SMPs What is the real deal ?

[petite elite]

Can someone knowledgeable define a special master's program. I have heard several different definitions. Some say it is a one year program of upper level science classes leading to a certificate or graduate degree. Others have defined it as a graduate program with classes taken with medical students. Who is right??????

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[Instatewaiter]

Can someone knowledgeable define a special master's program. I have heard several different definitions. Some say it is a one year program of upper level science classes leading to a certificate or graduate degree. Others have defined it as a graduate program with classes taken with medical students. Who is right??????

A Special masters program is a post-baccalaureate program (ie after college) where you take GRADUATE-level courses. In the strictest sense, many if not most of the classes are taken with the medical students. The rest are through the graduate school. Your grades are based on how you compare to the current medical students. So in SMPs you take the first year med school curriculum.

These programs are good for people with strong MCAT scores but weak grades. They are not as good for people with good grades but weak MCAT scores.

There are various strict SMPs including: EVMS, Tulane, Georgetown, Cinnci, BU.

There are various other graduate level programs similar to SMPs but where you dont take courses with the medical students. Those as well as SMPs and post-bacs can be found here: http://services.aamc.org/postbac/

SMPs are not where you take upper-level science courses. Most on SDN call those post-bac programs. Post-bacs generally come in 2 flavors: programs for those who havent taken the pre-recs yet and programs for those who have finished the pre-recs but need some grade remediation.

SMPs are kinda risky for borderline applicants. If you perform poorly in an SMP it says much more about your ability to cope in medical school than doing poorly in a single undergrad course.