Advice/ideas on how to proceed?

[HardBodyKarate]

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I graduated from a liberal arts university with a 3.38 cGPA and a 3.0 sGPA in May. I have a D in orgo 2, but I retook it and got an A. I have a few Cs as well. As for extracurriculars, I played rugby and did research at a few places, shadowed a doctor, and saw a few surgeries. I'm taking the MCATs tomorrow and will hopefully do well (30+).

I've been looking at Post Baccs and SMPs, but I really want to go back to school by the springtime, which would limit the programs I am eligible for. Additionally, I want to apply to medical school this coming summer. What are my options? The way I see it, I can try to land a research assistant position and build on extracurriculars till I apply to an SMP for next fall, but that wouldnt help my GPA situation for applying to medical schools in the summer.

I was thinking about applying to USCs Global Medicine Program or maybe Penn's LPS (specialized studies) program for the spring and taking it from there, but I wanted to see if there were other options in case those don't work out. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[HardBodyKarate]

Bump?

 

[FightinUruKai]

It depends on what your plans are. The suggestion that I would think of is do a non-formal post bac for a semester, just taking classes at a school near you for the spring semester. Just take a look and see if it is too late or not.

 

[HardBodyKarate]

Thanks for the advice. I recently got my MCAT score (36S; 10 VS, 13 BS, 13 PS), and I'm happy with my score, but I don't know if this changes how I should proceed. As I mentioned, I want to apply this coming summer, but my science GPA and cumulative GPA are low. Should I be looking at post-baccs over smps? I want to start working as a research tech or something, but will that really benefit me considering my low GPA?

 

[gbvan]

I have more limited knowledge than most posters here, but, to me, it seems like an SMP would be the best idea for you so that you can outweigh your previous GPA with proof that you can handle curriculum more similar to med school.

 

[HardBodyKarate]

Any SMP or post-bacc in particular for a student with stats like mine?

 

[DeucesHigh3]

Any SMP or post-bacc in particular for a student with stats like mine?

If I were in your shoes, I would aim for a SMP for the coming fall, and apply strategically to med schools this summer. Any SMP will do, as long as it's a legitimate one where you take a majority of your classes through the med school / with the med students. While a year of post-bac work might be useful, it will be hard to put much of a dent in the 3.0 sGPA -- a SMP would be much more of a slam-dunk if you perform well (and there's every indication that you would, with an excellent MCAT).

In the mean time, you could take a few science classes this spring, wherever you can find some upper level bio's that aren't terribly expensive per credit. More important, probably, is boosting your ECs. I honestly don't think a RA position would do anything for you, especially since you already have some research on your resume. On the other hand, you seem to be lacking clinical exposure, and that'll be a red flag for both med schools and SMPs. Do whatever you can to get yourself into a hospital -- paid or unpaid -- so that you can get in a good 6 months of clinical exposure before your applications go out, and then continue it during the fall of your SMP year. It's also probably a good idea to shadow at least one more physician, preferably primary care. Lastly, if you have any extra time, see if you can do some non-clinical volunteering; there are definitely some medical schools that put a special emphasis on community service and volunteerism.

 

[HardBodyKarate]

I just got a job as a research technician, and I accepted it, simply because it's what I want to do right now. I don't know if it was the best decision, but I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction in terms of planning. I wanted to apply this next application cycle, but by then the only thing that would have changed is a year of research experience. I could do some volunteering and gain some clinical exposure; however, my sGPA and cGPA are still rather low.

I'm leaning in the direction of an SMP, but would it be pointless to apply to a few schools this next application cycle or would I stand a chance? Or, should I simply apply after the SMP is complete. That would mean a 3-year gap, which I'm okay with, but then that makes me wonder if my MCAT score will still be viable. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[NJD519]

Nice MCAT. You are definitely in a good position to get into one of the better SMPs, IMO. Definitely start applying to SMPs for this upcoming August. Taking an extended amount of post-baccalaureate courses to raise your GPA and show a trend is not worth the time and letting that MCAT expire. However, I suppose you could take just a couple in the spring like Deuces said and ace them. Additionally, see if you can get a volunteering gig in the ER, you might get some clinical exposure that way.

As for applying to medical school, depending on the SMPs you apply to and get accepted at, maybe you could apply to some schools that recognize these programs and update them as you get your grades? Not sure. Nonetheless, if you kill your SMP I think you will have a decent shot at medical school.

