SMP Risks

[BrandNewDay]

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I'm trying to figure out my best option for Fall 2012. What are the risks of doing an SMP? I understand the potential to not get in, of course. In that case, then what do you do?

 

[deleted248403]

discussed at length in a bunch (>20 at least) of threads - some reading of this forum will give you most of what you need to know

 

[BrandNewDay]

discussed at length in a bunch (>20 at least) of threads - some reading of this forum will give you most of what you need to know

I have read every thread that came up upon searching SMP (minus those threads from the "what are my chances" forum). I have not gotten the answer I need. Hence, a new thread.

 

[DrMidlife]

1. doing an SMP is doing med school on a 5 year plan. That means you have maybe 25% more student debt during residency and beyond. Debt shapes your choices.
2. An SMP is an audition for med school. You shouldn't audition if you have stats that can get you in by applying the normal way. Because if you fail the audition, you get a huge red flag on further attempts to get into med school.
3. SMP students sitting with M1's are under more pressure than M1's. If you get a C as an SMP student, you've blown it. If you get a C as an M1, you're fine. If you get more than one C as an SMP student, you might as well pack up and go home. But as an M1, you can usually remediate. The difference being that the M1's still get to be MD's if they make mistakes, within reason.
4. Doing an SMP and applying to med school at the same time usually means you're a late app, because med schools want to see your first semester SMP grades. Generally it means you're applying for a waitlist spot.

If you don't NEED an SMP, don't do one. Personally I'd say 3.3 is the highest reasonable GPA for doing an SMP. People think it's a paid ticket into med school, or a way to get out of retaking the MCAT, or that it speeds things up. No.

All that said, an SMP has obvious benefits, such as getting set up to have an easier M1 year with time to do research or whatnot, and for me it was a total game changer.

Best of luck to you.

 

[deleted248403]

I struggle to believe you can't find anything about the risks of an SMP.... its pretty much discussed in every single mention of an SMP...

If you have a more directed question about an SMP which hasn't been answered, then ask it.

If you don't get into an SMP, then you have to decide if you want to improve your application for an SMP or go in a different direction.
Taking more ugrad classes and getting high grades or re-taking the MCAT/DAT are typical responses to failure to getting into an SMP

 

[BrandNewDay]

1. doing an SMP is doing med school on a 5 year plan. That means you have maybe 25% more student debt during residency and beyond. Debt shapes your choices.
2. An SMP is an audition for med school. You shouldn't audition if you have stats that can get you in by applying the normal way. Because if you fail the audition, you get a huge red flag on further attempts to get into med school.
3. SMP students sitting with M1's are under more pressure than M1's. If you get a C as an SMP student, you've blown it. If you get a C as an M1, you're fine. If you get more than one C as an SMP student, you might as well pack up and go home. But as an M1, you can usually remediate. The difference being that the M1's still get to be MD's if they make mistakes, within reason.
4. Doing an SMP and applying to med school at the same time usually means you're a late app, because med schools want to see your first semester SMP grades. Generally it means you're applying for a waitlist spot.

If you don't NEED an SMP, don't do one. Personally I'd say 3.3 is the highest reasonable GPA for doing an SMP. People think it's a paid ticket into med school, or a way to get out of retaking the MCAT, or that it speeds things up. No.

All that said, an SMP has obvious benefits, such as getting set up to have an easier M1 year with time to do research or whatnot, and for me it was a total game changer.

Best of luck to you.

1. Parental funding means I'm not too concerned about debt. I'm blessed, as I understand that is a serious concern for many people.
2. I've applied twice now, and it appears as though I'm about to have failed twice.
3. Definite concern of mine, but I believe I can do it.
4. Hmmm. Hadn't thought about that. Would that still be a problem applying to the med school you're doing the SMP at?

I have a 3.35- but I have not gotten a single interview this cycle. I wouldn't be looking at an SMP if I had. My only other option right now (for unusual but unchangeable reasons) is entering a PhD program.

EDIT: The only risk I've really seen is the obvious one of "if you do badly, you're screwed". I'm more concerned about the other risks. And I was referring to what happens if you don't get into med school after successfully completing an SMP.

 

[DrMidlife]

Oh for crying out loud.

I'm sixteen. And I've found various creative ways to put my numbers in perspective. HS graduate at 10, college graduate at 15.

You're 16 and you're on your second app cycle? Who is advising you and why do they hate you so much?

Go do traditional grad work if you insist on being in school. The reason you're not getting into med school is that you need more bake time. The extraordinarily rare 16 year old who is mature enough for med school isn't you. When a med school takes a 16 year old they're signing on for substantially more liability than they would with an 18+ year old. The number of reasons to accept a 16 year old med student is vastly outweighed by the number of reasons not to.

Doogie is fiction.

 

[deleted248403]

Oh for crying out loud.

You're 16 and you're on your second app cycle? Who is advising you and why do they hate you so much?.

Or the OP is trolling

 

[BrandNewDay]

Or the OP is trolling

And here I thought I'd left those accusations behind in my thread. Grad work is good for some people, but not for me. I really can't stand research, and I'd like to avoid it if at all possible. And quite frankly, that's beside the point. I'm not looking for judgment on the choices I've made, but rather answers to my question. And, if it makes you feel any better, I'd be 18 when starting med school, post-SMP.

And, besides, wasn't Doogie in residency at my age? I feel so old...

