SMP Option

[easystreet10]

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Hi Everyone,

Like many, I planning for the worst, but hoping the best. In accepting the possibility that I do not get in (MD or DO) this year, I am considering doing a SMP program. However, I would like some feedback on whether such a choice is the best fit for me going forward. Here's my bio.

CA Resident
cGPA: 3.55
BCPM: 3.46
MCAT: 29 (PS=12, VR=8, BS=9)
ECs:
Travelled to Philippines on 2 week medical mission
Certified EMT for past 5 years. Worked for local fire dept. 2010-2011
Free Clinic MA volunteer: 2009-2011
Research in Bacteriology lab during undergrad
Undergraduate Thesis project on health care structure related to human rights
Currently working as a patient recruiter for a clinical trial company &
volunteering in neurosurgical lab (3 recent publications as a co-author)
Shadowing experiences (greater than 200 hours) in surgery (plastics, ortho, and neuro), internal med, and peds

Thanks for all your feedback in advance and best of luck to everyone currently applying.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Hi Everyone,

Like many, I planning for the worst, but hoping the best. In accepting the possibility that I do not get in (MD or DO) this year, I am considering doing a SMP program. However, I would like some feedback on whether such a choice is the best fit for me going forward. Here's my bio.

CA Resident
cGPA: 3.55
BCPM: 3.46
MCAT: 29 (PS=12, VR=8, BS=9)
ECs:
Travelled to Philippines on 2 week medical mission
Certified EMT for past 5 years. Worked for local fire dept. 2010-2011
Free Clinic MA volunteer: 2009-2011
Research in Bacteriology lab during undergrad
Undergraduate Thesis project on health care structure related to human rights
Currently working as a patient recruiter for a clinical trial company &
volunteering in neurosurgical lab (3 recent publications as a co-author)
Shadowing experiences (greater than 200 hours) in surgery (plastics, ortho, and neuro), internal med, and peds

Thanks for all your feedback in advance and best of luck to everyone currently applying.

If you applied early you should have at least gotten interviews at DO schools, unless you ONLY applied in California? If that's the case, then it's not hopeful for this cycle.

 

[easystreet10]

Thanks for the reply. I applied broadly and early, but LORs were late getting submitted (didn't have everything completed until 9/9/12). I'm trying to evaluate if applying to a SMP if I need to reapply is a good idea. I am planning on re-taking the MCAT and applying this next cycle. With that though, does it make sense to do an SMP or is it more of a gamble?

 

[SilverCat]

If you want to go the MD route, I think you should consider an SMP, as your grades are slightly below the average of a matriculant. For some DO schools, though, I think your grades would be considered decent.

Bear in mind, however, that SMPs can either really help you or really hurt you. I got into Georgetown SMP, and chose to do a master's in public health instead due to the fact that only 10% of the class would get As and many SMP students matriculated into a DO program (programs for which I already had the necessary grades). Moreover, many students do poorly in SMP programs, which essentially kills all chances of med school, as the SMP is supposed to prove to adcoms that you can handle a med school courseload.

You would also have to consider when you want to apply--after completing the SMP, or during the year you're in the program, because the GPA boost may not have as great an effect if you chose to apply while in the program. Moreover, it would be difficult to miss so many classes to attend interviews across the country. This means that you may have to wait one more year before applying.

You should definitely do a search on the forums about SMP programs, because the subject has been discussed a good deal over the years.

 

[Silent Cool]

Hi Everyone,

Like many, I planning for the worst, but hoping the best. In accepting the possibility that I do not get in (MD or DO) this year, I am considering doing a SMP program. However, I would like some feedback on whether such a choice is the best fit for me going forward. Here's my bio.

