SMPs and paying for them - advice from those that attended?

[MedChic]

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Hey guys,
For those of you that completed the Georgetown SMP or the Boston MAMS program, EVMS or any of the master's programs, how did you pay for it?

1.) Did you get any fin aid?
2.) Did you just take out loans like you would for med school?
3.) Did you pay for your apt/food/expenses with loans as well or did parents help you out?

If I go this route I would be paying for EVERYTHING with loans basically and I just wanted to know if this was impractical.

Thank you!

 

[PistolPete]

I'm paying everything with loans (including living expenses). It can be done.

 

[Perrotfish]

SMPs are a big financial risk, sorry to say. Either you get in or you get saddled with a bunch of debt that your new 'special masters' does nothing to help you pay off.

 

[MedChic]

SMPs are a big financial risk, sorry to say. Either you get in or you get saddled with a bunch of debt that your new 'special masters' does nothing to help you pay off.

maybe, but if your MCAT is good and your GPA is semi-decent to low, they're the best option for a shot at an allo school

 

[Perrotfish]

Sorry if I miscommunicated. You should do the SMP. I'm currently doing an SMP. I was just saying I know of no way around the royal financial screwing you get if you don't get in.

 

[Instatewaiter]

Sorry if I miscommunicated. You should do the SMP. I'm currently doing an SMP. I was just saying I know of no way around the royal financial screwing you get if you don't get in.

There are some programs that are less expensive. Granted the best programs with the highest rates of acceptance are the most expensive but if you are going to succeed in one of those programs there is no reason why you wont succeed in one of the lesser known programs.

For example, I am from Virginia so EVMS has the SMP and VCU/MCV has a graduate program that is just like an SMP (1 year, take essentially the first year of med school).

The EVMS program for an instate student is around $26K
VCU program for instate student is around 9K.

I would assume anyone who would survive the EVMS program would also survive the VCU program. The EVMS program has a higher rate of admission to medical school but also has much more stringent stats for entrance into the program. EVMS allows a pathway mainly into EVMS while VCU allows a pathway mainly into MCV.

To each his own, but dont feel like you have to do one of the big programs to get in somewhere. There are options around taking out 40K in loans.


If those dont pan out you could always ***** yourself out to 400 fat chicks or to 40 really fat chicks (family guy anyone?).

 

[MedChic]

Sorry if I miscommunicated. You should do the SMP. I'm currently doing an SMP. I was just saying I know of no way around the royal financial screwing you get if you don't get in.

Yeah, I understand. I'm trying to find a program with the minimal amount of risk but in a way they're all cash cows. The thing is, it's really the only way for me right now because I do not want to spend another couple of years upping my undergrad GPA .2 of a point. I'm itching to move on.

What program are you in if you don't mind me asking? And are you currently applying to schools?

 

[MedChic]

I'm paying everything with loans (including living expenses). It can be done.

Are you also applying to med schools this year?

 

[PistolPete]

Are you also applying to med schools this year?

Yup! The SMP is definitely a risk, but I really think it's the only option for those with fairly low GPA's with many credits from undergrad. $50K is a lot, but I'm planning on being able to repay that once I become a physician. Plus, I'm planning on taking out the full $200-250K for medical school, all through loans, so I'll be in a mountain of debt. 😀 But I'm OK with that.

It seems like primary care is going to be crossed off my list, barring the possibility of developing an extreme love for FP, pediatrics, ob/gyn, etc.

 

[MedChic]

Tulane, which is also the only school I'm applying to. Minimal financial risk if you have the opportunity (only 15K, almost everyone gets into Tulane) and a great program at an amazing school. Unfortunately you need to have been waitlisted at a medical school to get into the program, which puts it out of reach for a lot of people.

Ooh, nice. Yep I've heard of Tulane's program.
Do you know if it's a waitlist at only allo schools or osteo schools as well.
I would imagine it's only allo, since it's a different system..