University of Cincinnati SMP 2023–24

[SavvySalmon]

Hey! I am a current UC first year medical student and alumni of the Cincinnati SMP. I didn't see a thread started for the next cycle so I thought I'd start one. Let us know if you have any questions about the program!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[biohazardz]

Do you know what the chances of someone getting in with a 2.9 GPA and a 495 MCAT? I know that might be a hard question to answer, but I am in state so that would be my top choice, I have to finish my application, but on top of that question, I'd love to know your opinions/a breakdown of the program.


Thanks!

 

[SavvySalmon]

@biohazardz I can't really say about application/admissions because it seems to change from year to year depending on the applicant pool. I would still apply because they take a good look at each application and make a determination from the total application.

I personally really liked the Cincy Masters program. It was an incredibly challenging year and took 100% effort, but if you put in that effort and come out the other end it has a great success rate. Being able to compare yourself directly to a cincy medical student is a strong addition to your application to medical school. I thought the classes were great and I learned a ton so when it came time to retake the MCAT it was a breeze. Feel free to DM if you have any other questions, but I would recommend the program overall.

 

[takotsubochronic]

@SavvySalmon thanks for being open to Q&A.

I've been interested in the program for a long while and I'm going to apply for the 2023-2024 program year. A few questions

1) Did you apply to other programs?
2) I've looked over the many UCinn cohorts, and it seems like there most do not go out of Ohio after program year. Do you have any thoughts on the strength of the post SMP applicant with out of state schools? (I am an NY native and would hope to apply back home as well)
3) How did you find the research component of the program?

Thanks so much for your time!

 

[SavvySalmon]

@SavvySalmon thanks for being open to Q&A.

I've been interested in the program for a long while and I'm going to apply for the 2023-2024 program year. A few questions

1) Did you apply to other programs?
2) I've looked over the many UCinn cohorts, and it seems like there most do not go out of Ohio after program year. Do you have any thoughts on the strength of the post SMP applicant with out of state schools? (I am an NY native and would hope to apply back home as well)
3) How did you find the research component of the program?

Thanks so much for your time!

1) I did not apply to any other post-bacc or SMP programs. My previous medical school cycle ended super late (like mid June) and the Cincy SMP was kind of a "lets just see what happens". I had been interested in this program for a couple years prior so I went for it. Many of my peers applied to other programs like the Temple, Georgetown, Eastern Virginia, Drexel, and other programs.

2) I don't have any hard evidence or facts for this point, but I think the Cincy SMP really sets you up well for an in-state Ohio application. Anecdotally, it seems like the people that stayed in Ohio for the gap year had the best luck with Ohio schools. There are people that have gotten into NY schools, 3 of them from my class, 2 of which were from NY. I think only one of them applied as an NY resident. 2 private school and 1 state school. Ohio is a good state to apply as an instate resident because of the applicant to seat ratio at the 6 different Ohio state med schools.

3) There really isn't that much of a research component to the program. The second semester has a Physiology topic Capstone project which is essentially an in-depth literature review. But I think only a few people have tried to publish their lit review in the past couple years. My advice would be to avoid any research project while in the program. Focusing on the course work and performing your best is the greatest asset for your future application.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[icedrinksonly]

@SavvySalmon Thank you for starting the thread!

I'm a Canadian student who is interested in applying to the program! I also have a few questions.

1) Do you have any Canadians in your class?
2) My school is out of the 4.33 scale so I'm struggling to calculate my GPA. Do I just follow the calculation method from the AMCAS (also regarding sGPA)?
3) Did anybody apply to med school during the program?

Thank you!

 

[SavvySalmon]

@SavvySalmon Thank you for starting the thread!

I'm a Canadian student who is interested in applying to the program! I also have a few questions.

1) Do you have any Canadians in your class?
2) My school is out of the 4.33 scale so I'm struggling to calculate my GPA. Do I just follow the calculation method from the AMCAS (also regarding sGPA)?
3) Did anybody apply to med school during the program?

Thank you!

1) No one in my class was Canadian as far as I know. I know that one of the current students went to school in Canada if that helps at all. One of my classmates did end up going to med school in Ireland, so some people have moved out of the country after the program.

2) UC just uses the same scale as AMCAS I'm pretty sure. (A = 4.0, A-=3.7, B+=3.3 . . .). Science GPA would be calculated the same way.If you have any questions about calculating the GPA, I would contact the program coordinator. Her email is on the website. Past students have had some unique GPA calculations or no GPA at all. So I think they will be able to help you best.

