Too late for SMP? How about MS in Medical Physics?

[shan564]

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Well, my plan was to get a master's in Medical Physics to account for my 2.9 GPA (I got a 34 on the MCAT). I figured if I can get a 3.5-3.8 in the MS program, I'll get into med school and I'll have the MS on my resume too.

I just heard about these SMP programs today. Is it too late to get in to one of those for the fall? Is it even possible to get in despite my abysmal GPA? I'm confident that I can do well... I just used to suck at getting up early in the morning (so I skipped probably 80% of my undergraduate classes before my last semester).

And does anybody know about the Harvard Health Careers Program? Is it just as good as an SMP program?

Also, what happens if you go through the SMP program and then you still don't get in to med school? With the Medical Physics MS degree, I at least have the backup plan of just becoming a Medical Physicist... but what about this route?

 

[braluk]

Its getting fairly late in the process. Technically, some programs continue accepting into the summer, but at this point alot of these competitive programs like georgetown, UC have classes that have begin to fill up, or has a waitlist with applicants who have amazing MCAT and GPAs sitting at the top of it. I believe BUMAMS accepts late into the summer, so you may want to take a look into that. As well, you can definitely apply now to get admitted into their spring semester, which many people do. Look around through these forums, Im sure you'll find out about deadlines, and how filled classes are (begin with looking at the class threads here)

 

[shan564]

So the general consensus is that the SMP will help me significantly more than the MS in Medical Physics?

I was leaning towards Med. Physics because it actually leaves me a good career choice if I just don't get into med school. I have already been considering a PhD in Med. Phys, but I'd still rather get an MD and go into Nuclear Medicine.

Anyway, my point is... how much better would SMP be than MS in Medical Physics? If there isn't a huge difference, I'll just stick with my current plan because then I don't have to move to a different town or pay out-of-state tuition or constantly worry about not having a good backup plan.