Hi everyone,
I am a former graduate of the SMP program and a current M2 at UCCOM.
Feel free to ask me any questions about the program. For some background, here were my stats when I applied to the SMP:
MCAT: 506
Undergraduate GPA: 3.2
Post-bach GPA: 3.93
Extracurriculars: Clinical research coordinator for several years/Scribe for 1 year/community volunteering hours ~100hrs.
Reasons why I chose UC SMP over others:
1. Taking the same classes/courses as current M1 students allows admission committees to better assess your preparedness and capacity for medical school. The academic rigor of UC's SMP program is widely known by many medical schools, especially within the state of OH. Success in the program is highly regarded.
2. UC's SMP has a smaller class size compared to other programs, allowing students to form closer professional relationships with faculty. Furthermore, the small class size promotes a strong sense of comradery with your fellow students, who you will need to lean on for support during a rigorous academic year.
3. Cost-of-living is much lower compared to programs in other states (Chicago/Wash. DC). I was able to rent a very nice, relatively new apartment for about 1k per month which included all utilities. There are much cheaper options also, with prices typically ranging anywhere between $500-1k.
4. The program connects you with both a faculty and medical student mentor. They will be an invaluable resource when you start molding your med school application. During the program, you will also have sessions with med school advising on how to put together a strong application. They will also offer practice med school interview sessions if/when you receive notification of an interview invite.
Last thoughts:
As a CA resident moving to OH, I was initially concerned about how I would adjust to living in a new state. However, to my pleasant surprise, Cincinnati offers a lot of the same things bigger cities have to offer. There are plenty of bars/restaurants in the Cincy area with new restaurants opening all the time. If you're a recreation type of person, there are plenty of parks and trails in the Cincy area for you to enjoy.
Finally, what I gained from the program was self-confidence in myself to not only do well in medical school but also in anything I'd pursue after the program if I ultimately decided not to go to medical school. During the program, your resilience and self-discipline will definitely be tested, but you will be better for it at the end of the day.