Ah our resident Obi Wan is back! I thought you would've jumped ship to prepare for life in Little Rock
Always good to hear from an SMP survivor, but it's frustrating to think that we're paying a lot of money for them to help us and here we are sitting on our hands for a several weeks.
Hey all - DrJD does an outstanding job answering the questions and his advice is spot on.
I just wanted to add my 2 cents to help everyone who is out there on the SMP waitlist or admitted to the program and getting nervous about applications to med school.
For those on the waitlists: Every year there is traditionally a LOT of movement on the waitlist as the summer goes by. People get accepted to medical schools right up to the day the classes start. Some of these people will be holding spots in the SMP. That will open up seats in the class. I had classmates who were admitted up to a week after the school year began (one of them even got into Georgetown Med with me - getting in a bit late is NOT a serious disadvantage.)
I can absolutely confirm that if you are *certain* you would go to the SMP if admitted, TELL THEM. They have to fill a class, and if they have two applicants who are on the waitlist and they know for a fact that one of them will come and they aren't sure about the other - which one do you think they will take?
For anyone who doesn't get in to any SMP: The people at Gtown are VERY committed to helping people become physicians if that is their dream. I know that sounds a little pie-in-the-sky, but I've known these people for 4.5 years now and I can certify that it is true. If you don't get accepted somewhere, contact them and ask. I would wait a couple months - they're going to be VERY busy getting their new class put together, but they would be happy to sit with you in person, or talk over the phone and suggest ways you could strengthen your application for next year.
For those who have been accepted: I know it is difficult to sit and wait, but that really is what you should be doing right now. Get your secondaries done ASAP so you don't have to worry about them during the program, and then sit back and enjoy the rest of your summer. They have been doing this for decades now, and they know what they are doing. They have very good relationships with medical schools across the country and if you do have any problems with schools wanting letters or anything else, they can work it out for you.
You may feel anxious that your application is being put on hold, but don't worry. The vast majority of programs are still filling seats well into the next calendar year. There will be room for you. The reason they are putting you on hold is because they know the SMP and they know the kinds of students it puts out. They know that if they wait a few months, they'll be able to see some of your grades and know what kind of student you are. By Feb/March of 2010, you and your classmates will get interviews, don't worry. And, over half of you will get in that year. For those of you who don't, its almost an advantage: if you have to wait a year, you will have a full year's grades to apply with - many of my classmates who didn't get in their first year after SMP went on to some VERY good schools - schools they had no real shot at during their Physio year.
Just relax and enjoy the ride. Take their advice seriously and when they tell you you should be doing something - get it done. When they tell you to relax and not worry about something - focus on the things you need to be doing. It will turn out fine. Despite me saying this, you are all still going to worry about all this anyway, and after the year is over, you will all realize that you pretty much worried over nothing.
Regardless, I'm sorry for the long-windedness of this post - I post so infrequently I wanted to get everything in. And I wish you all the best of luck whether you go to the SMP or do something else. Always remember, medicine is a calling, and if you feel the call, you will find a way.
