SMP List: January 2009

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
DrMidlife

DrMidlife

has an opinion
15+ Year Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2006
Messages
7,506
Reaction score
2,714
this list is out of date: see "GPA enhancement" sticky, top of forum

The following are one-year graduate level programs, for folks who have already completed prereqs and have taken the MCAT. These programs exist for no other reason than to buff med school app credentials, and are not to be confused with traditional masters programs.

These programs meet at least 2 of the following criteria:
1. The whole point is to get you into med school
2. Single year program
3. In class with, and graded against, actual medical students.

The list currently only includes programs hosted at MD schools. I'll be adding programs at DO schools etc. shortly. Comments and edits from current/former students in these programs are strongly encouraged. Click on the underlined program name to get to the website.

2008 list

Georgetown: The Special Master's Program in Physiology (SMP)
Location: Washington, D.C.
Hosted by: Department of Physiology & Biophysics
Year started: 1975
Med school integration: 6 medical school courses, graded against the med school curve
Program duration: 2 semesters
Program starts: early August
Program ends: mid-June
Thesis requirement: Library research paper
Tuition: 36000 IS/OOS '09
Min GPA: 3.0
Min MCAT: 28
Class size: 182
App cost: $125.00
App opens: Dec 1
App closes: May 15
MCAT prep: no
Promises: 50% get accepted somewhere during SMP year, 85% total get accepted somewhere, historically 15% get in at Gtown. Strong support for med school apps during SMP year.
Inside info: see post #3 below

Cincinnati: MS in Physiology
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Hosted by: Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology
Year started: 2006
Med school integration: 3 medical school courses, graded against the med school curve
Program duration: 4 quarters
Program starts: early August
Program ends: 3rd wk of July
Thesis requirement: Literature research review paper
Tuition: 27000 IS, 27400 OOS '09
Min GPA: 3.0
Min MCAT: 27
Class size: 22
App cost: $100.00
App opens: Dec 1
App closes: Jun 1
MCAT prep: no
Promises: Establishes Ohio residency. More than 50% accepted somewhere during SMP year. Class of '07 is at 86%. Strong support for med school apps during SMP year.

EVMS: M.S. in Biomedical Sciences - Medical Masters
Location: Norfolk, VA
Hosted by: School of Health Professions
Year started: <= 2001
Med school integration: 7 medical school courses, graded against the med school curve
Program duration: 2 semesters
Program starts: early August
Program ends: mid-May
Thesis requirement: Library research paper
Tuition: 26756 IS/OOS '08
Min GPA: 2.75
Min MCAT: 26
Class size: 20
App cost: $60.00
App opens: Oct 1
App closes: Apr 1
MCAT prep: no
Promises: 85% accepted somewhere.


Boston: Master of Arts in Medical Sciences (MAMS)
Location: Boston, MA
Hosted by: Division of Graduate Medical Sciences
Year started: 1986
Med school integration: 24 of 32 required units are medical school courses
Program duration: 3 semesters
Program starts: early September
Program ends: mid-August
Thesis requirement: Lab or library-based thesis
Tuition: 36540 IS/OOS '08
Min GPA: 3.0
Min MCAT: 25
Class size: 220
App cost: $60 online, $50 paper
App opens: ?
App closes: Mar 31
MCAT prep: no
Promises: As of y2k, 552/661 accepted at an MD school
Requirements: frequently takes 2 years to complete

Tufts: MS in Biomedical Sciences (MBS)
Location: Boston, MA
Hosted by: School of Medicine
Year started: 2007
Med school integration: 7 of 9 core courses are identical or based on medical school courses, same faculty, typically same exams
Program duration: 2 semesters
Program starts: late August
Program ends: mid-August
Thesis requirement: Lab or library-based thesis
Tuition: 30975 IS/OOS '08
Min GPA: ?
Min MCAT: ?
Class size: 75
App cost: $70.00
App opens: ?
App closes: Jul 15
MCAT prep: yes
Promises: Top 20% of class gets automatic interview.

