**ADVICE NEEDED** What should I do next?

[prettyslick]

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First of all, I would like to point out that I am considered an International Student (F-1 visa) even though my parents are permanent residents. My parents got their permanent residency recently but I was a bit unlucky due to aging out (was over 21 at the time they got their green card/permanent residency). I have been in the US for 10+ years now, did HS here in US, and just finished undergrad and graduated this past december with an overall gpa on the lower side (~3.3) and a science gpa of 3.2. I havent taken the MCAT yet. What should I do next? To remain in status, I was thinking of doing a Masters degree in Biology. A masters would take 2 years, so won't be able to start medical school until Fall 2010 looks like. Should I take the MCAT this year and apply to medical school anyway and if I get in, I can defer admission OR leave masters (I am not even sure I can do that while being an international student?) OR should I take the MCAT next year and apply next year. Any helpful advice would be much appreciated. I do realize that my gpa is on the low side (and even more for an international student) and thus it is vital for me to do well on the MCAT (32+) That is why I don't want to rush taking MCAT, but I do feel if I were to take MCAT in May or June of this year, I would have adequate time to prepare for it. What would you do next if you were in my shoes? I would also like to hear from someone who was in similar situation before (i.e International Student)? Thanks! 👍

 

[xrevision]

You may have luck in another forum like the non-traditional or the international forum. Is it at all possible for you to naturalize while doing a masters?

 

[dr midnight]

you need to bring your gpa up. you could do it in post bac with lots of science classes. Masters is calculated different... and won't help your gpa very much almost like ec's. plus you must finish any program you start. med schools will not take anyone in the middle of a program. you could get in to lower tier schools with a 3.3 and high mcat score but you would have to have great EC's. as an international student many schools won't take you. you would have to look to see which ones. I am sure they will be the private ones and therefore more expensive. You will diff. have to apply early....june or early july. I would call your instate schools and ask the how they look at International students. Some may not make a diff. as your schooling is in the USA I think they will look at it in an indiv. case. good luck

 

[SCRdoc]

First of all, I would like to point out that I am considered an International Student (F-1 visa) even though my parents are permanent residents. My parents got their permanent residency recently but I was a bit unlucky due to aging out (was over 21 at the time they got their green card/permanent residency). I have been in the US for 10+ years now, did HS here in US, and just finished undergrad and graduated this past december with an overall gpa on the lower side (~3.3) and a science gpa of 3.2. I havent taken the MCAT yet. What should I do next? To remain in status, I was thinking of doing a Masters degree in Biology. A masters would take 2 years, so won't be able to start medical school until Fall 2010 looks like. Should I take the MCAT this year and apply to medical school anyway and if I get in, I can defer admission OR leave masters (I am not even sure I can do that while being an international student?) OR should I take the MCAT next year and apply next year. Any helpful advice would be much appreciated. I do realize that my gpa is on the low side (and even more for an international student) and thus it is vital for me to do well on the MCAT (32+) That is why I don't want to rush taking MCAT, but I do feel if I were to take MCAT in May or June of this year, I would have adequate time to prepare for it. What would you do next if you were in my shoes? I would also like to hear from someone who was in similar situation before (i.e International Student)? Thanks! 👍

I think you should find a health/medically-related job and work for a year while applying to med school. Usually F-1 students have I think 60 or 90 days to get work authorization or enroll in school after graduation. You get an extra year after college (optional practical training) to work in a field related to your major. Then you could get your company to sponsor you for an H-1 visa, if your OPT or work authorization expires before you get accepted. The other option would be like you suggested, get your Masters to stay in status, while applying to medical school. That would probably help boost your GPA and ECs. Then do well on the MCAT and hope for the best. Good luck.

 

[Isradoc1983]

I know you might not consider it, but I think you might have a better chance at a dental school than a med school... If you're thinking about dental you won't have that much trouble of getting into one. I know that for a fact cause a friend of mine got into one with similar stats as yours.
I know you might not like dentistry (most likely you don't) but its something to consider

 

[prettyslick]

I think you should find a health/medically-related job and work for a year while applying to med school. Usually F-1 students have I think 60 or 90 days to get work authorization or enroll in school after graduation. You get an extra year after college (optional practical training) to work in a field related to your major. Then you could get your company to sponsor you for an H-1 visa, if your OPT or work authorization expires before you get accepted. The other option would be like you suggested, get your Masters to stay in status, while applying to medical school. That would probably help boost your GPA and ECs. Then do well on the MCAT and hope for the best. Good luck.

I currently have OPT till October 2008. I won't mind working that would probably look good when I apply to medical school later on. The thing is, I don't know where to apply since I don't know which companies will take International students.