Post-grad plans- Seeking advice

mamacitamd · Jun 2, 2013

Hello,
I am seeking some advice on my situation and future plans. I apologize if this is the wrong location for this post, please just direct me the right way.
I recently graduated with a B.S. in Biology. GPA and MCAT scores are not great, so I applied to post-bac programs. Unfortunately I was not accepted. I emailed a few of the program directors asking what I could do to strengthen my application and possibly a stronger applicant the next go round. One response was to consider the two options of taking graduate level science courses and retake the MCAT. Due to my lack of acceptances I have chosen to look into this route. I am wondering if there is anyone out there who may have taken this path and is now in medical school. I contacted the dean of admissions for schools I am interested in and they said that non-degree course work would be considered with the rest of my packet but of course I would need to take more than two courses for the undergrad to be sort of over looked. With that being said, I am a little unsure if this is a good option because I would not be in a degree program (which is the same situation as most post bac options anyway) and it is fairly costly especially since non-degree seeking students are not eligible for Graduate PLUS loans. I am having trouble figuring out where to seek financial help as well.
Please feel free to PM or reply to this post if you would be willing to help me with this situation. Thank you

DrMidlife · Jun 2, 2013

Study these threads:

1. The "low GPA success stories" thread (in the nontrad FAQ)
2. The "low GPA what do I do" thread (also in the nontrad FAQ)
3. The "new and improved low GPA thread" (in the postbac forum)

I'm no longer answering questions I've already answered 100 times, but if you want confirmation of your understanding, PM me.

Best of luck to you.

mamacitamd · Jun 2, 2013

DrMidlife said:
Study these threads:

1. The "low GPA success stories" thread (in the nontrad FAQ)
2. The "low GPA what do I do" thread (also in the nontrad FAQ)
3. The "new and improved low GPA thread" (in the postbac forum)

I'm no longer answering questions I've already answered 100 times, but if you want confirmation of your understanding, PM me.

Best of luck to you.

I apologize if this comes off rude. But I did not specifically ask you to answer any questions that you have answered any more times than you would like. Thank you for the references but you could have honestly saved the remark at the end. Have a good day.

DrMidlife · Jun 2, 2013

Right, excellent. You don't want to read abundant free info from those who have gone before. Much too hard. Good luck with that.

doctorold · Jun 2, 2013

mamacitamd said:
I apologize if this comes off rude. But I did not specifically ask you to answer any questions that you have answered any more times than you would like. Thank you for the references but you could have honestly saved the remark at the end. Have a good day.

Hey Mamacitamd. DrMidLife is our expert when it comes to this kind of questions. She literally answered the same questions hundreds of times. When this kind of questions is asked, it is always assumed that she will be doing most of the answering. If you are new, then you have no way of knowing that. Don't be offended, and don't feel bad. She always likes to help. Check out the links, and if you have any question that has not been previously discussed, ask her. She will be happy to help you. I promise 🙂
Good Luck 👍

Pons Asinorum · Jun 2, 2013

mamacitamd said:
I apologize if this comes off rude. But I did not specifically ask you to answer any questions that you have answered any more times than you would like. Thank you for the references but you could have honestly saved the remark at the end. Have a good day.

beBrave · Jun 2, 2013

mamacitamd said:
Hello,
I am seeking some advice on my situation and future plans. I apologize if this is the wrong location for this post, please just direct me the right way.
I recently graduated with a B.S. in Biology. GPA and MCAT scores are not great, so I applied to post-bac programs. Unfortunately I was not accepted. I emailed a few of the program directors asking what I could do to strengthen my application and possibly a stronger applicant the next go round. One response was to consider the two options of taking graduate level science courses and retake the MCAT. Due to my lack of acceptances I have chosen to look into this route. I am wondering if there is anyone out there who may have taken this path and is now in medical school. I contacted the dean of admissions for schools I am interested in and they said that non-degree course work would be considered with the rest of my packet but of course I would need to take more than two courses for the undergrad to be sort of over looked. With that being said, I am a little unsure if this is a good option because I would not be in a degree program (which is the same situation as most post bac options anyway) and it is fairly costly especially since non-degree seeking students are not eligible for Graduate PLUS loans. I am having trouble figuring out where to seek financial help as well.
Please feel free to PM or reply to this post if you would be willing to help me with this situation. Thank you

Improve or gain research experience, volunteering and shadowing experience. If you have a GPA below a 3.0 or a very bad science GPA, consider retaking some course work. A medical school may overlook a low cGPA but not a low science GPA. Keep applying to SMP's (special masters programs; but apply broadly). Avoid the temptation of getting a masters in another subject. Consider enrolling in an MCAT preparation course and improve your score. Research your schools more carefully and find the ones that you have a better shot of being accepted to. Apply broadly and take extra care when crafting your personal statement; if you are a minority or come from an underprivileged background, use it to your advantage and include it in your personal statement. Call the schools; talk to the admissions advisers; very often they will tell you exactly what they are looking for and how you can improve your application. Learn how to conduct yourself during an interview; be prepared; know about the school; have questions; be prepared to answer questions; an interview works both ways (this point cannot be overemphasized). Consider attending a DO school; apply to a couple and if you get an acceptance, imagine it this way, you could wait 2-3 years trying to get into an allopathic program or 2-3 years later you could be starting your third year rotations in a DO program (your choice). GL.

Toss · Jun 2, 2013

mamacitamd said:
I apologize if this comes off rude. But I did not specifically ask you to answer any questions that you have answered any more times than you would like. Thank you for the references but you could have honestly saved the remark at the end. Have a good day.

Your situation is not unique at all.

In fact, it is so commonplace that the threads that DrMidlife referenced (without putting links to them) have close to a collective million views.

mamacitamd · Jun 3, 2013

DrMidlife said:
Right, excellent. You don't want to read abundant free info from those who have gone before. Much too hard. Good luck with that.

doctorold said:
Hey Mamacitamd. DrMidLife is our expert when it comes to this kind of questions. She literally answered the same questions hundreds of times. When this kind of questions is asked, it is always assumed that she will be doing most of the answering. If you are new, then you have no way of knowing that. Don't be offended, and don't feel bad. She always likes to help. Check out the links, and if you have any question that has not been previously discussed, ask her. She will be happy to help you. I promise 🙂
Good Luck 👍

DrMidLife, It was not my intention to be rude or ungrateful for your advice. I just felt that the way you stated you were not answering questions you have answered 100 times was a bit rude. I am aware that I am not the only one who has ever been in this same situation which is why I am seeking advice. I have no problem reading over countless posts from individuals who most certainly have been in the place that I am currently in and will most likely be motivation for me to continue. Thank you for being willing to understand my situation.

doctorold · Jun 3, 2013

That's the spirit 🙂

Post-grad plans- Seeking advice

mamacitamd

Full Member

DrMidlife

has an opinion

mamacitamd

Full Member

DrMidlife

has an opinion

doctorold

By all means necessary

Pons Asinorum

Full Member

beBrave

Goodbye until we meet again

Toss

De Brevitate Vitae

mamacitamd

Full Member

doctorold

By all means necessary

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