Should I SMP?

[jonhamm]

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I graduated with a BS in chemistry from a large well-known research university with a 3.43 overall GPA. I have a noticable upward trend (2.50, 3.57, 3.57, 3.83 cGPA year by year; sGPA is comparable), fairly heavy research experience (at least one first author pub and one second author by July 2014). I tend to test pretty well but haven't begun studying for the MCAT yet. My prereqs are all complete except for one year of bio+lab. I'm shooting for MD schools. I graduated in 2012.

Would I benefit greatly from an SMP or not? Should I continue to plan to apply July 2014 (3 year undergrad-med gap) or July 2015 (4 year gap)?

Thanks.

edit: if I didn't do the SMP, I would do open enrollment postbac classes this year to finish the bio prereqs by summer next year.

 

[ynwa0817]

You need to take the MCAT and score 30+ before you even start considering SMPs

 

[jonhamm]

I was PhD track through most of undergrad and even afterwards for a while, so I have a GRE score - I think I've read that those work for some programs?

 

[MDforMee]

I was PhD track through most of undergrad and even afterwards for a while, so I have a GRE score - I think I've read that those work for some programs?

Some of them, sure.

You should come up with a clear reason for wanting to pursue medicine instead of a PhD, too, that you can tell admissions people when the time comes. Make sure you don't sound ambivalent about it.

That stuff aside, you went to a hard school and majored in something difficult, I don't think you need an SMP with your grades if your MCAT turns out good enough.

 

[jonhamm]

Some of them, sure.

You should come up with a clear reason for wanting to pursue medicine instead of a PhD, too, that you can tell admissions people when the time comes. Make sure you don't sound ambivalent about it.

That stuff aside, you went to a hard school and majored in something difficult, I don't think you need an SMP with your grades if your MCAT turns out good enough.

Yeah, I'm definitely wary of coming off insincere. I will need to put a lot of thought into my PS for sure. Thank you for the advice.

 

[PeachyOrange]

Work on finishing the prereq this year and wait till you have an Mcat score. You might not need an SMP if your mcat is solid

 

[JSReed]

I graduated with a BS in chemistry from a large well-known research university with a 3.43 overall GPA. I have a noticable upward trend (2.50, 3.57, 3.57, 3.83 cGPA year by year; sGPA is comparable), fairly heavy research experience (at least one first author pub and one second author by July 2014). I tend to test pretty well but haven't begun studying for the MCAT yet. My prereqs are all complete except for one year of bio+lab. I'm shooting for MD schools. I graduated in 2012.

Would I benefit greatly from an SMP or not? Should I continue to plan to apply July 2014 (3 year undergrad-med gap) or July 2015 (4 year gap)?

Jumping the gun. Take the year of bio and get a 4.0, see if you can maybe squeeze another class or two as well. That should get you to 3.5. If you do that and get a 31+ on your mcat, you'll be fine.