Tulane ACP: Anatomy Certification Program
Location: New Orleans, LA
Hosted by: Department of Structural and Cellular Biology
Year started: 1996
Med school integration: 2 medical school courses with labs, graded against the med school curve
Program duration: 2-3 semesters
Program starts: early June
Program ends: mid-December or mid-May
Thesis requirement: none
Tuition: 12500 IS/OOS '08
Min GPA: none
Min MCAT: none
Class size: unknown
App cost: $75.00
App opens: ?
App closes: Apr 11
MCAT prep: no
Promises: 90% accepted somewhere, 94% accepted at Tulane last 5 years
Requirements: must be waitlisted at a med school to apply

Temple: Advanced Core in Medical Sciences Program (ACMS)
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Hosted by: School of Medicine
Year started: 2008
Med school integration: Grad school courses taught by med school faculty
Program duration: 2 semesters
Program starts: early September
Program ends: mid-May
Thesis requirement: none
Tuition: 17000 IS, 23500 OOS '08
Min GPA: 3.3
Min MCAT: ?
Class size: ?
App cost: ?
App opens: ?
App closes: Jun 1
MCAT prep: yes
Promises: guaranteed entry into Temple
Requirements: must submit SAT score > 1200, must interview in May/June

USF: Masters in Medical Science with a concentration in Interdisciplinary Medical Science (IMS)
Location: Tampa, FL
Hosted by: College of Medicine Office of Student Diversity and Enrichment
Year started: <= 2004
Med school integration: all medical school year 1 courses except clinicals
Program duration: 3 semesters
Program starts: early July
Program ends: mid-May
Thesis requirement: none
Tuition: 8900 IS, 29900 OOS '08
Min GPA: 3.0
Min MCAT: 22
Class size: 15
App cost: $30
App opens: ?
App closes: Feb 27
MCAT prep: no
Promises: Program recommended for those with strong ECs, strong Letters, but lacking slightly in numerical aspects.
Inside Info: GujuDoc’s comments

Drexel IMS: Interdepartmental Medical Science (IMS) Program
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Hosted by: Office of Professional Studies in Health Sciences
Year started: 1981
Med school integration: 6 medical school courses, graded against the med school curve
Program duration: one year
Program starts: early August
Program ends: mid-June
Thesis requirement: none
Tuition: 22650 IS/OOS '08
Min GPA: ?
Min MCAT: ?
Class size: 140
App cost: $65.00
App opens: ?
App closes: Jul 10
MCAT prep: no
Promises: B's in SMP and 27 MCAT guarantee Drexel interview. 60% to 85% w/B's or higher accepted somewhere during SMP year, 80% to 92% w/B's or higher total accepted somewhere

Drexel DPMS: Drexel Pathway to Medical School (DPMS) Program
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Hosted by: Office of Professional Studies in Health Sciences
Year started: 2003
Med school integration: 4 medical school courses, graded against the med school curve
Program duration: one year
Program starts: late June
Program ends: mid-June
Thesis requirement: none
Tuition: 22650 IS/OOS '08
Min GPA: 2.9
Min MCAT: 20
Class size: 25
App cost: $65.00
App opens: ?

App closes: May 8
MCAT prep: yes
Promises: B's in SMP and 27 MCAT guarantee Drexel interview. 60% to 85% w/B's or higher accepted somewhere during SMP year, 80% to 92% w/B's or higher total accepted somewhere

VCU: Pre-Medical Basic Health Certificate Program
Location: Richmond, VA
Hosted by: School of Medicine Basic Science Departments
Year started: <= 2003
Med school integration: Grad school courses taught by med school faculty, six tracks to choose from
Program duration: 2 semesters
Program starts: mid-August
Program ends: mid-May
Thesis requirement: none
Tuition: 7224 IS, 15904 OOS '08
Min GPA: 2.8
Min MCAT: 22
Class size: ?
App cost: $50.00
App opens: ?
App closes: June
MCAT prep: no
Requirements: Must get a 3.0 to complete program. Anatomy min 3.0 GPA, min 25 MCAT. Biochem app deadline July 15, min GPA 3.4, min MCAT 25. Physio min GPA 3.0, min MCAT 24.

