SMP acceptance rate?

[eastbay]

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Does anyone know generally what are the chances of getting into SMP? Know the acceptance rates for each program?

I'm taking my MCAT in late April, and I was thinking of start applying to SMPs now. Based on practice tests I'm scoring in the range of 33-35. I have an uGPA of 3.2, but with very extensive research background.

thanks for your input!

 

[GorgeousBorges]

Does anyone know generally what are the chances of getting into SMP? Know the acceptance rates for each program?

I'm taking my MCAT in late April, and I was thinking of start applying to SMPs now. Based on practice tests I'm scoring in the range of 33-35. I have an uGPA of 3.2, but with very extensive research background.

thanks for your input!

Georgetown receives about 900 applications for 180 spots, I believe. Cincinnati receives over 400 applications for 32 spots. EVMS is similar to Cinci I'm terms of number of applicants per spot. Keep in mind, however, that each program accepts significantly more people than matriculate. I don't know how many more.

With a 33-35 and a 3.2 you'd have a good shot at any of those 3 programs.

 

[DrMidlife]

I realize people ask about acceptance rates so they can gauge their chances, but this is really a "how late is too late to apply?" thread. You're not getting into Gtown, Cincy or EVMS for fall '13.

It's March now, which is late for SMP apps, and you're taking the MCAT in April, so you'll have your MCAT score in late May or early June. That's long after most apps close. If you have a GRE score in hand now, you might be able to apply now to programs that take the GRE pending your MCAT.

So if you want to start an SMP this coming fall, you need to look for programs that have no actual deadline. Boston comes to mind, but you might not be able to start until spring.

Best of luck to you.

 

[darklabel]

Georgetown receives about 900 applications for 180 spots, I believe. Cincinnati receives over 400 applications for 32 spots. EVMS is similar to Cinci I'm terms of number of applicants per spot. Keep in mind, however, that each program accepts significantly more people than matriculate. I don't know how many more.

With a 33-35 and a 3.2 you'd have a good shot at any of those 3 programs.

True, also remember a lot of these people not only have stats that are too low, but also stats that are too high. You're right in the sweet spot since you have a good MCAT but lowish GPA, which is the purpose of these programs so I'm sure you will get some love.

 

[DrMidlife]

C'mon now, you two know better than to view a "planned" MCAT score as an actual MCAT score. Don't answer a hypothetical with an actual.

 

[GorgeousBorges]

I realize people ask about acceptance rates so they can gauge their chances, but this is really a "how late is too late to apply?" thread. You're not getting into Gtown, Cincy or EVMS for fall '13.

It's March now, which is late for SMP apps, and you're taking the MCAT in April, so you'll have your MCAT score in late May or early June. That's long after most apps close. If you have a GRE score in hand now, you might be able to apply now to programs that take the GRE pending your MCAT.

So if you want to start an SMP this coming fall, you need to look for programs that have no actual deadline. Boston comes to mind, but you might not be able to start until spring.

Best of luck to you.

University of Cincinnati, EVMS, and Georgetown SMP would take his MCAT right up to June 1st (Georgetown would allow it even later than that). Whether there would be any spots left is another question, but it seems like the Georgetown waitlist moves a lot (although the University of Cincinnati waitlist doesn't really, and EVMS would probably be filled up by that time as well). This applicant might be at a disadvantage for applying late, but with a stellar MCAT the applicant might be able to overcome that disadvantage. Georgetown may be doable.

 

[eastbay]

thank you for all the input!

now because my scores won't come out till May, should I still try to send out the apps ASAP? Or wait till after I finish my test? As much as I want to send it out soon, I also want to keep focusing on the MCAT.

 

[GorgeousBorges]

thank you for all the input!

now because my scores won't come out till May, should I still try to send out the apps ASAP? Or wait till after I finish my test? As much as I want to send it out soon, I also want to keep focusing on the MCAT.

If you're going to have any shot at this, you need your apps to be complete the second your MCAT scores come out. Get your apps done now. You should be able to manage both MCAT studying and the apps. Given that you're going to be at a disadvantage because of your late application I would suggest applying broadly. Consider BU MAMS, Tufts, Georgetown, Cincinnati, EVMS, RFU and Toledo.

