What kind of gpa do you need to get in an SMP to be accepted?

[DrMagic]

I just want to know how high of a GPA somebody needs in an SMP to get accepted to medical school? Please share some personal stats or information you have heard from others. I have seen some curriculum vitaes where the person went to Georgetown SMP then ended up in the Caribbean for med school, I don't know whether this was by necessity or whether there was some scholarship involved though, even though I know of the great acceptances people receive every year. I personally would not want to waste time in an SMP to go the Caribbean. How high of a GPA is required to stay in the various programs? Do you need a traditional 3.0+ as the minimum passing for grad school to get the M.S.?

I also wanted to know what you would do in a situation like mine. I have an opportunity to get free tuition for a research job I have at the university and am wanting to take post bacc courses to boost my profile as well as finish the pre-reqs for medical school because of a prior unrelated major (mech Eng.). I am thinking the best bet for me would be to take courses at my university and get the courses paid for along with living expenses rather then attend an SMP after the completion of the pre-reqs and approproate MCAT score, but I know that students can really benefit from the reputation of those programs, with acceptances at great institutions. In an SMP, I would have to take a full course load right, and would not be able to work?

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[Crupen]

3.5+

 

[Velocity]

From what I understand, an SMP is meant to be an extension of your undergrad. You take those courses, and the grades you receive factor into your undergrad GPA.

By comparison, if you do grad school it doesn't matter what courses you take - the grades you receive are calculated separately and do not factor in with your undergrad GPA. Like it or not, your undergrad GPA still counts very heavily even if you've gone through grad school.

If you do very well in an SMP it'll help to bring up your undergraduate GPA. I don't know if admissions committees look at the SMP on its own, but they might. If you do a graduate program you get credit for that and they'll look at that transcript, but a poor undergraduate GPA will still be a blemish on your transcript and the graduate work won't outshine it completely.

As for your situation, as long as you can stay on-track I'd take the job and do the courses on your own. As far as I understand there's nothing special about an SMP. You don't get a degree at the end of it, and completing it doesn't give you an edge - what counts is the classes that you took. Whether you take those courses of your own initiative or whether you take them through an SMP doesn't matter.

I'd ask that anyone with more knowledge on the subject correct me if I'm wrong, of course.

 

[Morsetlis]

From what I understand, an SMP is meant to be an extension of your undergrad. You take those courses, and the grades you receive factor into your undergrad GPA.

By comparison, if you do grad school it doesn't matter what courses you take - the grades you receive are calculated separately and do not factor in with your undergrad GPA. Like it or not, your undergrad GPA still counts very heavily even if you've gone through grad school.

If you do very well in an SMP it'll help to bring up your undergraduate GPA. I don't know if admissions committees look at the SMP on its own, but they might. If you do a graduate program you get credit for that and they'll look at that transcript, but a poor undergraduate GPA will still be a blemish on your transcript and the graduate work won't outshine it completely.

As for your situation, as long as you can stay on-track I'd take the job and do the courses on your own. As far as I understand there's nothing special about an SMP. You don't get a degree at the end of it, and completing it doesn't give you an edge - what counts is the classes that you took. Whether you take those courses of your own initiative or whether you take them through an SMP doesn't matter.

I'd ask that anyone with more knowledge on the subject correct me if I'm wrong, of course.

Replace all instances of SMP in your post with Post-bacc and you'll be right.

 

[Instatewaiter]

From what I understand, an SMP is meant to be an extension of your undergrad. You take those courses, and the grades you receive factor into your undergrad GPA.

By comparison, if you do grad school it doesn't matter what courses you take - the grades you receive are calculated separately and do not factor in with your undergrad GPA. Like it or not, your undergrad GPA still counts very heavily even if you've gone through grad school.

If you do very well in an SMP it'll help to bring up your undergraduate GPA. I don't know if admissions committees look at the SMP on its own, but they might. If you do a graduate program you get credit for that and they'll look at that transcript, but a poor undergraduate GPA will still be a blemish on your transcript and the graduate work won't outshine it completely.

