated spring 2013 from UT with a degree in Islamic studies and minor in bio.
cGPA 3.6 and sGPA 3.5
first mcat: 26 (10/9/7 p/v/b) 2nd: 28 (10/9/9).

As far as ec's go:

• I biked 4900 miles from Austin, TX to Anchorage, AK with a UT student group sponsored by Livestrong. We raised money for cancer research. Was a 70 day trip. Took a year and half of training, planning, volunteering within the austin community before we left, at least 2000 hrs before I even did the ride.
• I worked at an oncolocy clinic during the summer. Paid. checked patient vitals and medical/social histories and shadowed the doc. 300+ hours
• volunteered at dell childrens oncology center 30+ hours
• shadowed ER doc 20 hrs.
• habitat for humanity
• student disability services (96 hours)
• ER scribe
• and trying to get NIH IRTA research or research at UTHSCH or MD anderson. (dont have any research as of yet)

So this is my third time applying and the first two times i applied with the same mcat score. Now my question is, for the next year and to better my chances for acceptance, should I do this SMP program or should I stick with being a scribe and continue trying to get research jobs at any medical school? With my stats and ec's do you think I could get into a DO program like UNT or even an MD program in Texas without the smp and with working in a lab at a medical school? Any input would be greatly appreciated as I am at a crossroads right now and need some advice/help. Thank you all!

 

[DrMidlife]

Do whatever gets you the highest possible MCAT on your last ever retake. There's nothing else that needs to be done for your med school app. Don't get distracted by all the neato opportunities you could pursue. MCAT MCAT MCAT MCAT MCAT MCAT MCAT.

MCAT.

While you're focusing on the MCAT, keep doing clinical volunteering, take a class or two, doesn't matter. Best not to spend much money except on MCAT.

Best of luck to you.

 

[deleted248403]

I don't know if its been mentioned yet but, you need to improve your MCAT....

Thats the only thing that should be on your mind. THE MCAT

 

[mpjhballer8]

what would you say is a score i need on my third attempt? Do they want to see a significant increase and if so, what would be significant? 2 or 3 points? Thank you for your responses.

 

[mpjhballer8]

Do whatever gets you the highest possible MCAT on your last ever retake. There's nothing else that needs to be done for your med school app. Don't get distracted by all the neato opportunities you could pursue. MCAT MCAT MCAT MCAT MCAT MCAT MCAT.

MCAT.

While you're focusing on the MCAT, keep doing clinical volunteering, take a class or two, doesn't matter. Best not to spend much money except on MCAT.

Best of luck to you.

is a 26,28, then 30 or 31 a good enough trend in the med schools eyes? Thank you for the well wishes.

 

[DrMidlife]

what would you say is a score i need on my third attempt? Do they want to see a significant increase and if so, what would be significant? 2 or 3 points? Thank you for your responses.

Why do you ask?

If I say "38" will you give up on med school? Is there money you would not spend, if you can get into med school without spending it? Would you skip those sleepless nights thinking about the cosmic significance of F=ma if you don't absolutely have to lose sleep over your MCAT score? Is there a girlfriend/boyfriend you don't really like but don't have the guts to really end it that you'd keep around if you can spare the time?

Well, here's the problem, you're not getting into med school because of your MCAT score, and your career literally depends on whether you can impress adcoms with your MCAT score. So you should act like your career depends on your MCAT score. You should feel bad if you get a 38 because you maybe could have got a 39. You should go nuts. Whatever you did to prepare last time, do 10x more, spend 10x more, worry 10x more. There's a whole entire MCAT subforum here with whole entire study plans, such as SN2's.

The MCAT matters. It's not some stupid hoop to jump through. You'll be taking hours-long multiple-choice tests that cover multiple years of really hard science material for the rest of your career, and one of those tests will actually decide which specialties you can go after, and which you cannot.

So stop looking for a formula, stop nickel and diming yourself, and go be the adult in charge.

 

[DrMidlife]

is a 26,28, then 30 or 31 a good enough trend in the med schools eyes? Thank you for the well wishes.

Having an MCAT "trend" is a red flag of badness and predicts you'll struggle in med school. You shouldn't have to take the test more than once to do well on it. You don't get retakes on board exams.

 

[mpjhballer8]

Why do you ask?

If I say "38" will you give up on med school? Is there money you would not spend, if you can get into med school without spending it? Would you skip those sleepless nights thinking about the cosmic significance of F=ma if you don't absolutely have to lose sleep over your MCAT score? Is there a girlfriend/boyfriend you don't really like but don't have the guts to really end it that you'd keep around if you can spare the time?

The MCAT matters. It's not some stupid hoop to jump through. You'll be taking hours-long multiple-choice tests that cover multiple years of really hard science material for the rest of your career, and one of those tests will actually decide which specialties you can go after, and which you cannot.

So stop looking for a formula, stop nickel and diming yourself, and go be the adult in charge.

Thank you for this. It has lit a fire under me. I am applying this cycle (submitting app in a couple weeks. TMDSAS btw) and was wondering if I take the mcat this july, will it still benefit me/taken into consideration for this cycle?