 

[GorgeousBorges]

and if I do get accepted, do these programs have good track record for future admittance into med school? Can I apply during the same year?

edit: and also, if I'm also considering doing a post-bac, would it matter for me which one I get into? i.e. WashU vs CSU Hayward (CSUEB). Because my concern is, if it does make a difference, then I'd probably go for the more "prestigious" names right? If not, I rather stay near near home in the Bay Area to save money on cost of living.

The whole point of doing a post-bacc at this point would be to raise your undergraduate GPA to a level that would be competitive with med schools. Prestige of the institution doesn't matter at all for what your purposes are. However, it would take a very long time to raise that 3.2 to a 3.5. I suggest that you do an SMP instead.

Cincinnati publishes its acceptance rates on its website. Georgetown states theirs too. Boston and Tufts don't like same-year applications; however, the rest of the programs that I listed support them.

I don't want to be rude, but if you keep asking people to answer questions that you could easily answer yourself (what an SMP is, what the acceptance rates are, what a post bacc is for), people are not going to respond positively to you.

 

[GorgeousBorges]

And read the damn stickies.

 

[DrMidlife]

Where is the STOP THREAD button? The questions and answers are going backwards.

and if I do get accepted, do these programs have good track record for future admittance into med school? Can I apply during the same year?

Good SMPs have good records. Good SMPs are difficult to get into. Good SMPs review you as if you're a med school applicant, not an SMP applicant, thus a solid MCAT has to be in the app they review. Good SMPs fill up quickly after apps open as early as October (last October).

Again, you are already late for SMP apps, and you cannot make plans around a fictional MCAT score. So you are not in a position to choose the best SMP. You are in a position to throw a hail mary pass and hope for the best.

In your shoes I would put everything into getting the best possible MCAT score so that you don't have to retake it. If that means you're not ready in April, then postpone your test date. You already know you're not getting into med school on the traditional schedule (which is now the minority schedule, as average M1 age is 23-24).

edit: and also, if I'm also considering doing a post-bac, would it matter for me which one I get into? i.e. WashU vs CSU Hayward (CSUEB). Because my concern is, if it does make a difference, then I'd probably go for the more "prestigious" names right? If not, I rather stay near near home in the Bay Area to save money on cost of living.

You lack basic understanding of options after receiving a bachelors degree. "Postbac" is a useless word: it describes any coursework after a bachelors has been granted, from med school prereqs to piano classes. If you are talking about taking the MCAT and doing an SMP, there is nothing at WashU or CSUEB for you. Those schools have structured programs for students who haven't taken the prereqs yet. You need GPA redemption or "academic enhancement".

You also lack basic understanding of application cycles. Good academic enhancement programs open apps nearly a year before the start of the program.

Honestly I think you should spend the next 7 months getting real world experience, paying rent, killing the MCAT, and wrapping your brain around how people get into med school. And in October you'll have some maturity and you'll be ready to apply to a good SMP.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Adnap]

You're not getting into Gtown, Cincy or EVMS for fall '13.

With all due respect, I don't think that's a fair statement to make. The OP is taking the MCAT in April, which means the scores will come out in May. The OP will likely still meet the application deadlines for all of the programs.

EVMS deadline - June 1st (it was earlier last year...April 1st or something)
Georgetown deadline - May 15th
UCinn deadline - May 24th (June 1st for supporting materials)

While his chances are lower for applying late, they're not null. People (even those with similar stats as the OP) have applied to EVMS near the deadline (day before) and still have been accepted. I know that as a fact. I'm sure the same applies to Georgetown and UCinn.

Overall message: Chances are definitely lower, but not impossible. As long as you submit your application by the deadline, you will be considered. There's quite a bit of turnover in these SMP programs...especially come May 15th when some people may be accepted off the waitlist at med schools. Let's not kill his/her spirits now.

 

[deleted248403]

Deadlines do not equal dates that program fill.... See medical school admissions as further proof

 

[DrMidlife]

Yep. Beating a deadline is a horrible strategy in SMP or med school admissions. There are always anecdotes of people who get away with it. There are always anecdotes of people who get into SMPs or med school with apparently impossibly low stats at apparently the last minute.

