SMP Advice

[lakergirl818]

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Hi! I'd like some advice on how valuable an SMP program will be for me. I applied to about 35 MD schools during this last cycle and I've received no interviews, so I was wondering if an SMP would be worth it while I reapply during this current cycle?

I graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in Anthropology
AMCAS calculated BCPM GPA: 3.71
Overall GPA: 3.82
MCAT: Most recent score: 28Q (V: 10 P: 9 B:9) Previous score: 25S (V: 10 P: 8 B: 7)
Extra Circulars:
- Volunteer at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital (75 hours)
- Geriatric Research (3 years)
- HIV researcher (1 year)
- 2 months of charity work in Botswana with organizations like The Red Cross, Baylor, etc.
- President of Health Awareness Club on campus
- Shadowing experience/Internships (200+ hours)
- Anthropology research (100 hours)

Thank you so much for your help!

 

[deleted248403]

No SMPs

Kaplan/similar MCAT Class

 

[swimmergirl2010]

Hi! I'd like some advice on how valuable an SMP program will be for me. I applied to about 35 MD schools during this last cycle and I've received no interviews, so I was wondering if an SMP would be worth it while I reapply during this current cycle?

I graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in Anthropology
AMCAS calculated BCPM GPA: 3.71
Overall GPA: 3.82
MCAT: Most recent score: 28Q (V: 10 P: 9 B:9) Previous score: 25S (V: 10 P: 8 B: 7)
Extra Circulars:
- Volunteer at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital (75 hours)
- Geriatric Research (3 years)
- HIV researcher (1 year)
- 2 months of charity work in Botswana with organizations like The Red Cross, Baylor, etc.
- President of Health Awareness Club on campus
- Shadowing experience/Internships (200+ hours)
- Anthropology research (100 hours)

Thank you so much for your help!

No, you absolutely do NOT need an SMP. The only thing I can see 'wrong' with your application is the <30 MCAT score. Focus on getting that to at least a 30, investing in a TPR class would be way more worthwhile than investing 50k in an SMP. If you can, get feedback from the medical schools that rejected you. Perhaps you had a less than stellar LOR in the mix... and you could try to get some new letters this year. If you applied late, apply early next time.

 

[LakersInSix]

35 schools and no interview? How late did you apply?

 

[deleted248403]

35 schools and no interview? How late did you apply?

The 28 and the 25 sealed the deal there.

Worst thing that happens now is she takes it again, gets a 28-29 and then she packs her bags for the Carib or goes DO, cos that will cook her US MD duck...

She needs to rock the MCAT, >32 to separate herself from those poor scores.

 

[LakersInSix]

The 28 and the 25 sealed the deal there.

Worst thing that happens now is she takes it again, gets a 28-29 and then she packs her bags for the Carib or goes DO, cos that will cook her US MD duck...

She needs to rock the MCAT, >32 to separate herself from those poor scores.

I disagree. Lots of schools with average MCAT's at 30. Her high gpa (and ec's) should've helped her get some attention

 

[lakergirl818]

35 schools and no interview? How late did you apply?

I finished most of my secondaries by July/August. I'm honestly not the best standardized test taker. I took the Berkley Review course for the fist time I took the MCAT and then studied independently the second time, so I'm not sure what I would do differently in studying for the MCAT a third time.

 

[deleted248403]

I disagree. Lots of schools with average MCAT's at 30. Her high gpa (and ec's) should've helped her get some attention

Diagree all you like.

Multiple low MCATs reinforce that the candidate has a poor MCAT...

Some schools (Jeff) average your two scores... so a 25 MCAT, then a 33 MCAT... = a 29 MCAT in their admission eyes. While it goes in the database as a 33, thats not how they saw it.

Each MCAT is not ignored - you can't take it 10 times without catching flak for it.

 

[deleted248403]

I finished most of my secondaries by July/August. I'm honestly not the best standardized test taker. I took the Berkley Review course for the fist time I took the MCAT and then studied independently the second time, so I'm not sure what I would do differently in studying for the MCAT a third time.

Time of secondaries was fine.

Its almost certainly your MCAT - you have 4 options...
1) Re-apply MD with existing MCAT and hope something diff happens
2) Re-take MCAT then re-apply MD (but add DO + Carib)
3) DO
4) Carib

And if you are in california, and want to stay there... a 28 MCAT gives you 0 hope ever, at any of the UC schools.

 

[DrMidlife]

Agree. Your MCAT is killing you, because it doesn't match your GPA. But no interviews with that GPA is concerning for a rogue LOR or an immature essay.

An SMP isn't going to address anything other than GPA, and your GPA is nicely above average, even in California. More to the point, an SMP does exactly nothing to help your MCAT score, from which you can't hide.

Reapplication advice: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=942893

Best of luck to you.

 

[common man]

But no interviews with that GPA is concerning for a rogue LOR or an immature essay.

good point. 50% success rate for that gpa & mcat. 35 schools - should have gotten some interviews.

https://www.aamc.org/download/321518/data/2012factstable25-4.pdf

op - i'd follow midlife's advice. also, pat yourself on the back for such an outstanding record. you've saved yourself from the expense & stress of an smp. if you're smart even to get a rounded 28, you're smart enough to get a 30+ imo. mcat is about doing as many practice tests and passaged based, timed questions as you can. just keep practicing and your score will improve. there are so many great strategies in the mcat forum.

 

[hughnguyen22]

Hi! I'd like some advice on how valuable an SMP program will be for me. I applied to about 35 MD schools during this last cycle and I've received no interviews, so I was wondering if an SMP would be worth it while I reapply during this current cycle?

I graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in Anthropology
AMCAS calculated BCPM GPA: 3.71
Overall GPA: 3.82
MCAT: Most recent score: 28Q (V: 10 P: 9 B:9) Previous score: 25S (V: 10 P: 8 B: 7)
Extra Circulars:
- Volunteer at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital (75 hours)
- Geriatric Research (3 years)
- HIV researcher (1 year)
- 2 months of charity work in Botswana with organizations like The Red Cross, Baylor, etc.
- President of Health Awareness Club on campus
- Shadowing experience/Internships (200+ hours)
- Anthropology research (100 hours)

Thank you so much for your help!

Just retake the MCAT or go DO, IMO. I am not an expert so dont take what I say too seriously.