Which SMP???

[jzib1153]

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I would like some input on selecting a program for next year. I have been admitted to the Columbia MS in Human Nutrition and the Tulane MS in Pharmacology. I am waitlisted at Georgetown SMP and am still waiting to hear from U of Michigan SMP (Ms in Physiology), U of Cincinnati SMP, and Loyola Chicago MAMS. I am thinking I should wait until I finish a program to apply to medical school so that schools can see that I did well. I have a 30P MCAT though am taking it again in May and am confident I can get in 33-35 range. I have the Columbia prog in a big lead right now for the following reasons:

1. It's the most versatile because it is not an SMP specific type program (and I'll probably have the best job prospects in the year after when I am applying to medical schools)
2. Columbia name recognition (and obivously the opportunity to get recs for Columbia professors is a big plus as well though I realize this doesnt have quite the same rep as Columbia in general).
3. It's research based. I have a strong background in research and I like the opportunity to do bench or clinical lab work and perhaps get published.

My question is because of my weak GPA, would I be better served doing an SMP specific program like at Tulane or others? Columbia (as well as NYC) is by far the most expensive but this is not really an issue for me. I know that the programs at Cinci and Tulane also have good connections with their medical schools and place a lot of students in their own med schools while Columbia does not. My GPA is really the only weak point on my application. I have a lot of research and a lot of volunteering in the hospital and community setting. I have read pretty much all of the forums on here regarding these programs but under my circumstances, what would be my best option? Thanks for the help.

edit: I thought it might be worth noting for those unfamiliar with the Columbia program that it is not a completely independent MS. It is intended as a gap year program for those looking to get into research or strengthen their resume for medical school.

 

[DCBFan]

There's an Post-Bac forum where you could probably get better advice.

SMPs are more dangerous because of the risk of not doing well and ruining your chances, but often are more effective at overcoming low uGPA in the eyes of adcoms.

I think the best thing to do is pick a program with a strong connection with its host medical school, because that gets you the best odds of scoring at least one acceptance. Be wary of things like "automatic interviews" and just go for programs with proven track records of getting their students in.

 

[aSagacious]

Moving to the post-bacc forum.

 

[jzib1153]

Moving to the post-bacc forum.

thanks

 

[jzib1153]

Just accepted to Northwestern's MS in Epidemiology and Biostatistics as well (forgot to mention it). It's a one year prog also intended to give premeds research experience and boost resumes but seems more similar to a public health degree than an SMP necessarily. I could find NOTHING on student doc about the program and very little elsewhere outside of the program website. Going to try to set up a meeting with an admissions officer or faculty member there but in the meantime, anyone out there familiar with the program/could give me more info?

here's the prog website: http://www.publichealth.northwestern.edu/prospective-students/mseb.html

 

[Xcited392]

What was your major and when do you graduate?

I feel that with your GPA, taking a year or two of more science classes (and doing well) is a better option. You will need to do the math, but it might be possible for you to bump your GPA up to somewhere around a 3.5 +/- 0.1.

If you want to pursue graduate work, definitely do a program that allows you to take at least a class with the medical students. I'd personally wouldn't do the MS at Northwestern--it'll be nothing more than an extra degree.

So, I'd either work on the undergraduate GPA or do a real SMP and rock those medical classes.

Of the programs that have accepted you, I'd pick Tulane... but that's just my opinion. If you do hear from Cincinnati or get off the waitlist at Georgetown, I'd pick those over Tulane, unless you really want connections to Tulane.

Good luck.