Should I Reapply Next Cycle or Do SMP?

[Tomorrow's Dream]

Hello! I apologize in advance for any errors in my post, it's my first time making one and I can give additional details if needed.

I'm a 24F ORM who applied unsuccessfully last cycle with a 3.51 GPA (3.36 uGPA and 3.94 DIY postbac GPA) and 509 MCAT (2x), low volunteering hours, and no research. I'm not surprised by my results at all. I did poorly in undergrad while I was in community college (I did much better after transferring) and only realized late that I had a passion for medicine. It feels like I've been trying to play catch-up ever since.

Following undergrad, I started working part-time as a medical assistant and taking community college classes to prop up my GPA. I did some volunteering although not enough and I applied to a few research labs with no luck (I didn't do any in undergrad because of COVID). I also took the MCAT twice and scored the exact same both times which I was utterly crushed by.

Although I didn't feel ready, I made the mistake of applying relatively late last year to 40+ schools (I was encouraged to apply broadly due to my stats). I received secondaries from nearly all of them but completed less than half due to illness, a family emergency, and most importantly poor planning. I knew in my gut that it would not be a fruitful cycle and as expected I received no IIs.

I knew I'd likely have to apply again so I continued taking classes while working during the cycle and brought my GPA up to 3.6. I planned to to skip this 2025-2026 cycle and reapply next year after volunteering more and retaking the MCAT. At least, that was my plan.

Although I was rejected or ghosted from all the schools I finished secondaries for, a few asked me to apply to their SMPs and I was unexpectedly accepted into one that begins this summer. It has some(?) degree of linkage and I even received a scholarship to help pay for it (which I am mystified by although of course very grateful), however it is still very expensive and halfway across the country.

I'm unsure what to do. Realistically speaking, I know that I am an average or even below-average applicant with many gap years and perhaps not a lot to show for it. An SMP could be my best chance of getting into medical school—it'd save me a year and I wouldn't have to retake the MCAT or reapply another cycle (and frankly speaking after the last one I never want to again). Although expensive, I'll be able to afford it with the help of my family, who are urging me to do it.

However, I'm also hesitant. I've heard of SMPs being referred to as a high risk, high reward gamble. If I were to fail the program or just not get in afterwards, it would reflect negatively the next time I apply. I also can't imagine spending so much on something without a guarantee, but to be fair applying to medical school is already like that anyways.

I also feel guilty towards my friends and family for wasting their time and energy all these years. They've been waiting for me to get on with my life and figure out things for so long but I haven't really done anything. I'm getting ahead of myself but if I did the SMP and came back empty-handed to them...I don't know what I'd do. And although I'm trying not to think about it, what if I want to start a family in the future? It seems pointless to worry about since I don't even have a partner, but I also don't have infinite time. To be honest, I'm starting to wonder if it's arrogant of me to even want to attend medical school in the first place but I can't bring myself to give up.

Right now, I'm leaning towards doing the SMP, trying my best, and seeing where it leads me. If it doesn't work out, I told my family that I'll apply one more time. I just know that I'll regret it if I don't try; I'll think more about my next steps when the time comes. One of my bad habits is overthinking about things before they happen (if they ever do) so I'm trying to avoid that. What do you all think?

My apologies for the long and messy post, I hope it was at least somewhat readable. Feel free to ask for any information; I wrote a lot but probably left out something. All advice and criticism is welcome, please be honest and don't hold back!

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[The OTC]

Please don’t feel guilty - this process is long and brutal. Even applying is a feat.

Which SMP is it or what are the details of the linkage? Is it conditional acceptance or guaranteed interview?

What is the breakdown of your hours? (Volunteer, clinical experience, etc.)

Your stats are good and could scrape up an MD acceptance, definitely a DO acceptance, dependent on the rest of your app. Seems your downfall was applying late and to only half of the schools you intended to. You ARE rewarded, especially as a low/mid stat applicant, for earlier application submissions imo. There is more room and leniency compared to later in the cycle.

 

[LindaAccepted]

Hello! I apologize in advance for any errors in my post, it's my first time making one and I can give additional details if needed.

I'm a 24F ORM who applied unsuccessfully last cycle with a 3.51 GPA (3.36 uGPA and 3.94 DIY postbac GPA) and 509 MCAT (2x), low volunteering hours, and no research. I'm not surprised by my results at all. I did poorly in undergrad while I was in community college (I did much better after transferring) and only realized late that I had a passion for medicine. It feels like I've been trying to play catch-up ever since.

Following undergrad, I started working part-time as a medical assistant and taking community college classes to prop up my GPA. I did some volunteering although not enough and I applied to a few research labs with no luck (I didn't do any in undergrad because of COVID). I also took the MCAT twice and scored the exact same both times which I was utterly crushed by.

Although I didn't feel ready, I made the mistake of applying relatively late last year to 40+ schools (I was encouraged to apply broadly due to my stats). I received secondaries from nearly all of them but completed less than half due to illness, a family emergency, and most importantly poor planning. I knew in my gut that it would not be a fruitful cycle and as expected I received no IIs.

I knew I'd likely have to apply again so I continued taking classes while working during the cycle and brought my GPA up to 3.6. I planned to to skip this 2025-2026 cycle and reapply next year after volunteering more and retaking the MCAT. At least, that was my plan.

