UIW vs UNT SMP & Reapply MD/DO

[julypotter]

Hi guys,

I was accepted to UIW in San Antonio about two month ago. Yesterday, I was accepted to the UNT SMP. My stats are nothing special, MCAT 509, sGPA 3.2, cumulative GPA 3.4. However, I really feel that my application could benefit by doing the SMP. If I did so, I would apply concurrently, when the cycle opens in 2 months. The program itself starts right around that time, and schools are updated with your grades as you continue the program. I would also retake the MCAT, because when I first took it, I studied for it with the pressure of multiple responsibilities with no real study plan. If I was to do the program and reapply, I would reapply to TCOM and other TMDSAS schools. *Most* students who do the SMP get into TCOM, though there is certainly no guarantee.

The main drawback I see with UIW is its tuition (so tough for a TX resident to stomach paying 50K annually....attending medical school IN state). I realize it was a mistake to apply and interview at a school that I now realize is too expensive and relatively unestablished. Should I choose to attend, my class would be the third. While San Antonio is a great city for medical education, I have lingering concerns about my further education from a relatively new school, and the immense burden of student loans it comes with. In addition, my parents are not getting younger and my mom has recently begun struggling with illness. While my dad has offered to pay for my expenses, I do not want to place that burden on them.

In short, my question is this: accept UIW, or do the masters and reapply this cycle. If I were to reapply, would I have to disclose my acceptance to UIW to TMDSAS? UIW is an AACOMAS school, so are they able to see my acceptance automatically? Or only if I disclose it to them?

Thank you guys in advance!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Bones&Bourbon]

I'm a TX resident as well, here's some input:

Short answer: UNT SMP

Long answer: UIW is about as new of a school as you'll find in the country. With that considered, they haven't built much of a reputation yet, which is an area of concern for me. When you take that, as well as their unbelievably high tuition into consideration, I *personally* would shy away from UIW. Many will say "The best medical school is the one that accepts you." However, I'm not of that same mindset if it means you're going to go broke in the process and have a massive uphill battle to land a competitive/lucrative specialty to pay of the huge loans you'll accrue by going there.

The UNT SMP will give you a good opportunity to improve your application for the next upcoming cycle. Simple as that in my mind.

Take that with a grain of salt, as I'm only human. Hope that helps!

 

[PickleRickelus]

That's a tough one. You've already been accepted to UIW and I'm pretty sure TCOM will get word of it when you apply next cycle. It's not a good look to see that you had an acceptance but didn't go through with it. The proper thing would've been to withdraw post interview but that's neither here nor there. Keep in mind that you'd be foregoing an entire year of attending salary on top of accruing more expenses doing the SMP when doing your cost benefit analysis.

If it's any consolation, I interviewed at UIW and I had a great experience there. They did seem to have everything figured out so I don't think you can wrong with it in terms of acquiring a good education. I also like how they advocate for treating med students like adults and don't require too much in terms of mandatory activities or classes.

If I were you, I would just go with it.