3.4, 30S...US School?

[tigress139]

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Hi, I have a BA in psychology from UCLA and I was wondering about my chances to get into a US allopathic school:

-3.4 overall, 3.2 BCPM
-30S (9V, 10P, 11B)
-4 years of clinical research experience, as a research assistant on women's health/OB-GYN studies (mostly psych but some hospital)
-Over 300 volunteer hours, both at UCLA Med Center and Planned Parenthood
-Secretary of a club on campus for 2 years
-Worked as a telephone interviewer for a women's health study at RAND, and also as medical assistant/receptionist at a podiatrist's office

Based on those stats (which I realize are pretty mediocre), what schools should I be considering in the US, if at all? Would you recommend doing an SMP or post-bacc to up my BCPM? Or should I just take the MCAT again? (I was averaging 10-12 in verbal on all my practices, I don't know what happened...)

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mobius1985]

Your ECs are very good. Your MCAT is fine (except for California State schools). But your GPA is low. I'd put my efforts into taking additional post-bac classes to get it up, unless you have a steep upward recent trend. If so, I'd suggest you also apply to DO schools to broaden the chances of an acceptance as well as mid-to lower-selectivity MD schools. Your excellent research background may trump the lower GPA at some schools. See School Selection spreadsheet sticky at top of this forum for ideas where to apply. Then check out the pre-osteo forum and get info about DO schools where you'd have a great chance of acceptance now.

 

[Vihsadas]

If it would only take you one year to raise that GPA above a 3.5, it might be worth it to do the extra year along with something else meaningful to you, and your comittment to medicine.

It would give you a more solid upward trend to bolster the effect of that good MCAT, and also show a continued comitmment. That being said, your ECs, as they stand are pretty darned good.

I think you could still apply for 2010 without the Post-bacc, but its hard to say what kind of response you'd have without knowing about your motivation to practice medicine and reading your PS. It might be good to do the post-bacc while applying. Only you can know how confident you are in both your application, and being able to handle: postbacc + applying + meaningful medical endeavor. GL.

 

[tigress139]

Thank you both for your responses. Another question: when you mention that I should do a post-bacc, do you mean formal or informal? Not sure if it matters.

 

[Vihsadas]

Thank you both for your responses. Another question: when you mention that I should do a post-bacc, do you mean formal or informal? Not sure if it matters.

Well the formal post-baccs are usually for people who have not yet taken the medical school pre-requisites. If that's you, then do a formal one. If you have already taken the medical school pre-requisites, I'd suggest doing something along the lines of what I did (informal). I looked up some of the more uncommon pre-requisites and "recommended" courses at many different medical schools and then made a post-bacc out of that:

2 Englishes
1 Stats (Also a psychology)
1 Comp Sci
1 Biochemistry
1 Biochem/microbio
2 "For my own interest" courses (totally worth it)
2 Upper level pathophysiology congruent with my interests

In general the "uncommon" recommended and requird courses at various medical schools include:

lots of humanities
2 psychs
2 Biochemsitry
1 Advanced Chemistry
1 Comp Sci
1 History/Sociology
1 Calculus
1 Stats

You could easily make a post-bacc out of that. 🙂

 

[Mobius1985]

It can be much, much less expensive to just take additional undergrad classes on your own. I would not do a formal post-bacc were I you. Since you've taken the MCAT, I assume you've completed most of the usual prerequisites. If you concentrate on upper-level science courses and get As, it will reassure adcomms that you can succeed with a med school curriculum. But it's OK to take additional classes on unrelated subjects you have an interest in. Just be sure not to overload yourself and fail to get straight As. Getting a B would defeat the purpose for taking the classes. Also don't take traditionally fluff courses, eg "basket weaving."

 

[Vihsadas]

It can be much, much less expensive to just take additional undergrad classes on your own. I would not do a formal post-bacc were I you. Since you've taken the MCAT, I assume you've completed most of the usual prerequisites. If you concentrate on upper-level science courses and get As, it will reassure adcomms that you can succeed with a med school curriculum. But it's OK to take additional classes on unrelated subjects you have an interest in. Just be sure not to overload yourself and fail to get straight As. Getting a B would defeat the purpose for taking the classes. Also don't take traditionally fluff courses, eg "basket weaving."

This is good advice. If you do a full-load post-bacc just remember that the entire point of it is to get a 4.0 to raise your GPA, while increasing your preparedness to handle medical school classes. If you can't get a 3.85 - 4.0, then reconsider the informal post-bacc.

 

[fahimaz7]

Low MCAT scores hurt! Just look at mine.. lol

 

[Mobius1985]

Low MCAT scores hurt! Just look at mine.. lol

A 31 MCAT isn't low. Your GPA, however, might explain the history of waitlisting.

 

[tigress139]

Yeah, I was actually thinking about a retake. I don't think it would hurt, especially with some new study materials.

If money wasn't a problem, would you guys still recommend a post-bacc over an SMP, and why?

 

[alibai3ah]

Yeah, I was actually thinking about a retake. I don't think it would hurt, especially with some new study materials.

If money wasn't a problem, would you guys still recommend a post-bacc over an SMP, and why?

If I were you I would do an SMP. From what I know about post bacs and SMPS and what I have heard from other people, SMP is a great program b/c for some of them you take classes with other medical school students. You are also graded on a curve with those same medical students, so if you succeed the adcoms will feel as though you can handle the courseload. Not to mention, with a 30 or higher on the MCATs and your gpa isn't that below the average, you should have a decent shot at them. I have almost identical stats to you and that is what people recommended. In terms of post bacs I feel as though they are for people with much lower stats than you. A 30/3.4 can get you into some avergage medical schools with good EC's. If money is not an issue go with the SMP, plus you can get a graduate degree out of it too if you continue.... good luck

 

[alibai3ah]

I would not advise you to retake unless you improve your score substantially meaning 3 to 4 points. Getting a 31 or 32 really would not improve your chances drastically.....

 

[Atlas80]

I think you got some chance of US allo-schools in general. But your science GPA is low and it appears you are in the worst possible state. Look to out state schools such as Drexel and NYMC. I would also recommend applying to DO schools, you have a pretty good chance of getting into one of those.

Finally, you should not even look at foreign schools. You should get into an American school whether it MD or DO which is always preferable to a foreign school.