This isn't planning. It's gambling.

The people who get away with gambling are one or more of the following:
a) well connected
b) charismatic
c) lucky

If you're on this forum looking for advice, you are not in group A, for starters. You are up against thousands of students who apply to SMPs, so don't be naive about how you compare.

Bottom line, if you are taking the MCAT in the spring, your top priority was not getting into an SMP. End of story.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Adnap]

Deadlines do not equal dates that program fill.... See medical school admissions as further proof

Yep. Beating a deadline is a horrible strategy in SMP or med school admissions. There are always anecdotes of people who get away with it. There are always anecdotes of people who get into SMPs or med school with apparently impossibly low stats at apparently the last minute.

This isn't planning. It's gambling.

I agree with the both of you that applying last minute for any program, including SMPs, is a bad idea. The only thing that I didn't agree on is the way the information was told. All I simply said is that it's harsh and unfair to tell someone that they won't get in, especially without seeing their whole application.

If you meet the deadline, there's always a chance. How small of a chance is up in the air, but it's still there.

My point is: Don't just go around telling people that they won't get in somewhere just to discourage or scare them.

No one knows that for a fact except the admissions committees who will review the entire applications.

If you want to scare someone, say that they most likely won't get in. Don't say that they won't get in period. It's a little common courtesy that I expect you to extend to your patients in the future. Tell them the facts. Fact is that few people get in applying last minute. It is not a fact that no one gets in when they apply in March.

 

[IrishCogs]

I realize people ask about acceptance rates so they can gauge their chances, but this is really a "how late is too late to apply?" thread. You're not getting into Gtown, Cincy or EVMS for fall '13.

It's March now, which is late for SMP apps, and you're taking the MCAT in April, so you'll have your MCAT score in late May or early June. That's long after most apps close. If you have a GRE score in hand now, you might be able to apply now to programs that take the GRE pending your MCAT.

So if you want to start an SMP this coming fall, you need to look for programs that have no actual deadline. Boston comes to mind, but you might not be able to start until spring.

Best of luck to you.

I don't know if I agree with you on this, all of my applications last year were not complete until May 1 and I got accepted into almost every single program (Georgetown, Cinci, Tufts, etc.) except RFU BMS (didn't apply to EVMS). I think that it greatly depends on other aspects of the application like shadowing, clinical exposure, and LOR as well. I also could have been lucky so take my advice with a grain of salt.

 

[common man]

i think we're arguing over minute details. the bottom line is that a late application hurts your chances but you still have a chance nonetheless. anything can happen but you want to maximize your chances on your end.

 

[DrMidlife]

My point is: Don't just go around telling people that they won't get in somewhere just to discourage or scare them.

Isn't it interesting that you perceived my comments as discouragement and fear mongering.

What else could it be?

There are more options than these two:
1. Get into an SMP this August.
2. Or die.

 

[Adnap]

I don't know if I agree with you on this, all of my applications last year were not complete until May 1 and I got accepted into almost every single program (Georgetown, Cinci, Tufts, etc.) except RFU BMS (didn't apply to EVMS). I think that it greatly depends on other aspects of the application like shadowing, clinical exposure, and LOR as well. I also could have been lucky so take my advice with a grain of salt.

I know other people who were just as lucky. 🙂 I'm sure you deserved your spot.

i think we're arguing over minute details. the bottom line is that a late application hurts your chances but you still have a chance nonetheless. anything can happen but you want to maximize your chances on your end.

I completely agree with this. It was definitely a minute detail that I pointed out. I only had an issue with the wording that I didn't think was very constructive. But yeah, case closed I won't comment on this again unless the OP has another question.

Isn't it interesting that you perceived my comments as discouragement and fear mongering.

What else could it be?

There are more options than these two:
1. Get into an SMP this August.
2. Or die.

I should've worded it this way. Please don't just go around telling people that they won't get in somewhere when they still have a chance. It will likely discourage them.

I'm sorry if you found any of my posts regarding your wording offensive. Of course there are other options. Anyway, good luck.