 

[HerbalPlz]

Additionally, see if you can get a volunteering gig in the ER, you might get some clinical exposure that way.

Hey, my questions is kind of derailing, sorry...but may as well ask here instead of a new thread.

I did volunteer in the ER about 4 years ago. They made me clean garbage, bedsheets, and give patients their food come mealtime. The only actual 'medically' related task I did was resupplying all the rooms with gauze and cotton and some random other medicines used in ER care.

I'm looking to do some heavy volunteering next semester, do you still recommend ER volunteering if the above listed tasks are still what I'd have to do? Of course, that was 4 years ago...but I think most hospitals around my area give those same tasks to volunteers.

 

[NJD519]

Herbal, the duties probably vary between different places that you can volunteer. When looking for a volunteering position, I suppose you can let the volunteer department or coordinator know that you are interested in anything clinical. I too serve patients food, but I also spend time with the patients, transport them, assist with their comfort needs, and help out the physicians and ER staff when needed. It's nothing huge, but still considered somewhat clinical. I feel that these duties are more important than refilling gauze and cotton, haha. Check around at different hospitals and let them know that you are applying to medical school, and want some patient contact experience. The only other thing I can think of it getting a clinical job (research coordinator, ED patient tech., etc...) or shadowing. The former is obviously a little more involved; no point in changing careers if you are planning on going to medical school in the very near future.

 

[HerbalPlz]

Herbal, the duties probably vary between different places that you can volunteer. When looking for a volunteering position, I suppose you can let the volunteer department or coordinator know that you are interested in anything clinical. I too serve patients food, but I also spend time with the patients, transport them, assist with their comfort needs, and help out the physicians and ER staff when needed. It's nothing huge, but still considered somewhat clinical. I feel that these duties are more important than refilling gauze and cotton, haha. Check around at different hospitals and let them know that you are applying to medical school, and want some patient contact experience. The only other thing I can think of it getting a clinical job (research coordinator, ED patient tech., etc...) or shadowing. The former is obviously a little more involved; no point in changing careers if you are planning on going to medical school in the very near future.

Thanks for the advice. Yeah, it seems like a lot of the other opportunities require a lot more time investment.

Shadowing is another thing I'll look into as well.

 

[HardBodyKarate]

I've looked at the list of SMPs, and it seems like Mt. Sinai, BU, Georgetown, and Tufts are programs I should be looking at if I want to stay in the northeast. Are there any programs that are missing from this list? I'm primarily looking at programs that are known to get their students into medical school (granted they do well in the program). Also, as far as timing is concerned, I should be applying as soon as possible, correct?

 

[NJD519]

Personally knowing people that went to Tufts SMP, I would have to say think twice about attending that program. Lean more towards GTown, and BU.

 

[HardBodyKarate]

Interesting, is that because the people you know that go to the program are worse off than I am, or is it because the program itself is not that great in terms of its graduates getting into medical school?

 

[DrMidlife]

I was asked to comment on this thread, but the info already here is good, particularly from Deuces.

Regarding volunteering, it's that "volunteer" part that seems to confuse people. Your job as a volunteer is to give your time freely, in the spirit of serving your community, by doing menial tasks. Consider that even the lowest-paid medical assistants have to do months of schooling before they're allowed to put a blood pressure cuff on a patient. The hospital is legally liable for your actions by simply allowing you to be there. You have no training, so you don't get to do jack, and them's the breaks. Get over yourself and get to work. Pay attention to what's going on around you in the clinical setting, and take advantage of opportunities to ask questions and observe procedures. You might learn something really important (such as that you don't really want to be a doc if it means you have to deal with the public).

Regarding the OP's question, with a 3.38 cumulative, 3.1 science, and 36S, I say apply for Fall 2012 to every program that looks interesting to you. Then see if you like working as a research tech. If you dig it, then I think Mt. Sinai or even traditional grad work might be reasonable for you. With your MCAT (which you might need to retake, if your grad program is multi-year), and strong grad grades and some pubs, I think you'd be taken seriously for med school. If you aren't digging on bench research, then stop doing it as soon as you want to, and get ready to kill an SMP. Picking an SMP means spending a boatload of time studying SDN and other sources to see what current and former students have to say about the various programs. It also means doing math to see how much debt you're taking on, and figuring out how that works after med school, because an SMP path likely ends with you at a private or OOS med school. Take charge of your choices - be like a doctor and take responsibility for making a good decision.

Best of luck to you.