Smdep 2011

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MaxillofacialMN said:
The daily schedule was one thing that I did NOT care for at Columbia (not sure how the other sites ran things...) because classes and seminars were never at the same time or in the same building as the previous session. Fridays were reserved mostly for dental lab and medical clinicals. You get put into two classes (orgo, bio, anat, or physics) and everyone takes histology, cdir (career something information something), and als (accelerated learning seminar). I would say that i had to be at class by like 10 most days, then usually get one or two hours for lunch, and then the afternoon was usually booked until 5 or six. Some days I would get the afternoon off as well, it all depends on what classes you are in.

Do I think it will help me? Definitely!!! The amount of motivation I had when I was left was simply amazing. I don't know if you've experienced "burn out" or not as a pre-med student, but it really sucks. After the program, you'll feel invigorated and ready to take on the world. They honestly make you realize that you CAN realize your dreams and that you have what it takes to do so. If you're interesting in going to Columbia for Medical/Dental school after college this will definitely help you! We talked to the deans of admissions, and we got to know the leaders in the diversity program very well. Dr. Klyvert and Dr. Mitchell were in charge of the dental component and they encouraged us to email/stay in touch with them as we continue our education. They even offered to write letters of recommendation for us. I'm not sure if you've taken orgo yet or not, but after taking orgo at Columbia I was WAY ahead of the game compared to other students at my school. Honestly my advice, if you get into Columbia, go there!

The one drawback is that Columbia medical is in washington heights which isn't exactly the "coolest" place, but the subway station is 2 minutes from the dorms, and it takes another 20-30 to get downtown manhattan, and you get used to hopping the subway all the time.
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I actually applied to the dental program for personal reasons. I would think both dental and medical schools would look at this program fondly being that they seem to cover the same basic science courses but different shadowing/exposure experiences.
 
so Yale is closed, Duke is still not reviewing, so at this point I can only depend on UVA which is pretty competitive as well.
i should prob look for a research mentor at this point and give up.
i guess next cycle. =|
but good luck you guys!
 
nadinex said:
so Yale is closed, Duke is still not reviewing, so at this point I can only depend on UVA which is pretty competitive as well.
i should prob look for a research mentor at this point and give up.
i guess next cycle. =|
but good luck you guys!
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If you already submitted your app, it doesn't mean that Yale isn't an option for you just because they're closed. It just means that they've already filled their spots (meaning that decisions are already made and just waiting to be released on Tuesday! 😀). And don't be discouraged about Duke either, they could simply not be updating files as they review (it's probably crunch time for them!). Howard still isn't listed as reviewing mine, but that doesn't mean they're not considering my application. There were plenty examples from last year's thread of sites never listing the application as under review, but the applicant was accepted to the program. Don't give up. Have a good back-up plan, but DON'T give up! 🙂
 
nadinex said:
so Yale is closed, Duke is still not reviewing, so at this point I can only depend on UVA which is pretty competitive as well.
i should prob look for a research mentor at this point and give up.
i guess next cycle. =|
but good luck you guys!
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Yeah I've kinda given up as well. I applied for some summer research positions and if I don't get into anything I'll just be taking summer classes. I had asked for my LORs around January 20th and transcripts were sent around the same time, but nothing has shown up on the web app. If I get in woohoo, but I'm not very hopeful. Me not being a URM isn't helping either.
 
nadinex said:
so Yale is closed, Duke is still not reviewing, so at this point I can only depend on UVA which is pretty competitive as well.
i should prob look for a research mentor at this point and give up.
i guess next cycle. =|
but good luck you guys!
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I was in the same boat as you but I went looking for some research opportunities at my school and what do you know? I found one! SMDEP is not the only thing in the world to put on your med school application. I'm sure you'll come across better things in the future. What matters is that you at least tried. 👍
 
I dont know about you guys, but if this doesnt work out, Im making bank working at a restuarant this summer and shadowing/volunteering on the side
 
cyclone92 said:
I dont know about you guys, but if this doesnt work out, Im making bank working at a restuarant this summer and shadowing/volunteering on the side
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that's good, I'd prob do the same

shadowing/ volunteer/ research/ summer classes. = Back up
 
I am not as smart as most of you, but I just want to give a small piece of advice...(This is for med school I do not know about other programs) When you are applying to medical schools it is to your benefit to have a versatile application. Volunteer, research, SMDEP, grades, MCAT and personal statement are great factors, and sometimes who you know can help too. You will be suprised what kind of connections could be made in these programs. If you are wondering if I did one of these programs..no I did not know I wanted to be a Dr when I was a UG. I do know that when I did my AMCAS application I had no blanks in any area...


