Trying to get into a SMP program with 2.97 gpa or go for 2nd bachelors?

[sunrat39]

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I was thinking about applying to Loyola's SMP program after I take my MCAT (in january) but it seems like their cut off is 3.0. However, I noticed Midwestern (downers grove, IL) has a minimum of 2.75 so I was thinking about applying there (I will also apply to other SMP programs with a minimum of 2.75 not just Midwestern).

But, it got me thinking. Should I just go to my nearby university and go for a second bachelors to bump up my gpa even more and get a 2nd bachelors? I would then be able to apply a little more aggressively anywhere else (assuming I get A's in my second bachelors). I think I am kind of at that junction where I could go either way.

Any suggestions? My degree right now is in Chemistry and so I was thinking of getting a bachelors in Biology of some sort? I am so close at that 3.0 gpa cutoff I believe I could get there in one full semesters worth of schooling at least.

Also, would it be a bad idea to take my MCAT this early then? Should I wait towards the end of getting my 2nd degree and take the MCAT then? Thanks!

 

[Pigglyjuff]

I was thinking about applying to Loyola's SMP program after I take my MCAT (in january) but it seems like their cut off is 3.0. However, I noticed Midwestern (downers grove, IL) has a minimum of 2.75 so I was thinking about applying there (I will also apply to other SMP programs with a minimum of 2.75 not just Midwestern).

But, it got me thinking. Should I just go to my nearby university and go for a second bachelors to bump up my gpa even more and get a 2nd bachelors? I would then be able to apply a little more aggressively anywhere else (assuming I get A's in my second bachelors). I think I am kind of at that junction where I could go either way.

Any suggestions? My degree right now is in Chemistry and so I was thinking of getting a bachelors in Biology of some sort? I am so close at that 3.0 gpa cutoff I believe I could get there in one full semesters worth of schooling at least.

Also, would it be a bad idea to take my MCAT this early then? Should I wait towards the end of getting my 2nd degree and take the MCAT then? Thanks!

The most you have going for you #1 is the MCAT. If you feel content, and your practice tests reflect it, then take the MCAT. I think if you went for a 2nd BS degree, your undergrad GPA would rise, and IMO that is more valuable than to say you receive a 3/7 in a post-bacc/SMP. If you take the 2nd BS, bump your GPA to as high as getting mostly As/Bs will take you, and you are ready for the MCAT (and knock it out the park) you might be in great position to apply to DO schools (or you could simply retake your old classes and use their replacement policy) and for MD schools, a 30+ MCAT, and an SMP may also yield some success. Are you confident in your bio/chem/ochem/phys concepts?

 

[sunrat39]

Yea, I have been really pushing the mcat studies this month and my science background has therefore, gotten a lot stronger. I was planning on taking the mcat in sept but my practice scores were average.

I have no problem taking my mcats in jan because my gpa won't allow me to get anywhere as it is. My plan was to nail the mcat and take courses at my nearby univ. and raise my gpa that way. I will be able to get a better idea of my DO/MD situation that way but like you said, first thing is to knock the mcat out.

 

[chayo234]

Yea, I have been really pushing the mcat studies this month and my science background has therefore, gotten a lot stronger. I was planning on taking the mcat in sept but my practice scores were average.

I have no problem taking my mcats in jan because my gpa won't allow me to get anywhere as it is. My plan was to nail the mcat and take courses at my nearby univ. and raise my gpa that way. I will be able to get a better idea of my DO/MD situation that way but like you said, first thing is to knock the mcat out.

Keep in mind schools want MCAT scores within 2 years. I'm not sure how long your 2nd bachelor's is going to take if you go that path, but I wouldn't rush the MCAT.

 

[sunrat39]

I thought it was good for 3 years? Or, is that only good for select schools? So, if I take it jan 2013 the my last year to apply is for fall of 2015?

 

[Innokus]

I thought it was good for 3 years? Or, is that only good for select schools? So, if I take it jan 2013 the my last year to apply is for fall of 2015?

It's 3 years including matriculation. If you take it 2013 you have to matriculate by 2016. So you can apply June 2013, 2014, and 2015. If you apply June 2015 you'd matriculate June 2016.

For your original question, calculate out the grades in excel using the AMCAS grading conversion. It'll take forever but they may be a faster way. Or, what's your grade trend like? Is it a 4.0 in the last 2 years? If so, SMP sounds good. If you got a 2.8 and a 3.1 then you'd might need to get your study habits in order. In which case, a second degree would be great since it would build study skills and raise your gpa. This in turn will prepare you for DO schools and for MD SMPs.

