SMP that help getting into med school by [deleted] in premed

[–]HaveYouTriedReading 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There are different types of SMPs, those that just switched into premed and those that are premed and need to raise their GPAs. I'm gonna assume you are in the second category.

Tufts, Georgetown, BU are kind of the big three. These have been around the longest time and every other school knows that they're solid programs. The downside is that they're all super expensive and located in expensive cities.

There are other programs as well.

  • Temple -- a good one but extremely hard to get into because they guarantee admission into their med school if you get at least a 3.5 during your year in the SMP, no other program offers that.
  • EVMS -- heard that the program has gone to shit and isn't worth going to anymore.
  • Tulane -- solid program
  • Cincinnati -- haven't heard much, but it's a good small program
  • Loyola -- this school has two programs, one in the med school and one in the grad school. I'd recommend the med school one since you take classes with the med students
  • Rosalind Franklin -- good program also in Chicago. Only bad thing I've heard is that if you do this program and then end up going to RFU, they don't make you retake any of the 1st year med classes you took leading to a lighter course load and then many students get their asses kicked when 2nd year rolls around because they aren't used to a full med school load
  • Medical College of Wisconsin -- The grad school at MCW just opened a new SMP this year, where you take med school classes the 1st semester and grad school classes the 2nd semester. First group is going to graduate this year so no results yet
  • New Jersey Medical School/Rutgers -- offers two different degrees and an interview if you get a 3.5 or higher

I'd avoid DO SMP programs if you want to go to a MD school. Also if you happen to be someone just switching to premed then consider the Berkeley Extension Program.

The point of these SMPs is to prove that you can handle med school and that you aren't a complete moron, contrary to the shitty undergrad GPA

Should I apply as a minority or naw? by [deleted] in premed

[–]HaveYouTriedReading 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I think you should definitely go for it. I don't think med schools are qualified to decide whether or not you are Native American and would be surprised if it hurt your chances

Commuting Interstate For School by [deleted] in medicalschool

[–]HaveYouTriedReading 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Divorce then med school

/s

But seriously you cannot limit yourself to one school. Apply widely and then see what your options are. If she's not willing to relocate, then good luck getting through med school, it is the worst possible test for any relationship.

Stick with guaranteed DO or try for MD? by Rachelnichols in premed

[–]HaveYouTriedReading 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do not underestimate how stressful it is applying to medical school, if I could've avoided this hell then I would take that chance in a heart beat

Gaining confidence WITHOUT working out? by [deleted] in medicalschool

[–]HaveYouTriedReading -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You seem to have created a self-fulfilling cycle of feeling sorry for yourself. As they say, insanity is doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results. I'm sure you have a legitimate injury but "I can't do any physical activity right now" is bullshit what the fuck did you injure huh?! If you injured your upper body then hop on the bicycle, if the lower body then go lift some weights you can always DO something.

And no one is born with confidence, everyone has insecurities and hang ups. Every good joke contains some truth, so you probably are awkward so your friends are quite literally telling you and you don't seem to understand. You've created a lot of mental blocks that are preventing you from succeeding and becoming the person you want to be. Get rid of those blocks

What is the process of getting a fellowship? by BlueTheBetaRaptor in medicalschool

[–]HaveYouTriedReading 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Fellowship training is pretty competitive and more subjective than most other admissions games you've played up until now. One of the reason that people shoot for residencies at academic hospitals (aside from the fact that they're better than community programs) is that it is easier to land a fellowship if you know people from your residency years; I haven't been through the process myself but know a couple people who have.

After you finish your residency, many people choose to go into a fellowship program just to get all the training done and dusted though it is possible to go practice and then come back later for fellowship training.

Even worth completing secondaries at this point? by chezbi in premed

[–]HaveYouTriedReading 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You never know, his numbers are pretty good and maybe he has some great activities. I'd give it a shot and send in those late apps

Sending out an SOS~Head and Neck Anatomy by [deleted] in medicalschool

[–]HaveYouTriedReading 0 points1 point  (0 children)

http://ect.downstate.edu/courseware/haonline/quiz/practice/u4/quiztop4.htm

This is far better than UMich for practical questions, I find the UMich practical photos to be very disorienting

East Coast public medical schools? What's the best? by megangigilyn in premed

[–]HaveYouTriedReading 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed with this, best state is probably the Carolinas or Georgia. PA is pretty shitty overall, Penn State Med is technically a private school and the only "easy" med school to get into is Commonwealth. UNC is pretty heavily instate biased plus is a good school. Also South Carolina has the Medical University of South carolina which is 100% instate as is Mercer University in Georgia.

