Admissions interview with med school

[mshheaddoc]

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Ok I have an appt with a local DO school in 3 weeks to talk about my application and how/what I need to do to get into med school. I am about 2 years away from applying but I'm trying to put my plan in action.I don't know how many of you already have a college degree or have done post-bacc work, etc. But that is my current situation. I want to dispell most of the myths in reference to programs (whether a formal one or just taking classes will suffice) and just get a feel for where I stand (and I know its not really tall right now). I have to take most of my prereqs and I would like to take some grad courses (as I've been advised by current med students).

Does anyone have any advice for me in reference to questions to ask, not necessarily about the process of applying to med school (plenty of time for that) but I guess in the application evaluation in general? Anyone in this situation and have talked to med schools? Feedback.

I know I will bring my transcrips with me *whimper* and she will look at them and laugh at me and tell me I have no chance but else to ask?

These are some of the questions:
1.) IN reference to post-bacc programs, in your experience is taking the classes on your own just as effective. I understand from a GPA perspective its the same, but I'm curious as to your opinion as an admissions officer.

2.) I am currently enrolled in an MBA program with an excellent GPA, can that GPA, along with my post bacc classes, negate my horrid GPA (<2.5)? or at least offset the fact that I had no direction in college, but obviously I do now?

3.) The obvious, what can I do to strengthen my application?

I'm sure I have others, but I'm just at a loss. This is such a new process for me. This meeting will have an impact on how I decide to approach my post-bacc as I need to start applying in the next 2 months.

Any advice anyone could give would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!

~MSH

 

[jules0328]

Ok I have an appt with a local DO school in 3 weeks to talk about my application and how/what I need to do to get into med school. I am about 2 years away from applying but I'm trying to put my plan in action.I don't know how many of you already have a college degree or have done post-bacc work, etc. But that is my current situation. I want to dispell most of the myths in reference to programs (whether a formal one or just taking classes will suffice) and just get a feel for where I stand (and I know its not really tall right now). I have to take most of my prereqs and I would like to take some grad courses (as I've been advised by current med students).

Does anyone have any advice for me in reference to questions to ask, not necessarily about the process of applying to med school (plenty of time for that) but I guess in the application evaluation in general? Anyone in this situation and have talked to med schools? Feedback.

I know I will bring my transcrips with me *whimper* and she will look at them and laugh at me and tell me I have no chance but else to ask?

These are some of the questions:
1.) IN reference to post-bacc programs, in your experience is taking the classes on your own just as effective. I understand from a GPA perspective its the same, but I'm curious as to your opinion as an admissions officer.

2.) I am currently enrolled in an MBA program with an excellent GPA, can that GPA, along with my post bacc classes, negate my horrid GPA (<2.5)? or at least offset the fact that I had no direction in college, but obviously I do now?

3.) The obvious, what can I do to strengthen my application?

I'm sure I have others, but I'm just at a loss. This is such a new process for me. This meeting will have an impact on how I decide to approach my post-bacc as I need to start applying in the next 2 months.

Any advice anyone could give would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!

~MSH

I recently went to a DO school (NYCOM) for some advice about their application process. I did not bring my transcripts, however, they really didnt tell me anything I didnt already know. They told me their perspective and their gpa and admissions standards. That is all any school could really do for you, tell you THEIR procedures, and in a way, that is sort of biased. Since you are in an MBA program now, that does not really help your situation regarding sciences. Now, it seems to me that you already took your sciences undergrad. Was this where your grades were below 2.5? If so, you may want to retake them. I know it sucks to have to repeat things that you already took. I know for a fact, I took bio I, chem I, and physics I at a community college and then fully enrolled in a formal post bacc program and started from scratch. I have gotten both good and bad reviews about my decision, but I will take my chances. If you got like C's and D's in your sciences, i would retake them. If you got B+'s and B's, then maybe not. It's hard for me to judge since I dont know where you are at right now with your sciences. Since you are already into this MBA program, I guess there is no turning back and you might as well finish.

I guess you need to ask yourself, how well did you do in your sciences? If your grades are low, you may consider enrolling into a post bacc. Also, depends on how long ago you took them as well. For example, I got a D in intro bio 7 years ago, so I would definitely retake that course.

As far as strengthening your application, have you volunteered, done research, shadowed? Community service? Clubs? Sororities? Medical Society? Honors Society? What else have you done? Two huge things, shadowing a doctor and research. I would say these two things are major. If you have worked in a healthcare setting, that is a plus on anyone's app.

I hope I helped. Good Luck!

 

[ockhamsRzr]

Hey MSH,

While I'm not entirely in your boat, I can sympathize about wanting an objective yet informed evaluation of where you stand. I think you have a great idea in apporaching the adcom where you're interested in going and laying it all on the table. In at least one of my scenarios, I did just that over the phone with UNECOM and found the process well, well worth the time and honesty.

