Hi everyone!
Several recent events in my life have made me realize that medical school is something I really want to pursue. I have finally come to terms with my situation, all things considered, and would really appreciate some advice as I think about moving forward.
I am currently a college senior. I had some personal circumstances during undergrad that prevented me from achieving my true academic potential.
My current cGPA hovers around a 3.2, and my sGPA is ~3.0 (I hope). I do great in humanities courses, however I don't do so well in quant-heavy courses, which I know does not work in my favor. Based on the self-evaluating I have been doing in the past few months, I know that my study habits, coupled with my personal circumstances, have contributed to my average/poor performance in my quantitative classes. I have matured a lot in college, if I can say so myself. I now have the motivation to change, and I'm driven to succeed.
Some tidbits:
-I'm willing to do more school and I'm not opposed to matriculating to med school in my mid 20s.
Things I am happy about my application:
- I have research experience--no publications yet, but I have demonstrated a strong commitment to/vested interest in medical research
- I have clinical experience (volunteer, shadowing, etc. though I will definitely do more before I apply).
- My ECs. Not sure how they "rank" in any sort of hierarchy per se, but I'm very involved and do it because I enjoy what I do.
Concerns:
- My BCPM GPA
- am missing some pre-requisite courses (I never took physics as an undergrad). I am a biology major, so I do have most pre-req science classes because they overlap with my major.
I am looking for an opportunity to retake upper level science courses (math, physics, chemistry, etc.) to prove to med schools that I can do these classes and be successful at them.
My concerns and questions:
- Given my stats and profile, would you recommend a postbacc program (and/or SMP), master's program (I do enjoy research), or an informal postbac?
- What would be the best way to remedy my science GPA? (I have thought about taking colleges at a CC, but it seems like the general consensus is that adcoms don't like people graduating from a 4-year institution then going back to take "easier" classes at a CC. Would taking classes at a place like Harvard or Berkeley Extension be better?).
- How do people typically support themselves financially during a post-baccalaureate program? Could I realistically work while doing a post-bacc?
- What do you recommend at this point to make myself more competitive for MD programs (I also plan to apply to osteopathic schools)?
Thank you!
- Stressed Senior
Several recent events in my life have made me realize that medical school is something I really want to pursue. I have finally come to terms with my situation, all things considered, and would really appreciate some advice as I think about moving forward.
I am currently a college senior. I had some personal circumstances during undergrad that prevented me from achieving my true academic potential.
My current cGPA hovers around a 3.2, and my sGPA is ~3.0 (I hope). I do great in humanities courses, however I don't do so well in quant-heavy courses, which I know does not work in my favor. Based on the self-evaluating I have been doing in the past few months, I know that my study habits, coupled with my personal circumstances, have contributed to my average/poor performance in my quantitative classes. I have matured a lot in college, if I can say so myself. I now have the motivation to change, and I'm driven to succeed.
Some tidbits:
-I'm willing to do more school and I'm not opposed to matriculating to med school in my mid 20s.
Things I am happy about my application:
- I have research experience--no publications yet, but I have demonstrated a strong commitment to/vested interest in medical research
- I have clinical experience (volunteer, shadowing, etc. though I will definitely do more before I apply).
- My ECs. Not sure how they "rank" in any sort of hierarchy per se, but I'm very involved and do it because I enjoy what I do.
Concerns:
- My BCPM GPA
- am missing some pre-requisite courses (I never took physics as an undergrad). I am a biology major, so I do have most pre-req science classes because they overlap with my major.
I am looking for an opportunity to retake upper level science courses (math, physics, chemistry, etc.) to prove to med schools that I can do these classes and be successful at them.
My concerns and questions:
- Given my stats and profile, would you recommend a postbacc program (and/or SMP), master's program (I do enjoy research), or an informal postbac?
- What would be the best way to remedy my science GPA? (I have thought about taking colleges at a CC, but it seems like the general consensus is that adcoms don't like people graduating from a 4-year institution then going back to take "easier" classes at a CC. Would taking classes at a place like Harvard or Berkeley Extension be better?).
- How do people typically support themselves financially during a post-baccalaureate program? Could I realistically work while doing a post-bacc?
- What do you recommend at this point to make myself more competitive for MD programs (I also plan to apply to osteopathic schools)?
Thank you!
- Stressed Senior
