Advice for critical point

[medemic]

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Alright guys,

Take a look at what I got. Then I'll go over the dilemma

Mediocre liberal arts college
uGPA: 3.2
sciGPA: 3.2
2 years volunteering service


After Bachelors, did UCSD Extension, took 46 units in one year (biochem, neuro, immuno, human phys, mol bio, etc), got a 3.2 while working part-time (probably shouldn't have worked part-time in retrospect). I got 2 Cs during extension work.

Leadership: I founded two health organizations, one international, one local for URMs (I'm a URM). I still advise one. There are other accomplishments but I feel like I say more someone from my school may identify me haha.

Now: I'm in a master's program in biotechnology. A few schools have these now. Where they teach you both business and science. To put it simply, I hate it. I got sick towards the end of this past semester and had to take incompletes in both business courses.

Career Goal: I'd like to be involved in cardiovascular academic medicine working for some university - teach, practice medicine, research. I received a MSTP fellowship during undergrad which kind of developed me to do this, and I fell in love with it and have been chasing it ever since. I obviously didn't do a good job of ensuring my grades were high enough though.

Context: I usually worked part-time and juggled some pretty difficult family issues. I realize everyone has family issues, but i suppose what you define to be an issue as. anyways, something to keep in mind.

Question: Should I leave my current Masters program (only one semester in btw), study and take my MCAT next spring, and get a second bachelor's in biomedical engineering at a good public institution starting next Fall or maybe even an SMP? Or should I tough out the masters program I'm in now? Or should I start considering other career routes because I did the UCSD extension and managed 3.2 though I took 46 units of science in one year. Also, speaking of this, how bad is it going to look at that I kind of did a "post-bacc" by going through ucsd extension and still wound up with a 3.2? Am I doomed? Or, could this be saved by a high MCAT score?

Thanks

 

[Mako555]

how do you feel about DO schools? It seems like that would be the best way to get to where you want to be. Although, I'm not sure if many DO's end up in academic medicine. I'm sure others know, and they will tell you.

 

[aspiring20]

you have a strong list of ECs and a pretty interesting personal story. 3.2 is low, but not prohibitively so for some MDs. SMOKE the MCAT (35+) and MDs are still on the table. good luck.

 

[aspiring20]

Alright guys,

Take a look at what I got. Then I'll go over the dilemma

Mediocre liberal arts college
uGPA: 3.2
sciGPA: 3.2
2 years volunteering service


After Bachelors, did UCSD Extension, took 46 units in one year (biochem, neuro, immuno, human phys, mol bio, etc), got a 3.2 while working part-time (probably shouldn't have worked part-time in retrospect). I got 2 Cs during extension work.

Leadership: I founded two health organizations, one international, one local for URMs (I'm a URM). I still advise one. There are other accomplishments but I feel like I say more someone from my school may identify me haha.

Now: I'm in a master's program in biotechnology. A few schools have these now. Where they teach you both business and science. To put it simply, I hate it. I got sick towards the end of this past semester and had to take incompletes in both business courses.

Career Goal: I'd like to be involved in cardiovascular academic medicine working for some university - teach, practice medicine, research. I received a MSTP fellowship during undergrad which kind of developed me to do this, and I fell in love with it and have been chasing it ever since. I obviously didn't do a good job of ensuring my grades were high enough though.

Context: I usually worked part-time and juggled some pretty difficult family issues. I realize everyone has family issues, but i suppose what you define to be an issue as. anyways, something to keep in mind.

Question: Should I leave my current Masters program (only one semester in btw), study and take my MCAT next spring, and get a second bachelor's in biomedical engineering at a good public institution starting next Fall or maybe even an SMP? Or should I tough out the masters program I'm in now? Or should I start considering other career routes because I did the UCSD extension and managed 3.2 though I took 46 units of science in one year. Also, speaking of this, how bad is it going to look at that I kind of did a "post-bacc" by going through ucsd extension and still wound up with a 3.2? Am I doomed? Or, could this be saved by a high MCAT score?

Thanks

was it easy for you to take undergrad courses via UCSD extension? i am planning on doing that too (maybe 4-5 courses), but i am afraid that it is hard to take classes as a non-enrolled student. i'll appreciate some insight into UCSD extension. many others have told me that it wasnt a problem taking courses through UCSD extension.

 

[medemic]

UCSD now has a formal post-bacc that's open to all, not just disadvantaged students like it used to be

 

[aspiring20]

UCSD now has a formal post-bacc that's open to all, not just disadvantaged students like it used to be

i just heard, but that program isnt for me (too expensive and not necessary since my cGPA is close to a 3.6). plus, i still have one prereq left to complete

i think individual classes through extension is the best option for someone in my situation.