RFU: Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences
Location: Chicago, IL
Hosted by: Interprofessional Healthcare Studies Department
Year started: <= 2004
Med school integration: Grad school courses taught by med school faculty
Program duration: 3 quarters
Program starts: mid-August
Program ends: mid-May
Thesis requirement: none
Tuition: 36297 IS/OOS '08
Min GPA: ?
Min MCAT: ?
Class size: 100
App cost:
App opens: ?
App closes: Jun 15
MCAT prep: no

NYMC: Basic Medical Sciences Interdisciplinary Program, Accelerated Track
Location: Valhalla, NY
Hosted by: Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences
Year started: <= 2003
Med school integration: 4 medical school courses
Program duration: one year
Program starts: August
Program ends: June
Thesis requirement: Literature review or thesis
Tuition: 23040 IS/OOS '08
Min GPA: 3.0
Min MCAT: 27.0
Class size: 25
App cost: $35
App opens: ?
App closes: Jul 1
MCAT prep: no
Promises: "Students who do well will be offered NYMC interviews."

Toledo: Masters Degree in Medical Sciences
Location: Toledo, OH
Hosted by: College of Graduate Studies
Year started: <= 2006
Med school integration: 4 medical school courses, graded against the med school curve
Program duration: 3 semesters
Program starts: late August
Program ends: early May
Thesis requirement: Journal paper review
Tuition: 16500 IS, 39450 OOS '07
Min GPA: 3.0
Min MCAT: 24
Class size: 35
App cost: $45.00
App opens: Mar 1
App closes: May 1
MCAT prep: no
Promises: Enrollment guarantees Toledo interview. Historically 65% get in somewhere.

UMDNJ Newark: Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences
Location: Newark, NJ
Hosted by: Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (Newark)
Year started: <= 2003
Med school integration: can take medical school courses
Program duration: one or two years
Program starts: early September
Program ends: late June
Thesis requirement: elective research-based thesis
Tuition: 14216 IS, 17709 OOS '08
Min GPA: ?
Min MCAT: ?
Class size: 120
App cost: $40.00
App opens: ?
App closes: 1-Jun
MCAT prep: no
Promises:
Requirements: Must get 3.0 to graduate.

Loyola: M.A. in Medical Sciences
Location: Chicago, IL
Hosted by: Department of Biology
Year started: <= 2004
Med school integration: none
Program duration: 2 semesters
Program starts: late August
Program ends: early May
Thesis requirement: none
Tuition: 29040 IS/OOS '07
Min GPA: 3.0
Min MCAT: 25
Class size: ?
App cost: $50.00
App opens: ?
App closes: 7/1/2008
MCAT prep: no
Promises: 82% to 92% of graduates are now in med school
Members don't see this ad.
 
Last edited:
gujuDoc said:
Notified of acceptances: April 15. Nonrolling admissions.

Nevermind you were right about July being the start date for USF IMS but I think they only take 15 students each year unless you read somewhere that they've increased it. someone asked about this earlier this year and they said it was still only 15. That was in the fall semester.

July 7th is the exact start date for this year.

30-36 credits. Same classes as medical students except all clinical courses. In the last few years this is what we've seen as far as results of getting in (67-80% getting in somewhere and roughly 67% getting in USF specifically. Specific info about where people got in is down below but it is also important to note that most who meet the above 3.0 GPA in IMS will get an interview separate of normal interviewees at USF in April.