Here's what I think of your questions:

1. The post-bacc versus a la carte issues may be better framed (for you to get insight) if you're more directed: assuming the same quality of university and the same pre-reqs, do you see additional value to completing a formal post-bacc program versus not? Also, ask them if they put any additional value on specific programs: does Bryn Mawr put me in a stronger position than say Big State U? What they do and don't say will be revealing I'd guess.

2. Don't know if I'd jump to using "horrid" and "GPA" in the same sentence. 🙂 Perhaps you should ask the degree to which they value positive trending in your grades. I'd guess they won't negate anything, just as they won't over rate anything (like your MBA grades). Suggest to them that your expectation is that you'll smoke your pre-reqs. Given that, perhaps ask if the direct relevance of pre-reqs to med school might appropriately contextualize your determination? It's rhetorical...but that's the point 😎 .

3. Don't ask this question! Offer possibilities that you're considering and ask them for an evaluation of your choices. Ultimately this may be their preview of YOU, make a positive first impression by demonstrating to them that you have the stuff that they want.

Remember what one of the great critics of Shakespeare once uttered, "all description is necessarily selective."

Good luck,

Ock

 

[mshheaddoc]

I recently went to a DO school (NYCOM) for some advice about their application process. I did not bring my transcripts, however, they really didnt tell me anything I didnt already know. They told me their perspective and their gpa and admissions standards. That is all any school could really do for you, tell you THEIR procedures, and in a way, that is sort of biased. Since you are in an MBA program now, that does not really help your situation regarding sciences. Now, it seems to me that you already took your sciences undergrad. Was this where your grades were below 2.5? If so, you may want to retake them. I know it sucks to have to repeat things that you already took. I know for a fact, I took bio I, chem I, and physics I at a community college and then fully enrolled in a formal post bacc program and started from scratch. I have gotten both good and bad reviews about my decision, but I will take my chances. If you got like C's and D's in your sciences, i would retake them. If you got B+'s and B's, then maybe not. It's hard for me to judge since I dont know where you are at right now with your sciences. Since you are already into this MBA program, I guess there is no turning back and you might as well finish.

I guess you need to ask yourself, how well did you do in your sciences? If your grades are low, you may consider enrolling into a post bacc. Also, depends on how long ago you took them as well. For example, I got a D in intro bio 7 years ago, so I would definitely retake that course.

As far as strengthening your application, have you volunteered, done research, shadowed? Community service? Clubs? Sororities? Medical Society? Honors Society? What else have you done? Two huge things, shadowing a doctor and research. I would say these two things are major. If you have worked in a healthcare setting, that is a plus on anyone's app.

I hope I helped. Good Luck!

I didn't get all my prereqs in just a couple of them, my general science and ochem I. I withdrew from ochem II b/c I had switched majors. And mind you, this is almost 6 years ago when I took ochem, so I would like to take ochem over, I'm on the fence about general chem.

See that is my problem I don' tknow what to ask of them when I go in. Some people like ockhamsRzr get more information out of some schools then others do.

 

[mshheaddoc]

Hey MSH,

While I'm not entirely in your boat, I can sympathize about wanting an objective yet informed evaluation of where you stand. I think you have a great idea in apporaching the adcom where you're interested in going and laying it all on the table. In at least one of my scenarios, I did just that over the phone with UNECOM and found the process well, well worth the time and honesty.

Here's what I think of your questions:

1. The post-bacc versus a la carte issues may be better framed (for you to get insight) if you're more directed: assuming the same quality of university and the same pre-reqs, do you see additional value to completing a formal post-bacc program versus not? Also, ask them if they put any additional value on specific programs: does Bryn Mawr put me in a stronger position than say Big State U? What they do and don't say will be revealing I'd guess.

2. Don't know if I'd jump to using "horrid" and "GPA" in the same sentence. 🙂 Perhaps you should ask the degree to which they value positive trending in your grades. I'd guess they won't negate anything, just as they won't over rate anything (like your MBA grades). Suggest to them that your expectation is that you'll smoke your pre-reqs. Given that, perhaps ask if the direct relevance of pre-reqs to med school might appropriately contextualize your determination? It's rhetorical...but that's the point 😎 .

3. Don't ask this question! Offer possibilities that you're considering and ask them for an evaluation of your choices. Ultimately this may be their preview of YOU, make a positive first impression by demonstrating to them that you have the stuff that they want.

Remember what one of the great critics of Shakespeare once uttered, "all description is necessarily selective."

Good luck,

Ock

Ock,

I appreciate your feed back and those weren't my direct questions, just general questions, I will do my best to "reformat" them but I wanted to give everyone a general idea on them. What did you ask that you got so much information that you DIDN'T know about with UNECOM? Did you know much about the process going into the phone conversation? Was it more talking about your personal situation or was it more about the general application process?

