MD Need Advice Please

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I'm graduating in the Spring with probably 3.4 cgpa/3.3 Sci (maybe slightly under in each).

EC's: Research (lots of it--3 presentations, 4-5 pubs in progress), Inner City Mentoring, Greek Life (leadership position), Hospital Volunteer, Leadership on Campus (Student Committee), Alternative Service Break, over 100 hours in shadowing and great rec's

Re-taking the MCAT in Jan. (hopefully)


For my gap year would it be wise to do something like research in basic science/clinical or do a post-bac to raise the gpa?? I really would prefer research but don't want my GPA to count me out. I'm an NC resident by the way and NOT A URM.

Really hard to decide what to do, would appreciate any input.

Edit: Most of my upper level bio's are all A's--had some flubs freshman and sophomore year.

What was your first mcat? And what is hard decide? Your gpa isn't competitive so it all depends on your MCAT. And you say you want research. Like MD/PhD? Your gpa will definitely keep you out. Not to be a douche, but you gave little info about what you really want or your current intentions are. Are you retaking the mcat and hoping to raise from a 13, or raise a 33?

Originally Posted by SteadyHands

I'm graduating in the Spring with probably 3.4 cgpa/3.3 Sci (maybe slightly under in each).

EC's: Research (lots of it--3 presentations, 4-5 pubs in progress), Inner City Mentoring, Greek Life (leadership position), Hospital Volunteer, Leadership on Campus (Student Committee), Alternative Service Break, over 100 hours in shadowing and great rec's

Re-taking the MCAT in Jan. (hopefully)


For my gap year would it be wise to do something like research in basic science/clinical or do a post-bac to raise the gpa?? I really would prefer research but don't want my GPA to count me out. I'm an NC resident by the way and NOT A URM.

Really hard to decide what to do, would appreciate any input.

Edit: Most of my upper level bio's are all A's--had some flubs freshman and sophomore year.

You have plenty of research. If MD is your primary goal, aim your efforts at further science GPA improvement. Or do both part-time. It would help to know your year-by-year GPAs (which is how AMCAS will list them).

Originally Posted by FrkyBgStok

What was your first mcat? And what is hard decide? Your gpa isn't competitive so it all depends on your MCAT. And you say you want research. Like MD/PhD? Your gpa will definitely keep you out. Not to be a douche, but you gave little info about what you really want or your current intentions are. Are you retaking the mcat and hoping to raise from a 13, or raise a 33?

MCAT was bad--(between 20-23). Didn't really study the first time properly but am doing well now with studying. It's hard to decide whether I should shell out money for a post-bacc or if I should try to find a research position somewhere..

Originally Posted by Catalystik

You have plenty of research. If MD is your primary goal, aim your efforts at further science GPA improvement. Or do both part-time. It would help to know your year-by-year GPAs (which is how AMCAS will list them).

So do you suggest a post-bacc?

Freshman Yr-3.08 (3.15 sci)
Sophomore Yr-3.24 (3.06 sci)
Junior Yr:3.39 (3.37 sci)
Senior Yr (just one semester): 3.6, a 4.0 next semester would put me at a 3.38 (3.34 sci)

Originally Posted by SteadyHands

So do you suggest a post-bacc?

Freshman Yr-3.08 (3.15 sci)
Sophomore Yr-3.24 (3.06 sci)
Junior Yr:3.39 (3.37 sci)
Senior Yr (just one semester): 3.6, a 4.0 next semester would put me at a 3.38 (3.34 sci)

I suggest you either delay graduation for a year, or do a formal (see the Postbaccalaureate Programs Forum for ideas) or informal (do-it-yourself) postbac.

If I do well on the MCAT, would doing a post bac really help? I calculated that if I took 9hrs/semester in a post-bac my gpa would be a 3.43cum and sci.

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it

Originally Posted by SteadyHands

If I do well on the MCAT, would doing a post bac really help? I calculated that if I took 9hrs/semester in a post-bac my gpa would be a 3.43cum and sci.

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it

Yes, because many adcomms look at more that the raw numbers, they also look at trends and whether you can consistently sustain an upward trend. Three semesters of 3.7+ would be very reassuring to adomms that you have what it takes. If you can't do that, there is no point in spending the money, especially, as your stats are competitive for DO schools now, if you can get the MCAT a bit higher, say to a ~26.

Now mind you, I am making no guarantees of an MD acceptance, even if you get a 4.0 postbac and an MCAT of 35. There are many other factors that play into a successful application, including individual school policy, whether you applied broadly, LORs, appropriate ECs to the mission of a school, Personal Statement, and essays. And even if all the above are terrific, a successful interview is still a must, as, by itself, a bad one can red-flag you and lose you the offer.

thanks for the advice, I appreciate it. I'll keep you updated with what I do.

I think my EC's are strong and I can do very well on the MCAT and I have great LOR writers. I guess even if I do apply this upcoming cycle it would be wise to take some classes to strengthen the gpa.

edit: what about 1-year masters programs?

The vast majority of med schools will judge you by undergrad performance, though many will take a Special Masters Program into account. A hard-science traditional masters will help you at only few schools unless it was developed as a GPA booster program and is known by med schools. Most other masters programs are assumed to have inflated grades and won't help.

makes sense, I was thinking the MHS program at Hopkins

Do they cite any success figures?

no they don't but from what I've searched it seems like a strong program

http://www.jhsph.edu/dept/bmb/Masters_Programs/