SMP backup plan to DO school

[dapmp91]

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Hi, I am a 3rd year in college and my GPA is a 3.2 (undergrad-bio major, mediocre extracurriculars and haven't taken the MCAT yet) my question is if I apply to DO schools and do not get in, should I apply to the SMP(special masters program) route? Also what is this program like, I mean I know its basic sciences but really what are the teachers and students like? I went to many websites and their is not much information from students who actually are or were in the program? thanks for the advice!

 

[Kateb4]

Hi, I am a 3rd year in college and my GPA is a 3.2 (undergrad-bio major, mediocre extracurriculars and haven't taken the MCAT yet) my question is if I apply to DO schools and do not get in, should I apply to the SMP(special masters program) route? Also what is this program like, I mean I know its basic sciences but really what are the teachers and students like? I went to many websites and their is not much information from students who actually are or were in the program? thanks for the advice!

Well, I'm sure it's going to depend on the program. I looked into CCOM's Masters in Biomedical Sciences program, and was told that the first year was almost identical to the medical program. You can even be in class with the med students. Theirs was a 2 year program that you could complete in 18 months if you were diligant. Really, all I cared about was the acceptance rate of these people after completing the program, and I was told that if you can be successful in this program, you are very likely to get an acceptance to their med program, even after one year.

I would find out which schools have these programs, particularly if there is a med school that you are interested in, and check on here if some of their students are available for some questions (check the individual school boards- I know I saw some LECOM-Erie students that were in the application cycle this year after the SMP)

 

[fabu1ous]

...Really, all I cared about was the acceptance rate of these people after completing the program, and I was told that if you can be successful in this program, you are very likely to get an acceptance to their med program, even after one year.

I would find out which schools have these programs, particularly if there is a med school that you are interested in, and check on here if some of their students are available for some questions (check the individual school boards- I know I saw some LECOM-Erie students that were in the application cycle this year after the SMP)

This is definately good advice and you should find this out before considering a program. USF also has a master's program where you basically complete the first year of med school. At the end of their program, however, I was told that you still have NO advantage over other applicants 😱. I don't remember the exact numbers, but it was something along the lines of 20 students in program, and maybe 2 were accepted the following year. And you can't use the program for anything else, other than applying to a different school I suppose.

Good luck!

 

[tlvuong4]

Hi, I am a 3rd year in college and my GPA is a 3.2 (undergrad-bio major, mediocre extracurriculars and haven't taken the MCAT yet) my question is if I apply to DO schools and do not get in, should I apply to the SMP(special masters program) route? Also what is this program like, I mean I know its basic sciences but really what are the teachers and students like? I went to many websites and their is not much information from students who actually are or were in the program? thanks for the advice!

I think your GPA is good enough, just make sure you've got all the other stuff in line as well. When do you plan to apply? You still have time to get your EC's in line by volunteering or shadowing a DO. That will get you some good letters as well. Even if you do not get in on your first time applying I wouldn't take an SMP as a backup. Reason is these masters programs take about 2 years and they cost quite a bit of money. That's a waste of time and money imo because you could have used the time to reapply, get your EC, letters, or MCAT up. The only time I would recommend an SMP course is if you have a really low GPA or MCAT and you've applied multiple times without success. If you get say a 26 on the MCAT you will be fine.

Also what kind of extracurriculars have you had. I thought I had pretty mediocre EC's as well. I volunteered in an emergency room, some research, work as a lab tech, tutored, and was in various sports clubs. After listing everything I did, it at least filled out my application. Maybe you've done more than you think?

 

[dapmp91]

I think your GPA is good enough, just make sure you've got all the other stuff in line as well. When do you plan to apply? You still have time to get your EC's in line by volunteering or shadowing a DO. That will get you some good letters as well. Even if you do not get in on your first time applying I wouldn't take an SMP as a backup. Reason is these masters programs take about 2 years and they cost quite a bit of money. That's a waste of time and money imo because you could have used the time to reapply, get your EC, letters, or MCAT up. The only time I would recommend an SMP course is if you have a really low GPA or MCAT and you've applied multiple times without success. If you get say a 26 on the MCAT you will be fine.

Also what kind of extracurriculars have you had. I thought I had pretty mediocre EC's as well. I volunteered in an emergency room, some research, work as a lab tech, tutored, and was in various sports clubs. After listing everything I did, it at least filled out my application. Maybe you've done more than you think?

I volunteered two summers in the ER at a hospital, and I had a job I quit in which I tutored kids, and I am getting a job this summer as a LAB TECH, I'm actually a very shy individual, and I am now just getting out of my shell 😳

 

[tlvuong4]

I volunteered two summers in the ER at a hospital, and I had a job I quit in which I tutored kids, and I am getting a job this summer as a LAB TECH, I'm actually a very shy individual, and I am now just getting out of my shell 😳

I think those EC's are good, just shadow a DO and you'll be fine.

 

[DrMidlife]

There's a whole entire SDN forum on postbacs and SMPs with a ton of info: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=71

 

[Porco Rosso]

just remember that as these programs become more popular, more people will attend them, thus making them more and more competitive. Also, schools dont want these programs to be a backgate to get into a school (reputation threat) so they may have quota if any students they MAY accept. Every school is different but if they care about their reputation and quality of students, it will be a tough sell over someone who has done everything well from the beginning.

a responsible school will limit the number and not for a purpose of a healthy $$$ account for the school so do your research.

Last: dont think that just because you do well in it, you will get an admission. remember that majority of medschools factor undergrad gpa as a main factor in their formula so any graduate work doesnt concern them. Just as you improve your gpa, your mcat should also be on par. Thus, if you have to take mcat over again, your stress will be doubled by keeping up your gpa + studying for mcat

one more: what will happen even if you did everything right, but you still couldnt get in? another backup plan...?

the best thing to do is ask schools to put you in contact with current students in the program since they can give you the most current information about each program. good luck

 

[GreenShirt]

You haven't been rejected from medical schools yet, so don't worry about the SMP too much. Make sure you do well on your MCAT and keep your science GPA above a 2.75 (preferably 3.0). Also, clinical experience is very important for DO schools (the adcom at my school considers this above all else in evaluating apps). Continue your ER volunteer job if you can and find a DO to shadow.

As for SMP visit the SMP/post-bac forum. AAMC has an SMP/post-bac search engine you can use as well (http://www.services.aamc.org/postbac/). Look for lists of where graduates of those programs got into med school for an idea of what your chances for success are. Good luck.