If you don't get in this app cycle, if I were you I'd retake the MCAT and apply to both MD and DO in the next app cycle. You have an interesting list of ECs which should help. Make sure your personal statement is on point. Good luck!

I agree with the others, go for DO! But either way, I hope it works out for you, I'm rooting for you!

I think being in the US would be better than going to the Caribbean too. I heard it gives you more opportunities to specialize and stuff, but I am not an expert. You should look into it a bit more if you haven't already.

Rooting for ya Simran!

I've always liked the theory behind DO and I think that'd be a wonderful option for you.

With that said, I respect your resolution to stand behind your own decisions, and whatever you choose to do I'll be rooting for you because I know you'll one day become a wonderful doctor. :]

orgo,bio

Overall, I do have to agree that being a staight A student versus the student with a 2.5 GPA does not make a different to performance. In the end, the individual disposition and intent is what makes true high caliber physicians. As my father states: it takes alot to get over the mountain and into the swamp.

Not to completely be the devil's advocate, but even though the system does seem to cater to people who are in medicine for the absolutely wrong reasons, I think it would be difficult (as part of the admissions committee) to cipher out those who are in it for the money versus those who are in it for the care (via paper). Unless they interview every person that applies, how else are they going to know? I am presuming that just about every applicant is stating all the utopic qualities of a physician regardless of their true intent.

I completely agree that a 4.0 cannot make a better doctor than someone with a lower GPA. There have been many times that I come back the next morning to find out that one of my patients have died as I slept soundly asleep. This leaves me wondering, what could I have done better? When you have to look at the faces of the families to tell them that their loved one has passed away suddenly is one of moments where you will realize just how important a profession in the medical field is. I can't forget the time when, although I was so busy, took the time to hug a crying wife who just found out that her husband is dying. You don't need a 4.0 to be able to do that, it just takes heart. They need to add that to the curriculum.

I'm with tattersall: I'm also pre-med and agree that nothing will be as sharp as a suit.

So although I haven't had a med school interview yet (I plan on applying next cycle) I've been through other types of interviews and you really should dress to impress.

There is an undergrad in our lab and he had either a special meeting or interview the other day. I couldn't tell, but I did notice that he was "dressed up." "Dressed up" as in he wore more than his usual t-shirt, jeans, and tucked in his shirt, which in my eyes still did not look impressive.

I'm pre-med, so I can't offer specific advice regarding medical interviews, but I can't imagine the standard of dress would differ greatly from the corporate world where I have a bit more experience.

In a nutshell: no. A blazer/pants combo will never be as sharp as a suit.

If you're curious as to what other people wear to their interviews, you might want to take a look through this monster thread:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/show...light=suit+tie

Best of luck to you!

I fully understand the concept of trying to into med school within a sufficient amount of time, but i have to agree with VC07 to not going to the caribbean. I see have known those that have studied there and are having trouble attaining a residency in the US. Just like VC07, I too am a pharmacist that graduate in 07 and just applied to a number of schools (12) this year. Unfortunately, I too have no interviews set up yet. Even though I could try my luck across seas, I want to train in US medicine. I figure that I might need to go back to school and re-take my MCAT to better my chances. Don't give up!!!

I would seriously consider DO school before going to the caribbean. There is a good thread going right now about that in the allopathic forums I believe. Check it out.

nope..not even 1 interview. i am not applying to DO this cycle. heading to the carribean if it doenst wokr out for me..im trying to keep the faith..maybe there is nothing compelling about my application? who knows..i appleid pretty broadly though..

You have applied to a ton of schools, did you at least get some interviews? It's not like your MCAT is that bad, still above average. What types of schools did you apply to? Also, did you apply DO? You would have a good shot a DO schools. Remember, in the end (MD or DO) you will be a physician.
This was my first year applying to med school after finishing my Pharm.D in 2007. I applied to a limited number of schools due to personal/financial reasons and have not had one interview. I am on hold at one place and still waiting to hear from another. In the end, I decided to go ahead and apply DO as well and my app is currently being verified. It is late, but you never know. I have a feeling I will be retaking my MCAT and reapplying next year. It really is too bad that some schools will not even consider your whole application. GL to you!

I would recommend doing an internship or somehow work as an intern in a law firm and at a physician practice. It is important to find out what the day to day work is really like. Oftentimes, what you see on TV is very different from reality.

Dear Neuronix,

Thank you for your honest writing above. It's good to get perspectives on the "not-so-glamorous" side of MD/phD programs. Your journey in life is VERY inspiring, and I want to congratulate you on where you are at now. I went through many of the same feelings you went through when I was in college such as loneliness and not knowing what the future holds. I do not know how spiritual you are, but one big reliever for me was attending Christian fellowships on college campus. The harsh reality is that life is not perfect and it never ever will be. There will always be challenges (like your poster says) ahead, some of which are easy and some of which are impossible to overcome because they are beyond our controls. It is comforting for me to know that I do not have to travel on this road of life alone because there is a higher being looking over me. It worked for me (and I gained a lot of awesome friends); maybe it will work for you. I hope you are enjoying your year off to think "everything" over, and if you are ever in California, let me know. We can go grab some beer.
God bless you.

i can do well in all te ones ive taken. but i ut dont know. all my college stuff has had to be in already. and im waiting to do some work experiance with a doctor, which should be very soon, because then i will have experiance of both and can decide on which i prefer can handle ect. BLAH i just ont know. .. sorry guys, i guess this is kinda my way of venting.

you should try Washington state university, and the college in massachusetts. Those schools do not take PCAT
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences-Worcester

Definately decide before you enter college, because flip flopping can cause alot of problems. Once you have decided on one career, stick to that track.
I personally prefer medicine over law because I find law boring.