SMP

Started by giguerex35
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giguerex35

giguerex35

Full Member
5+ Year Member
I took the mcat a few days ago and don't feel too great about it so I'm preparing for the worst here. I wanted to know if I was accepted to a smp but dont have a good mcat score (let's sayvin the 490s) and I did well in the smp would that give me a shot for admissions somewhere because it shows I could handle the med school course work despite a bad mcat or not at all. I know this is all a what if but would appreciate some thoughts.
 
Not to give too much away, but your action should be taken on what the SMP is and how they are going to offer you things. Which SMP is it?

There are really only 2 SMPs I would recommend: VCOM and LECOM. VCOM guarantees an ACCEPTANCE if you meet their parameters but they are really high, and LECOM has a similar thing going on: you must get a 3.0 in their program and you get an interview that turns into an acceptance, they just reserve the right to take away the acceptance if you do something stupid during your time there (punch an officer, not follow dress code, etc.)

For example, the VCOM SMP actually guarantees you an acceptance if you maintain a 3.6 in the program. This GPA requirement goes up or down depending on your MCAT score, but once you turn in the score, MCAT doesn't matter.

Many other programs only offer an interview at a certain GPA, and I would stay farrrrr away from those. The SMP is stressful enough as is.
 
GypsyHummus said:
Not to give too much away, but your action should be taken on what the SMP is and how they are going to offer you things. Which SMP is it?

There are really only 2 SMPs I would recommend: VCOM and LECOM. VCOM guarantees an ACCEPTANCE if you meet their parameters but they are really high, and LECOM has a similar thing going on: you must get a 3.0 in their program and you get an interview that turns into an acceptance, they just reserve the right to take away the acceptance if you do something stupid during your time there (punch an officer, not follow dress code, etc.)

For example, the VCOM SMP actually guarantees you an acceptance if you maintain a 3.6 in the program. This GPA requirement goes up or down depending on your MCAT score, but once you turn in the score, MCAT doesn't matter.

Many other programs only offer an interview at a certain GPA, and I would stay farrrrr away from those. The SMP is stressful enough as is.
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Ok ya so I wasn't aware of the vcom smp. They have more than one campus though roghtvso do you know which one the guaranteed acceptance is at. Also I was actually looking at LECOM but they also have more than one campus if I remember correctly. Also would these schools even allow you in the smp with a 490ish mcat score?
 
giguerex35 said:
Ok ya so I wasn't aware of the vcom smp. They have more than one campus though roghtvso do you know which one the guaranteed acceptance is at. Also I was actually looking at LECOM but they also have more than one campus if I remember correctly. Also would these schools even allow you in the smp with a 490ish mcat score?
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I got into LECOM with low 490s. The acceptance is at Erie unless you go the dental route, then you go to the Florida campus.

VCOM has a sliding scale. If you get a 494+, you only need a 3.6. if you get a 490, you need a 3.8 in the program.
 
To answer your question, I only know LECOM has the guaranteed acceptance, but I highly doubt they will accept 490.

490 is high risk of failing boards. I believe no student should be accepted with a score of 490 or below, regardless of circumstance. IMO, it looks even worse if the person has a high GPA and a very low MCAT because it brings up the quality of education to question. With the MCAT, you can always take it again, with the USMLE/COMLEX, it's a one-time deal, besides not receiving a passing score.
 
giguerex35 said:
Ok ya so I wasn't aware of the vcom smp. They have more than one campus though roghtvso do you know which one the guaranteed acceptance is at. Also I was actually looking at LECOM but they also have more than one campus if I remember correctly. Also would these schools even allow you in the smp with a 490ish mcat score?
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I believe for the vcom post-bacc they try and place you at the campus closest to your permanent address, though even then I do not believe it's guaranteed.
 
Are you just wondering about SMP's purely out of curiosity? I remember seeing previous posts from you, and you already had a 504 MCAT.

If this is true, why did you retake the MCAT? For a shot at M.D.?

And if you felt like you did bad, why didn't you void it?

You would've been a fine D.O. applicant this cycle.
 
GypsyHummus said:
I got into LECOM with low 490s. The acceptance is at Erie unless you go the dental route, then you go to the Florida campus.

VCOM has a sliding scale. If you get a 494+, you only need a 3.6. if you get a 490, you need a 3.8 in the program.
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Ahhh I see ok thanks for the help. Do you know if there are any stats for those who maintain the gpa and get the interview to those accepted at LECOM?
 
Mr. D.O.five said:
To answer your question, I only know LECOM has the guaranteed acceptance, but I highly doubt they will accept 490.

490 is high risk of failing boards. I believe no student should be accepted with a score of 490 or below, regardless of circumstance. IMO, it looks even worse if the person has a high GPA and a very low MCAT because it brings up the quality of education to question. With the MCAT, you can always take it again, with the USMLE/COMLEX, it's a one-time deal, besides not receiving a passing score.
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I mean I get where you're coming from but isn't the whole point of a smp for those with lesser stats to still have a chance. Regardless of what you think some people may be able to be doctors but not have a good
SLU Student said:
Are you just wondering about SMP's purely out of curiosity? I remember seeing previous posts from you, and you already had a 504 MCAT.

If this is true, why did you retake the MCAT? For a shot at M.D.?

And if you felt like you did bad, why didn't you void it?

You would've been a fine D.O. applicant this cycle.
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yes mostly asking for a friend and my own curiosity
 
giguerex35 said:
I took the mcat a few days ago and don't feel too great about it so I'm preparing for the worst here. I wanted to know if I was accepted to a smp but dont have a good mcat score (let's sayvin the 490s) and I did well in the smp would that give me a shot for admissions somewhere because it shows I could handle the med school course work despite a bad mcat or not at all. I know this is all a what if but would appreciate some thoughts.
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At my program, we have a number of poor MCAT takers who aced the SMP, and have been accepted.

So yes, it's doable.

IF you have test taking anxiety issues, get that fixed first.
 
giguerex35 said:
I mean I get where you're coming from but isn't the whole point of a smp for those with lesser stats to still have a chance. Regardless of what you think some people may be able to be doctors but not have a good

yes mostly asking for a friend and my own curiosity
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You would still need to retake the MCAT because it's high risk of failing boards. SMP also does not remediate a low MCAT.
 
The director of the program told me that 90% of the students that get the 3.0 end up getting accepted. The ones who did not had alcohol, violent, or cheating offenses.

giguerex35 said:
Ahhh I see ok thanks for the help. Do you know if there are any stats for those who maintain the gpa and get the interview to those accepted at LECOM?
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GypsyHummus said:
The director of the program told me that 90% of the students that get the 3.0 end up getting accepted. The ones who did not had alcohol, violent, or cheating offenses.
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N
Goro said:
At my program, we have a number of poor MCAT takers who aced the SMP, and have been accepted.

So yes, it's doable.

IF you have test taking anxiety issues, get that fixed first.
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thanks for all the help would you say that there's any downside to doing an smp just want to get the full picture
 
I agree with the SMP route that offers a direct linkage. Lay it all out on the table and show medical schools you deserve a spot. Fortune favors the bold.

Goro said:
I've written in the past about the pluses and minuses of DIY post-bac vs SNP. I lean to the SMP. Higher risk, but higher reward.
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