3) We had quite a few people apply while in the program with decent success. I think somewhere around 1/3rd of the class had an application out during the program and quite a few of those people got in. This isn't necessarily recommended though especially with the new curriculum since this program is supposed to add to your application. With the new curriculum, you won't get your first grade for the a medical school course until early November which is a bit late for a meaningful update letter IMO. If you do decide to go this route, make sure all of your applications are in before school starts including secondaries (or at least have them written). Because the classes ramp up quick and by mid August you will be in an intense Biochem type class with very little time for application writing.

Hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[FDRLe5]

Hi everyone,

I am a former graduate of the SMP program and a current M2 at UCCOM.

Feel free to ask me any questions about the program. For some background, here were my stats when I applied to the SMP:

MCAT: 506
Undergraduate GPA: 3.2
Post-bach GPA: 3.93
Extracurriculars: Clinical research coordinator for several years/Scribe for 1 year/community volunteering hours ~100hrs.

Reasons why I chose UC SMP over others:
1. Taking the same classes/courses as current M1 students allows admission committees to better assess your preparedness and capacity for medical school. The academic rigor of UC's SMP program is widely known by many medical schools, especially within the state of OH. Success in the program is highly regarded.

2. UC's SMP has a smaller class size compared to other programs, allowing students to form closer professional relationships with faculty. Furthermore, the small class size promotes a strong sense of comradery with your fellow students, who you will need to lean on for support during a rigorous academic year.

3. Cost-of-living is much lower compared to programs in other states (Chicago/Wash. DC). I was able to rent a very nice, relatively new apartment for about 1k per month which included all utilities. There are much cheaper options also, with prices typically ranging anywhere between $500-1k.

4. The program connects you with both a faculty and medical student mentor. They will be an invaluable resource when you start molding your med school application. During the program, you will also have sessions with med school advising on how to put together a strong application. They will also offer practice med school interview sessions if/when you receive notification of an interview invite.

Last thoughts:

As a CA resident moving to OH, I was initially concerned about how I would adjust to living in a new state. However, to my pleasant surprise, Cincinnati offers a lot of the same things bigger cities have to offer. There are plenty of bars/restaurants in the Cincy area with new restaurants opening all the time. If you're a recreation type of person, there are plenty of parks and trails in the Cincy area for you to enjoy.

Finally, what I gained from the program was self-confidence in myself to not only do well in medical school but also in anything I'd pursue after the program if I ultimately decided not to go to medical school. During the program, your resilience and self-discipline will definitely be tested, but you will be better for it at the end of the day.

 

[icedrinksonly]

@SavvySalmon

1) No one in my class was Canadian as far as I know. I know that one of the current students went to school in Canada if that helps at all. One of my classmates did end up going to med school in Ireland, so some people have moved out of the country after the program.

2) UC just uses the same scale as AMCAS I'm pretty sure. (A = 4.0, A-=3.7, B+=3.3 . . .). Science GPA would be calculated the same way.If you have any questions about calculating the GPA, I would contact the program coordinator. Her email is on the website. Past students have had some unique GPA calculations or no GPA at all. So I think they will be able to help you best.

3) We had quite a few people apply while in the program with decent success. I think somewhere around 1/3rd of the class had an application out during the program and quite a few of those people got in. This isn't necessarily recommended though especially with the new curriculum since this program is supposed to add to your application. With the new curriculum, you won't get your first grade for the a medical school course until early November which is a bit late for a meaningful update letter IMO. If you do decide to go this route, make sure all of your applications are in before school starts including secondaries (or at least have them written). Because the classes ramp up quick and by mid August you will be in an intense Biochem type class with very little time for application writing.

Hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions!

Thank you for your detailed response!

I'm in the midst of applying right now, I've never applied to any master's program before so I don't know if my personal statement and CV is good enough... If anybody on this thread would like to give me some feedback, it would be very much appreciated! Thank you

 

[melodudemusic]

Hi everyone!
I just made an account as I got my acceptance to this program last month. I haven't confirmed my enrollment yet, but I plan on doing so. I just wanted to say hi to everyone, and I look forward to taking classes with y'all! I also had a few questions:

1) I know this is subjective, but what was the hardest class you had to take in the program in your opinion?
2) The program FAQ states that it does not recommend working while in the program. While this is understandable, do y'all know anyone who worked while in the program? If so, what did they do, and what were their hours like? I was just curious, because I currently work in a pathology lab, and I still want to be able to stay up-to-date with my skills if possible, especially since I want to be a pathologist.
3) If you could give yourself any advice when you started the SMP, what would it be?

