SMPs: Any input on my situation?

[vahe99]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Ok guys, here are my stats: 2.9 undergrad GPA, 3.8 MPH GPA (one more year to go), 22O and 25N MCATs, and a TON of clinical/research/community work (EMT, Phleb, Community Org, Pharmacological Research, etc). I went through 4 years of being a total sh*tbag and not studying; I had no study ethic/time management. All of that is behind me now and I am working really hard and I see the error of my ways, etc. Med school is an ultimate goal of mine and I won't let it go, plus, since I want a competative residency (Gen Surg), I need to go to a US School (and for a whole other plethora of reasons).

So here is my plan: after I complete my MPH, I want to take either the RF or Drexel SMP and retake my MCAT. I've heard very promising things about these programs. Any thoughts on my chances after I do this, and which program has what benefits/costs (not monetary)?

Thanks, I appreciate the help. Also, what in the hell does "OP" stand for? I figured out the rest of the acronyms used on here, but that one just seems to elude me haha.

😎

 

[KoreanMusicbox]

Raise your MCAT to at least 32. I think that would help you more than your SMP at this point

 

[vahe99]

Um, are you settled on RF and Drexel because those are the only 2 I mentioned in that other thread? I only named those 2 because their applicatoin deadlines for this coming fall (Fall 2007) hadn't passed yet. If you're waiting for 2008 to start you have a lot more options. Tulane ACP and EVMS have the highest accept rates to their own medical schools. Tulane Phamacology (that might not be the exact name) also is a very high accept rate. Georgetown is the most prestigious. Tufts is a wildcard since it's brand new, but it might end up accepting 100% of it's students. Drexel MSP is the best program for raising your MCATs, but a summer with the Princeton Review will work just as well.

OP= Origional Poster

to answer your first question, yes, i only considered those two since you mentioned them haha. i will def. wait until after the MPH to start one of these. are all those you mentioned one year programs? What is EVMS? I most def. need to raise my MCATs, but I really think I will need a major refresher (like those provided by the SMPs) rather than a quick review. Also, you get an MS at the end of the year, so I figure why not.

 

[njbmd]

Ok guys, here are my stats: 2.9 undergrad GPA, 3.8 MPH GPA (one more year to go), 22O and 25N MCATs, and a TON of clinical/research/community work (EMT, Phleb, Community Org, Pharmacological Research, etc). I went through 4 years of being a total sh*tbag and not studying; I had no study ethic/time management. All of that is behind me now and I am working really hard and I see the error of my ways, etc. Med school is an ultimate goal of mine and I won't let it go, plus, since I want a competative residency (Gen Surg), I need to go to a US School (and for a whole other plethora of reasons).

So here is my plan: after I complete my MPH, I want to take either the RF or Drexel SMP and retake my MCAT. I've heard very promising things about these programs. Any thoughts on my chances after I do this, and which program has what benefits/costs (not monetary)?

Thanks, I appreciate the help. Also, what in the hell does "OP" stand for? I figured out the rest of the acronyms used on here, but that one just seems to elude me haha.

😎

I don't know specifically about RF or Drexel but many SMP/post bacc have minimum undergraduate GPAs of 3.0 and minimum MCAT scores of 27. You may have to retake that MCAT before you can apply to these programs.

Another option is that you can take post bacc courses on your own and get your undergraduate GPA higher. Since you will already have an MPH, you likely do not need another masters degree.

OP stands for "Original Poster" meaning the first poster in a thread.

 

[vahe99]

I don't know specifically about RF or Drexel but many SMP/post bacc have minimum undergraduate GPAs of 3.0 and minimum MCAT scores of 27. You may have to retake that MCAT before you can apply to these programs.

Another option is that you can take post bacc courses on your own and get your undergraduate GPA higher. Since you will already have an MPH, you likely do not need another masters degree.

OP stands for "Original Poster" meaning the first poster in a thread.

i never really understood how i could just take a course, and that course would completely replace my poor grade from before. wouldn't i have to take them at my original undergrad institution?

 

[vahe99]

EVMS= Eastern Viginia Medical School. This is the SMP I'm going to, BTW. 85% of their class, on average, is accepted into EVMS M1 for the following year. No one seems to get in to any other schools.

Yes they are all 1-year programs. The 3.0 and 27 minimums are, except for loyola, 'suggested' minimums rather than cutoffs (I know this because I applied for every last friggin' SMP) but you probably need to get your MCAT above the 27 if you want to get in with a GPA below a 3.0. They might consider you with the MPH, though, so call to ask. The lady at Georgetown's SMP is a not very nice, so you know.

If you get your MPH in May consider spending that summer studying for the August MCATs full time. You might be surprised how much you improve.

but then, let's say that my MCAT scores improves to mid-30s (hypothetical), should i still go ahead with the SMP?

 

[vahe99]

oh, and i can't find any links to the tufts/tulane SMPs...any more SMPs you have in mind (since you said you applied to all of them lol). thanks!

 

[vahe99]

You'd need to ask someone who knows adcoms. I'd say with a 30+ MCAT, and an MPH you might be competitive for medical school, at least for DO (which do place many people in surgical residencies), but WTF do I know, I'm not even in yet. Doesn't your school have a premedical advisor? They're pretty helpful in giving your options and odds.

i went to them as an undergrad, but i heavn't even looked into it for my grad school. i guess i'll have to go to them later, but i think i will end up doing an SMP just for the sheer fact that such a high percentage of their students get into their respective schools.

 

[vahe99]

my biggest problem is that i can't work on my MCAT at all this summer, and I def. won't have the time for it during the school year. oh well, i'll have to figure something out within the next few months i suppose.