Hey everyone. I’m a recent graduate with a degree in health science. I have a 3.4 cgpa and 3.1sgpa. I took the MCAT and got a low 500 score. I decided to apply to SMP’s and applied broadly. I’ve gotten into the programs at Boston U, Case Western, CHSU, Touro Middletown and Duquesne. I’m waiting to hear back from pcom, u Cincinnati, and DPMS. I’m trying to sit down and make a choice but I’m honestly finding it hard as each program has their own strengths and weaknesses. Touro and Duquesne excite me because I wouldn’t need to take MCAT again and would just need to maintain a certain gpa and take a final exam at Touro and be able to matriculate the following semester. They are DO however and I’m not super excited about their locations. Boston U and Case western are also good options as they have high med school matriculation rates after a year. Boston U, Duquesne, and I think Case all offer MCAT prep courses also. I wanted to know which programs would be best for me. I’m doing DIY post bacc at my university right now to finish some pre reqs and take upper level classes so ideally, I wouldn’t want to wait another year to apply after the program but would definitely do it if that’s the best option. Would really appreciate some thoughts. Thanks
SMP Program Comparison
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How to Choose a Postbaccalaureate or Special Masters Program (SMP) - SDN
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Hello thank you. I actually read this when I was planning on what to do after my undergrad degree. That is how I learned about SMP's. Is there somewhere I can get some guidance on which ones out of the ones I have been accepted to would be best for what I aim to do in the context of my stats and experience? ThanksRead
How to Choose a Postbaccalaureate or Special Masters Program (SMP) - SDN
The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.
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It's hard without knowing your goals. You have listed many different pluses, but I don't know what you want our expect. Overall, cost and community are paramount, but if you need MCAT prep or specific articulation agreements, you would know better than me.
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Also: where are u from? What coast do you want to be on for school? Are you ok with DO only as you may not even need an SMP?
Hello. I'm in Texas. I'm pretty open to going wherever. If I have an option to do MD, I think I'd definitely take it but wouldn't mind doing DO at all. The DO SMP programs I've gotten into are just in locations I'm not really a fan of.
I would ideally like to do MD in Texas. I am scheduled for my MCAT again this July but depending on which program I do, I may not need to do it this May. I agree that cost and community/location is big so I am also considering that. I was hearing a lot about people explaining that going through some of these programs helped their MCAT without an explicit prep course. Most of the ones at DO schools do have one or have it so that I wouldnt even need to take it again as long as I get a certain GPA and score on a comprehensive final. Most of the MD ones would require me to do MCAT again but are the main ones that people report helping their score without a course. I think Boston U offers workshops and then an optional course at the end of the first year that people have good things to say about.
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Many people don't realize how much a good learning environment upgrades your study skills, and SMP's should be focused on helping you with more efficient and effective ways to learn (that most people don't learn or PRACTICE as an undergrad). (If you were a star basketball player for your high school and you attend a camp with hundreds of other skilled players, you pick up stuff quickly!) Consequently, those same habits help you with test-prep so it doesn't surprise me.
Right. That's what I hear when I watch videos of people's reviews of these programs. Since they mimic MS1, you obviously begin to adopt the skills necessary to do well in MS1, which seems exciting to me. However, a formal MCAT course does sounds nice to me. I'm just not entirely sure what the difference in outcome would be between self-studying again with better skills and material after year 1 of the program or in having a real course for it. I'm really just between which program I would like to go to based on which one has the best outcomes. I've heard U Cinncinati, Boston U, and Georgetown are really established and good for getting people into medical school. Maybe it's one of those situations where you can't really make a bad choice. What would really matter would just be how I do in either of these programs.