Class of 2008 (current class)
Avg MCAT: 24
Avg overall GPA: 3.49; SGPA: 3.48
Class of 2007
Avg MCAT: 25
Avg Overall GPA: 3.41
15 students admitted
10 students admitted to USF COM
2 students admitted to other medical schools
2 students withdrew from the program
1 student not admitted to medical school
Class of 2006
Avg MCAT: 27
Avg Overall GPA: 3.49
15 students admitted
8 of which were accepted to the USF College of Medicine
2 were accepted into medical school elsewhere (FSU and U of South Alabama)

Class of 2005
7 students accepted into the program
5 of which were accepted to the USF College of Medicine
1 was accepted into a DO school
1 did not meet the 3.0 GPA requirement
Class of 2008 (current class)
Avg MCAT: 24
Avg overall GPA: 3.49; SGPA: 3.48
Class of 2007
Avg MCAT: 25
Avg Overall GPA: 3.41
15 students admitted
10 students admitted to USF COM
2 students admitted to other medical schools
2 students withdrew from the program
1 student not admitted to medical school
Class of 2006
Avg MCAT: 27
Avg Overall GPA: 3.49
15 students admitted
8 of which were accepted to the USF College of Medicine
2 were accepted into medical school elsewhere (FSU and U of South Alabama)

Class of 2005
7 students accepted into the program
5 of which were accepted to the USF College of Medicine
1 was accepted into a DO school
1 did not meet the 3.0 GPA requirement
Click to expand...

gujuDoc said:
The USF MSMS programs each have different amounts of students depending on the programs.

Anatomy: 20 students
Molecular Med: 60-100 but now with the med micro concentration that overlaps MMed it is 60 MM and 40 Med Micro
IMS 15 students
pharm: not sure.
Click to expand...

USF's main page for medical masters programs: http://www.health.usf.edu/medicine/graduatestudies/mscus/ms_overview.htm
 
Members don't see this ad :)
This list is awesome. Much better than the spreadsheet I made in excel. =X
Thank you DrMidlife!
 
KiwiBruin said:
This list is awesome. Much better than the spreadsheet I made in excel. =X
Thank you DrMidlife!
Click to expand...

Oh yeah I was going to attach my spreadsheet. Thanks for the reminder.
 
This is a joke.
I was just gonna post a question asking about ONE-year smp program...

Thank you for the amazing help!!


In my case though, I'm a predental so..
does this list pretty much apply to those who trying to go to dental schools?

OR is it totally different?

Thanks again!
 
drstyller said:
In my case though, I'm a predental so..
does this list pretty much apply to those who trying to go to dental schools?

OR is it totally different?
Click to expand...

I'd say the programs that are less deeply integrated with medical schools are more suited for pre-dental, but you certainly see dentists come out of most SMPs. You'll probably find 5 of the programs I've listed above are useful to you - you'll see "MCAT or DAT" listed as a requirement, for instance. Possibly more useful would be some of the programs in the 2008 list - there are a good dozen programs in that list that aren't integrated with a med school. And you'll know better than I will which med schools also have dental schools.

Best of luck to you.
 
Thanks for the new update list. I'm currently in the VCU program and I just want to suggest some edits to the info.

Tuition: 9000 IS, 20000 OOS '08
Class size: ~100-120
App cost: $50.00 to apply to two departments
Requirements: Must get a 3.0 to complete program. Each department have their own min gpa and mcat for admission. Only anatomy department states a 3.0 min gpa. The other departments have been raising their min gpa and mcat, but have not explicitly stated their new min gpa and mcat.
 
Thank you so very much for this list. :thumbup::D
 
Here's a program that I've been looking at that seems to fit the SMP criteria but doesn't seem to have any feedback whatsoever on SDN (at least that I could find)

It's a one year Masters of Global Medicine offered by USC (Keck) in which all candidates take first year med school classes along with other classes related to global medicine.

Take a look: http://www.usc.edu/schools/medicine/education/degrees_programs/msgm.html
 
At second glance, it may not be valuable as a traditional SMP because you only take the first half of the year 1 medical school curriculum.
 
