Your SMP Experience?

[binderpaper]

I'm strongly considering applying to the Georgetown and BU SMPs. Do people generally have time to volunteer during the SMP? (like 4 hrs per week in a hospital) I'll also be EMT certified, so I may be able to do that. What is your daily schedule like on weekdays and on weekends?

Do people who excel at Georgetown go on to mid/top-tier MD schools? Or is that more because of who the applicant already was rather than bc of the SMP performance?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Pool]

I would stay away from the Georgetown SMP. It got me into a US MD school, but I think any decent SMP could have achieved that, and I feel that the Georgetown SMP director+administration is not looking out for the best interests of its students.
But to answer your questions: You will definitely have time to volunteer here and there in the hospital while in the program, but working as an EMT might be too large of a time commitment.
Class is usually from 9-12 everyday, although sometimes there are whole weeks where we have one 1-hour lecture a day. Most people lecture capture, so they might spend more time studying per day, but I usually study around 4-5 hours a day (not counting going to lecture).

 

[binderpaper]

I would stay away from the Georgetown SMP. It got me into a US MD school, but I think any decent SMP could have achieved that, and I feel that the Georgetown SMP director+administration is not looking out for the best interests of its students.
But to answer your questions: You will definitely have time to volunteer here and there in the hospital while in the program, but working as an EMT might be too large of a time commitment.
Class is usually from 9-12 everyday, although sometimes there are whole weeks where we have one 1-hour lecture a day. Most people lecture capture, so they might spend more time studying per day, but I usually study around 4-5 hours a day (not counting going to lecture).

What about your experience makes you feel that way? Thanks!

 

[Pool]

What about your experience makes you feel that way? Thanks!

The SMP is more concerned over its own reputation than its students. We had mandatory seminars from foreign medical schools. The program pushes people towards the Caribbean to make themselves look better. When people ask about the track record of the SMP, the directors will say that 85% of their students matriculate to "a medical school" within two years. They won't specify how many of those students went Caribbean or DO; if you press on, they'll just give a super-vague answer.

Why do students from the Georgetown SMP end up having to go to the Caribbean anyway? Because the GT SMP is one of the few SMPs where you are graded against med students. This might seem like a positive at first, but adcoms don't care about the rigor of your program. They only care that you do well. So why put your admission chances at a disadvantage by choosing a difficult SMP? After all, A 3.1 from the Georgetown SMP will not be viewed any more favorably than a 3.1 from an "easy" SMP: they are both huge red flags that one is not cut out for med school. But the administration continues to lie and tell students with 3.1s that they have "a decent chance" of still getting into med school. Sure, if you consider the Caribbean.

The director of the program also hates when students raise concerns about the program. For example, some SMP students were working out at the gym at Georgetown, the SMP director was there and recognized them; she asks the students how they're holding up, and then she got visibly upset when the students told her how stressful the program is.

The program works, but I don't think it has any advantages over other SMPs. Not worth the extra cost or extra stress, imo.

 

[binderpaper]

When people ask about the track record of the SMP, the directors will say that 85% of their students matriculate to "a medical school" within two years. They won't specify how many of those students went Caribbean or DO; if you press on, they'll just give a super-vague answer.

Do people who excel at Georgetown go to mid/top-tier schools? Or is that more because of who the applicant already was rather than bc of the SMP performance?

It looks like BU has people going to a lot better schools than Georgetown tbh

 

[863168]

@binderpaper Look for the name of the programs here: Postbaccalaureate Programs. Also you can check this thread for feedback or find people who are in or went through the BU program in this thread.

 

[Pool]

Do people who excel at Georgetown go to mid/top-tier schools? Or is that more because of who the applicant already was rather than bc of the SMP performance?

It looks like BU has people going to a lot better schools than Georgetown tbh

If you apply during the year you're in the GT SMP and get admitted somewhere, it's probably a low tier MD school, or a DO school. If you apply the cycle after you graduate, you might get into better schools. However, your undergrad GPA will still be weighted heavily throughout the admissions process (no matter what the SMP director claims). Do people with sub-3.0 uGPAs get into schools like GUSOM? Sure. But consider that people are also automatically screened out of some of the schools the SMP suggests you apply to because they didn't meet the undergrad gpa cut offs.

