1) Letters of Recommendation: You will need two letters of recommendations. That being said, it can be harder for freshmen to develop good relationships with professors their first year. I highly recommend getting to know your professors in your field of study and your academic adviser during the fall semester (be sure to check the guidelines for letters of recommendation). Come early January or late fall semester, you can ask for letters of recommendation in time for the February or March deadlines. It's important that you have strong letters written for you because SMDEP doesn't interview applicants.
You may ask, "How do I get to know my professors?" Go to office hours to ask questions. Attend study sessions where your professor will be able to notice you more than in a 600-person lecture. While at a professor's office, introduce yourself. Who are you, what is your major, and why are you taking this class? Professors are interested in getting to know their students, and you will also benefit from getting to know your professors! 2) GPA: Although you definitely need to have strong academic credentials to be accepted (minimum GPA is 2.5), you can still get in if you aren't a 4.0, perfect student. At the program, I met students who had a 3.2 GPA after freshman year and another student had a C in Organic chemistry. Although a 3.2 GPA is not high enough for medical school and a C in Organic chemistry is definitely not ideal, do not think that you should not apply simply because you're not a perfect student. As long as your GPA is at least 2.5, go for it! Be sure to highlight in your application what makes you have potential to succeed in medicine or dentistry. If you are not accepted the first time, apply again the next year (as a sophomore). At the program, I met a student who applied as a freshman but was not accepted. After a year of working hard to improve, he was accepted as a sophomore. 3) Essays: Since SMDEP doesn't hold interviews for applicants, it's very important to let yourself shine through your essays. When I applied, I wrote 2 essays: a personal statement and a diversity essay. You should write compelling essays in which you come across as committed, highly interested, and capable. I recommend starting early in order to develop your ideas and write solid essays. These essays should be carefully written; do not procrastinate and whip out something a day before the deadline. Think of all the applicants SMDEP receives...but only 80 are accepted. You'll need to put forth effort in writing your essays! This program is open for both freshmen and sophomores. I attended SMDEP after my freshman year. Upon completion of the program, I felt that attending after my freshman year was best for me because I had time to apply the skills and ideas I learned about. In writing my essays, I not only wrote about what I had already done during my college career, but also what I hope to accomplish. |