Although I was rejected or ghosted from all the schools I finished secondaries for, a few asked me to apply to their SMPs and I was unexpectedly accepted into one that begins this summer. It has some(?) degree of linkage and I even received a scholarship to help pay for it (which I am mystified by although of course very grateful), however it is still very expensive and halfway across the country.

I'm unsure what to do. Realistically speaking, I know that I am an average or even below-average applicant with many gap years and perhaps not a lot to show for it. An SMP could be my best chance of getting into medical school—it'd save me a year and I wouldn't have to retake the MCAT or reapply another cycle (and frankly speaking after the last one I never want to again). Although expensive, I'll be able to afford it with the help of my family, who are urging me to do it.

However, I'm also hesitant. I've heard of SMPs being referred to as a high risk, high reward gamble. If I were to fail the program or just not get in afterwards, it would reflect negatively the next time I apply. I also can't imagine spending so much on something without a guarantee, but to be fair applying to medical school is already like that anyways.

I also feel guilty towards my friends and family for wasting their time and energy all these years. They've been waiting for me to get on with my life and figure out things for so long but I haven't really done anything. I'm getting ahead of myself but if I did the SMP and came back empty-handed to them...I don't know what I'd do. And although I'm trying not to think about it, what if I want to start a family in the future? It seems pointless to worry about since I don't even have a partner, but I also don't have infinite time. To be honest, I'm starting to wonder if it's arrogant of me to even want to attend medical school in the first place but I can't bring myself to give up.

Right now, I'm leaning towards doing the SMP, trying my best, and seeing where it leads me. If it doesn't work out, I told my family that I'll apply one more time. I just know that I'll regret it if I don't try; I'll think more about my next steps when the time comes. One of my bad habits is overthinking about things before they happen (if they ever do) so I'm trying to avoid that. What do you all think?

My apologies for the long and messy post, I hope it was at least somewhat readable. Feel free to ask for any information; I wrote a lot but probably left out something. All advice and criticism is welcome, please be honest and don't hold back!

What does " some(?) degree of linkage" mean?

 

[Faha]

Where is your state of residence? You are competitive for all DO schools so why not apply broadly to DO schools?

 

[Tomorrow's Dream]

Please don’t feel guilty - this process is long and brutal. Even applying is a feat.

Which SMP is it or what are the details of the linkage? Is it conditional acceptance or guaranteed interview?

What is the breakdown of your hours? (Volunteer, clinical experience, etc.)

Your stats are good and could scrape up an MD acceptance, definitely a DO acceptance, dependent on the rest of your app. Seems your downfall was applying late and to only half of the schools you intended to. You ARE rewarded, especially as a low/mid stat applicant, for earlier application submissions imo. There is more room and leniency compared to later in the cycle.

Hello, the SMP is the Rosalind Franklin BMS with a guaranteed interview if a certain GPA is maintained, it isn't easy but it seems most who meet this requirement are accepted into their medical school. My hours are roughly 1500 clinical working experience as a MA, 200-250 volunteer hours, and 30 hours shadowing. There are a few other activities I'm not sure how to categorize and I am trying to volunteer more this year (not just for medical school but for myself) but it isn't much. Thank you very much for the advice, I definitely made many mistakes with how I applied last year and will definitely also apply DO next time.

 

[Tomorrow's Dream]

What does " some(?) degree of linkage" mean?

Hello, the SMP offers a guaranteed interview if a certain GPA and it seems they accept most people who qualify for it. I apologize for my poor wording, linkage might not be the best way to describe it.

 

[Tomorrow's Dream]

Where is your state of residence? You are competitive for all DO schools so why not apply broadly to DO schools?

Hello, my state of residence is CA and yes, I definitely should have. I was discouraged from applying DO but I think that's silly, I definitely will next time if I apply again.

 

[LindaAccepted]

Hello, the SMP offers a guaranteed interview if a certain GPA and it seems they accept most people who qualify for it. I apologize for my poor wording, linkage might not be the best way to describe it.

No apologies necessary and I think linkage is the right term. I just wanted to know what kind of linkage.

I'm a little concerned about your fear of failure in the SMP, but your conviction that you'll do well in med school without the SMP. Wouldn't the SMP set you up for success in medical school?

 

[Tomorrow's Dream]

No apologies necessary and I think linkage is the right term. I just wanted to know what kind of linkage.

I'm a little concerned about your fear of failure in the SMP, but your conviction that you'll do well in med school without the SMP. Wouldn't the SMP set you up for success in medical school?

Yes, you are absolutely right, the SMP would be a great chance to prove myself because if I can't handle it then how will I handle medical school? I think I was worrying too much about what would happen if it didn't work out and I'd have to apply again but there's no use in overthinking things especially when the outcome is something I can control. I'll try my best, the curriculum is posted so this summer I can go through it and brush up or maybe get a head start—I was going to start studying again for the MCAT anyways so it's not as if my plans have changed. Thank you for the reply!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

First, you don't need an SMP with a 3.5 GPA (I'd have to know what you took for your 3.9 postbac GPA). Your low MCAT (509) with a mismatched school list (lack of purpose) is more likely. Second, I agree you need to have a strong plan B. (Disclosure of knowledge of the BMS program) RFUMS has many other options if you don't do as well as you wanted to get an offer from CMS; are you open-minded enough to consider them (PA, pod, PathA)?

What do the SMP directors say about what you must do to improve your chances? You likely shared your latest AMCAS application, so they should be able to tell you where your specific issues were. Will they let you gain more volunteering hours?