Thanks so much for your time!

 

[labtech312]

Hi everyone!
I just made an account as I got my acceptance to this program last month. I haven't confirmed my enrollment yet, but I plan on doing so. I just wanted to say hi to everyone, and I look forward to taking classes with y'all! I also had a few questions:

1) I know this is subjective, but what was the hardest class you had to take in the program in your opinion?
2) The program FAQ states that it does not recommend working while in the program. While this is understandable, do y'all know anyone who worked while in the program? If so, what did they do, and what were their hours like? I was just curious, because I currently work in a pathology lab, and I still want to be able to stay up-to-date with my skills if possible, especially since I want to be a pathologist.
3) If you could give yourself any advice when you started the SMP, what would it be?

Thanks so much for your time!

Hi there,

I did the SMP and am a curret M1 at UCCOM.

1. I think the hardest class was FOMM just because of the learning curve in terms of the amount of information. The biochem was just learing pathways, but learning 16ish lectures worth of those pathways a week was rough.
2. I am/was a medical lab scientist so I worked in a hospitals lab here in Cincinnati while I was in the program. I worked PRN tho, so I only worked once ever 60 days to keep the job. THen once the program was over I went up from PRN to full time during the applicaion cycle. I got super lucky because the lab was very understanding of my situation and supported me....they also needed the help after I graduated.
3. Get ready for the long haul by setting in place practices to maintain your mental and physical health cause the program is a slog and gets more busy until the end. But if you perform strong its all worh it.

LMK if you have any other questions.

 

[ChemEMeddie]

I know that this is a bit of a long shot, but I am currently accepted to the UCinci SMP as an out of state student and was wondering if any other out of state students have had success with doing the SMP and gaining Ohio residency as the website states that this is a benefit to the program. The decreased tuition and increased chances as an instate Ohio applicant would be monumental and would absolutely sway me to attend this program. Is it relatively easy or is it not as likely as they make it seem? Thanks!

 

[drink-more-water]

I know that this is a bit of a long shot, but I am currently accepted to the UCinci SMP as an out of state student and was wondering if any other out of state students have had success with doing the SMP and gaining Ohio residency as the website states that this is a benefit to the program. The decreased tuition and increased chances as an instate Ohio applicant would be monumental and would absolutely sway me to attend this program. Is it relatively easy or is it not as likely as they make it seem? Thanks!

Former SMP student here! Reclassifying as an Ohio resident is one of the major perks of the program! Alot of people do it, but you have to make sure you’re taking all of the necessary steps to be fully financially independent (no financial assistance from friends or family). UC’s financial aid specialist is really helpful throughout the process, and will give you a lot more detail about the specifics of this process during SMP orientation! Hope that helps!

 

[bananamd]

Hello! I just applied to this program today, but I did not complete the optional video essay format. I was wondering if this would look bad for my application? Additionally, is there still a chance for me to be admitted considering how late my application is?

 

[SavvySalmon]

Hello! I just applied to this program today, but I did not complete the optional video essay format. I was wondering if this would look bad for my application? Additionally, is there still a chance for me to be admitted considering how late my application is?

I also applied pretty late (somewhere in June) to the program and didn't do the optional video essay. I personally don't think the video essay carries a ton of weight. From my experience, they mostly care about your personal statement and academic record/MCAT.

 

[bananamd]

I also applied pretty late (somewhere in June) to the program and didn't do the optional video essay. I personally don't think the video essay carries a ton of weight. From my experience, they mostly care about your personal statement and academic record/MCAT.

Thanks!

 

[joodavid12]

Just got accepted and need some help.
1) where are you guys looking to live at?
2) is a car necessary?

 

[drink-more-water]

Just got accepted and need some help.
1) where are you guys looking to live at?
2) is a car necessary?

A lot of people that do the program choose to live in Corryville, which is definitely walkable to the medical campus, but it can be hard to secure affordable housing there because it’s also close to the undergrad campus. If you live in other popular areas, like Hyde Park, you would need a car to get to campus!

 

[joodavid12]

Is there a Facebook group or group me with accepted students?

 

[hallsofeuphoria]

Does Cincy's SMP require a minimum GPA, specifically a minimum science GPA?

Part of the reason I'm considering the program is that my science GPA is sitting at a 2.5 with a lot of credit hours, so almost no conceivable way to bring it up to a 3.0 (it would take 37 credit hours of 4.0 to pass the 3.0 mark).

