MD & DO Nontraditional Student with Low GPA

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Prettywoman0172

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I am a nontraditional student, caucasian, early 40s. Divorced, single parent (have my mom's support). I am a first generation college student and I am applying as disadvantaged. I have one year left to complete my biology degree (and raise my GPA a bit more). I have no preference for allopathic or osteopathic. I don't expect to get in this cycle, but am applying anyway. I will also be applying to six SMP programs. I am prepared to apply to the Caribbean as a last resort. No interest in research. I am committed to primary care: family medicine and OB/GYN. Standard course load 12-20 credits per semester. Strong LORs.

Submitting AMCAS and AACOMAS primary applications by the end of August. MCAT scheduled for 9/6/2014, practice scores ranging from 25-30.

AMCAS unverified:

Overall GPA: 3.240

Sceince GPA: 3.165


AACOMAS unverified:

Cumulative GPA: 3.45

Science GPA: 3.28

Non-Science GPA: 3.52


Coursework spans 25 years and includes over 400 credits.


Extra Curricular Activities, Work and Volunteer Experience (spans 25 years of service):


· Trained as a traditional midwife and naturopathic provider by trading graphic design skills and public relation services in exchange for tuition. Certifications as a lactation consultant, childbirth educator and labor support doula. ~10000 hours


· Volunteered at a local women’s clinic as a sexual health counselor and clinic escort. Shadowed physicians and nurse practitioners. ~700 hours


· Volunteered at free clinic run by the medical students of a local medical school. Provided women’s health services and sexual health counseling. Shadowed medical students, residents and attending physicians. Designed and taught a workshop at the medical school about abortion care and counseling. ~250 hours


· EMT-B licensed. Volunteered EMT volunteering services in support of charity sports events such as sponsored running or bicycle races, mud runs, and triathlons. ~150 hours


· Volunteered services as a personal trainer (American College of Sports Medicine) and wellness coach for low-income women and teens. I created personalized nutrition and exercise plans, completed fitness assessments, and provided one-on-one training in the gym. ~1000 hours


· Volunteered in the Emergency Department at large hospital. Shadowed emergency department physicians. ~100 hours


· Volunteered at local WIC offices and community action programs teaching breastfeeding, childbirth education, infant care and family planning classes. Became certified as a lactation consultant and established a free lactation consulting service for low-income women with services offered at two major hospitals, by home visit, and by 24 hour "warm line.” Designed and wrote my own teaching curriculum. My breastfeeding curriculum was adopted by WIC offices statewide. ~2500 hours


· Worked at a local OB/GYN office teaching breastfeeding, childbirth education, infant care and family planning classes. Provided labor support doula services to low-income and at-risk women and teens. Shadowed OB/GYN physicians and a reproductive endocrinologist. ~2000 hours


· Worked as a nursing assistant. ~2500 hours


· Established Positive Psychology Club at university. Have two awards for club service.


· Long distance backpacker. I have hiked more than half of the Appalachian Trail.


· Volunteer periodically as a ridgerunner on the Appalachian Trail. The responsibilities of a ridgerunner include talking to hikers about minimum impact backpacking, answering questions, maintaining the trail, checking shelters and reporting on water supplies and occasionally administering first aid or participating in searches for lost hikers.


· Worked in the music business as a photographer, journalist and personal assistant for more than ten years. Have extensive photography and writing portfolios.


· Lived on a small hobby farm in rural Maine raising dairy goats, rabbits, geese, ducks, and chickens and growing vegetables and berries. I volunteered with the local 4H program as a youth leader, and established and ran a popular Cloverbuds club. I have experience breeding and raising all types of small pets, exotic animals, birds, and reptiles, I am a master gardener, and I am well versed in wildlife rehabilitation.


· Worked at a high-end toy store in the historical department. Responsibilities included talking to customers about the history of the company, answering any customer questions, giving tours of the historical department and helping to maintain the visual displays.


· Lifelong toy collector.

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You are cooked for MD this cycle. By the time your score is available, we will be just about finished giving out interview invitations. Late ap plus low gpa plus projected low MCAT...
What state of residence? Have you already submitted an AMCAS application?
 
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You are cooked for MD this cycle. By the time your score is available, we will be just about finished giving out interview invitations. Late ap plus low gpa plus projected low MCAT...
What state of residence? Have you already submitted an AMCAS application?

Massachusetts and no, I am submitting in a couple of weeks. Like I mentioned in my original post, I don't expect to get in this cycle but will be applying anyway, mostly to schools in the south.
 
Massachusetts and no, I am submitting in a couple of weeks. Like I mentioned in my original post, I don't expect to get in this cycle but will be applying anyway, mostly to schools in the south.
Just apply to one school. I hate to see you waste $. When you get your score back, reassess your list.
 
Apply now, though!

I am trying! I am so behind. I have been working on the primary nonstop since Thursday night. I hope to be finished by next weekend. I am taking organic chemistry and the lab as well as studying for the MCAT this summer. Thank you again!
 
You numbers are not competitive for MD, even with a high MCAT. However, the DO cycle is longer, and you're numbers and ECs are highly competitive for DO. Score in the high 20s and you're fine for many interviews. And do not fret about age...some of my all time best students have been in their 30s and 40s. Just graduated someone very much like you who was 50.
 
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I agree with my good friend here. I think you'll be okay applying this cycle provided a 26+

You numbers are not competitive for MD, even with a high MCAT. However, the DO cycle is longer, and you're numbers and ECs are highly competitive for DO. Score in the high 20s and you're fine for many interviews. And do not fret about age...some of my all time best students have been in their 30s and 40s. Just graduated someone very much like you who was 50.
 
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