Pghboy18 said:
Here's a program that I've been looking at that seems to fit the SMP criteria but doesn't seem to have any feedback whatsoever on SDN (at least that I could find)

It's a one year Masters of Global Medicine offered by USC (Keck) in which all candidates take first year med school classes along with other classes related to global medicine.

Take a look: http://www.usc.edu/schools/medicine/education/degrees_programs/msgm.html
Click to expand...

Degree Requirements
Core Courses(20 units)
Core Principles System I & II (8 units)
Basic Concepts in Global Health (4 units)
Critical Issues in Global Health (4 units)
Global Epidemiology of Diseases and Risk Factors (4 units)

Elective Courses (at least12 units)
Global Health Modules: Malaria (2 units)
Global Health Modules: Tuberculosis (2 units)
Global Health Modules: Maternal and Child Health I (2 units)
Global Health Modules: Maternal and Child Health II (2 units)
Global Health Modules: HIV/AIDS (2 units)
Global Health Modules: Tropical Diseases (2 units)
Click to expand...

Which classes are Med school classes? @_@
 
Last edited:
Members don't see this ad :)
Pghboy18 said:
At second glance, it may not be valuable as a traditional SMP because you only take the first half of the year 1 medical school curriculum.
Click to expand...

That's roughly comparable to Tulane's ACP, in that the first half med school integration is the bang for the buck as far as med school admissions go. I think it's ironic that Tulane has a legitimate Tropical Medicine program, and dozens of SMP-like grad programs, but no global med SMP-like grad program.

I suspect this is a very new program - I'm trying to find a news release or suchlike on the Keck site. All the language is future tense and there's no FAQ, so clearly they're not advertising any grads who've gotten into med school.

One thing that's missing for me to "bless" this as an SMP (as if I have any such authority) is any stated intent of improving credentials for med school. But any further info on this program would be great to have.

Edit: this program isn't included in the '08-'09 catalog. Probably just started this last fall.
 
Last edited:
KiwiBruin said:
Which classes are Med school classes? @_@
Click to expand...

The "Core Principles System I & II (8 units)" requirement is actually two courses which together comprise the first half of the MS1 year at Keck.

There's a link on their site that shows the entire first year curriculum if you look under the "MD Program" section of their website.
 
DrMidlife said:
That's roughly comparable to Tulane's ACP, in that the first half med school integration is the bang for the buck as far as med school admissions go. I think it's ironic that Tulane has a legitimate Tropical Medicine program, and dozens of SMP-like grad programs, but no global med SMP-like grad program.

I suspect this is a very new program - I'm trying to find a news release or suchlike on the Keck site. All the language is future tense and there's no FAQ, so clearly they're not advertising any grads who've gotten into med school.

One thing that's missing for me to "bless" this as an SMP (as if I have any such authority) is any stated intent of improving credentials for med school. But any further info on this program would be great to have.

Edit: this program isn't included in the '08-'09 catalog. Probably just started this last fall.
Click to expand...

I'm planning to contact the program director in the next couple of days (after finals). I'll post whatever I find out.
 
Pghboy18 said:
I'm planning to contact the program director in the next couple of days (after finals). I'll post whatever I find out.
Click to expand...

Awesome.

I don't think this is a one year program. I think it's 4 semesters.
 
gujuDoc said:
Dr. Midlife,


I've been meaning to ask you but couldn't find the link until I went to the AAMC database search, but is this an SMP???

http://www1.wfubmc.edu/MDProgram/Student+Services/Diversity/Post+Graduate+Students/PostBacPreMed.htm

Its the wakeforest postbac but it looks like GEMS at Gtown which is an SMP for minorities and disadvantaged students. What do you think??

should we have a smaller sublist of programs like that on here that are SMPs but for disadvantaged and minority students?
Click to expand...

Definitely. I've been skipping these because I'm one extremely white-ass chick, but it's not like making lists is hard. I think there are a lot of these programs, maybe a half dozen in California, and I think SIU and Mt. Sinai too.