However, I have a strong upward trend in overall GPA (3.96 GPA over the past 72 credit hours) and science GPA (3.96 GPA over the past 32 credit hours).

Is it even possible to get accepted with a low science GPA? I can bring it up some before I apply next year, but I'm just wondering how close I need to get and how much an upward trend will help it.

Thanks.

 

[takotsubochronic]

Does Cincy's SMP require a minimum GPA, specifically a minimum science GPA?

Part of the reason I'm considering the program is that my science GPA is sitting at a 2.5 with a lot of credit hours, so almost no conceivable way to bring it up to a 3.0 (it would take 37 credit hours of 4.0 to pass the 3.0 mark).

However, I have a strong upward trend in overall GPA (3.96 GPA over the past 72 credit hours) and science GPA (3.96 GPA over the past 32 credit hours).

Is it even possible to get accepted with a low science GPA? I can bring it up some before I apply next year, but I'm just wondering how close I need to get and how much an upward trend will help it.

Thanks.

I would reach out to them to clarify

 

[BlueKiwi]

Hey! I am a current UC first year medical student and alumni of the Cincinnati SMP. I didn't see a thread started for the next cycle so I thought I'd start one. Let us know if you have any questions about the program!

Do you have any info what is considered to be a good SMP GPA to be accepted into UC med school? I looked at the SMP web page under Alumni , and it shows that UC med school accepts around 9-11 students from the SMP class.They also gurantee the interview to the students who performed well in the course.

 

[biohazardz]

Does Cincy's SMP require a minimum GPA, specifically a minimum science GPA?

Part of the reason I'm considering the program is that my science GPA is sitting at a 2.5 with a lot of credit hours, so almost no conceivable way to bring it up to a 3.0 (it would take 37 credit hours of 4.0 to pass the 3.0 mark).

However, I have a strong upward trend in overall GPA (3.96 GPA over the past 72 credit hours) and science GPA (3.96 GPA over the past 32 credit hours).

Is it even possible to get accepted with a low science GPA? I can bring it up some before I apply next year, but I'm just wondering how close I need to get and how much an upward trend will help it.

Thanks.

I applied with a 2.42 (with upward trend of around 3.5), and got into their other SMP, the master of pharmacology and drug toxicology. But, my GPA from my institution was a 2.99 with a 3.14 science GPA because they count retaken courses. According to AAMC mine was a 2.42 with like a 2.81 science GPA. So I don't know how they will view your situation compared to mine, it is always best to just call and ask. However, I relinquished my seat because I got into my top post bacc program that guarantees me a seat in medical school after completion (meeting criteria), rather than just an interview. So yes, it is 100% possible.

Hope this helps!

 

[warrior9214]

I applied with a 2.42 (with upward trend of around 3.5), and got into their other SMP, the master of pharmacology and drug toxicology. But, my GPA from my institution was a 2.99 with a 3.14 science GPA because they count retaken courses. According to AAMC mine was a 2.42 with like a 2.81 science GPA. So I don't know how they will view your situation compared to mine, it is always best to just call and ask. However, I relinquished my seat because I got into my top post bacc program that guarantees me a seat in medical school after completion (meeting criteria), rather than just an interview. So yes, it is 100% possible.

Hope this helps!

this is great to hear! I’m in a similar situation with my stats.
Do you have any other advice for the application, considering the low stats? I’d love to get into a program like UC SMP and will be applying this coming week.

 

[biohazardz]

this is great to hear! I’m in a similar situation with my stats.
Do you have any other advice for the application, considering the low stats? I’d love to get into a program like UC SMP and will be applying this coming week.

Honestly the best thing I can say is actually talk to people. Don't send emails, call them, get in video chats if you can. Really show them you are serious and have confidence that you can do it. Put yourself out there and build connections with the people who are running these programs and make sure they remember you when they see your application and you'll be surprised what you can achieve with low stats.

Good luck!

 

[SavvySalmon]

Do you have any info what is considered to be a good SMP GPA to be accepted into UC med school? I looked at the SMP web page under Alumni , and it shows that UC med school accepts around 9-11 students from the SMP class.They also gurantee the interview to the students who performed well in the course.

UC College of Medicine will guarantee an interview for any student that gets a B+ or higher in the medical school classes which are biochem/cell bio, blood systems, and musculoskeletal systems. So that is kinda the mark to aim for, but strive to do as good as possible. It can only help you down the line. The acceptance rate at UC for people with the guaranteed interview was really good (>50%) and the acceptance rate for my class at all the other medical schools was also really strong. If you can succeed in the SMP, odds are you'll be getting in somewhere I would say.

