Figured I'd share now that I have an acceptance. Maybe it will give some hope to someone. Long post, sorry
I'm a web and software developer turned pre-med. I came back to school in summer '09 to take all the pre-reqs and MCAT. I'm proud to say I did it all in a year. Took 11 hours in summer '09 and took 19 hours in both Fall and Spring semesters. All while shadowing, volunteering, and doing research. My post-bacc GPA is a 3.81 sci and 4.0 non-sci. Took the MCAT in May and got a 26M. I know I could have done better but I was too busy doing everything else to effectively study. Turns out to be ok
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My overall undergrad GPA is a completely different story... I partied way too much in college the first time around. My AMCAS GPA is lowwwwww. So I believed my only viable option was DO schools. After some retakes along with the pre-reqs, I got my AACOMAS GPA up to a 3.16 cGPA and 3.78 sGPA.
I applied and turned secondaries in to 2 MD schools and 8 DO schools. So far I've gotten 1 MD interview invite and 5 DO interview invites. I was waitlisted at my first two schools I interviewed at, making me very nervous. But yesterday I got a letter of acceptance from GA-PCOM!! But I will still interview at the MD school this Tuesday and I'll probably cancel one of my upcoming DO interviews and still go to the other.
So I guess here's what I have to say about my experience and advice I have to give:
1. Yes, it may be a major fluke and have to do with the state I'm from (Georgia), but even if your GPA and MCAT are considered hopeless for MD schools by SDN, you still may have a shot at an MD school because of your non-trad experience, so apply!! I still fully expect to get waitlisted or rejected at the MD school, because it's so unbelievable
But I fit their mission perfectly, which is very important, so we'll see! The point is, try, and apply logically. I know I'd never get into Emory with my GPA/MCAT, so I didn't apply. But I know the missions of MCG and Mercer, so I applied there. I knew I'm low for MCG too, but their secondary was free - so look into things like that.
2. If you're someone with a low GPA that is hard/impossible to bring up on AMCAS (I had A LOT of hours...it would take me years to get barely over a 3.0 in both AO and Science), be open to DO schools. Their grade forgiveness really helps, and there are some really great DO schools out there. If you really want to be a doctor, then the initials shouldn't matter, so don't be stubborn.
3. Apply early! My AMCAS and AACOMAS were submitted Day 1. Secondaries submitted within a day or two of receipt. Early Primary = Early Secondary = Early Interview = MUCH better chance of acceptance. Don't procrastinate. Get it in.
4. Be prepared for questions in the interview about why you switched careers. And what happened that you had bad grades in undergrad (if applicable). And DON'T give excuses when they ask. Just own up to it. My first interview I said "oh I partied too much and wasn't focused and had a job..." Yeah...that didn't go over so well. I learned on the second interview to just say "I was young and immature, and it isn't a reflection of who I am now or what my standards are today." Leave it at that. Don't give them any reason to keep thinking or talking about it. They'll like you more for not giving excuses.
5. Do study harder for the MCAT than I did. My second interview went extremely well and I was completely in love with the school. When I called to ask why I was waitlisted, they told me it was because of my MCAT. So try a little harder...shoot for a high score. Your MCAT and GPA do matter even after the interview to the adcom. Which brings me to my next point...
6. I did all this in one year. I wouldn't recommend it. Everyone's different and thankfully I was able to handle it. But you may not be able to, or you may do better than I did. You know you. But if I had to go back, I'd spread it out over two years. This semester I'm taking Biochem, Genetics, Anatomy & Physiology 2, Cell Biology (and a couple others). But these classes really would have helped me on the MCAT. They aren't necessary, but I feel like I could bust out a 30+ now having had these. Again, it's up to you. Don't rush it. One more year is just a drop in the bucket.
7. Get your finances straight before you come back to school. I saved up a good chunk from when I was working full-time to help me while back in school. It didn't last as long as I'd liked. Primary/Secondaries and flying to interviews is very expensive. So save up how much you think you'll need, then double it.
That's all I can think of right now. Good luck to all you non-trad pre-meds out there. Be patient, it will happen. I'll update on the MD school and my other DO interviews. But right now, I'm completely excited that I've been accepted somewhere and I'll get to be a doctor!
Edit: WOW, Wall of text...sorry guys. Hope you find this useful and not annoying LOL
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