I have a very low undergrad GPA of a 2.9
I am in a masters program for a masters in biomedical sciences. I have a 3.9 gpa so far.
1) Do I even have a chance of getting into med school?
2) Should I apply in june of '09 or should I finish my masters first and apply?
3) I don't have any research experience, but I was hoping to do an independent research for credit at school. Will that count as research experience?
1) You do have a chance at getting into a med school. Whether you can get into an allopathic (MD) med school or osteopathic (DO) med school depends on the work you're willing to put into the process. See below.
2) I suggest that you finish the masters program before applying so you have a transcript showing sustained excellent grades, hopefully including many upper-level science classes. I don't know what your master of biomedical science includes, but I'm assuming it's not an SMP (Special Masters Program) as I'm under the impression that you need an MCAT score to get into those.
3) Having a research experience will increase the number of schools willing to consider you. Taking a research class for credit will certainly count as research. A semester would be the minimum you should have. two semesters, or a year is better. Two years would be outstanding.
Getting back to a more detailed answer for #1: To get into an MD med school, you will, in general, be judged primarily by your undergrad GPA and MCAT, before the redeeming qualities of your extracurriculars are considered. Your undergrad GPA is too low for all MD schools. After finishing the masters, you would need to do post-baccalareate work by taking undergrad classes, probably four semesters worth, of straight A classes, including lots of upper-level science classes, and retaking prerequisites for which you got a C or lower. With 60 hours of 4.0 GPA, you'd raise your 2.9 to a 3.27. If you can get an MCAT of 34+, with the steep upward grade trend, you'd have a chance of acceptance at an MD school. Keep in mind that the mean GPA for MD acceptees is 3.6.
To get into an osteopathic (DO) med school, you should still finish the masters degree, then retake the prerequisite classes you got a C or lower in, before taking the MCAT. The DO application service will replace any retaken grade on your transcript, helping your GPA to rise faster. (MD schools average the two together.) Maybe you could complete this in 1-2 semesters, going part time, depending on how much redemption you need to do. Some DO schools accept applications with an undergrad GPA of 2.75, and many accept a 3.0. The mean MCAT for DO schools is 24. DO schools have the reputation of looking at the entire application, not just the numbers, so great ECs can help you. If your masters work includes a lot of upper-level science, which build on the prerequisites, maybe you would be considered without additional undergrad work. I don't know, but consider asking about this on the Pre-Osteopathic "What are my chances?" thread at:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=514416