 

[notmyrealname38]

FOR-- people who have been admitted to medical school following completion of a Master's program (current/prospective Master's students are more than welcome to weigh in also)

BACKGROUND-- 22 y/o graduating Neuroscience major with plan to attend Master's program in Fall of 2018; cGPA ~3.5/3.6; sGPA ~3.4/3.5; haven't taken MCAT yet; some research experience (no publications); solid clinical volunteer experience; Plan to apply to med school in glide year after one year of graduate coursework

ACCEPTED TO-- Loyola Chicago MAMS (9 months); BU MAMS (would opt for 2-year track); Tufts MBS (would likely do 1.5/2-year track); Tulane MS in: Physiology, Cell/Molec Bio (both 1 year)

Major factors in my decision: application advising services; spare time for relevant ECs; student-to-teacher ratio; thesis vs. non-thesis; curriculum (1st year med school classes vs. typical graduate-level coursework); committee LoR during/after completion of program; link to/emphasis on community involvement; reputation of program in eyes of medical admissions committees (albeit hard to gauge, any opinions/anecdotes are welcome); student atmosphere (collaborative vs. competitive-- less important factor, but still important)

I've done considerable research on the nature of each program, so my question is: Which aforementioned factors are most likely to prepare someone for medical school and more importantly to convince admissions committees of one's preparedness? i.e. would one benefit more from extensive advising/focus on community service (strength of Loyola MAMS), or from taking medical school coursework/completing a thesis (BU MAMS/Tufts MBS)?

I understand that people have different needs from a Master's program based on their individual backgrounds, but all views/insights on the topic are appreciated. I could use a GPA boost from an "easier" program with more time for clinical experience, but I could similarly benefit from immersing myself in a curriculum that accurately depicts medical school and completing a thesis. Thank you for taking the time and good luck in your own pursuits!

 

[Xyzcannon18]

FOR-- people who have been admitted to medical school following completion of a Master's program (current/prospective Master's students are more than welcome to weigh in also)

BACKGROUND-- 22 y/o graduating Neuroscience major with plan to attend Master's program in Fall of 2018; cGPA ~3.5/3.6; sGPA ~3.4/3.5; haven't taken MCAT yet; some research experience (no publications); solid clinical volunteer experience; Plan to apply to med school in glide year after one year of graduate coursework

ACCEPTED TO-- Loyola Chicago MAMS (9 months); BU MAMS (would opt for 2-year track); Tufts MBS (would likely do 1.5/2-year track); Tulane MS in: Physiology, Cell/Molec Bio (both 1 year)

Major factors in my decision: application advising services; spare time for relevant ECs; student-to-teacher ratio; thesis vs. non-thesis; curriculum (1st year med school classes vs. typical graduate-level coursework); committee LoR during/after completion of program; link to/emphasis on community involvement; reputation of program in eyes of medical admissions committees (albeit hard to gauge, any opinions/anecdotes are welcome); student atmosphere (collaborative vs. competitive-- less important factor, but still important)

I've done considerable research on the nature of each program, so my question is: Which aforementioned factors are most likely to prepare someone for medical school and more importantly to convince admissions committees of one's preparedness? i.e. would one benefit more from extensive advising/focus on community service (strength of Loyola MAMS), or from taking medical school coursework/completing a thesis (BU MAMS/Tufts MBS)?

I understand that people have different needs from a Master's program based on their individual backgrounds, but all views/insights on the topic are appreciated. I could use a GPA boost from an "easier" program with more time for clinical experience, but I could similarly benefit from immersing myself in a curriculum that accurately depicts medical school and completing a thesis. Thank you for taking the time and good luck in your own pursuits!

Out of personal curiosity, which of these programs are you leaning towards?

 

[mydogmolly]

cGPA ~3.5/3.6; sGPA ~3.4/3.5

I think you should really think long and hard about taking an SMP. These numbers really don't require such risk-taking.

 

[Goro]

FOR-- people who have been admitted to medical school following completion of a Master's program (current/prospective Master's students are more than welcome to weigh in also)

BACKGROUND-- 22 y/o graduating Neuroscience major with plan to attend Master's program in Fall of 2018; cGPA ~3.5/3.6; sGPA ~3.4/3.5; haven't taken MCAT yet; some research experience (no publications); solid clinical volunteer experience; Plan to apply to med school in glide year after one year of graduate coursework

ACCEPTED TO-- Loyola Chicago MAMS (9 months); BU MAMS (would opt for 2-year track); Tufts MBS (would likely do 1.5/2-year track); Tulane MS in: Physiology, Cell/Molec Bio (both 1 year)

Major factors in my decision: application advising services; spare time for relevant ECs; student-to-teacher ratio; thesis vs. non-thesis; curriculum (1st year med school classes vs. typical graduate-level coursework); committee LoR during/after completion of program; link to/emphasis on community involvement; reputation of program in eyes of medical admissions committees (albeit hard to gauge, any opinions/anecdotes are welcome); student atmosphere (collaborative vs. competitive-- less important factor, but still important)

I've done considerable research on the nature of each program, so my question is: Which aforementioned factors are most likely to prepare someone for medical school and more importantly to convince admissions committees of one's preparedness? i.e. would one benefit more from extensive advising/focus on community service (strength of Loyola MAMS), or from taking medical school coursework/completing a thesis (BU MAMS/Tufts MBS)?

I understand that people have different needs from a Master's program based on their individual backgrounds, but all views/insights on the topic are appreciated. I could use a GPA boost from an "easier" program with more time for clinical experience, but I could similarly benefit from immersing myself in a curriculum that accurately depicts medical school and completing a thesis. Thank you for taking the time and good luck in your own pursuits!