I find that (well I have been told) that some admission offices are more helpful than others. I'm lucky b/c the one I have the discussion with I have heard very very good things about. I realize that every school is different in what they are looking for specifically in a candidate, but overall want the same thing.

Any insight that you can give me would greatly be appreciated!

~M

 

[sidewalkman]

The number one thing you can do is HAVE CONFIDENCE!!! Even if you fudge your questions, at least it'll look like you're in complete control. You want to project an image of success (even though you haven't in the past) so that this person and therefore the school will remember you in a positive light. This is especially true when you hand your transcripts over to the interviewer.

As for questions: 1 is good. Follow-up: What experiences in a formal post-bacc program make them attractive to your school? (Show examples from specific programs.) Rephrase 2 to say something like, Will having an MBA with a strong GPA help me in the application process? Why? 3 should be asked at the end, or when you run out of things to say.

Just remember that the interviewer will neither laugh at you nor say anything outright derogatory about you app to your face. Not only are there legalities involved, but they ultimately want you to apply, if for no other reason than for your app $$. If they disrespect you, then why would you apply there?

Good luck!

 

[r_salis]

Ok I have an appt with a local DO school in 3 weeks to talk about my application and how/what I need to do to get into med school.

I went to talk to a couple of admissions offices when I decided to go back to school, also at about 2 years before applying. I had a non-science undergrad degree, so I had to take essentially all the pre-reqs in my DIY postbacc.

I mapped out everything in a spreadsheet, semester by semester, with courses and extra-curriculars, and brought that along with me (along with my transcripts) when I went to talk to an admissions officer. I found it helped to have that "map" with me when I talked to someone because it steered the conversation from the more general "try to get A's" to more specific comments about my specific plan.

And for me, I loved that spreadsheet because it was a map that showed the progress I was making toward my goal. 🙂

 

[mshheaddoc]

Anyone have any last minute advice? Going tomorrow

 

[youngman]

truth can hurt.

there are lots of "nice" people out here and on the net, they tell you to not to give up, they tell u that your low gpas should not matter as long as you show the persistence, etc. those are all bs.

med. schools now have way too many applicants. they don't care who the heck you are, all they care is your GPA and your mcat scores.

your mba program won't help you, because those don't count as science classes. med. schools want to see your science GPA. and your average gpa plus the post-bac program is still below 3.0, you simply can't get in.

don't let those stories to fool you, like so and so with mcat under 25 got in, so and so with gpa 2.5 got in. those may have happened before, but it is not gonna be you unless you are a down syndrome patient or something. don't put your hope too high.

 

[ockhamsRzr]

Looooozer!

 

[liverotcod]

Anyone have any last minute advice? Going tomorrow

What did you learn?

 

[mshheaddoc]

Looooozer!

👍

What did you learn?

What did I learn?

I learned that small schools have their advantages of personalization. The ad counselor was AWESOME. Yes she did tell me what I wanted to hear but she also told me its up to me. Suggested county college for pre-reqs then enroll post-bacc. I asked her if just pre-reqs would be strong enough, she said they could be, but they want to see how I do in upper level courses, plus they are changing their cirrculum to integrated, so less concentration in lecture would mean that having no background would be harder. She said not to worry about money or getting in. Just do what she says and she will get me in. Gave me 5 examples of students who have done what I wanted to do. and 70% of their students are not directly from undergrad. ( I know one student there - she's same way). It just gave me a light at the end of the tunnel. Yes the next 4 years will be hard for me ... next 3 will be of classes and hopefully with applying but there is a chance I could apply in 2 years, I will see how my app looks. She insisted I keep in contact with her and to let me know if I had any questions. Offered for me to shadow students for a day. I even asked her about a health care class - if she had any contacts for research I'm doing and she is going to get back to me. I am going to send her an email right now. I have such a positive feeling overall right now ... floating on a cloud.
👍 👍 👍

I'm going to be a DOCTOR!!!! 😍 😀

 

[liverotcod]

Awesome. Sounds like a very productive meeting.

 

[sidewalkman]

Sweet! Glad to hear you got a cool advisor! The first step is always the hardest, and I have no doubts that you will succeed. Keep us posted! 👍

 

[mshheaddoc]

Thanks guys ... she was raving about drexels post-bacc program ...

 

[Barry Otter]

I'm not sure about DO programs, but most MD programs insist that your pre-req grades be no older than 7 years when you're applying. So this gives you a chance to start with a fresh slate, and, in addition, to boost your UGPA. An MD/PhD from a very prestigious school once told me that if you really want to get in and work for it, you will eventually get in, whether it's after 2 tries or 3. I believe her.