As for your situation, as long as you can stay on-track I'd take the job and do the courses on your own. As far as I understand there's nothing special about an SMP. You don't get a degree at the end of it, and completing it doesn't give you an edge - what counts is the classes that you took. Whether you take those courses of your own initiative or whether you take them through an SMP doesn't matter.

I'd ask that anyone with more knowledge on the subject correct me if I'm wrong, of course.

Completely wrong. SMP is a graduate program so it is a separate GPA. You also do get a degree. You get either an MS or more commonly a masters of medical science.

To answer the OP's question, you need at least a 3.5 and generally above a 3.7

 

[apumic]

3.5+

3.5 probably won't cut it.

The GPA you need probably correlates inversely to your UG GPA as well as your MCAT. That is, if your UG GPA is <3.0, you probably need a better SMP GPA than would someone whose UG GPA was a 3.1-3.2.

Remember that everyone in an SMP is working for a 4.0 and most likely almost everyone will get a 3.5+. Since you likely need to be in the top 10-25% of your class to get a linkage (and at least the top half to be competitive anywhere), simply getting a mix of As and Bs isn't going to cut it. Since you're attempting to counteract a low UG GPA and the average UG GPA of a matriculant is 3.66, I would say you need to do better than a 3.66 to get a fair chance. To be truly competitive and maximize your "last chance" (because an SMP really is a last-ditch effort), you probably want at least a 3.7 and preferably upwards of a 3.8. I've heard of many an SMP outperforming the med students with whom s/he was taking classes and then wondering why his/her 3.6-3.7 resulted in no interest from med schools (paired w/ a sub-3.0 GPA from a few years ago).

 

[mediterranean]

Well if GPA is below 3.0 for undergrad then SMP won't negate it.

 

[willen101383]

Well if GPA is below 3.0 for undergrad then SMP won't negate it.

I had a 2.45 undergrad GPA and while I guess my program isnt considered a "SMP" it was an accelerated 18 month masters and it sure as hell "negated" that 2.45. No way I would have gotten in without that MS. If you are saying it wont negate an undergrad GPA...change that average you are right.

 

[apumic]

I had a 2.45 undergrad GPA and while I guess my program isnt considered a "SMP" it was an accelerated 18 month masters and it sure as hell "negated" that 2.45. No way I would have gotten in without that MS. If you are saying it wont negate an undergrad GPA...change that average you are right.

Sounds like it may be pretty similar to an SMP. But no... graduate GPA is separate from UG. SMPs can certainly help you recover from a 2.45 GPA. If someone is in the 3.0-3.5 group of GPAs, it may or may not make sense to do an SMP. Toward the top of that range, an excellent MCAT will easily overcome the weak GPA. Toward the lower end, an astounding MCAT may be needed but even so, I'd say someone w/ a 3.2-3.5 but otherwise strong probably doesn't need to take an SMP initially (although to reapply it'd be a good idea).

 

[willen101383]

3.5 probably won't cut it.

The GPA you need probably correlates inversely to your UG GPA as well as your MCAT. That is, if your UG GPA is <3.0, you probably need a better SMP GPA than would someone whose UG GPA was a 3.1-3.2.

Remember that everyone in an SMP is working for a 4.0 and most likely almost everyone will get a 3.5+. Since you likely need to be in the top 10-25% of your class to get a linkage (and at least the top half to be competitive anywhere), simply getting a mix of As and Bs isn't going to cut it. Since you're attempting to counteract a low UG GPA and the average UG GPA of a matriculant is 3.66, I would say you need to do better than a 3.66 to get a fair chance. To be truly competitive and maximize your "last chance" (because an SMP really is a last-ditch effort), you probably want at least a 3.7 and preferably upwards of a 3.8. I've heard of many an SMP outperforming the med students with whom s/he was taking classes and then wondering why his/her 3.6-3.7 resulted in no interest from med schools (paired w/ a sub-3.0 GPA from a few years ago).

