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What would be a "good" SMP GPA?
- Thread starter Sahren
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Many programs with linkages require a 3.5+. With that being said, programs without linkages would require you to apply and thus higher the better. Many admissions say unless you get a 3.6+, don't even think about applying to med school.
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I think that GPA expectations vary from school to school.
I've tried shaking this info down from the SMP admissions reps, themselves, just this last week.
Here it is in a nutshell:
1. You're not always graded on the med school curve for all classes.
2. The number of classes graded against the med school curve varies from SMP to SMP
3. In general, med school curves are more harsh than non med school curves.
Georgetown, for instance, has the majority of its classes graded against the med school curve. Other SMPs, that I won't name since I don't have my info sheet in front of me, have fewer classes graded against the med school curve.
Anyone want to help me out with this? I think that I'm onto something.
I've tried shaking this info down from the SMP admissions reps, themselves, just this last week.
Here it is in a nutshell:
1. You're not always graded on the med school curve for all classes.
2. The number of classes graded against the med school curve varies from SMP to SMP
3. In general, med school curves are more harsh than non med school curves.
Georgetown, for instance, has the majority of its classes graded against the med school curve. Other SMPs, that I won't name since I don't have my info sheet in front of me, have fewer classes graded against the med school curve.
Anyone want to help me out with this? I think that I'm onto something.
I've heard MD schools that like SMP students want to see about 3.5's. Some DO schools I've heard like at least 3.0's. Different admissions people will tell you different things.
As for Drexel's SMP - Every science course has the "B" set at about the med school mean (minus the prior students who have taken the course). The A's tend to be in the 90-93% range once they calculate the std dev's.
The courses / semester units:
Biochemistry I/II (7.5/.5)
Physio I/II (3.5/3.5)
Cell Bio/Microanatomy I/II (5/3)
Immunology (3) (optional, required for interview)
Nutrition (1) (optional, required for interview)
Neuroscience (6)
Then we have our own ethics course (3/2 units) that isn't graded against any mean. If you stick around for the 2nd year for research, you have a choice of Path or Pharm as well.
For Drexel admissions, you are guaranteed an interview if you have at least all B's and a 27 mcat (all 9's) or a 30 (nothing lower than a 7). They have reserved at least 25 seats for just those students that are given these interviews. I do not know what the stats are like for the applicants unfortunately. The guaranteed 25 seats were just added this year. From what I've heard, the previous two years had more than 25 students in each class anyways.
Also regarding some things I've read on these forums, it sounds like Drexel has a bad reputation. However, I feel that their curriculum and professors are very good at teaching the material and are overall pretty fair about grading. I've looked at some of the other SMP's and I'd say Drexel is up there with some of the biggest total course load.
As for Drexel's SMP - Every science course has the "B" set at about the med school mean (minus the prior students who have taken the course). The A's tend to be in the 90-93% range once they calculate the std dev's.
The courses / semester units:
Biochemistry I/II (7.5/.5)
Physio I/II (3.5/3.5)
Cell Bio/Microanatomy I/II (5/3)
Immunology (3) (optional, required for interview)
Nutrition (1) (optional, required for interview)
Neuroscience (6)
Then we have our own ethics course (3/2 units) that isn't graded against any mean. If you stick around for the 2nd year for research, you have a choice of Path or Pharm as well.
For Drexel admissions, you are guaranteed an interview if you have at least all B's and a 27 mcat (all 9's) or a 30 (nothing lower than a 7). They have reserved at least 25 seats for just those students that are given these interviews. I do not know what the stats are like for the applicants unfortunately. The guaranteed 25 seats were just added this year. From what I've heard, the previous two years had more than 25 students in each class anyways.
Also regarding some things I've read on these forums, it sounds like Drexel has a bad reputation. However, I feel that their curriculum and professors are very good at teaching the material and are overall pretty fair about grading. I've looked at some of the other SMP's and I'd say Drexel is up there with some of the biggest total course load.
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