Advice for an Undecided Reapplicant

[SuperAvocado]

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Hey everyone,
Your advice would be greatly appreciated. I am currently a graduating senior who did not get into any medical schools for the fall, but was accepted into a pharmacy school. My parents are pushing me to go to pharmacy school, but I feel that my heart is really in medical school - any advice on what to do next? I've read up on Post-bacs, but I'm still having trouble deciding. Here are my stats:

Biology BS major, Spanish minor
Overall GPA: 3.28
Science GPA: 3.18
MCAT: 27Q (first time) and 25Q (second time)

I'm taking KAPLAN courses this year and am planning to retake the MCAT in June. I was not accepted into an MED program, and I am currently waitlisted for SPFD (similar to MED). I've also gotten my CNA certification and am planning to work. I've done a lot of community and hospital work, gone out of the country to provide health care relief, and have other non-medical extracurrics. I am wondering if I should reapply this year with a better MCAT score or wait. Also, how do online post-bacs look to Admission Committees?

Thanks for your help. 😀

 

[CurrySpice]

Why would you apply to pharmacy school if you didn't want to attend?

Don't take an online post-bac. Attend a real one if you want to boost your GPA.

It looks terrible that you retook the MCAT for an even lower score. Make 99.9% sure that you're going to get at least a 30 in your retake.

 

[SuperAvocado]

Why would you apply to pharmacy school if you didn't want to attend?

Don't take an online post-bac. Attend a real one if you want to boost your GPA.

It looks terrible that you retook the MCAT for an even lower score. Make 99.9% sure that you're going to get at least a 30 in your retake.

I was initially pre-pharm until my junior year. I shadowed a pediatric in-patient pharmacist for the summer and realized I was more interested/drawn to being a doctor. My parents pushed me to apply to pharmacy school because I had already taken the PCAT and did well. Yet the entire time, I was still thinking about medical school...I'm just not sure if I can get in. I feel really stuck because either 1. I go to pharmacy school (they don't defer) and never look back or 2. Turn down pharmacy school for an uncertain future. Sigh!

Thanks for your advice. There's a pre-med postbac that is for people who haven't done the prereqs for med school. I spoke with the coordinator of the program, and he says premed students often take this route to show mastery of the basic sciences if they have a low science gpa. Would it look weird to take these classes again if I already completed them in undergrad? Would it look better to pursue an MPH or something biology-related? Thanks.