CA Resident
cGPA: 3.55
BCPM: 3.46
MCAT: 29 (PS=12, VR=8, BS=9)
ECs:
Travelled to Philippines on 2 week medical mission
Certified EMT for past 5 years. Worked for local fire dept. 2010-2011
Free Clinic MA volunteer: 2009-2011
Research in Bacteriology lab during undergrad
Undergraduate Thesis project on health care structure related to human rights
Currently working as a patient recruiter for a clinical trial company &
volunteering in neurosurgical lab (3 recent publications as a co-author)
Shadowing experiences (greater than 200 hours) in surgery (plastics, ortho, and neuro), internal med, and peds

Thanks for all your feedback in advance and best of luck to everyone currently applying.

I would apply MD and DO. You will have no problem getting in to a DO school. MD will be more of a crapshoot.

 

[weezynation]

If you want to go the MD route, I think you should consider an SMP, as your grades are slightly below the average of a matriculant. For some DO schools, though, I think your grades would be considered decent.

Bear in mind, however, that SMPs can either really help you or really hurt you. I got into Georgetown SMP, and chose to do a master's in public health instead due to the fact that only 10% of the class would get As and many SMP students matriculated into a DO program (programs for which I already had the necessary grades). Moreover, many students do poorly in SMP programs, which essentially kills all chances of med school, as the SMP is supposed to prove to adcoms that you can handle a med school courseload.

You would also have to consider when you want to apply--after completing the SMP, or during the year you're in the program, because the GPA boost may not have as great an effect if you chose to apply while in the program. Moreover, it would be difficult to miss so many classes to attend interviews across the country. This means that you may have to wait one more year before applying.

You should definitely do a search on the forums about SMP programs, because the subject has been discussed a good deal over the years.

I am currently in a SMP and I agree with everything said above except that I havent find it difficult to attend interviews and do my work. But maybe that's just me.

 

[TieuBachHo]

Hi Everyone,

Like many, I planning for the worst, but hoping the best. In accepting the possibility that I do not get in (MD or DO) this year, I am considering doing a SMP program. However, I would like some feedback on whether such a choice is the best fit for me going forward. Here's my bio.

CA Resident
cGPA: 3.55
BCPM: 3.46
MCAT: 29 (PS=12, VR=8, BS=9)
ECs:
Travelled to Philippines on 2 week medical mission
Certified EMT for past 5 years. Worked for local fire dept. 2010-2011
Free Clinic MA volunteer: 2009-2011
Research in Bacteriology lab during undergrad
Undergraduate Thesis project on health care structure related to human rights
Currently working as a patient recruiter for a clinical trial company &
volunteering in neurosurgical lab (3 recent publications as a co-author)
Shadowing experiences (greater than 200 hours) in surgery (plastics, ortho, and neuro), internal med, and peds

Thanks for all your feedback in advance and best of luck to everyone currently applying.

If you don't get in this cycle, you should try to retake the MCAT to boost your VR score. SMP is a high risk, high reward program. If you don't do well in it, it's OVER. You shouldn't resort to taking such risk if you don't have to. Many thought SMP was a solution, but it turned out to be a disaster. It's primarily for those who have no other choices but they still want to be doctors.

 

[hoyasaxa17]

OP I am also currently in an SMP and was just accepted yesterday to a US MD school. It's been an incredible help to have top grades in medical courses. I applied for 2011 and received 1 interview and did not make the waitlist. This cycle I have had 4 MD interviews (1 accept, 1 reject, 2 pending), 2 DO interviews (1 accept, 1 withdraw) and 5 MD rejects; I'm still waiting for final decisions from 18 schools (17 MD, 1 DO). But remember, you HAVE to do well. Attending interviews has not been a problem but all of the lectures in my program (Georgetown) are recorded and available online.

That being said, I think the weakness in your application is not your GPA but rather your MCAT. I think SMPs have the greatest utility for low GPA, high MCAT applicants like myself (3.2/37) and most of my classmates. If you really feel you need to raise your GPA I would take some courses as a postbacc but otherwise focus on studying for and re-taking the MCAT. ECs look great, way better than mine.

Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

 

[Hemorrage]

Personally I think your cGPA is fine. Take some science courses at your local university and get your BCPM above 3.5 and retake the mcat and score 32+. These are much less expensive options than doing an entire SMP which is primarily for applicants with GPAs between 3.0-3.3

 

[easystreet10]

Hey, sorry everyone. As the OP life has been a little chaotic and I haven't been on SDN. Thank you for the feedback though. I have applied to Temple's post-bacc and not any SMPs. I picked Temple because I retook the MCAT and got a 31, and if I am accepted and complete my course work with a 3.5<, than its an automatic acceptance into the SOM. Keeping my fingers crossed. Best of luck to all of you.

 

[geoffreyy]

smp will help you, just make sure you kick posterior as its gonna be one heck of a year.

I got interviews and was able to speak with deans etc, and they value as much science courses, as possible. also, a public health coursework looks good, yes, but, at least in quinnipiac, the dean told me they would rather a student take as much upper div science work as they can. finishing an smp will show proof that you can handle med school level coursework

trust me. first hand exp here.

good luck.

 

[geoffreyy]

smp will help you, just make sure you kick posterior as its gonna be one heck of a year.

I got interviews and was able to speak with deans etc, and they value as much science courses, as possible. also, a public health coursework looks good, yes, but, at least in quinnipiac, the dean told me they would rather a student take as much upper div science work as they can. finishing an smp will show proof that you can handle med school level coursework

trust me. first hand exp here.

good luck.

 

[darklabel]

Hey, sorry everyone. As the OP life has been a little chaotic and I haven't been on SDN. Thank you for the feedback though. I have applied to Temple's post-bacc and not any SMPs. I picked Temple because I retook the MCAT and got a 31, and if I am accepted and complete my course work with a 3.5<, than its an automatic acceptance into the SOM. Keeping my fingers crossed. Best of luck to all of you.

Good luck OP and sorry you didn't hear back from even DO schools. But thats Cali for you

 

[Twink]

Out of curiosity, how difficult is an SMP? Some of you guys make it seem like an SMP is incredibly difficult and only a selected few can do well on it.

I am sure I will be working your ass off because of there is $40-60k and the chance of going to medical school on the line.

 

[DrMidlife]

Out of curiosity, how difficult is an SMP? Some of you guys make it seem like an SMP is incredibly difficult and only a selected few can do well on it.

I am sure I will be working your ass off because of there is $40-60k and the chance of going to medical school on the line.

Med students only have to pass classes. SMP students have to do better. So it's the first year of med school with quite a bit more pressure than med school, you're not in med school, and you don't know if you'll be in med school. Thus the difficulty and intensity.

See the postbac forum for reviews and commentary from grads of most programs.

 

[Twink]

Med students only have to pass classes. SMP students have to do better. So it's the first year of med school with quite a bit more pressure than med school, you're not in med school, and you don't know if you'll be in med school. Thus the difficulty and intensity.

See the postbac forum for reviews and commentary from grads of most programs.

True, but will you really do a half assed job knowing you are paying about $60K for the program and that passing with high marks will potentially get you into a medical school? I know it is easier said than done but I think if you are determined to do well and go to medical school you will succeed in whatever program you get into. Putting all your eggs in one basket if more of a motivation than a distraction for me.

 

[DrMidlife]

True, but will you really do a half assed job knowing you are paying about $60K for the program and that passing with high marks will potentially get you into a medical school? I know it is easier said than done but I think if you are determined to do well and go to medical school you will succeed in whatever program you get into. Putting all your eggs in one basket if more of a motivation than a distraction for me.

The bolded assumes that the only reason you didn't excel in undergrad is a lack of determination. That's a common, fatal logic error. Assume you have systemic deficits in study skills, focus and discipline. If you get lucky and you do not have such deficits, then you'll be the one SMP student who isn't suffering. Otherwise you'll be just another one of the gang who is totally amped at the start of the program, and then totally panicked after the first exam. And then you spend the rest of the year scrambling. Plan on it.

