SMP vs 1 year science grad program in hometown

[southpawcannon]

---

Members do not see this ad.

When sitting down with the graduate dean, I was told there isn't much difference between the SMPs and what could be offered here, namely the SMPs without medical school courses. Theoretically, it looks like I could do an intensive one-year master's program here in biology. Is there something to be said for how well-marketed these SMPs are and how there is a set structure for the curriculum that would behoove me to leave my hometown and enroll into one of the big SMPs out there? I've looked at G'town, Cincy and USF so far, being I'm more interested in physiology. Thanks👍

 

[Richardh]

don't know about smps for gtown, cincy and usf but heres more info about smp (hope it will be resourceful):
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=346106

 

[DrMidlife]

When sitting down with the graduate dean

If he or she is not a decision maker in med school admissions, then he or she is probably less qualified to advise you than someone whose job it is to advise premeds. How many grad students that he/she has advised are now in med school, and how many had low undergrad GPAs?

I was told there isn't much difference between the SMPs and what could be offered here, namely the SMPs without medical school courses. Theoretically, it looks like I could do an intensive one-year master's program here in biology.

If you have GPA damage, then you need an application asset that reassures adcoms that you are capable of doing the coursework in med school. If the 1 year bio program accomplishes that goal as well as an SMP would, then sure. I'd be concerned that this graduate dean is looking to use you as a guinea pig.

Is there something to be said for how well-marketed these SMPs are and how there is a set structure for the curriculum that would behoove me to leave my hometown and enroll into one of the big SMPs out there?

In my mind, there's absolutely something to be said for SMP name recognition, but the point of an SMP is to show that you succeeded in the first year of med school already and you therefore are a good bet despite your undergrad GPA. It also shows that you're willing to take on an expensive, risky, out-of-town effort to get yourself into med school and amend for poor prior academic performance.

I've looked at G'town, Cincy and USF so far, being I'm more interested in physiology.

The point of an SMP is to get you into med school. There is no other reason to do one. If physiology is emphasized, fabulous, but you're leaving out a lot of programs that get a lot of low-GPA candidates into med school. The physio you take in an SMP isn't going to be any different than the physio you take in med school - it'll be fast, furious & overwhelming - so it's not like you'll get "special" or "extra" physio in Gtown/Cincy. Those programs are simply run through the physio department (as is EVMS).

Best of luck to you.