There are people that get an interview at UC even if they didn't get the guaranteed interview so its not the end of the world but its also not a for sure thing.

 

[SavvySalmon]

Does Cincy's SMP require a minimum GPA, specifically a minimum science GPA?

Part of the reason I'm considering the program is that my science GPA is sitting at a 2.5 with a lot of credit hours, so almost no conceivable way to bring it up to a 3.0 (it would take 37 credit hours of 4.0 to pass the 3.0 mark).

However, I have a strong upward trend in overall GPA (3.96 GPA over the past 72 credit hours) and science GPA (3.96 GPA over the past 32 credit hours).

Is it even possible to get accepted with a low science GPA? I can bring it up some before I apply next year, but I'm just wondering how close I need to get and how much an upward trend will help it.

Thanks.

Echoing what @biohazardz said, I think it would be worth reaching out and discussing with the program. I know of people that were projecting some tough GPAs and were able to succeed and get into school after the SMP. I think it would be worth a shot, especially if those last 72 credits had some upper division science classes.

 

[cookiemonst3r]

A lot of people that do the program choose to live in Corryville, which is definitely walkable to the medical campus, but it can be hard to secure affordable housing there because it’s also close to the undergrad campus. If you live in other popular areas, like Hyde Park, you would need a car to get to campus!

Is a car necessary for anything else besides getting to campus/groceries etc? I have found a place that's about a 20 minute walk away. I'm just wondering if I can get through M1 without a car even though the checklist asked us to make sure we have a mode of transportation.

 

[SavvySalmon]

Is a car necessary for anything else besides getting to campus/groceries etc? I have found a place that's about a 20 minute walk away. I'm just wondering if I can get through M1 without a car even though the checklist asked us to make sure we have a mode of transportation.

There will be required classes and some early 8:00AM sessions, but if you can get there by walking, that is totally fine. Also keep in mind that the weather will be wet and cold from November to the end of March. I live in Clifton now which is about a 20 minute walk and I very rarely use my car to get to campus. UC has some shuttles that are extremely useful and there is a live shuttle tracker. I'll paste the link below. If you live near one of these, they can be a great resource.

Shuttle Services

www.uc.edu

 

[nishyfishy]

Hi everyone,

I am a former graduate of the SMP program and a current M2 at UCCOM.

Feel free to ask me any questions about the program. For some background, here were my stats when I applied to the SMP:

MCAT: 506
Undergraduate GPA: 3.2
Post-bach GPA: 3.93
Extracurriculars: Clinical research coordinator for several years/Scribe for 1 year/community volunteering hours ~100hrs.

Reasons why I chose UC SMP over others:
1. Taking the same classes/courses as current M1 students allows admission committees to better assess your preparedness and capacity for medical school. The academic rigor of UC's SMP program is widely known by many medical schools, especially within the state of OH. Success in the program is highly regarded.

2. UC's SMP has a smaller class size compared to other programs, allowing students to form closer professional relationships with faculty. Furthermore, the small class size promotes a strong sense of comradery with your fellow students, who you will need to lean on for support during a rigorous academic year.

3. Cost-of-living is much lower compared to programs in other states (Chicago/Wash. DC). I was able to rent a very nice, relatively new apartment for about 1k per month which included all utilities. There are much cheaper options also, with prices typically ranging anywhere between $500-1k.

4. The program connects you with both a faculty and medical student mentor. They will be an invaluable resource when you start molding your med school application. During the program, you will also have sessions with med school advising on how to put together a strong application. They will also offer practice med school interview sessions if/when you receive notification of an interview invite.

Last thoughts:

As a CA resident moving to OH, I was initially concerned about how I would adjust to living in a new state. However, to my pleasant surprise, Cincinnati offers a lot of the same things bigger cities have to offer. There are plenty of bars/restaurants in the Cincy area with new restaurants opening all the time. If you're a recreation type of person, there are plenty of parks and trails in the Cincy area for you to enjoy.

Finally, what I gained from the program was self-confidence in myself to not only do well in medical school but also in anything I'd pursue after the program if I ultimately decided not to go to medical school. During the program, your resilience and self-discipline will definitely be tested, but you will be better for it at the end of the day.

I have very similar stats to you with my MCAT score, undergrad GPA, and extracurriculars. During/after the program, did you have to retake your MCAT?