 

[youngman]

wow, this is wonderful. i think that you guys should not just do one year post-bac program. you should all do a 4 year post-bac program. and why not get another BA degree, and take 4 years of science programs, then you will be ready for harvard.

yea, post-bac is so cheap for you, and it will help you a lot. every med. school will want you once you finish a post-bac program.

 

[tllajd]

wow, this is wonderful. i think that you guys should not just do one year post-bac program. you should all do a 4 year post-bac program. and why not get another BA degree, and take 4 years of science programs, then you will be ready for harvard.

yea, post-bac is so cheap for you, and it will help you a lot. every med. school will want you once you finish a post-bac program.

For once, this dude is right. You go your own route. It's your life, your choice and your decision. Whatever works for you. Obviously nothing worked for him so he took his last route. I think he is trying to justify his choices by saying that it won't work for anyone. We all know that's not true. Obviously his post-bac didn't work for him and he's bitter, but that doesn't mean it won't work for you. (I actually feel kind of sorry for him.)

By the way, you don't have to go to Harvard to be a doctor. 😎

Good luck!

 

[ockhamsRzr]

Obviously his post-bac didn't work for him and he's bitter, but that doesn't mean it won't work for you. (I actually feel kind of sorry for him.)
Good luck!

I also feel sorry for him. One scared angry little voice on a miserable little island watching the folks here with hope and possibilities that are long gone for him.

Wait, no I don't feel sorry for him...he got exactly what he deserved.

Ock

 

[mshheaddoc]

wow, this is wonderful. i think that you guys should not just do one year post-bac program. you should all do a 4 year post-bac program. and why not get another BA degree, and take 4 years of science programs, then you will be ready for harvard.

yea, post-bac is so cheap for you, and it will help you a lot. every med. school will want you once you finish a post-bac program.

trolls are great ... i'm just waiting to see when he gets banned. 👍 Most people on this site are here for a reason which is why there is minimal negatively. You are a minority youngman. You bitterness is unwanted because you have NO IDEA what you are talking about. 👍 PS ... **** hardvard. I wouldn't go there if I could EVEN get in.

 

[youngman]

like i wrote it in another thread, i will get my MD degree in the next few years, when you will still be loading more debts by each everyday while still trying to find a med school that will let you in.

good for you. i think that you should run the president, you r the bush material.

 

[KNightInBlue]

trolls are great ... i'm just waiting to see when he gets banned. 👍 Most people on this site are here for a reason which is why there is minimal negatively. You are a minority youngman. You bitterness is unwanted because you have NO IDEA what you are talking about. 👍 PS ... **** hardvard. I wouldn't go there if I could EVEN get in.

Whoa! I realise you are on troll alert (as we all should be when it comes to creatures like youngman), but why all the hate towards Harvard? I thought they had a pretty good gig going....

 

[JohnDO]

i will get my MD degree in the next few years, when you will still be loading more debts by each everyday while still trying to find a med school that will let you in.

At least you're good with encouraging people to overcome difficulties in their lives and being a compassionate, understanding person, because that is an essential ingredient in a good physician. I hope you treat your patients differently, but anonymity reveals much about personality. Good luck.

 

[mshheaddoc]

Whoa! I realise you are on troll alert (as we all should be when it comes to creatures like youngman), but why all the hate towards Harvard? I thought they had a pretty good gig going....

Well I just don't think I would fit there, peoplewise. No offense to the people who actually can attend there. I would rather go to a state school, have less debt, and actually enjoy the experience. I feel that I might be sufficated. But then again, I don't go there, nor would I EVER get accepted there, so I'm not really concerned. I just think some schools are overrated, but I'm still on my journey so we shall see ...

 

[wendywellesley]

That's awsome you were able to speak with someone in adcom! and even better that she said she will help you get in!! three years in a long way but just keep you eye on the ball and you will there in no time! i'm in year two of a post-bacc and i'm SO jelous of my friends in med school, but i know what i'm doing is worth it and will pay off in the end (and I do NOT believe i'm overly hopeful), even if i do end up on a sunny island, i can't say i didn't give it my all.

does anyone know if MD schools are willing to met with students to talk about how they can strengthen their application to their school?

thanks!

 

[mshheaddoc]

That's awsome you were able to speak with someone in adcom! and even better that she said she will help you get in!! three years in a long way but just keep you eye on the ball and you will there in no time! i'm in year two of a post-bacc and i'm SO jelous of my friends in med school, but i know what i'm doing is worth it and will pay off in the end (and I do NOT believe i'm overly hopeful), even if i do end up on a sunny island, i can't say i didn't give it my all.

does anyone know if MD schools are willing to met with students to talk about how they can strengthen their application to their school?

thanks!

Yes they are ... meeting with an asst dean next week 🙂 I am going to talk to a few schools b/c every school is different.