 

[Twink]

The bolded assumes that the only reason you didn't excel in undergrad is a lack of determination. That's a common, fatal logic error. Assume you have systemic deficits in study skills, focus and discipline. If you get lucky and you do not have such deficits, then you'll be the one SMP student who isn't suffering. Otherwise you'll be just another one of the gang who is totally amped at the start of the program, and then totally panicked after the first exam. And then you spend the rest of the year scrambling. Plan on it.

I think you are the one assuming. Not everyone who did not excel in UG had a lack of determination. I am sure everyone in here has met someone who did not excel in UG due to reasons other than lack of determination (family, finances, etc.).

 

[JoshuaGuit]

I think you are the one assuming. Not everyone who did not excel in UG had a lack of determination. I am sure everyone in here has met someone who did not excel in UG due to reasons other than lack of determination (family, finances, etc.).

I think it is very easy for people to think that they are the exception to the rule.

There are people who make it through and go on to become fantastic physicians, but at some point everyone has to be honest with themselves and determine what the true reason for them attending these programs is rather than just getting unlucky with the admissions cycle.

 

[Twink]

I think it is very easy for people to think that they are the exception to the rule.

There are people who make it through and go on to become fantastic physicians, but at some point everyone has to be honest with themselves and determine what the true reason for them attending these programs is rather than just getting unlucky with the admissions cycle.

I don't look at it that way although I do see your point. The way I see it is that the risks of doing an SMP are too high and too much to take on if you don't think you can handle the intensity and stress of medical school coursework. Most people who doubt themselves because of how they did in UG will not drop $60k on an SMP (unless they are loaded and that amount is nothing for them). The people who don't want to look at reality and still apply to SMPs are easily removed from the pool of applicants through GPA, personal statement, MCAT, ECs, etc.

 

[weezynation]

I don't look at it that way although I do see your point. The way I see it is that the risks of doing an SMP are too high and too much to take on if you don't think you can handle the intensity and stress of medical school coursework. Most people who doubt themselves because of how they did in UG will not drop $60k on an SMP (unless they are loaded and that amount is nothing for them). The people who don't want to look at reality and still apply to SMPs are easily removed from the pool of applicants through GPA, personal statement, MCAT, ECs, etc.

You definitely should not doubt yourself, but you also should not go into a SMP expecting exactly what you anticipate. It isn't just about whether you can "handle the intensity and stress of medical school coursework," because you should be doing even better than the med students. You will not be taking as many classes as them, so merely passing your classes means you may have some trouble when the additional courses are added once you begin med school. Make sure you hit the ground running from Day 1 and over-study because you don't know how much study time you need to excel on a med school level. I definitely think it is important to go in with confidence that you can do well, but it is just as important to not go into it with even a slightly relaxed attitude. Once you hit your stride, learn what study skills work best for you, and see excellent exam results, then you can scale back your studying accordingly. Until then, though, keep your foot on the gas and don't let up.

 

[geoffreyy]

at least in georgetown smp, you basically take the same 2 week modules as their M1 students. so it doesnt matter whether m1s are taking more classes, the duration given to an smp student to absorb all those materials pretty much levels the ground evenly.

so yes, good chance for you to show you can do better than M1s. its not easy, but work hard, and you'll get there.

 

[Instatewaiter]

You shouldn't resort to taking such risk if you don't have to. Many thought SMP was a solution, but it turned out to be a disaster. It's primarily for those who have no other choices but they still want to be doctors.

SMPs are excellent programs to get you into medical school. I agree, they are high risk but for those who want to go to an MD school, an SMP is an exceptional option.

Without the SMP I did I would not have anywhere near the opportunities for education that I have had. It was literally the turning point in my education.

Out of curiosity, how difficult is an SMP? Some of you guys make it seem like an SMP is incredibly difficult and only a selected few can do well on it.

Of all of my classroom years, the SMP was the most difficult year I have done.