SMP - how low can you (I) go?

[sltho]

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Hello

I have been on this forum for a long time reading and absorbing information to see if there is anything that i can do to get myself into medschool. I feel that an SMP would be most appropriate, for I am still a student in UG (becoming a senior in the fall of 07) and that I just completed my premed requirements.

Straight out, my GPA is low. I have a 2.74 with 2 more semesters remaining ( I am aiming for a 2.9 by the time I get out) and my BCPG is around 2.5 including linear algebra. If I include all my other science courses (psych and higher level bios), it goes up to around 2.6. I have a C+ and a D in orgo and another D in biochemistry... I haven't taken the MCATs yet, but I know how important it is, so I'll be contributing my whole summer and winter break to it. Currently, I have only 50+ hours in patient care volunteering but I will increase the hours to the hundreds of hours. I have participated in many clubs and also on the campus EMS squad. I wil also be volunteering as an EMT this summer in my neighborhood.

With these sad stats stated, I was wondering if anybody knew any lower tiered SMPs that I could get into. I read most of the posts in Braluk's Official SMP Thread, but only saw top tiered ones that are garnered for GPAs 3.0 and above. If anybody knows or went through a program with sub 3.0 stats, please help me. Thanks in advance...

 

[IamtheLion]

Hey, I was/in the same situation as you, well with your GPA at least. Rock at your MCATs, seriously dude. I have heard back from multiple programs that my MCATs were my relieving factor to my low GPA.

First off, avoid EVMS, it is the best of the best as far as SMPs go with their hella high linkage. Working at a local ED in the area of EVMS, Having Recs from MDs from EVMS, and GETTING WAITLISTED AT EVMS. I say avoid the heartache man. Move on.

Okay shotgun time for you my friend. There are a ton of programs out there for the likes of us with low GPA so lemme outline a few of them. PCOM in philly and ATL. LECOM in lake eerie. Midwestern Univerisity in Shytown and Arizona, then you have Barry university in Miami. That is 6 right now that you can definitely get into if you score above 25. You are a lock for all of them. Also if you just score say above 20 ive heard that LECOM will let you in too 😉
Thats not to say to reach for some of the good programs at say BU, Tufts, Georgetown, etc. Also SMPs are Masters of Biomedical Sciences are popping up everywhere so google for them!

The best thing about all of these programs are that the deadlines are late late in April/May. They are scheduled that late to pick up some of the med skool rejects.

Best bet tho, focus on your MCATs and getting some nice senior year GPAs

 

[nanaschool2000]

I agree w/ Iamthelion on most things. But, I would not necessarily get EVMS out of my list. Just like Iamthelion has mentioned, it has a very high change to get into EVMS med school. With high MCAT and EC, OP can certainly get into the program. So, don't be scared. Just work hard, raise your GPA, rock the MCAT and appy to SMPs as many as you can. No one can tell you whether you will make it or not.

 

[Instatewaiter]

I did the VCU certificate program 2 years ago and it got me into medical school w/o a glide year. I had around a 2.8 GPA but a 33 MCAT.


The VCU Cert program is a good program since it lets people in w/ low GPAs but it is very rigorous (and stressful). Many of my courses were more difficult than their medical school counterparts.

Wherever you go, even if their requirements for MCAT are low (ie 23 like EVMS), you need to have a decent MCAT to get into the medical school. Even if you do well in the program, a poor MCAT could sink you. Just a word to the wise to the OP

 

[sltho]

thank you all who have replied and many thanks to the creator of this forum.

i will work my ASS off this upcoming senior year to get the near 3.0... I've started on the MCATs and I'm using the Kaplan Premier Program book. Considering my lack of education in the BCPM's, would this book suffice to handle the actual exam?

Also, i've been seriously considering the schools in foreign countries (Ross, St. George) because it seems that everybody, regardless of where they are, end up in the same place. As being actual med school students, what do you guys think?

Once again, thanks in advance...

 

[Instatewaiter]

i will work my ASS off this upcoming senior year to get the near 3.0... I've started on the MCATs and I'm using the Kaplan Premier Program book. Considering my lack of education in the BCPM's, would this book suffice to handle the actual exam?

Also, i've been seriously considering the schools in foreign countries (Ross, St. George) because it seems that everybody, regardless of where they are, end up in the same place. As being actual med school students, what do you guys think?

The Kaplan books should work fine. The 2 best things about the Kaplan course are the books since they synthesize the info well and the huge number of tests they have. If you end up studying on your own make sure to take a LOT of full length tests. Make sure that you spend about the same amt of time grading them and figuring out why you are missing questions as you do actually taking the exams. That is a sure fire way to improve your score.

Your options from a non-US school are going to be more limited than if you could get into a US school. While you can get a residency, the more competitive specialties will pretty much be way beyond your reach.

Caribbean Schools (the only 'schools in foreign courntries' that will get you a lisence to practice in the US) have much lower residency match rates than US allo or DO schools, so be prepared to a family physician if you go there.

This is wrong. You can get a license to practice in the US after going to school in pretty much any country. That said there are a lot of hurdles you have to overcome as an FMG (foreign med graduate) but it is possible. FMG pass rates for step 1 are pretty low. FMGs also have difficulty getting a competitive residency. You won't necessarily be stuck as an FM but the most competitive residencies will be well beyond your reach. Dont expect to go into plastics or derm from the carrib.