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Started by My_life_is_a_joke
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Skip the MS and apply broadly to DO. Skip CHSU.
An alternative to the SMP would be to do a DIY postbac.
Also, you can work for a few years and save up the money.
An alternative to the SMP would be to do a DIY postbac.
Also, you can work for a few years and save up the money.
My_life_is_a_joke
Full Member
Is there a huge difference between the SMP and MS at Georgetown?
Also I’m still learning more about DO/MD schools, so I was wondering why skip CHSU?
I considered doing a DIY Postbac and working for a few years, but I’m currently in a position where if I don’t get into Medical School this cycle or next, I probably won’t be able to pursue medicine for another 10-15 years. Because I have been the sole breadwinner for my family the past few years and so my sister has offered to start working for 1-2 years while I try to get into medical school. If I don’t get into Medical School, I would probably go back to work and provide for my family as my sister does her graduate school.
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Hey @Goro, what DO programs are DACA friendly? Is the list OP posted above exhaustive?
Have no idea
My_life_is_a_joke
Full Member
There is 1-2 more schools that accept daca, I may be mistaken but when I emailed and asked only those and 2 more said yes.
You should never take a loan at that apr
If med school loans would also be that high, I would advise not going to med school
If med school loans would also be that high, I would advise not going to med school
My_life_is_a_joke
Full Member
For international students/Undocumented students that is on the higher end. But generally it’s from 10.99% APR to 13.99%.
These are without a US citizen/PR co-signer
I don’t think a formal postbac program is necessary, especially not at that interest rate. I know taking any additional coursework is going to be expensive and difficult for you given your status and home situation. I think improving your MCAT is the cheaper fix. A 510+ will open more MD doors with your current GPAs.
Here is the list of MD that accept DACA applicants, in case you haven’t seen this yet: https://students-residents.aamc.org/media/7031/download.
You said this is your second DO cycle, did you receive any interviews last time?
My_life_is_a_joke
Full Member
Last cycle I applied in January, so like 1-2 weeks before deadlines. I ended up getting 1 interview waitlist at AZCOM, and a Interview at Campbell.
As for the MD schools, my approach was to apply to schools that are DACA friendly, Relatively easier to get into/ have a more holistic approach and schools where I have strong “ties” too as I’m having lived in the area or being familiar with the area due to the population demographic. I am considering maybe adding 1-2 MD schools but would that really help?
How have you improved your application since last cycle? Did you get any feedback from the Campbell interview? I think you were really hurt by the late application.
Overall, you are a strong candidate with the exception of your lowish stats. I could honestly see a MD/DO cycle playing out in a lot of different ways for you. Your story is compelling and it may be enough to get some interest, even from MD.
If you intend on applying this cycle, you need to act quickly. Apply early to every DO school that accepts DACA. I think you’ll get some IIs.
Purchase a subscription to the MSAR if you haven’t already and apply to every DACA friendly MD school where your MCAT and GPAs are above the 10th percentile, excluding public schools that don’t accept a lot of OOS. I think you’re missing a few like Rosalind Franklin where your 504 may not be a dealbreaker, but school lists are not my area of expertise. Apply very soon if you want to try for MD this cycle, as IIs are already starting to come out. Realistically, UW is probably your best bet for MD.
Start preparing for an MCAT retake if you don’t get any As by January.
My_life_is_a_joke
Full Member
Yeah so since last cycle I started scribing full time, brought my GPA up from 3.2 sGPA, 3.39 cGPA to 3.22 sGPA, 3.48 cGPA. I also worked at the Gates Foundation to develop and manufacture conjugate protein vaccines, I added a lot of research on cancer at a Harvard Lab. I got good Letters of Recommendation. I also made sure I added almost all my activities this time. Also I graduated from last cycle to this cycle, with 2 degrees one in Econ and the other in Bio and a minor in Chem - I hope that helps my app.
I just submitted DO and MD, now I’m pre writing secondary’s. I also gave my application a narrative , and polished it so that my activity, life story, and motivation for medicine go hand in hand. I’m worried it might back fire on me, because I wrote about how I was homeless for an year during college and how I want to help marginalized communities. I think it flows but I am worried it reads like I only want peruse medicine to help minorities and I don’t want it to sound disingenuous. I got MSAR from the FAP, so I think I will have to retake it. I am just dragging my feet on it because I have no motivation to do all the test prep all over again.
My_life_is_a_joke
Full Member
Thank you sm for the advice, appreciate it
Be mindful that some schools require you to show you have the funds to pay for medical school upfront as there is not any significant financial aid for DACA students.
Off topic, but that's insane!! I would not do a post bac with a interest rate that high not even guarantee to get in to med school. Sucks cause my friend is in a similar situation with DACA. She cant figure out how to pay for med school (if accepted). Which i find BS cause she's lived here all her life, pays USA taxes, and like yourself has a degree.
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