SMP or Apply?

[BigButtahPhD]

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Hi, just wanted some advice on whether I should apply to MD schools or do a SMP:
cGPA: 3.47/ sGPA: 3.36 (upward trend, 3.9 average last year of UG with heavy upperdiv bio course work: immuno,cell bio,etc.)
MCAT: 30
EC:
- Worked 3 years as EMT.
- 100 hrs hospital volunteer
-40 hrs shadowing
-3 years neurophysio research: published in school's undergrad journal.
-Counselor at camp for kids with health disabilities.

alternatively would taking summer session through my undergrad UC school and getting a 4.0 substitute for a SMP?

 

[DrMidlife]

In California you have DO stats.

A summer of additional undergrad won't hurt but it won't make much difference. Grades from summer would come too late to impact your chances for a 2015 MD app. And straight A's don't happen by wanting them; don't overestimate your ability to suddenly be a great student.

It's April and the apps opened for good SMPs in October. If you're serious about wanting a chance at MD then immediately start working on:
1. many many hours of reading on SDN about SMP options
2. SMP apps, like by Monday
3. MCAT prep with an exam date before SMPs start in August
4. obviously keep your ECs going and keep going after faculty recommendations

Understand that you will need to move cross country, spend another $50k, and wait to apply MD until AFTER you successfully complete an SMP, if you want better than trivial chances at USMD, and if you want ANY chance at a UC.

I've written extensively about how to approach your situation, as have others, in this forum and in the reapplicants forum. Take advantage of the body of knowledge that's already here.

Best of luck to you.

 

[drchik4life]

Apply lower tier DO schools! Goodluck

 

[BigButtahPhD]

Thank you drchik4life and DrMidlife for your honest responses.

 

[Hailstorm]

Apply lower tier DO schools! Goodluck

What makes you think 3.4/30 is for "lower tier" DO schools?

 

[Redpancreas]

Hi, just wanted some advice on whether I should apply to MD schools or do a SMP:
cGPA: 3.47/ sGPA: 3.36 (upward trend, 3.9 average last year of UG with heavy upperdiv bio course work: immuno,cell bio,etc.)
MCAT: 30
EC:
- Worked 3 years as EMT.
- 100 hrs hospital volunteer
-40 hrs shadowing
-3 years neurophysio research: published in school's undergrad journal.
-Counselor at camp for kids with health disabilities.

alternatively would taking summer session through my undergrad UC school and getting a 4.0 substitute for a SMP?

Sounds like you're good for a DO and MD will be a stretch. If I were you, I'd work on AMCAS but also work on the SMP applications. I rarely recommend SMPs but in your case, your app seems complete with the only problem being a stubborn GPA. Then once out of your SMP reapply and if you don't get in anywhere, I'd go DO. I don't think waiting until you get MD is financially sound. At the end of the day, you need to get two things out of medicine.

1. You have to find it somewhat gratifying to endure through all the hardship it presents.
2. You have to get a return on your investment (ROI). Every year you spend outside of medical school is a year you won't be making a physician's income and if you're not working, it's likely a year your simply wasting money and interest if you still have SMP/UG loans.

 

[BigButtahPhD]

Sounds like you're good for a DO and MD will be a stretch. If I were you, I'd work on AMCAS but also work on the SMP applications. I rarely recommend SMPs but in your case, your app seems complete with the only problem being a stubborn GPA. Then once out of your SMP reapply and if you don't get in anywhere, I'd go DO. I don't think waiting until you get MD is financially sound. At the end of the day, you need to get two things out of medicine.

1. You have to find it somewhat gratifying to endure through all the hardship it presents.
2. You have to get a return on your investment (ROI). Every year you spend outside of medical school is a year you won't be making a physician's income and if you're not working, it's likely a year your simply wasting money and interest if you still have SMP/UG loans.

Thanks for the input. Why do you think SMP is right for me? After discussing with a MD and a couple med students, I came to the conclusion that an SMP is to prove my capability of excelling in tough courses which I feel that a year of essentially straight A's accomplishes. I think take summer school at my University to add 16 units of A's in hard upper divs and participating in meaningful E.C.'s / working would be better than dropping 50,000 into an SMP and having to move across the country, away from my support network. What do you think?

 

[ZedsDed]

Thanks for the input. Why do you think SMP is right for me? After discussing with a MD and a couple med students, I came to the conclusion that an SMP is to prove my capability of excelling in tough courses which I feel that a year of essentially straight A's accomplishes. I think take summer school at my University to add 16 units of A's in hard upper divs and participating in meaningful E.C.'s / working would be better than dropping 50,000 into an SMP and having to move across the country, away from my support network. What do you think?

I'm afraid not. Medical school want to see multiple years of academic excellence to prove your struggles are behind you. You need two years, at the very least. On top of that you live in Ca, which means you could spend multiple years getting your GPA from 3.5-3.6 and still not get in.

 

[BigButtahPhD]

I'm afraid not. Medical school want to see multiple years of academic excellence to prove your struggles are behind you. You need two years, at the very least. On top of that you live in Ca, which means you could spend multiple years getting your GPA from 3.5-3.6 and still not get in.

But an SMP is only a year as well..

 

[DrMidlife]

There's a 3.9ish year in the tank. This recovery isn't starting from scratch. Regardless, one good academic year after 3 not great ones isn't a finished recovery. Thus my recommendations in post #2 above.

 

[ZedsDed]

But an SMP is only a year as well..

A year on top of a another year of 3.9 work. Hence multiple years of academic strength. DrMidlife nailed it the first time. SMPs have a nice way of mitigating a lowish GPA.