SMP Question. Good or bad? Worth it?

[schmo]

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I'm about to be a senior in college and I'm taking a gap year before medical school and I just fond out about SMP programs. They seem cool...does anyone know if medical schools look down on SMP's? Or would doing one strengthen my application as opposed to doing research for a year or getting an MPH? My grades aren't stellar so I need to do something during my gap year that will make me a better candidate for medical shool but I was advised by the pre med advisor at my university not to do a post bacc program.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[nad7vx]

i am fairly sure SMPs are NOT looked down upon from med schools. that being said take it with caution. performing well will definately help your application but if you mess up, i think you're kind of screwed because you've shown med schools that you can't handle M1 stuff (however not all SMPs are integrated with med schools so check on that). also some SMPs require MCAT scores and others require that you be waitlisted before you apply.

this is what I've gathered from the forums but I am only a rising sophmore so maybe someone with more experience can chime in. feel free to PM me if you need more help. good luck

 

[Slack3r]

There's a whole forum dedicated to post baccs and SMPs. Do you think you actually need an SMP (GPA <3.4) or are you just looking for something to do during your gap year? If its the latter, I'd recommend not wasting your time or money.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

You should do a lot more research on SMPs before applying to one, I'd advise. 🙂 SMPs are typically a last-resort option for people wanting to go to med school who have low GPAs but good MCAT scores. They are expensive, rigorous, and almost worthless as a stand-alone degree. If you can improve your GPA with undergraduate post-bacc coursework for a year or two, I would recommend that option over an SMP. Definitely check out the SMP and post-bacc forum here to get some more info!

 

[schmo]

There's a whole forum dedicated to post baccs and SMPs. Do you think you actually need an SMP (GPA <3.4) or are you just looking for something to do during your gap year? If its the latter, I'd recommend not wasting your time or money.

GPA is pretty bad....3.1 so I definitely need something 🙁 I'm kind of worried about this whole 'sealing your casket' thing...that's a lot of pressure haha.

 

[235788]

GPA is pretty bad....3.1 so I definitely need something 🙁 I'm kind of worried about this whole 'sealing your casket' thing...that's a lot of pressure haha.

get a good mcat and give it a shot.

Do one with a big linkage (tulane/toledo/cinci/temple) and don't waste your money at the ones with a crap linkage or no linkage. The ones without a direct linkage (Case/uofmich) are total scams and will NOT get you in.

 

[schmo]

get a good mcat and give it a shot.

Do one with a big linkage (tulane/toledo/cinci/temple) and don't waste your money at the ones with a crap linkage or no linkage. The ones without a direct linkage (Case/uofmich) are total scams and will NOT get you in.

sweet thanks. have you heard about the UNT SMP? Is it good? I'm a Tx resident so it would be a bit cheaper for me plus they give financial aid but I'm not sure of its reputation.

 

[theWUbear]

1

The average GPA for white applicants is 3.68 or something and >3.7 for asians. Don't get fooled by the averages (that include puerto rico and etc.)

Wrong. 3.58, approximate to OP's senior year hopes.

2

sackler and technion are basically just distant caribbean schools (meaning they accept anyone with a pulse).... Go to touro.

actually i got waitlisted at sackler and accepted at US MD schools, so that's not necessarily accurate.

3

Do one with a big linkage (tulane/toledo/cinci/temple) and don't waste your money at the ones with a crap linkage or no linkage. The ones without a direct linkage (Case/uofmich) are total scams and will NOT get you in.

Have a source for that statement franz or is this three strikes your out?