👍

EVERYONE in my program who was actually planning on going to medical school (we had a mix) was totally gunner. I dont know of anyone who got less than a 3.5...and we had a BRUTAL schedule at times. (24 credits) It is a last ditch effort. Most of my classmates had applied at least 1 time....and this was it....if they didnt get in after a MS they were going to pursue other careers.

 

[willen101383]

Sounds like it may be pretty similar to an SMP. But no... graduate GPA is separate from UG. SMPs can certainly help you recover from a 2.45 GPA. If someone is in the 3.0-3.5 group of GPAs, it may or may not make sense to do an SMP. Toward the top of that range, an excellent MCAT will easily overcome the weak GPA. Toward the lower end, an astounding MCAT may be needed but even so, I'd say someone w/ a 3.2-3.5 but otherwise strong probably doesn't need to take an SMP initially (although to reapply it'd be a good idea).

Yeah i was trying to say your GPAs will be calculated seperately. It negated that GPA in terms of I was accepted after my masters...and no way in hell would I have been after undergrad!!

 

[DrMagic]

I would be hard pressed to believe that someone that completed the program with a decent GPA didn't eventually get in somewhere. These SMP programs are highly respected and show conviction towards medicine. Looking at the results from the websites percentage wise students do well towards acceptances. For me though I am going to take the free courses enabled by my University position and do whatever it takes. I was just curious on some personal experiences and STATS not speculation.

You above, what GPA did you obtain in your 18 month program, where was it at, where did you get interviews/acceptances from?

 

[DrMagic]

👍

EVERYONE in my program who was actually planning on going to medical school (we had a mix) was totally gunner. I dont know of anyone who got less than a 3.5...and we had a BRUTAL schedule at times. (24 credits) It is a last ditch effort. Most of my classmates had applied at least 1 time....and this was it....if they didnt get in after a MS they were going to pursue other careers.

Sounds extremely intense, and after reading about these programs "last ditch effort" is exactly how I will think of the SMPs. I think I am better off just taking lots of courses rather than making a large financial commitment and take risk not knowing first hand the grueling nature of the programs.

 

[mediterranean]

👍

EVERYONE in my program who was actually planning on going to medical school (we had a mix) was totally gunner. I dont know of anyone who got less than a 3.5...and we had a BRUTAL schedule at times. (24 credits) It is a last ditch effort. Most of my classmates had applied at least 1 time....and this was it....if they didnt get in after a MS they were going to pursue other careers.

If you don't mind my asking, what other careers are there after getting an M.S.? Did you talk with any of them as to what field/careers they are entering?

 

[willen101383]

I would be hard pressed to believe that someone that completed the program with a decent GPA didn't eventually get in somewhere. These SMP programs are highly respected and show conviction towards medicine. Looking at the results from the websites percentage wise students do well towards acceptances. For me though I am going to take the free courses enabled by my University position and do whatever it takes. I was just curious on some personal experiences and STATS not speculation.

You above, what GPA did you obtain in your 18 month program, where was it at, where did you get interviews/acceptances from?

I dont really feel like giving out too much personal information on here but I will do my best. I had between a 3.5-4.0 (bout midway). It was at drexel U in Philly in forensic science. Due to my really poor undergrad GPA I balanced my Apps more heavily toward the high end DO schools (PCOM,CCOM,KCOM and the like), and the mid to lower tier MD programs. I got 3 DO acceptances and 1 MD acceptance and am matriculating at PCOM.

 

[tdsbird2]

a 3.54 worked for me

 

[willen101383]

If you don't mind my asking, what other careers are there after getting an M.S.? Did you talk with any of them as to what field/careers they are entering?