You don't need an SMP, you need a good MCAT score, some solid Ecs and a strategic school list.

 

[notmyrealname38]

Out of personal curiosity, which of these programs are you leaning towards?

I'm leaning towards Tufts and Boston MAMS.

 

[sss1219]

FOR-- people who have been admitted to medical school following completion of a Master's program (current/prospective Master's students are more than welcome to weigh in also)

BACKGROUND-- 22 y/o graduating Neuroscience major with plan to attend Master's program in Fall of 2018; cGPA ~3.5/3.6; sGPA ~3.4/3.5; haven't taken MCAT yet; some research experience (no publications); solid clinical volunteer experience; Plan to apply to med school in glide year after one year of graduate coursework

ACCEPTED TO-- Loyola Chicago MAMS (9 months); BU MAMS (would opt for 2-year track); Tufts MBS (would likely do 1.5/2-year track); Tulane MS in: Physiology, Cell/Molec Bio (both 1 year)

Major factors in my decision: application advising services; spare time for relevant ECs; student-to-teacher ratio; thesis vs. non-thesis; curriculum (1st year med school classes vs. typical graduate-level coursework); committee LoR during/after completion of program; link to/emphasis on community involvement; reputation of program in eyes of medical admissions committees (albeit hard to gauge, any opinions/anecdotes are welcome); student atmosphere (collaborative vs. competitive-- less important factor, but still important)

I've done considerable research on the nature of each program, so my question is: Which aforementioned factors are most likely to prepare someone for medical school and more importantly to convince admissions committees of one's preparedness? i.e. would one benefit more from extensive advising/focus on community service (strength of Loyola MAMS), or from taking medical school coursework/completing a thesis (BU MAMS/Tufts MBS)?

I understand that people have different needs from a Master's program based on their individual backgrounds, but all views/insights on the topic are appreciated. I could use a GPA boost from an "easier" program with more time for clinical experience, but I could similarly benefit from immersing myself in a curriculum that accurately depicts medical school and completing a thesis. Thank you for taking the time and good luck in your own pursuits!

I'm a BU MAMS grad, matriculating MD this fall

As goro mentioned, your GPA is right on the cusp of being 'okay' for MD. So all you really need is a strong mcat, I would imagine a 512+ minimum. So here are your choices:

1) spend $60k+ and 2 years on an SMP while taking on the risk of getting a worse GPA than what you currently have, which would GREATLY diminish your chances at MD

or

2) spend 2k on an MCAT course and the same 2 years studying, not having to rush yourself to take the MCAT at all (you will have between May (when SMP classes end) and June (when AMCAS opens) to study for the mcat in an SMP)

And to address your 'major factors':
- Application advising services: Your assigned advisor will read over your PS and you will get general comments on your AMCAS activities. That's it. I honestly got more advice from threads on here than from my SMP.
- Spare time for relevant ECs: None at all. I don't think you realize that you are literally taking the M1 curriculum, but with grades. You will spend every waking moment studying. You may have time second semester, but really not that much at all. Very few people did any ECs during MAMS that I knew of. An SMP is not the time to do ECs.
- Student-to-teacher ratio: I will say that MAMS professors and advisors are very open to meeting, but in my honest experience every SMP is a 'sink or swim' sort of program. You jump right in and you either float or sink from all the work. There are office hours/Q and As/meetings/tutors you can get, but your SMP outcome will be entirely dependent on how much time for studying you put in, not how well the teachers instruct the class. Cannot stress this enough.
- Thesis vs. non-thesis: I opted for doing a library thesis because from what it sounds, the lab thesis at BUMC and other affiliated hospitals are absolute hell. Unless you need the research hours, it will be much more advisable to keep your application year free to work on updates.
- Curriculum (1st year med school classes vs. typical graduate-level coursework): I will say that SMP grads tend to absolutely blow out the M1 year when in med school since it's all review. But I will also say that the M1 year with grades and competition (wholly diminished when actually in med school since you really don't need to apply for anything and clinical grades >>> preclinical grades for residency), is absolute hell.
- Committee LoR during/after completion of program: Cannot argue, I'm sure the letter did wonders for my application. But again, don't think it's worth that much money.
- Link to/emphasis on community involvement: Again, no time for ECs
- Reputation of program in eyes of medical admissions committees (albeit hard to gauge, any opinions/anecdotes are welcome): Any SMP will do, what will matter most is your ending GPA. Go where you will do best, even though you really don't need an SMP. Also note that any SMP, including MAMS, will only accept like 20 people into their medical school - usually the top of the class, or those that do well enough and will help with diversity. Unless you are doing an SMP with strong linkage, do not bank of making it into that medical school.
- Student atmosphere (collaborative vs. competitive-- less important factor, but still important): I made great friends in MAMS, but I will probably never see them again since we are all going to other medical schools. They were great to study with but that's it - you are there to study, keep that in mind.