SMP and Rec letters

[gatewasani]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So I am planning on doing an SMP fall 2010, My rec letters aren't particularly strong as the only Science classes I did well in were either primarily taught by TA's or the professor is no where to be found and apparently left the school. Anyway this leaves me with two science letters of Rec that aren't particularly strong, I don't think, because I got B's in the classes (Calc and Biochem)

Obviously I haven't done that well in school so far (GPA 3.3 sgpa ~2.9) which is why I am trying to do a SMP, so how am I supposed to get good rec letters when I apply to Med school in June???????

I am worried this will hinder my med school applications, and get me automatically me rejected before the schools get to see my SMP grades.

 

[deleted248403]

a) Get a job
b) Do some research
c) Do some volunteer work
d) Shadow a doc

A little thinking, and i'm sure you could come up with some things that would help your app and give you potentials for LOR

 

[Looking Glass]

So I am planning on doing an SMP fall 2010, My rec letters aren't particularly strong as the only Science classes I did well in were either primarily taught by TA's or the professor is no where to be found and apparently left the school. Anyway this leaves me with two science letters of Rec that aren't particularly strong, I don't think, because I got B's in the classes (Calc and Biochem)

Obviously I haven't done that well in school so far (GPA 3.3 sgpa ~2.9) which is why I am trying to do a SMP, so how am I supposed to get good rec letters when I apply to Med school in June???????

I am worried this will hinder my med school applications, and get me automatically me rejected before the schools get to see my SMP grades.

Some schools require letters from science professors. If you think yours are weak, register for some upper-level science courses now and take them during the spring. Do well in them and you can push your sGPA above 3.0 (which really helps with admissions - trust me). You'll also get some great letters from your science professors. Since it still december, it's not too late to register for classes.

 

[gatewasani]

I would be open to that, unfortunately I already graduated and it would be verrrry difficult to return to my state school, since it is 150 miles away and I have already lined up research, a job, and MCAT class because I'm taking it in April.

I'm going to be very busy this upcoming semester, Do you think I should sign up for a summer class at a different school, (Community College?) But I plan on submitting my med school apps as early as possible so that I can have all my secondarys done b4 the start of the SMP sometime in mid-august.

 

[gatewasani]

Also one thing that is bringing down my science gpa is this stupid gen ed physics class, titled "how things work" which I payed little attention too and took my freshman year b4 even plainning to attend med school, the class involved no science or math but it had the "phys" in front of it. Does this have to be considered part of science gpa?

 

[Looking Glass]

I would be open to that, unfortunately I already graduated and it would be verrrry difficult to return to my state school, since it is 150 miles away and I have already lined up research, a job, and MCAT class because I'm taking it in April.

I'm going to be very busy this upcoming semester, Do you think I should sign up for a summer class at a different school, (Community College?) But I plan on submitting my med school apps as early as possible so that I can have all my secondarys done b4 the start of the SMP sometime in mid-august.

It sounds like you have a full plate with your research and MCATs. Aren't there any local 4 year universities around where you live where you can register and take classes as a transient (non-degree student)?

Yeah, getting research experience is important and the MCAT is something that you don't want to cut corners with, but I would aruge that getting new letters of recommendation and pushing your sGPA above 3.0 is more important. Most schools have cut-offs based on cGPA and sGPA and if you can't meet the cut-off, it may mean that application will be rejected before it gets reviewed.

 

[Looking Glass]

Also one thing that is bringing down my science gpa is this stupid gen ed physics class, titled "how things work" which I payed little attention too and took my freshman year b4 even plainning to attend med school, the class involved no science or math but it had the "phys" in front of it. Does this have to be considered part of science gpa?

It depends on which department this class is listed under. If it's taught by the history department or sociology department for example, you may be able to list it separtely from your science classes. However, if this class is taught by your physics department has "physics" in its title, you probably won't be able to get away with it.

Obviously, you need to be honest when reporting your grade and whether or not it falls under the science category - when you fill out your AMCAS application, you will have to report all of your grades and list it separately as Biology, mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Someone in the AMCAS office actually goes over your transcript and verifies the information and your grades. If there is a discrepancy between your transcript and your self-reported grade (if you put down a physics class as a language class for example), they will send your application back to you for corrections - that delay could hold your application from being processed for several weeks or even months.

 

[gatewasani]

I have to get my sGPA to 3?
Even though I plan on doing an SMP?
Isn't that the purpose of an SMP to prove that I can handle upper level science courses.

I just calculated that I need 8 hours of A science to get to that 3.0/

This isn't looking good.

 

[deleted248403]

With a 3.3 cGPA - you'll have a shot at some SMPs.

Maybe not the elite ones, but you'll get some looks.

In regards to your physics class problem, sounds like your stuck with it IMO