Well my MS is in Forensics. The office that administrates my program is the same office that runs all of Drexel's post baccs (IMS,MSP,etc). So about half of us were shooting for medical school. The other half are shooting for law enforcement/FBI/crime lab type stuff. Out of the group who is pursuing medical school: I am attending PCOM, one guy is going to Albany Med, another is going to SGU, another is waitlisted, another is waitlisted, another hasnt gotten anything (ORM, limited clinical IMO), one is at Temple, and I dont keep in touch with the others.

 

[faith2]

I had a 2.49 UG,and a 3.96 PB and a 3.92 SMP I am sure the SMP got me in because I already had a UG in Biology so I took all premed but most grades were horrible. the SMP added to my case that I am a mor focused student and I need a chance

 

[faith2]

PS you also need a good MCAT score and EC's not just good grades

 

[willen101383]

PS you also need a good MCAT score and EC's not just good grades

Exactly. While I didnt have a rockstar MCAT score my solid score showed schools that the reasons I gave for not doing well undergrad were likely true, and not because I cant handle the work...and this goes for everyone of course.

 

[NoleDoc]

Whats the difference between undergraduate and graduate SMP and Post Bach programs? I figured they were all considered graduate level programs.

-Thanks

 

[RogueUnicorn]

if you're wondering "what gpa do i need" you're already going down the wrong train of throught in an smp

 

[Velocity]

Whats the difference between undergraduate and graduate SMP and Post Bach programs? I figured they were all considered graduate level programs.

-Thanks

I read up a little bit on SMPs ("special master's programs"). An SMP does grant you a master's degree at the end, although I'm not sure what in exactly (it is a master's of science, though). It seems like these programs generally have you taking medical school courses for a grade, and perhaps some other basic sciences courses alongside them.

An SMP is similar to any other graduate-level coursework in that your GPA there is calculated separately from your undergraduate GPA. It differs from other master's programs in that you take medical school courses and the entire program is geared toward putting you through a course designed to show that you're capable of the rigors of medical school. (Other master's programs may have you doing classes and/or research related to something else entirely, and are not necessarily geared toward making you the best medical school applicant that you can be).

A post-bac program has you taking undergraduate courses, basically. These seem primarily geared toward people who never took the medical school prerequisites and want to apply to medical school. The grades you earn there will factor in to your undergraduate GPA. You don't get a degree at the end of that program.

I think I have it all right this time.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

I read up a little bit on SMPs ("special master's programs"). An SMP does grant you a master's degree at the end, although I'm not sure what in exactly (it is a master's of science, though). It seems like these programs generally have you taking medical school courses for a grade, and perhaps some other basic sciences courses alongside them.

An SMP is similar to any other graduate-level coursework in that your GPA there is calculated separately from your undergraduate GPA. It differs from other master's programs in that you take medical school courses and the entire program is geared toward putting you through a course designed to show that you're capable of the rigors of medical school. (Other master's programs may have you doing classes and/or research related to something else entirely, and are not necessarily geared toward making you the best medical school applicant that you can be).

A post-bac program has you taking undergraduate courses, basically. These seem primarily geared toward people who never took the medical school prerequisites and want to apply to medical school. The grades you earn there will factor in to your undergraduate GPA. You don't get a degree at the end of that program.

I think I have it all right this time.

not necessarily.

 

[Morsetlis]

It's a Master's of Whateverbull****theycancomeupwiththatincludesanatomyphysiologyandrandomfirstyearmedicalschoolclasses.

 

[faith2]

lol true dat true dat

It's a Master's of Whateverbull****theycancomeupwiththatincludesanatomyphysiologyandrandomfirstyearmedicalschoolclasses.

 

[DrMagic]

I dont really feel like giving out too much personal information on here but I will do my best. I had between a 3.5-4.0 (bout midway). It was at drexel U in Philly in forensic science. Due to my really poor undergrad GPA I balanced my Apps more heavily toward the high end DO schools (PCOM,CCOM,KCOM and the like), and the mid to lower tier MD programs. I got 3 DO acceptances and 1 MD acceptance and am matriculating at PCOM.

