SMP, right for me?

[not so calm now]

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I graduated from a top public university with a 3.299 total, 3.52 within major (biological science). I haven't yet taken the MCAT, nor am in the process of studying yet, and I also have to take physics and organic chem labs. My question is should I take the MCAT this spring, apply for an SMP for this fall, and then complete my prereqs, or should I complete my prereqs first? The latter would entail me taking an entire year to do so since part 1 of these classes is only offered in the fall and part 2 only in the spring. Oh yeah, I work full time as a tech in a neuroscience lab, so I'd have to quit my job to complete these pre-reqs. Should I apply to the SMPs for Fall 09? Thanks for any advice.

 

[Isoprop]

i thought you had to complete your prereqs before starting an SMP. in any case, you should AT LEAST take physics I before taking the mcat. is there a summer course you could take to finish these requirements?

edit: altneratively, you can go to another state school if there is one available to start physics I this spring. are there other schools in your area?

 

[Perrotfish]

1) Both the MCAT and SMPs require that you take all your prereqs

2) SMPs are for people with terrible GPAs. If you do well between now and gradation you'll end up with a 3.4, which is on the low end of competitive for medical school. You don't need an SMP, just a good MCAT score.

 

[not so calm now]

1) Both the MCAT and SMPs require that you take all your prereqs

2) SMPs are for people with terrible GPAs. If you do well between now and gradation you'll end up with a 3.4, which is on the low end of competitive for medical school. You don't need an SMP, just a good MCAT score.

haha, thanks for the reply, but I think you missed the part where I said "graduated" and "working full-time." A hybrid SMP-esque program at VCU accepts the GRE, which I did take.

although, ironically, the actual word "gradation" kind of makes sense here too.

 

[not so calm now]

i thought you had to complete your prereqs before starting an SMP. in any case, you should AT LEAST take physics I before taking the mcat. is there a summer course you could take to finish these requirements?

edit: altneratively, you can go to another state school if there is one available to start physics I this spring. are there other schools in your area?

I've taken the physics and organic chemistry lecture classes, just not the 1-2 credit labs.

The problem with taking classes at 4 year colleges as opposed to community colleges is that they rarely offer classes outside the 9am-4pm window which makes it really difficult when you work 9-5. I don't want to take classes at a community college because they might not be rigorous enough (though I live in California where they're supposed to be better). The only logical step I can see is quitting my full time job while I take the classes as a non-degree seeking student and getting a part time job.

Sigh...advice for the younguns - do well the first time and you won't have to go through this....

 

[Isoprop]

I've taken the physics and organic chemistry lecture classes, just not the 1-2 credit labs.

The problem with taking classes at 4 year colleges as opposed to community colleges is that they rarely offer classes outside the 9am-4pm window which makes it really difficult when you work 9-5. I don't want to take classes at a community college because they might not be rigorous enough (though I live in California where they're supposed to be better). The only logical step I can see is quitting my full time job while I take the classes as a non-degree seeking student and getting a part time job.

Sigh...advice for the younguns - do well the first time and you won't have to go through this....

there are some cal states that offer science classes in the evenings. this was a few years ago though so i'm not quite sure if they still offer it. perhaps look around your area?

i didn't mean to recommend a community college, in fact i recommend against it. though there's nothing wrong with a CC education, you should definitely try to take your classes at a 4-year.

when you said "physics and chemistry labs" i thought you meant ALL of physics but just the labs of chemistry. still, i believe SMPs require you to finish all prereqs including labs for admission. you should double check this.