Edit: Either way raising your gpa will open up a lot more options for you such as making it past the automatic cutoffs whether its for an SMP or MD/DO application.

 

[sunrat39]

@innokus

My gpa trend was the latter. More like a 2.8 and 3.1's. I did a few junior college courses after graduating an got some A's, B's and one C. That C was from the hardest class I had ever taken in my life (biochem). Average in those classes were in the 50's and 60's on tests.

I beleive I can pump out another degree before my MCAT expires. I think this is the route I should take.

 

[Pigglyjuff]

@innokus

My gpa trend was the latter. More like a 2.8 and 3.1's. I did a few junior college courses after graduating an got some A's, B's and one C. That C was from the hardest class I had ever taken in my life (biochem). Average in those classes were in the 50's and 60's on tests.

I beleive I can pump out another degree before my MCAT expires. I think this is the route I should take.

If you're set on DO, retake those classes you did poorly in, plus you'd save money. You would be taking your own informal post-bacc at a uni. say you get As in all your retakes, then according to AACOMAS, your new GPA would be probably a 3.4-3.5, plus if you scored a 28+ MCAT. Not too shabby, and definitely dooable. Not to mention cheaper than a 30k$ SMP.

 

[Innokus]

@innokus

My gpa trend was the latter. More like a 2.8 and 3.1's. I did a few junior college courses after graduating an got some A's, B's and one C. That C was from the hardest class I had ever taken in my life (biochem). Average in those classes were in the 50's and 60's on tests.

I beleive I can pump out another degree before my MCAT expires. I think this is the route I should take.

If you can get a second bachelors, it may be a better choice for you. Maybe even take classes as a non-degree seeking student. What other people on here have said is that you'll need to get some A's in hand so that you'll know you can handle the med school coursework.

Pigglyjuff has the right idea. Retakes could fix your gpa quicker, faster, and cheaper than any other method if you're fine with D.O. And you'll be able to figure out what you did wrong the first time. I had a few retakes and the second time around I had it figured out.

 

[JSReed]

Ok but the crucial thing here is that YOU GET ONLY As! Whether DO or MD, getting Cs is not ok, especially close to your application (remember, Cs are considered unsatisfactory at a grad level). So make sure you're getting As.

In terms of an SMP, you're prob better off doing grade replacement if you wanna do DO. If you're going MD, you need an smp as well. However, most if not all will take people below the supposed 3.0 cut-offs, even if they say they won't. You do need an mcat or gre for that tho.

If you're going to try the MD route, I would say take a full load of courses during the fall while doing MCAT review on the side (make sure you get through ALL of the info), dig yourself a cave during winter break and take a ton of practice tests/ passages, take a lighter courseload in the spring with your late Jan MCAT, and make sure you get all A's. Ideally, these courses would be aimed at doing a second BS in something overlapping with chem (biochem, Pchem, ChemE, whatever), but it really doesn't have to. Do SMP apps as soon as you get your 30+ MCAT back. But thats only if you're trying to do MD...

 

[sunrat39]

I appreciate everyone's advice. I believe I will start taking courses again in spring as I cant do it this fall due to financial reasons. Which is ok by me, because first and foremost, I have to nail this MCAT.

I believe the only C's I have left in upper level chem classes are quant, pchem2 and biochem pt2. I could possibly redo those courses and maybe an upper level bio class. I will contact an advisor this week sometime.

Plus, I might be able to take some summer courses too. I remember having a C in physics 1 so hopefully I could redo that course again during the summer.

The only problem I hear is that if you go as grad student at large, you aren't eligible for student loans from the university (that's what one university said anyway).

 

[Pigglyjuff]

I appreciate everyone's advice. I believe I will start taking courses again in spring as I cant do it this fall due to financial reasons. Which is ok by me, because first and foremost, I have to nail this MCAT.

I believe the only C's I have left in upper level chem classes are quant, pchem2 and biochem pt2. I could possibly redo those courses and maybe an upper level bio class. I will contact an advisor this week sometime.

Plus, I might be able to take some summer courses too. I remember having a C in physics 1 so hopefully I could redo that course again during the summer.

The only problem I hear is that if you go as grad student at large, you aren't eligible for student loans from the university (that's what one university said anyway).

What state do you live in?

 

[sunrat39]

@pigglyjuff

I live in Illinois.