 

[Innokus]

Hmm..there is a reason why the average matriculant age for MD/DO is 25. Admissions committees prefer a long period of history and life experiences. Try getting a job? Pick up an EMT-B or CNA and get a ton of medical experiences and birthdays under your belt. When you have faced the threat of flying poop missiles from a patient, can handle losing a patient everytime you go to work/volunteer, or dealt with suicidal children , you'll know that you're somewhat acquainted with the medical field and capable of being mature enough to handle medicine as a career choice.

 

[BrandNewDay]

Hmm..there is a reason why the average matriculant age for MD/DO is 25. Admissions committees prefer a long period of history and life experiences. Try getting a job? Pick up an EMT-B or CNA and get a ton of medical experiences and birthdays under your belt. When you have faced the threat of flying poop missiles from a patient or can handle losing a patient everytime you go to work/volunteer, you know that you're somewhat acquainted with the medical field.

That average age is not necessarily the most desirable, but rather the most common. My age does not make me a good doctor or a bad doctor. Hard work makes me a good doctor. I assure you that graduating high school only six months and a few days after I hit double digits was no cakewalk. I do not believe that med school will be a cakewalk. I do not even believe that proving myself to the ADCOMs will be easy in any way. I am, however, willing to put in any and all work in order to get to med school and become the best doctor I am capable of being. I think that an SMP is my best option because it proves to ADCOMs that I can, in fact, handle the rigors of a medical school courseload. I shall rely on my PS, letters, and ECs to convince a committee that I have indeed gained life experience to rival many of my fellow applicants.

Now, getting back to my original question- what are some less commonly known risks of the SMP? If I successfully complete an SMP and do not gain admission to medical school, what are my options?

 

[BrandNewDay]

Then you apply again. Most of the "risks" people talk about are coming in and bombing the SMP courses.

Are you sure the only deficiency in your app is a low GPA?

I suppose my MCAT could be a bit higher, but it's balanced, so I'm not too bothered with it. I have strong ECs, a strong PS, and strong letters.

Unfortunately, applying again without something to do during that year is not an option. If I don't get in, I'm in deep ****.

EDIT: Cool, SDN self-censored!

 

[Innokus]

I'd imagine it is the most common since it is the most desirable. At least, I know of one former adcom member who said they preferred someone with more life experience. Older people have more experiences, more perspective, and are usually much more mature. I'm not talking about work ethic here. I'm talking about at least an 9+ year commitment(1 SMP/4 Med/4 Residency) and other things. Such as uprooting yourself and moving across the country, leaving all your friends behind, family getting mad at you for not spending time with them, not placing all your bets on a certain girl, socializing with people who are completely different from you, living in BFE where you don't have the usual amenities or weather, knowing what your limits and your coping strategies are, or making a decision that you'll not regret for the rest of your life.

Since you are actively seeking answers so that you can make a better decision, I'll humor you. If you successfully complete an SMP 3.5+/preferably 3.7+ and still don't get in
1. You'll have to take another year off. You can't just slack during this year and will need to continue your extracurriculars/work/volunteering/shadowing. You might need to look in teaching or service programs. Perhaps do some medical research at the hospital. Travel the world maybe?

2. Expired MCAT score. You'll have to retake and they're changing things up in 2015.

3. Debt. Think you mentioned money isn't a problem but if you have loans you won't be able to defer if you're not a student.

4. Friends/coworkers not in the medical field start advancing their careers, buying houses or cars, getting married, and you'll be out of it for a bit longer since you're sitting out for another year.

Can't think of any more risks/problems for now. People who do well get in. Which reminded me of something. You mentioned having your PS/LORs/ECs do the talking and you've had 2 bad cycles. Perhaps you should schedule a meeting with the schools and ask them what you could do to make yourself more competitive. See what they're looking for and plan from there.

 

[BrandNewDay]

Since you are actively seeking answers so that you can make a better decision, I'll humor you. If you successfully complete an SMP 3.5+/preferably 3.7+ and still don't get in
1. You'll have to take another year off. You can't just slack during this year and will need to continue your extracurriculars/work/volunteering/shadowing. You might need to look in teaching or service programs. Perhaps do some medical research at the hospital. Travel the world maybe?

2. Expired MCAT score. You'll have to retake and they're changing things up in 2015.

3. Debt. Think you mentioned money isn't a problem but if you have loans you won't be able to defer if you're not a student.

4. Friends/coworkers not in the medical field start advancing their careers, buying houses or cars, getting married, and you'll be out of it for a bit longer since you're sitting out for another year.

Can't think of any more risks/problems for now. People who do well get in. Which reminded me of something. You mentioned having your PS/LORs/ECs do the talking and you've had 2 bad cycles. Perhaps you should schedule a meeting with the schools and ask them what you could do to make yourself more competitive. See what they're looking for and plan from there.

1. I think one or two of the SMPs I'll apply to have options to extend another year for a MS or MPH. That's the only backup I've considered so far.
2. I retook my MCAT in June 2011. I think I'll be okay.
3. Yup, not a problem.
4. All of my friends are starting college in Fall 2012- I'm not worried about being left behind yet.

My first cycle, I was a late app with a low GPA and a 28 MCAT, no research or real shadowing outside of peds, and no post-bacc coursework. This cycle, I applied a month earlier, raised my MCAT, gained research and shadowing experience, and got a 3.9+ GPA in a semester of post-bacc. The first cycle, it was clear why I didn't get in.