3.6 cGPA 3.4 sGPA 30R MCAT

[nobonnie]

NY resident. graduated from top 20 undergraduate school in May 2012.
solid recs, good ECs
I've been taking undergraduate upper level biology courses at state school since graduation as a non-matriculated graduate student and so far, I have a 4.0. I'm debating between retaking the MCAT and going to georgetown's SMP program. which do you guys think is necessary for me to get in this cycle?? :/

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[as1212559]

You could easily get into some of the best DO schools out there. On the MD side it'll be a little harder but if you apply early and broadly I could see an acceptance out there.

Dunno if I would recommend an SMP or MCAT retake necessarily. Tough choice though. Someone with more experience in the MD world should comment on that.

 

[Sabio23]

Although your GPA is on the lower end, I don't think it's way out of range for MD schools. I would recommend an MCAT retake even though your original score was not bad by any means. From my understanding, an SMP is viewed as almost a last resort and I don't think your situation warrants one.

 

[nobonnie]

the 30R was my second MCAT. my first was a 27O. I feel like retaking it again is so risky though

 

[dextor2003]

From what I've heard, you don't want to take the mcat more than twice, but it's good that you improved your second time. But in this case, maybe doing a SMP would be a more plausible option? As the two above me have said, an MD acceptance still seems within reach, but I think you'd really have to nail your amcas application, apply broadly and early (first day if possible), and kill your interviews (which I feel you should at least get). Just make sure you're building upon your EC's/non-academic experiences while also taking your classes.

 

[JGimpel]

You'll have no problem with DO with those stats and be good for up through a few mid-tier MD schools in the mid-west. DO NOT do an SMP; if you've finished most of your requirements at a B or better, they shouldn't take your money as there's not much they can do for you. Don't take the MCAT again as you're not likely to get as solid a point increase as the last time.

 

[nobonnie]

sorry to constantly ask questions, but i've also been applying to research specialist positions that are also under review right now. I've done research for about 2 and a half years before so I'm hoping I can get a position. Do you think a lab position or a year or SMP to boost my GPA would be more beneficial to my application?