Isn't USF's IMS in this category as well? The more I understand it, the more it looks aimed at the underprivileged demographic.
 
gandvardia said:
what about Barry or Mississippi College?
Click to expand...
"The list currently only includes programs hosted at MD schools. I'll be adding programs at DO schools etc. shortly." If you're looking for more schools, see last year's SMP list (the one called "SMP list 2008").
 
When applying to these schools, is it generally OK to use LORs that were written for medical school?
 
^ yes, definitely - the point of these programs is to show that you are ready to handle a med school curriculum, so med school LORs are perfectly acceptable, if not expected.
 
Thank you both. Also, can I get some input about whether an SMP is right for me? I'm going to graduate this June with an overall GPA of 3.5, science 3.3 with a significant upward trend (freshman GPA was about 2.6). I'm very interested in osteopathy (more so than allopathy). I'm taking the March 28th MCAT, and got a 30 on my most recent practice test (although that was back in August). I realize that if I want to go allopathy, an SMP would be good for me, but since DO schools have lower requirements I was wondering if doing one of these programs is necessary. Obviously it would be helpful if I did well, but it's expensive and time-consuming (but I'd definitely be willing to do it). Some schools I've been looking at are Western, PCOM, and Nova. Thank you!
 
Last edited:
Do you guys know if the maximum federal financial aid for these programs is 20K a year like other grad programs or is it higher?
 
Dr. Midlife or anyone else, do you know if the Tulane ACP's requirement that the applicant must be waitlisted at a medical school will accept DO waitlist as a medical (MD) school waitlist too? Thanks!
 
princessFEEDme said:
Dr. Midlife or anyone else, do you know if the Tulane ACP's requirement that the applicant must be waitlisted at a medical school will accept DO waitlist as a medical (MD) school waitlist too? Thanks!
Click to expand...

It's my understanding that MD or DO waitlists meet the requirement - I asked Tulane about this last year when I was on a DO waitlist.
 
Hi all, just received an email from Shannon L Dawsey of Tulane ACP, and she confirmed that DO schools do qualify!
 
Are there any well reputed SMP programs on the west coast? All of the ones on this list are in the east coast :(
 
de_la_soul said:
Are there any well reputed SMP programs on the west coast? All of the ones on this list are in the east coast :(
Click to expand...

Nope, we're SOL, no news of anything opening up either. Closest is either Chicago or New Orleans. There are plenty of interesting traditional 2-year masters, but nothing for credential improvement.

My money's on Scripps having the first west coast SMP, since they have a postbac and are getting a med school. Maybe OHSU, since they seem to be scaring instaters away.
 
BU's site for app date isn't march 31 according to their website...

"Division of Graduate Medical Sciences doctoral and master’s program applications are normally submitted by March 31. Late applications will be considered with prior approval of the department chairman. The MA in Medical Science Program has no application deadline. Applications submitted with all supporting credentials will be given priority."
 
Wow, I didn't know Scripps is getting med school! I agree, if they do get a med school, they'll probably start an SMP.
 
So is Tulane only doing the anatomy-type SMP? I saw an old post somewhere about a genetics-focused SMP, but could not find it on their website (and obviously it's not listed here). I was really interested in that.
 
gujuDoc said:
Speaking of tulane, I had applied for med school there and was rejected. Well today I got something about a medical pharmacology program where only the med pharm class is with med students. But they claim 80% of their people get into med school according to the last 10 years since they started the program.
Click to expand...

80% is pretty high, we should add that to the SMP list. I know the ACP program has like a 90% linkage to Tulane...Perrotfish (a graduate of the ACP) had heard a stat of 60% of Medical Pharmacology students get into Tulane.

Does anyone know if the ACP is 1 semester and Pharmacology is 2 semesters or something? Tulane's website lists the pharmacology tuition at $22k, and acp's is around $12k.
 