Thank you for this information. It is a good sucess story to see the acceptances. I was a little hesitant about applying to both schools, thinking that MD schools would descriminate if I had to tell them that I applied to DO schools as well. I am saying this because some people have told me that their schools required you to submit a list of schools that you applied to. However I see their is not descrimination in your case. My GPA is one that started out poor, I switched to another university, and will be graduating cum laude and honors scholar. My cumalative GPA over all universities is not great. I am pretty happy to make the improvement thought. The few ECs I have are stellar, but I am adding more and getting some recommendations from somewhat famous doctors. I will see how it goes, but am going to continue building my profile.

 

[DrMagic]

I had a 2.49 UG,and a 3.96 PB and a 3.92 SMP I am sure the SMP got me in because I already had a UG in Biology so I took all premed but most grades were horrible. the SMP added to my case that I am a mor focused student and I need a chance

Interesting story for you as well. That is quite an improvement from your prior degree. Some of the negative comments on here are annoying because even though it is good they are trying to give this baby tough love thing, many times they are not informed. I see some posters on here wig out about things, then the real medical student or resident speaks up and tells it like it really is and that the pre med is overthinking things.

 

[faith2]

Interesting story for you as well. That is quite an improvement from your prior degree. Some of the negative comments on here are annoying because even though it is good they are trying to give this baby tough love thing, many times they are not informed. I see some posters on here wig out about things, then the real medical student or resident speaks up and tells it like it really is and that the pre med is overthinking things.

Yeah you gotta love SDN for that some people come here to bash people because their own lives are so miserable. For the record I am still a premed because I do not start medical school until August 2 LOL.

Accepted 2014 UCF
GO ARMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DrMagic]

Yeah you gotta love SDN for that some people come here to bash people because their own lives are so miserable. For the record I am still a premed because I do not start medical school until August 2 LOL.

Accepted 2014 UCF
GO ARMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeh I have noticed those attitudes a lot with certain osteopathics especially. Somebody will say well I have a 3.0-3.3 and the other person says well you really should re look at what you want out of life, can you handle the medical curriculum, and you probably won't get in, the average osteopath has a 3.6 gpa or something. Then some residents will post, oh well I had a 2.98 gpa with no post bacc and got accepted. I think it is an effort to make the career sound more prestigous as well. Good job on the acceptance.

 

[DrMagic]

I just did some short research on the Georgetown program. I had come accross a profile on MDapplicants of a guy with a 2.8 science and 3.0 gpa who got a 3.5 for the first semester at Georgetown, and started getting interviews right away at Georgetown, St. Louis University and other schools, and getting accepted to Georgetown and Rosalind Franklin. It seems quite reputable to me.

 

[willen101383]

Yeh I have noticed those attitudes a lot with certain osteopathics especially. Somebody will say well I have a 3.0-3.3 and the other person says well you really should re look at what you want out of life, can you handle the medical curriculum, and you probably won't get in, the average osteopath has a 3.6 gpa or something. Then some residents will post, oh well I had a 2.98 gpa with no post bacc and got accepted. I think it is an effort to make the career sound more prestigous as well. Good job on the acceptance.

Because certain people dont realize that nobody everyone wanted to be a doctor from the minute they were born. For example, I NEVER wanted to be a doctor....ever. My dad was a doc...I saw how much he worked when I was a kid. Then one day my girlfriend got sick and her diagnosis eluded docs for over a year. Dealing with that made me think about medicine. Then I got a job as a phleb. It was all downhill (or uphill) from there. This happened halfway through college...before I had the chance to pull As for years.

Dont listen to people on SDN who try to talk down to you like you are inferior. If you want a career in medicine bad enough and you put in the effort you will get there. You may need to do a SMP or a masters or what have you...but you will. So keep your head up.