Time to consider SMP?

[tue399133]

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Hey everyone, I'd appreciate any and all advice on my current situation. I'm graduating this semester (BS Biology) and will be applying to both MD and DO schools this spring. I believe my stats are fairly good: 3.7 cGPA, 3.5 sGPA, 32 MCAT, strong LOR, diverse EC (200 hrs volunteering in Brazil teaching and working in an orphanage, 81 hrs volunteering in hospital setting, research w/ publication in journal of cellular physiology, 200+ hrs interning in coroner's office helping out with autopsies, ~25 hrs shadowing.) I feel like my real weakness is that I have always taken a fairly light course load (12 or 11 credits). Most of the reason being that I switched majors after 3 years before switching to pre-med, and so a lot of my basic pre-reqs were already met by the time I started taking science courses. I'm afraid that an adcomm will turn down my application if they take a close look at my transcript (if they typically even do this) because of this. For this reason, I'm already starting to look into SMP programs as a fallback, incase I need to demonstrate that I can handle a heavy course load. Does this seem like a necessary move, or will my stats and ECs be likely to carry me, so that the details of my transcript won't keep me out of med school? Thanks for any help!

 

[Goro]

If you haven't already applied, I suggest trying an app cycle to see how things sort out.

Hey everyone, I'd appreciate any and all advice on my current situation. I'm graduating this semester (BS Biology) and will be applying to both MD and DO schools this spring. I believe my stats are fairly good: 3.7 cGPA, 3.5 sGPA, 32 MCAT, strong LOR, diverse EC (200 hrs volunteering in Brazil teaching and working in an orphanage, 81 hrs volunteering in hospital setting, research w/ publication in journal of cellular physiology, 200+ hrs interning in coroner's office helping out with autopsies, ~25 hrs shadowing.) I feel like my real weakness is that I have always taken a fairly light course load (12 or 11 credits). Most of the reason being that I switched majors after 3 years before switching to pre-med, and so a lot of my basic pre-reqs were already met by the time I started taking science courses. I'm afraid that an adcomm will turn down my application if they take a close look at my transcript (if they typically even do this) because of this. For this reason, I'm already starting to look into SMP programs as a fallback, incase I need to demonstrate that I can handle a heavy course load. Does this seem like a necessary move, or will my stats and ECs be likely to carry me, so that the details of my transcript won't keep me out of med school? Thanks for any help!

 

[tiedyeddog]

As Goro said, I would go ahead and apply. Those are pretty decent stats, see what happens.

 

[tue399133]

Thank you both! I think I'll be applying to med school this spring no matter what, it's more a question of whether or not applying to an SMP at the same time is overly neurotic.

 

[tiedyeddog]

Thank you both! I think I'll be applying to med school this spring no matter what, it's more a question of whether or not applying to an SMP at the same time is overly neurotic.

I honestly don't know what the application for an SMP is like. Is it costly? I mean, it couldn't hurt to do both at the same time but honestly SMP's are usually done by people with weak GPA's. Yours is pretty decent.

 

[tue399133]

Thanks tiedyeddog, I guess I'll look into different SMPs and compare prices. I have a friend doing one at PCOM, time to go pick his brain.

 

[ZapadniyRus]

I applied to only MD schools with extremely similar stats (3.69 cgpa, 3.55 sgpa, 32 mcat) this past cycle and have gotten in to 3 of the 4 schools I interviewed at (i think high waitlist at the other).

There's no reason not to apply with your stats/extracurriculars

 

[mehc012]

You can always apply to SMPs after the app cycle...they set their own app cycles up to accomodate that. But honestly, with a 3.7 gpa, you don't need an SMP, so it'd be a waste of money imo. If you don't get in this cycle, it won't be your stats that are holding you back, so your time would be better spent identifying your actual weak point and addressing it.

At any rate, it's way too early to be even thinking about that. You look like you have a decent app...don't spoil it for yourself by going in expecting to fail. Get your stuff so polished that you go in ready to absolutely crush this app cycle and then interview with confidence. Anything less than a 'one shot, one kill' mindset towards application is doing yourself a disservice.

 

[benjaminl1nus]

Thank you both! I think I'll be applying to med school this spring no matter what, it's more a question of whether or not applying to an SMP at the same time is overly neurotic.

Do you even know how much an SMP costs?? If you want a decent SMP, you're looking at $50k.

With your stats, of course you will get in MD. It's way too neurotic to consider an SMP. Plus, you could end up doing really terrible at an SMP and just ruin your chances for med school.

SMPs are for the bottom of the barrel applicants, like myself, who did terrible in undergrad (3.0+) but want to prove they can do better.

YOU HAVE A 3.7 FOR GOD'S SAKE

 

[tue399133]

Thanks for the much needed dose of reality everyone. I've been mulling this stuff over for so long that I guess I let my perfectionism go into overdrive.

 

[bigloley]

No need for SMP. Money you save = more schools you can apply to. If you are really worried just apply to >50 programs

If for some reason you do not get accepted next cycle you can apply to SMP later - but with your GPA no need. Doing something else will be more beneficial. But as others said, your stats are fine. Just apply broadly and smart

 

[mehc012]

The guy is probably being facetious, but just in case you don't read it that way, OP...don't apply to >50 programs, mmkay?