Exalya said:
So is Tulane only doing the anatomy-type SMP? I saw an old post somewhere about a genetics-focused SMP, but could not find it on their website (and obviously it's not listed here). I was really interested in that.
Click to expand...


I think this is the thread you are looking for. Dr. Midlife has listed all of Tulane's programs with links.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=489913

(it's also linked in her first post at the top of this thread under "2008")
 
gujuDoc said:
The link for the Tulane ACP is listed in the first post of this thread. I have no clue what they are talking about saying it is not up here. Scroll up and actually read DrMidlife's first post and you'll see that. I think the ACP is the anatomy type SMP.
Click to expand...

He wasn't talking about the Tulane ACP. A person asked about the Genetics program at Tulane, which isn't listed here. The Pharmacology one also isn't listed here (it was listed in the 2008 list, however).
 
gujuDoc said:
That is because they are not true SMPs.

True SMPs are the programs which you compete in most not just 1 class directly against or at the very least take with the medical students. Most real SMPs have at least 4-5 core classes that are with medical students if not more.
Click to expand...

Yep. You thought we were talking about the ACP program, and we weren't. And anyway, the Loyola program isn't a "true" SMP either, but it's still listed here. I just hope everyone knows what's out there, especially the programs with high linkage.
 
Just FYI, the links to the Drexel programs don't really take you anywhere useful anymore.
 
Just as commentary, seriously, why would an SMP do an overhaul of its web presence in Jan/Feb? VCU and now Drexel? We're well into the app season...

I'm on vacation but I'll clean up the first entry when I get back. Post updates here and I'll compile them like I did last year. Pretty clearly, the Tulane genetics/pharm/cellbio programs should be added back.
 
does anyone know anything about the Marshall University BMS medical science program?
 
gujuDoc said:
That is because they are not true SMPs.

True SMPs are the programs which you compete in most not just 1 class directly against or at the very least take with the medical students. Most real SMPs have at least 4-5 core classes that are with medical students if not more.
Click to expand...


You had posted a link to other USF 1-year programs in your 2007 thread.
http://health.usf.edu/medicine/graduatestudies/mscus/index.htm

Are those true SMP programs? If they aren't; would USF still consider students for their MD program that successfully finish those programs with excellent GPA and let's say MCAT(retake) score above 30+? I am just not able to figure out the difference between the actual SMP(IMS) and the ones I discussed above. Since I am a non-medical undergrad major I would prefer to get in SMP and then make my way to med school. I will have ALL my sciences pre-reqs done by Spring 2010. Hoping to get above 30 on MCAT. Also, is health-care experience required to get admitted into these master's programs?

Thanks and thanks again for your detailed PM response. Hopefully I'll get started with physician shadowing and volunteering next month.
 
gujuDoc said:
I am confused as to why you need an SMP in the first place. You say you haven't even done your prereqs yet. People who are postbac career changers do not need an SMP per say so much as they need to do well in their prereqs, MCAT, and then maybe consider doing a second degree. What is your story??? Without more details I cannot advise you better on what it is you need.

SMPs are for people who have done a science postbac or science degree and have too many ugrad credits that it is beyond futile for them to try to do something else. It is for the people who have tried all other options but failed. It is for those who might have applied before and been advised by adcom directors or others based on past failures with GPA issues mostly or for those who've attempted the MCAT multiple times and had no success but can still show they are capable in the case of a few programs.

What is your story??? What is best for you is hard to determine without knowing details.
Click to expand...

Sorry about the confusion. :( Here's my story, briefly:

I have an undergrad in Computer Science with some science pre-reqs done. I am retaking some pre-reqs to improve grades(from Bs and Cs) to As. Pre-reqs will be done by Spring 2011 Spring(including Organic Chem). I want to apply for NEXT(2010) year's SMP program because I want to get in USF's MD program. Now with no healthcare experience and no degree in biology/health sciences I think it'll eb hard for me to get in USF's MD program. So I was thinking to get in SMP(2010) and apply to USF-MD (2011). Also I am going to be studying for MCAT on my own so I think that it'll be useless to apply to any MD program will MCAT score under 35.

