3.4 gpa= smp?

[elsaied]

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Hello everyone,

I will be applying to DO schools this cycle, and I wanted to know if you guys think that I should complete a masters in my gap year. I have a 3.4 cGPA from NJIT, and I still haven't taken the MCAT. I've been accepted to UMDNJ- GSBS at Stratford, and am waiting to hear back from the Newark and Piscataway campuses. I really don't want to sound arrogant, but I am curious as to whether I even need to attend the masters program or not. I've calculated it, and it looks as though another 30 credits, assuming I get a 4.0 in the masters, will only bring my gpa up 0.1 points to a 3.5. I feel like the risk/ cost/ stress associated with the master's is not even worth it at this point. I'd love to hear what you guys think!

Thanks

 

[Adnap]

Since you're applying to DO schools, I don't think you'll need a master's program. Sure there's a chance that you won't get accepted, but I think the risk is worth saving all the money that you'd spend on a master's program.

Of course, this all really depends on how well you do on the MCAT. If you get a 30+ then you'll be fine I think.

I see DrMidlife responded at the same time that I did. She has more experience with this so you may want to listen to her. In the end, I think it really depends on how risk averse you are and how well you KNOW (not think) you can do on the MCAT.

 

[DrMidlife]

You don't sound arrogant, you just sound undereducated. Undergrad & grad GPAs aren't combined. That masters won't touch your 3.4 at all.

But that masters can help your chances at med school. In particular, if you find you just can't break 30 on the MCAT, that masters could help your story.

Don't overestimate the impact of applying DO at the same time you're doing a one-year masters. The asset of that masters isn't yours until you have some grades. By the time you get your first transcript in January, it's late in the DO cycle.

Bottom line, put everything you've got into the MCAT. If you can balance your 3.4 with a 30+, then no, that masters isn't worth it. But if your MCAT is low, then you'd better do that masters.

Also: apply early. Get all your primaries & secondaries done before the masters program starts (whether you do the masters or not).

Best of luck to you.

 

[elsaied]

You don't sound arrogant, you just sound undereducated. Undergrad & grad GPAs aren't combined. That masters won't touch your 3.4 at all.

But that masters can help your chances at med school. In particular, if you find you just can't break 30 on the MCAT, that masters could help your story.

Don't overestimate the impact of applying DO at the same time you're doing a one-year masters. The asset of that masters isn't yours until you have some grades. By the time you get your first transcript in January, it's late in the DO cycle.

Bottom line, put everything you've got into the MCAT. If you can balance your 3.4 with a 30+, then no, that masters isn't worth it. But if your MCAT is low, then you'd better do that masters.

Also: apply early. Get all your primaries & secondaries done before the masters program starts (whether you do the masters or not).

Best of luck to you.

So what you're saying is the master's doesn't contribute anything to my application for the Fall 13 cycle? So it's only good if I don't get in this year, and have to reapply next year, then it'll be worth it? Also, do I really need a 30+? I thought average DO MCAT was around 27- obviously I should shoot for 30+, but say I fall short and score a 27... what then?

 

[deleted248403]

+1 to what midlife said

And if you get a 3.5 GPA and a 28 in the Newark GSBS program, you are essentially guaranteed an acceptance to NJMS - provided you are in the ballpark elsewhere in your app.

How can a masters contribute anything to an application year when you most likely won't have grades when the bulk of interview decisions are decided? If you want the masters to have some bang then you should take a gap year

 

[fbradley99]

.......

 

[fbradley99]

,.......

 

[deleted248403]

I am kinda the same situation as you. I have a good GPA for DO. 3.5 however my mcat sucks. Plus I graduated 3 years ago. So I figured smp would be good for the lag year and I'm retaking mcat in June and applying early June. I do have a question though, those with good gpas they could still technically interview us early correct if we improve our mcat.. even though grades wont be out.

They might - but prob not an MD school with that GPA and no SMP grades

One more question...my GPA for MD is a 3.0. since I'm doing a smp if I get a good mcat score, could that put me with a chance for MD schools?

Providing you get a good MCAT, and do well in your SMP then you have a shot. But you need to rock both of them.

 

[DrMidlife]

I am kinda the same situation as you. I have a good GPA for DO. 3.5 however my mcat sucks. Plus I graduated 3 years ago. So I figured smp would be good for the lag year and I'm retaking mcat in June and applying early June. I do have a question though, those with good gpas they could still technically interview us early correct if we improve our mcat.. even though grades wont be out.

If you take the MCAT in June you get your score in August.

If you apply in early June without that MCAT score, your app doesn't include the new score.

You can mark on your app the planned date for your retake, and some schools will put your app in a hold pile until that score shows up.

But basically if you don't submit AMCAS in a complete and maximally compelling state, you aren't making it easy for med schools to deal with you.

Point being: make it really easy for med schools to deal with you. In your shoes, I wouldn't try to apply this year - I'd get my assets lined up and tidy so that I apply only once with my best possible app. Finished SMP, maxed-out MCAT.

Best of luck to you.

 

[elsaied]

I sent my deposit, and will or will not matriculate, depending on my mcat score!

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