Question : you can't do a SMP if you don't have some of the pre-reqs though, right?
I'm doing a post bacc program right now, and I like it. I know some people who applied to med schools and didn't get in so they did advanced coursework in a postbacc and then others who did the SMP... so far the people who did the official postbac are getting into better schools, (ie Tulane vs UPenn).
I think that's probably due to better MCATs and GPA and not a difference in how the medschools perceive the programs.... but if you guys think an SMP is better then hell, I will change ASAP.
this is not the part for postbac advice. There's a postbac forum for that further down in the forums. However, that being said, SMPs are ALWAYS A LAST RESORT
Note the caps is not for yelling but emphasis.
Secondly, postbac should always be a first option to bring grades up and stuff and doing well on the MCAT. If that still doesn't work or you still need the extra push then SMP is there.
Alternatively SMP is for the person who wants the slight extra push who is just borderline like 3.4 decent MCAT but wants one last bump and can handle it.
SMPs are no joke since med school is no joke. Kids who go through it have done the prereqs, taken the MCAT, etc. etc. They are people who often need one last bump up because they have something that is still holding them back. They work their rear ends off. To think it is a backdoor and easy way into med school is a joke. And what is worse is that a med student can get a way with a C if a SMP student gets anything short of As or Bs they are screwed pretty much. Furthermore, they often have to retake the same classes when they start medical school, sometimes even if the medical school they eventually attend is a host school.
Yorku,
The fact that you are a medical student whining about SMP students is what I find disturbing. What does it matter to you what those people are going through to get into medical school??? YOU are in medical school. Even if you did an SMP there is no guarantee that you would've gotten into the school. Last year, USF's program like RFU BMS took only 4 out of 20 students. Their relatively unknown name meant a lot of other schools didn't take stock into what they did though they did the whole of first year medical school basic sci courses. Only thing these kids did not do was clinical stuff (Physical diagnosis, longitudinal clinical experience, colloquium (sp??). They did everything else. The 4 who made it in now have to repeat all of that all over again despite doing well. They cannot just TA the classes like at some programs. Imagine going through the hell of first year med school twice over and then tell me these kids have it easy.
You are a whiny fool who clearly needs to go back to your books and stop worrying about those who are struggling to get into medical school as they are barely going to affect your ability to get into residency. If you don't get into residency of choice that will be all on you.
Furthermore, take into consideration that these kids sometimes spend more years then you. Sometimes its not due to inability but lower grades due to circumstances like illness that affected a few semesters that brought their whole GPAs to closer to 3.1to 3.3, sometimes it is due to having to help take care of a family member while in school, etc. You don't know what caused their previous GPAs. Also do not assume that someone who won't be able to do well in class will make it to medical school.
I know a lot of kids who were just barely passing when I was at BUSM for their MAMS program (their SMP). And some of them had 3.8 ugrad GPAs though in easier majors like psychology. They got to med classes and they were failing miserably. Guess what??? They didn't get into med school because of it. They were weeded out even before getting to application stage. There were plenty like these psychology majors. I knew others too who were doing really poorly and many others. Most of them are not getting in any time soon short of bring up the GPA with other grad classes or going to the islands or possibly DO.
So it is not like every kid that comes out of the program will have an easy in with SMPs. Please get your facts straight before you criticize something you clearly don't understand.
Sorry one last point to make. You were international according to your post history. So you will have it tougher. Citizens and permanent residents are always and should always be given priority to an international student. That is the fact of the matter.
The international students at BU MAMS are not getting easier ins. Some of them have strong MCAT scores, strong GPAs from ugrad, strong GPAs in the program and still are not getting an easy in. there are very few schools that take international students. keep that in mind. But have a nice life. I'm off this thread forever as I don't care whether or not you respond or not at this point.