Hope this explains what I am trying to do. Thank you.
 
I just applied to the Loyola MAMS and the program director said the class size is about 55 if you want to add that to your list, DrMidlife. Thanks for organizing this, btw
 
hey,

i didn't kno where to post my question, so i figured this thread would be appropriate enough. i was just wondering if i could still take the march mcat and apply to the smp programs? i'm a nervous wreck and any help would be much appreciated. i'm currently majoring in biomed engg, and my gpa is a 3.04. i have a lot of research experience in this dept, and also have two summers of hospital work in australia. i've taken practice mcats, but my scores have been fluctuating a lot, between 25-30 so i'm not sure how well i'll do on the mcat this month. but suppose i do end up on the lower end, do you think i'll still have a chance at any of the smp's? any info/feedback would be greatly appreciated!
 
mirage2008 said:
hey,

i didn't kno where to post my question, so i figured this thread would be appropriate enough. i was just wondering if i could still take the march mcat and apply to the smp programs? i'm a nervous wreck and any help would be much appreciated. i'm currently majoring in biomed engg, and my gpa is a 3.04. i have a lot of research experience in this dept, and also have two summers of hospital work in australia. i've taken practice mcats, but my scores have been fluctuating a lot, between 25-30 so i'm not sure how well i'll do on the mcat this month. but suppose i do end up on the lower end, do you think i'll still have a chance at any of the smp's? any info/feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...

Don't take the MCAT until you're ready to kill it. Taking the MCAT more than once, given a choice, is a colossal waste of time - you don't really want to do this prep work again, do you? With a 3.04, even with success in an SMP, you absolutely must get 30+. If this means you can't slide straight into an SMP from undergrad, and you need one or more years off, that's not an app problem. More life/work experience is good for you and will set you up to more likely succeed.

If you're ready to get a great MCAT score this month, then you're still in time to apply to some SMPs such as Drexel. But I'd like to see you slow it down and do things really well instead of quickly.

Best of luck to you.
 
carbofation said:
Is the Northwestern MS program in Neurobiology and Physiology also considered an SMP?
http://www.northwestern.edu/neurobiology/ms/admissions.html

Just curious to see what everyone's opinion is on this one.
Click to expand...

That's a really attractive program - I included it in the 2008 list. But if you compare it to a program like Georgetown's SMP, you'll see what it's missing in terms of getting you into med school. The minimum GPAs for that program are rather high as well.

IMHO if your GPA and MCAT are solid and you need a better-rounded app, then Northwestern's program (or other traditional masters programs) are great. But with substandard numbers, these programs don't get the job done.
 
DrMidlife said:
That's a really attractive program - I included it in the 2008 list. But if you compare it to a program like Georgetown's SMP, you'll see what it's missing in terms of getting you into med school. The minimum GPAs for that program are rather high as well.

IMHO if your GPA and MCAT are solid and you need a better-rounded app, then Northwestern's program (or other traditional masters programs) are great. But with substandard numbers, these programs don't get the job done.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response.:)
Where did you get the info on their min. GPA and MCAT? I couldn't find it on their website.
 
ignored my post, plz
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Next unread thread

Similar threads

Jean Saint Pierre
UIWSOM SMP
Replies
0
Views
172
Jean Saint Pierre
Jean Saint Pierre
D
  • Question
My SMP/postbacc options?
Replies
15
Views
763
diablo_burrito
D
V
SMP Help: Georgetown SMP vs Case Western
Replies
0
Views
719
vennvennvenn
V
Luckydawg
  • Question
Should I apply to medical school during SMP?
Replies
0
Views
113
Luckydawg
Luckydawg
E
SMP Versis
Replies
0
Views
144
ep2020
E
Top