advice from an MSII

[AndyDufrane]

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Hi,
I meant to writ ethis way earliuer but never got around it, I am about to start my 2nd year at Drexel tommorrow, but it was a rough road getting tinto med school and just my view on it.I graduated in 1999 from a small unknown state school in NY with a 3.0, 27 MCAT, no real volunteer or clinical experience nor real research experience, so I decided to enrolo in an official post bacc program at the Univ of Buffalo, retook the MCAT and got a 30, had like a 3.8 in post bacc classes, and applied, got 3 interviews US MD interviews (SUNY UB, Downstate, NYMC) got rejected except NYMC, got waitlisted but then rejected, so reapplied a 2nd time and while I was doing that, I joined an AmeriCorp program that involved working in a community health center in underservged areas, got 2 MD interviews(SUNY Upstate and Drexel), got waitlisted at both but eventually got accepted into Drexel, long story short and my advice after reflecting on my experience, in order of importance to the adcom and how to fix the problem

1.)GPA:You don't need to enroll in an official post bacc program to boost the poor GPA, you can sort of make one up and I suggest taking these courses at the graduate level at your local state school(to keep the cost down) to help you look good and help with coursework you might encounter your 1st year so make sure to do well(not sure about 2nd year as I am about to enter into my 2nd year):Biochem, Microanatomy or histology, Human anatomy(don't know how likely you are to find this one), Human Physio, Immunology, Human Neuroscience, Stats.The reason i point these out is because in our school, if you have take some of these at the graduate level and after approval by the faculty, you could be exempt

2.)Need to get that MCAT to minumum 30, I think it is the magic number, the lower the undergrad GPA, the higher the MCAT needs to be( up to point,like 1.5 undergrad GPA won't cut it for a US MD school, a good rule of thumb if 3.0 GPA, need at least 30 to get an interview but not sufficient to get admission as I found out the first time applied with just good graduate GPA and 30 MCAT, ideally 10s or better across the board, don't worry too much about the writing though

3.)Volunteer or research experience:if you are sub 3.5 Undergrad GPA , the better this area of your app has to be, i did research for almost 2 years in cancer biology and was 1st author, and my voluneer at AmeriCorp I think really helped

4.)Letter;get as many good letters of rec as possible.

Ok, hope this helps, and remember, don't settle, I got admitted to NYCOM and St George thorughout this ordeal but I knew deep down inside I wanted to get into a US MD school and although it was tempting I passed on the 2 short cuts because I knew I had what it took to get into a US MD school, so hang in there for whatever suit you best, I know it is a hard road.Good Luck

 

[N1DERL&]

You rock! Thanks for sharing your story, it's encouraging to know other students who have made it. Enjoy your 2nd year at Drexel!

Ps: loved you in shawshank! bye!

 

[RNnowDoclater]

Yes, what a very encouraging story. Thanks for sharing it and enjoy your 2nd year!

I myself am a nurse but am thinking of doing a DIY post-bacc at a state school instead of formal. I have no prereqs done though from undergrad...still a good idea?

 

[AndyDufrane]

I think it is fine even for prereqs from undergrad to do informally by just enrolling in a few courses because like I said, i think official post bacc program ar a money making scheme, you could do the same by taking courses, whethe to fullfill prereq undergra or to help poor under grad prefromance by taking grad classes relevant to coursework u might encounter in med school

 

[speedracer9376]

It is important not to settle when applying to medical school. Yet, I dont think it would be considered "settling" if you get into an osteopathic school and choose to accept. The applications process is very expensive. I dont think you should apply to any school that you know deep down you don't want to attend (waste of $$$). Also, you are setting the stage for a more stressful medical school experience. My advice to people struggling to get into medical school is to do your homework on the schools that hold your interest and hold fast to your dreams. God will make a way for you to become the doctor you are aspire to become. I have friends who are MDs and DOs, and there is no difference with the exception of learning OMM and COMLEX. However, I advise everyone to do their homework on the curriculum at their schools of interest because some DO schools require students to arrange their own clinical rotations during years 3 and 4. That is a mess!!! I will soon start a post bacc program at OUCOM which guarantees my admittance to med school next fall. This application cycle marks my second time applying. I was blessed to have the opportunity to spend the summer at OUCOM in a summer program. I wanted to find out more about osteopathic principles and doctors as I am from a state that was not DO friendly until last year. I loved it and was offered the position I hold now. This summer changed my entire view of medicine. I thought I wanted to be an MD, but the falculty and student at OUCOM changed my mind. So...don't pass up an opportunity because of the the whole DO vs MD thing because a doctor is a doctor is a doctor. I even have friends who are in medical school in Poland. They didn't have to take the MCAT either...lol!!! The traditional way to medical school (high MCATS and high GPAs) does not have to be your only option. Their are many programs which help to prepare you too be competitive during the aplications process...learn about them. You just have to be honest with yourself about what you want. Good Luck and Continued Success!!!

As long as you keep running the race...you still have a chance to win!!!