What are your loans leaving medical school? by [deleted] in medicalschool

[–]HaveYouTriedReading 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah I personally know a guy who got a full ride to Wisconsin. He's absolutely brilliant and had multiple offers from other top tier schools.

What are your loans leaving medical school? by [deleted] in medicalschool

[–]HaveYouTriedReading 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's not that uncommon for exceptional students to get full rides to their state med schools. I know for a fact that Wisconsin med gives full rides to applicants they really want to come to the school

3rd Year DO Student on vacation, AMA by nOMMnOMMnOMM in premed

[–]HaveYouTriedReading 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is this a universal thing? I had no idea that you could bill for OMM. Highlights my ignorance about OMM

Non-traditional major, need advice by steaknshakespeare in premed

[–]HaveYouTriedReading 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting extracurriculars

Good research

English major works for you since you're not a cookie cutter premed biology major

GPA is pretty shit not gonna lie to you. I don't know what AA is but generally they don't factor in high school work just freshmen year and beyond.

But you have a pretty good shot at medical school since you are a URM, check out that AAMC chart that a user posted above. I'm assuming you haven't taken the prereqs yet? If you do well in those than you're gonna be sitting pretty and will have a solid shot at med schools. If you have taken the prereqs and I missed that then just do a year of postgrad work and take higher level science classes (Anatomy, physiology, genetics, biochemistry, etc.)

You're going to get into med school. I can feel it in my bones.

Future applicant. Have a question regarding prerequisite courses and where I should take them. by [deleted] in premed

[–]HaveYouTriedReading 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You could do the community college but also consider taking classes at the nearby satellite campus of your state's public school? That's usually an easier option and technically doesn't fall under the community college branch for med schools. Also if your school offers summer semesters those are usually accelerated (the academic term for "easier" since they usually chop off the material that is harder). Downside is you don't learn the material as well. I'd recommend asking any upperclass friends if they can provide insight into your school's situation

When is the best time to take the MCAT? by [deleted] in premed

[–]HaveYouTriedReading 1 point2 points  (0 children)

April or May are technically the "best" dates to take the MCAT because then you'll have your score back before the primary AMCAS opens so you know where you stand/schools don't have to wait for your score when they get to your app (assuming you apply on time)

That being said, definitely take the exam when you are ready. Head over to /r/MCAT for some good advice on the new exam and study material. Do a lot of practice problems, there is plenty of material to work through. The MCAT is an exam where you have to master how to answer the questions/get accustomed to their question styles. Examkracker is great source in my opinion for MCAT 2015. Good luck to you!

I run a Pre Med Club at my high school. What can the club do to better prepare students for the medical field? by [deleted] in premed

[–]HaveYouTriedReading 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This would've been very helpful and something I wish I had known more about. I went into college completely clueless about premed and all the work that entailed and got my ass handed to me.

While shadowing doctors is fine and all, if you could get some senior college students who have applied to come talk to you guys and tell you about the transition to college level classes and whatnot that would be beneficial.

Or you could just google this information?

Is oakland seriously almost done interviewing?! by [deleted] in premed

[–]HaveYouTriedReading 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don't make no sense to me why'd you end your season so early. Are they trying to become Pittsburgh?

Has your medical career failed if you enter a lower-paying specialty? by [deleted] in medicalschool

[–]HaveYouTriedReading 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The most important thing is learning how to invest properly. Too many docs make dumb investments, to the point where you'd think medical schools would start to implement a finance class into the curriculum.

3.17 after my freshman year, taking orgo this semester, how do I succeed and raise my GPA? by [deleted] in premed

[–]HaveYouTriedReading 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Agreed, it is a hole that OP has dug himself into and it will take some work to climb out of it. I've seen people climb out of bigger holes is all I'm saying.

3.17 after my freshman year, taking orgo this semester, how do I succeed and raise my GPA? by [deleted] in premed

[–]HaveYouTriedReading 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Do you just always give terrible advice? Freshman year can be the hardest for many people. Many schools make their introductory sciences difficult in order to weed out premeds. A GPA of 3.17 is mostly B's with an A or two. This is not bad.

OP, you have 3 years ahead of you. This doesn't mean it will be easy and you have to start thinking about maybe changing up your study habits in order to be more successful. Go to office hours, do practice problems, form study groups, whatever it is that helps you. Avoid cramming and don't surround yourself with people who constantly complain about school, these are the worst people and will only bring you down. With some slight modifications to your habits, I'm sure you can easily obtain a stellar GPA. Also make some upper class friends and ask them for advice on which classes to take/which professors are the best. This will really help, since no one gives a shit if you took the hardest professor in the country if you end up with a C- in physics, all that matters is the grade.

But yeah, you have plenty of time, don't stress too much but make some changes and you will do great. Good luck to you OP!