What should I do? SMP?

[bfahja]

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Hi,

I'm a college senior and just considering my options right now for next year, and any advice would be really helpful. I currently have a 3.5 at a small liberal arts school so I will probably graduate with around that (3.6 at the most). I also generally have an upward trend:

Freshman year 3.0, 3.25
Sophomore year 3.17, 3.5
Summer class at current school - one A-
Junior year 3.92, 3.85
2 summer classes at a different college at end of junior year - 4.0

I have not yet taken the MCAT but was considering taking that at the end of the summer since I was planning on doing the intensive course with Kaplan before. I was considering a SMP route given that my GPA doesn't seem to be as high. By the end of this year I will have taken all the pre-recs except Physics.

I've looked into a few programs including the Columbia human nutrition masters. Do you think a program like this would help me get into med school and be worth it? And, considering that I haven't taken physics yet, would I be able to take Physics at a SMP? They seem to assume you've taken all the med pre-recs.

Finally, I was wondering if the two summer classes I took at a different college count towards my undergrad gpa for med schools. It doesn't count toward my gpa at my current college but if it did I would obviously be better off since I got two As.

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[mehc012]

Hi,

I'm a college senior and just considering my options right now for next year, and any advice would be really helpful. I currently have a 3.5 at a small liberal arts school so I will probably graduate with around that (3.6 at the most). I also generally have an upward trend:

Freshman year 3.0, 3.25
Sophomore year 3.17, 3.5
Summer class at current school - one A-
Junior year 3.92, 3.85
2 summer classes at a different college at end of junior year - 4.0

I have not yet taken the MCAT but was considering taking that at the end of the summer since I was planning on doing the intensive course with Kaplan before. I was considering a SMP route given that my GPA doesn't seem to be as high. By the end of this year I will have taken all the pre-recs except Physics.

I've looked into a few programs including the Columbia human nutrition masters. Do you think a program like this would help me get into med school and be worth it? And, considering that I haven't taken physics yet, would I be able to take Physics at a SMP? They seem to assume you've taken all the med pre-recs.

Finally, I was wondering if the two summer classes I took at a different college count towards my undergrad gpa for med schools. It doesn't count toward my gpa at my current college but if it did I would obviously be better off since I got two As.

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

Simple things first:
Yes, the summer courses count towards your AAMC gpa.
No, you would not be able to take Physics at an SMP, and you'll likely have to take the MCAT first before applying to one, so you'll want it out of the way
No, you should not take the MCAT without finishing the prereqs...if you are concerned about your GPA, you should strive for a strong MCAT, and that will be more likely if you are well prepared on the content.


Honestly, your GPA is not at need-an-SMP stage. It's just not. Do well on the MCAT, apply broadly, and you should be fine. 3.6 is not a bad GPA even for MD apps. Plus, at a small LAC, your LORs will likely be pretty good.
DO NOT take a random masters unless you actually plan to, you know, use that degree. Don't do research because you want to go into medicine, do research because you are interested in research.

 

[Goro]

A 3.6 GPA is a the median for MD matriculants! SMP is NOT needed, OP.

 

[bfahja]

Thanks for the feedback! Would you have any recommendations on what to do during the coming year alternatively (other than finishing physics)? The advisor at my school is pretty lousy to be honest. Rumor is that if you don't have a 3.7 or above he recommends you don't apply to med schools because it makes the school's numbers look bad. He recommended I look into "alternative options." So I guess I just feel a little lost.

 

[Aerus]

Thanks for the feedback! Would you have any recommendations on what to do during the coming year alternatively (other than finishing physics)? The advisor at my school is pretty lousy to be honest. Rumor is that if you don't have a 3.7 or above he recommends you don't apply to med schools because it makes the school's numbers look bad. He recommended I look into "alternative options." So I guess I just feel a little lost.

1) Continue getting your 4.0's.
2) Extracurricular activities (mainly clinical experience and volunteering)
3) MCAT

 

[mehc012]

Thanks for the feedback! Would you have any recommendations on what to do during the coming year alternatively (other than finishing physics)? The advisor at my school is pretty lousy to be honest. Rumor is that if you don't have a 3.7 or above he recommends you don't apply to med schools because it makes the school's numbers look bad. He recommended I look into "alternative options." So I guess I just feel a little lost.

Well, my primary recommendation would be to ignore your advisor. I mean, be polite - he's probably involved in your committee LOR if your school does that, but ignore their naysaying. Your grades are fine. Rock the MCAT, of course, and make sure your EC's are in order (and fun! They should be fun!)