Good Luck to you all:xf::xf::xf:
 
livedie said:
I am not as smart as most of you, but I just want to give a small piece of advice...(This is for med school I do not know about other programs) When you are applying to medical schools it is to your benefit to have a versatile application. Volunteer, research, SMDEP, grades, MCAT and personal statement are great factors, and sometimes who you know can help too. You will be suprised what kind of connections could be made in these programs. If you are wondering if I did one of these programs..no I did not know I wanted to be a Dr when I was a UG. I do know that when I did my AMCAS application I had no blanks in any area...


Good Luck to you all:xf::xf::xf:
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So you're saying that it's good to have research AND smdep? So at least try it out if you get in?
 
torshi said:
that's good, I'd prob do the same

shadowing/ volunteer/ research/ summer classes. = Back up
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That's an excellent looking back up plan. Mine looks about the same; summer classes/research/volunteering at a free clinic/DISNEY WORLD! haha :laugh:
 
1Sail0r said:
So you're saying that it's good to have research AND smdep? So at least try it out if you get in?
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YES try and do everything even piano, traveling, languages etc. I mean of course if you can not get in a SMDEP program you are not doomed. I am not trivializing research because it is important and a big plus. Again good luck to all of you, and I hope you get into whatever program you want.:xf::xf:
 
case western has a research component in their program. i wouldn't pass an opportunity for smdep. there seems to be blend of offerings. :luck:
 
livedie said:
I am not as smart as most of you, but I just want to give a small piece of advice...(This is for med school I do not know about other programs) When you are applying to medical schools it is to your benefit to have a versatile application. Volunteer, research, SMDEP, grades, MCAT and personal statement are great factors, and sometimes who you know can help too. You will be suprised what kind of connections could be made in these programs. If you are wondering if I did one of these programs..no I did not know I wanted to be a Dr when I was a UG. I do know that when I did my AMCAS application I had no blanks in any area...


Good Luck to you all:xf::xf::xf:
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Yup, and don't forget to shadow.. They will ask you for clinical exposure. Research, ehh, the tasks they give undergrad reasearchers at my school arent so great so idk if I even want to do that.. :/ We did have a medical school committee guy come in to talk to us. He told us shadowing is good, but if you don't have it, it's not gonna kill you. Research is good, but if you don't do it, it's not gonna kill you. Must have: VOLUNTEERING and of course there's gpa, mcat, other academic criteria. You need to be well-rounded, but I think academic > other areas. Why? Most schools have a cut off limit for grades/mcat, and if you volunteered everyday of your undergrad career, shadowed for many hrs a week, etc, you're not going to get in with a 2.3 gpa and a mcat score of 16.
 
FutureMD003 said:
Yup, and don't forget to shadow.. They will ask you for clinical exposure. Research, ehh, the tasks they give undergrad reasearchers at my school arent so great so idk if I even want to do that.. :/ We did have a medical school committee guy come in to talk to us. He told us shadowing is good, but if you don't have it, it's not gonna kill you. Research is good, but if you don't do it, it's not gonna kill you. Must have: VOLUNTEERING and of course there's gpa, mcat, other academic criteria. You need to be well-rounded, but I think academic > other areas. Why? Most schools have a cut off limit for grades/mcat, and if you volunteered everyday of your undergrad career, shadowed for many hrs a week, etc, you're not going to get in with a 2.3 gpa and a mcat score of 16.
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YOU ARE RIGHT CLINICAL EXPOSURE FOR AWHILE IS THE BEST. You are also right the MCAT and GPA grades allows you to pass the cutoff, so your application gets looked at.
 
I applied to columbia, yale, & umdj !!! I hope i get it feb 15 almost here 🙂
 
Hey everyone. so the day is almost here and i want to wish everyone good luck. no matter what happenes, everything happens for a reason! 🙂
 
lpp208 said:
Hey everyone. so the day is almost here and i want to wish everyone good luck. no matter what happenes, everything happens for a reason! 🙂
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Even if youre not hispanic or african american?
 
fashionrebel said:
Mine certainly isn't in review yet.... Aghh, the agony. Why, oh why did I decide to apply to Duke, Yale and Colombia. Hmm? Explain my warped reasoning, because I can't....:bang:
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Calm down; it's okay 🙂. I applied to the same sites.
 
