3.45 uGPA, 3.55 sci, 33mcat...post-bacc, SMP, or neither??

[doctormusic]

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hi everyone!
I've been researching SMP's, post-baccs, sdoc forums for a while now, but i'm still unsure how to procede. Any info, opinion, resource will be much appreciated.

I will be re-applying to MD schools this cycle, and i really REALLY don't want to reapply again!!! Please help!

Mcat: 33N(retaking april09)
uGpa: 3.45, and 3.55 sci
BA in pschology
Average clinical volunteering
Slight downward trend in gpa
Calif resident
•3 years since graduating with no med related work!!! (however, i've been tutoring extensively and am currently a autism spectrum behaviorist)
*POOR research and LORs (but about to start biochem research volunteering)
**only applied to 8 schools (hindsight tells me that i'm a FOOL!!)

So should I even spend the time applying this June if my mcat doesn't increase a lot? Should I take a post bacc or smp? Planning on doing all of the above, but still on the fence...
Thanks for reading

 

[Nuggles]

I'm not an expert in this at all (so take everything I say with a grain of salt), but I doubt you should invest any time in a career-changer post-bacc program. It's unlikely you'll get in, as you've already done most (if not all) of the prerequisites.

To my knowledge, good letter of recommendations and medical experience (or something that shows your interest in medicine) is almost required in order to get into a good medical school. Trying to get into a SMP might help with this aspect of your application (as you'll get a second-chance to get good LORs and volunteer/clinical experience).

But, as I said before, I'm no expert in this, you might want to wait for someone to confirm or correct anything I've said. Best of luck!

 

[drizzt3117]

1) Retaking a 33N isn't a great idea unless you really suspect you'll do SIGNIFICANTLY better (high 30s)

2) If you apply broadly with your stats you have a good shot of getting in somewhere without retaking.

3) Postbac isn't necessary for you.

hi everyone!
I've been researching SMP's, post-baccs, sdoc forums for a while now, but i'm still unsure how to procede. Any info, opinion, resource will be much appreciated.

I will be re-applying to MD schools this cycle, and i really REALLY don't want to reapply again!!! Please help!

Mcat: 33N(retaking april09)
uGpa: 3.45, and 3.55 sci
BA in pschology
Average clinical volunteering
Slight downward trend in gpa
Calif resident
•3 years since graduating with no med related work!!! (however, i've been tutoring extensively and am currently a autism spectrum behaviorist)
*POOR research and LORs (but about to start biochem research volunteering)
**only applied to 8 schools (hindsight tells me that i'm a FOOL!!)

So should I even spend the time applying this June if my mcat doesn't increase a lot? Should I take a post bacc or smp? Planning on doing all of the above, but still on the fence...
Thanks for reading

 

[Lokhtar]

Well, it depends. If he can take a semester or so and get is uGPA to 3.5 and sci. GPA to 3.6, it might be worth it. There are plenty of places where you could do that, without enrolling in a formal program.

I would not retake a 33.

 

[doctormusic]

1) Retaking a 33N isn't a great idea unless you really suspect you'll do SIGNIFICANTLY better (high 30s)
*Unfortunately, I have to retake because of its age. I will make sure i at least improve the writing score and keep the 33.
2) If you apply broadly with your stats you have a good shot of getting in somewhere without retaking.
*Thanks for the vote of confidence!!
3) Postbac isn't necessary for you.[/QUOTE]
*Ok, but I am also thinking about informally taking classes, doing an mph, or doing an smp. Any thoughts?

 

[doctormusic]

Well, it depends. If he can take a semester or so and get is uGPA to 3.5 and sci. GPA to 3.6, it might be worth it. There are plenty of places where you could do that, without enrolling in a formal program.
I would not retake a 33.

first, i forgot to mention in my original post that i MUST retake the mcat due to its age in accordance with the policy at most med schools. don't worry, i am studying daily with JACK-BAUER intensity (i.e. reeeeeeally hard).

second, i have too many credits!!! a rough calculation tells me that taking a year of hard biology would give me a 3.5 and a 3.65 sci, IF i get straight A's (which i would, or at least very close to that).

third, my letters are 3 years old!! i hear that formal programs have great advising and research opportunities, and i hear that extension programs can be horrible.

 

[doctormusic]

ah, so is any coursework i might do after june not really important to schools? i've heard mixed opinions about that. also, keep in mind that my LORs are 3 years old and probably not outstanding, just acceptable. as i said above, i have to take the mcat because i have spent 2.5 years now away from school.

 

[Pghboy18]

ah, so is any coursework i might do after june not really important to schools? i've heard mixed opinions about that. also, keep in mind that my LORs are 3 years old and probably not outstanding, just acceptable. as i said above, i have to take the mcat because i have spent 2.5 years now away from school.

Other than having to retake the MCAT, I don't think your problem is numbers.

Trying to go from a 3.55 to a 3.6 only makes sense in SDN land. Do you really think it's that 0.05 that's keeping you out?

I would instead focus on ECs and intangibles. I would revise my PS and find something really meaningful and medically related to do between now and then. I think ECs that lie outside of your comfort zone (ie. working with difficult patient populations/end of life care) make the most impact.

Other posters are probably right that you didn't apply broadly enough the first time around with those numbers either...

 

[drizzt3117]

Can you get a non-academic LOR that is stellar? That would help.

 

[doctormusic]

great ideas. i was flipping out about what that guy said. does anyone know how i can get a position working with hospice patients? i am not near my university anymore, so i have no real medical contacts here...(i'm in los angeles)

 

[drizzt3117]

great ideas. i was flipping out about what that guy said. does anyone know how i can get a position working with hospice patients? i am not near my university anymore, so i have no real medical contacts here...(i'm in los angeles)

Try contacting city of hope...

 

[doctormusic]

To the original poster, if you have a 3.5 with a 33 MCAT or much much higher i.e. 36+ I'd say go ahead and apply but apply broadly and keep your ECs great and get stellar letters and write stellar essays. You will probably get in somewhere. Where that somewhere is who knows, but somewhere in the states it most likely will be.

In your situation I'd not do an SMP. SMPs are for those with a 3.4/30 3.3/30 or less. or people with a 3.0 or low GPA but stellar MCAT scores. Its for those who it is a last gambit or who need the slight boost but not for those who seem to have decent numbers as you do esp. seeing as your GPA when coupled with an MCAT that is high is most likely ok for most med schools.

Wow thanks. I guess I'll just apply to a couple masters programs with high linkages and go crazy with the aamcas (25 schools, June 1st submission, 2 week secondaries). I guess I should look around for a good clinical experience as well. Thanks for the ideas everyone!