4th time applying, turning into non-trad :)

[ddc150]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Just got my mcat scores back today so thought I'd post a thread here. This will be my 4th time applying, hopefully it'll be the year. Undergrad GPA 3.19 in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (3.05 in BCPM), I attended a DO school for one year in 2008 and was top 10% of the class (3.75 GPA, 12/167 ranking). I withdrew from the school at the beginning of second year for personal reasons (depression).

After some personal growth and counseling, I decided it is still in my heart to pursue medicine. I thought it would be good to pursue an SMP for a MS in Pharmacology and finished the Masters Program to not only improve my credentials but to show affirmation of continuing to pursue my dream. I finished the SMP with a 3.72 (top 25% out of the 14 people in program, graduated w honors, received highest grade in medical pharmacology of the program fall semester) and studied to take the mcat this past spring.

I retook the mcat 5/31/12 and got a 31M, which is the same numerical score that I got 6 years ago.. I guess there is nothing wrong with consistency, hopefully its enough.


My extracurriculars include:

-2 years as Research Assistant at a Biochemical Pharmacology lab at WRAIR (Army Research Lab)
-5 Medical Mission Trips to Mexico, Korea, and Nepal - volunteered to help set up temporary, short term clinics to orphanages and other underserved communities
-Pharmacy Technician 1 yr
-Clinic Assistant at my father's Internal Medicine Practice for 2+ years
-Clinic Volunteer at Free Medical Clinic (healthcare for working, uninsured)
-Restaurant Server during periods between working health care related jobs
-National Society of Collegiate Scholars member


Being a TN resident, I plan on applying this cycle to:

University of Tennessee
East Tennessee State University
Meharry Medical College
Penn State University
Rosalind Franklin University
Rush Medical College
Loma Linda University
Drexel University
Wake Forest University

Some reaches:
University of Iowa
University of Wisconsin
University of Maryland
Ohio State University
Vanderbilt University


Any words of encouragement, advice, or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Good luck with everybody else applying the 2012-2013 cycle.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Would your original DO school consider taking you back since you left for medical reasons and not academic failure?

 

[235788]

try for a smp too

 

[Buzz Me]

You need to check those schools' websites (or contact them) to see if they have policies on applicants who were previously med school matriculants.

 

[robertch8]

Also, how come you're not looking at DO schools again? I'm sure there's gotta be a DO school even if it's not the one you went to originally that would consider you. I would think that with your GPA you have a much better chance going that route. And if you absolutely feel like you can't go back to DO school, your best bet would be to apply a lot more broadly and also apply to a high linkage SMP at the same time so that you can have a better chance next cycle in case you don't get in.