When is it considered "late" to apply to an SMP?

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So I'm interested in a few SMP programs such as georgetown, Tufts, etc and I've been looking at their websites to find out more information about applying. The issue is that I don't have three professors I can get letters of recommendation from yet. I have one from this semester, and I was planning on getting two more from professors next semester. The application is already open, and I'm afraid that by the time I've developed a relationship with a professor it will be too late to apply. If I go to office hours a lot and do really well on the first exam, then I can probably ask for recs at the earliest in February. But, I'm sure it takes professors a little while to write them so I'm guessing they won't be in until March/April. Would that be too late to be accepted into the SMP programs?

Thanks!

 

[DrMidlife]

First things first, how's your MCAT? There's not much point in trying to get into a good SMP without a good MCAT score in hand when you apply. If you won't have a competitive MCAT score by around March, then you're not going to be a competitive applicant at Gtown or Tufts or similar reputable programs.

Second, when you go after an SMP, you need to be ready for med school, not ready for the SMP. Good SMPs are going to evaluate you based on your viability as a med school candidate. Short on letters = short on viability. So future professors are a total non starter here: don't even think about asking somebody who doesn't know you yet to write you a letter in a hurry because you need to meet a deadline.

So the letter problem needs to be addressed by going after former professors, and if you don't have former professors who will recommend you as a med school candidate, you just have to wait until you've earned recommendations from future work. Focus on the letters you need to get into med school, not the letters you need to get into an SMP. Getting letters from SMP professors is the same problem - they need to have a chance to get to know you before they'll recommend you, so you don't get SMP LORs until after first semester.

And for the love of all that's holy, think ahead about how you'll re-use your letters in your med school application. Use a letter service like Interfolio so your professors don't have to do extra work for you down the road.

Best of luck to you.

 

[justalittlestar]

So I'm interested in a few SMP programs such as georgetown, Tufts, etc and I've been looking at their websites to find out more information about applying. The issue is that I don't have three professors I can get letters of recommendation from yet. I have one from this semester, and I was planning on getting two more from professors next semester. The application is already open, and I'm afraid that by the time I've developed a relationship with a professor it will be too late to apply. If I go to office hours a lot and do really well on the first exam, then I can probably ask for recs at the earliest in February. But, I'm sure it takes professors a little while to write them so I'm guessing they won't be in until March/April. Would that be too late to be accepted into the SMP programs?

Thanks!

This is my struggle also, now that I've been out of school for a while and not on great terms with a couple of my previous science instructors. I understand waiting but I'm not sure how much of a "relationship" you can really develop in one or two semesters. It's best to go to a pre-med advisor but I'm guess you don't have one to ask. I've asked professors I know really well to write me a LOR only to be rejected. I think the best thing you can do is focus on getting a good grade in the class as I think that's a factor when requesting LOR as well.

You could always approach your professors honestly and explain your situation maybe sit down with them and explain your goals let them know a little about yourself, give them a resume or personal statement and maybe they can sketch a good LOR for you from that. That way you could still apply. I think most SMPs ask for at least two letters from academic faculty/science professors (looks like Tufts asks for at least one, actually) then maybe you can get a 3rd LOR from a supervisor.

But MDLife is right, you obviously want to think ahead and be positioned for med school when you apply to SMPs, they're getting tougher to get into. However, I think there are a lot of people who are in the same situation as you as far as LORs.