I am a new member. Please check out my blog. I would really appreciate as many responses as possible.Thanks!🙂
 
😛 no matter what race you are,everything happens for a reason. I am asain and I feel that i have no chance in getting in but i wanna stay positive. If i dont get into smdep, it just means that i am meant to do something else over the summer. Hopefully i get in though!
 
lpp208 said:
😛 no matter what race you are,everything happens for a reason. I am asain and I feel that i have no chance in getting in but i wanna stay positive. If i dont get into smdep, it just means that i am meant to do something else over the summer. Hopefully i get in though!
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I am white, and I got in. One thing that I did (which is too late now for most of you anyways), is that I called each site and asked them what they put emphasis on. For instance, UCLA basically told me that they wouldn't look at my application because they focused on community college and minority status. I have other aspects of my application that puts me at "underrepresented," but again, I'm white, and therefore not a minority.

A lot of people are talking about doing research. I think research can be very valuable, but I honestly cannot stress enough how great SMDEP is. It will honestly change your life, your education, and your attitude. Will research do that? We all know research is helpful on a resume/application, but to be 100% honest, I would pick SMDEP over research ANY day.
 
MaxillofacialMN said:
I am white, and I got in. One thing that I did (which is too late now for most of you anyways), is that I called each site and asked them what they put emphasis on. For instance, UCLA basically told me that they wouldn't look at my application because they focused on community college and minority status. I have other aspects of my application that puts me at "underrepresented," but again, I'm white, and therefore not a minority.

A lot of people are talking about doing research. I think research can be very valuable, but I honestly cannot stress enough how great SMDEP is. It will honestly change your life, your education, and your attitude. Will research do that? We all know research is helpful on a resume/application, but to be 100% honest, I would pick SMDEP over research ANY day.
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What site did you go to??? I want that kind of awesome experience!
 
2 days left on the calendar until SMDEP decisions.... Good luck to everyone.:xf:
 
MaxillofacialMN said:
I am white, and I got in. One thing that I did (which is too late now for most of you anyways), is that I called each site and asked them what they put emphasis on. For instance, UCLA basically told me that they wouldn't look at my application because they focused on community college and minority status. I have other aspects of my application that puts me at "underrepresented," but again, I'm white, and therefore not a minority.

A lot of people are talking about doing research. I think research can be very valuable, but I honestly cannot stress enough how great SMDEP is. It will honestly change your life, your education, and your attitude. Will research do that? We all know research is helpful on a resume/application, but to be 100% honest, I would pick SMDEP over research ANY day.
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Thanks for your message! Would you mind also describing what was unique about SMDEP in terms of how it will perhaps change your life? I'm debating between doing research or doing SMDEP (if I get in). I'm a bit concerned that SMDEP is primarily focused on review of science classes, and there's only a bit of shadowing. The benefit of doing research is that I could shadow on the weekends, perhaps.
 
Only one more day til we find out! Best of luck to everyone :luck: and Happy Valentine's Day😍!!!
 
OMG. so i tried going on the smdep website and for some reason it brought me to some network webpage that has like job opening and online dating. :wtf:

in other words, smdep website is not up right now....anyone else get this problem?
 
I just went on the site right now and it's fine. I'm very anxious about tomorrow! I wish it were the 15th already!
 
epfrias said:
I just went on the site right now and it's fine. I'm very anxious about tomorrow! I wish it were the 15th already!
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hmm.it still is not working for me 🙁

why now!?? haha. i need it working for tomorrow!
 
lpp208 said:
OMG. so i tried going on the smdep website and for some reason it brought me to some network webpage that has like job opening and online dating. :wtf:

in other words, smdep website is not up right now....anyone else get this problem?
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Same here, but medical stuff. Something wrong with their domain. 👎
 
SLC88 said:
Same here, but medical stuff. Something wrong with their domain. 👎
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i got the same thing when i typed smdep.org into the browser, but i googled SMDEP and clicked on the link and it worked fine. . .I think it is imperative that you type www.smdep.org
 
does anyone know when they will post it? midnight or sometime tomorrow?
 
fastflora said:
The site is still not up, is anyone else looking at it?
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I just had the same issue. Try googling SMDEP 2011 and clicking on the first link.... Worked for me! Ooohh, Yale is finally reviewing, no one else is GAH. Tomorrow is the day....😱
 
Just got the email about the website being offline. . .well that's funny cause i can still access it by googling it. . .at least decisions will be available tomorrow despite their "technical difficulties"
 
Yeah don't bother checking in the morning. I'm checking after my bio exam <3333

On another note, they finally said they got my LORS hahahaha
 
the website is finally working and from what i have heard. Looks like the desicions come out mid day tomorrow. i will check at night. :xf::luck:
 
Now I am concerned. One of my recommendation status is -- and I got two e-mails from smdep, one stating if all recommendations are not shown as "received" then the application is not complete. I'm not sure what is going on as my application is shown as complete before Feb 1st. How disappointing. 😕
 
ahhhh By this time tomorrow we will all know what we're going to be doing with our summer. Hopefully SMDEP!!!!!! =)
 
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