Advice Needed

[Nerva]

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I am a Canadian undergraduate student and I just finished the 4th year of my cell biology bachelor's degree. I have a cGPA of 3.01 and MCAT of 25. I can choose to finish my undergrad degree in either one more term or two more terms. I know my stats are not competitive. At this point, I am looking into my options after graduation to eventually accomplish my goal of attending medical school.

I desperately need to boost my stats and I would much appreciate it if you could give me advice about programs I should consider after graduation: GPA-enhancer post-baccs, 2nd bachelor's degree, SMPs. It doesn't matter if it is in the US.

Would any of these programs accept me with my current stats? Will any of these options help me at all at this point?

Is there a particular program that you would recommend for someone in my situation? I would prefer a formal, structured program where my progress is closely monitored but I am open to other options.

Furthermore, are there any post-baccs that have Winter or Spring entry should I choose to finish my current degree in the Fall term?

Any advice is appreciated!

 

[ZedsDed]

I am a Canadian undergraduate student and I just finished the 4th year of my cell biology bachelor's degree. I have a cGPA of 3.01 and MCAT of 25. I can finish my undergrad degree in either one more term or two more terms. I know my stats are not competitive. At this point, I am looking into my options after graduation to eventually accomplish my goal of attending medical school.

I desperately need to boost my stats and I would much appreciate it if you could give me advice about programs I should consider after graduation: GPA-enhancer post-baccs, 2nd bachelor's degree, SMPs. It doesn't matter if it is in the US.
Is there a particular program that you would recommend for someone in my situation? I would prefer a formal, structured program where my progress is closely monitored but I am open to other options.

Furthermore, are there any post-baccs that have Winter or Spring entry should I choose to finish my current degree in the Fall term?

Any advice is appreciated!

You shouldn't be looking at any of these programs without a stronger MCAT score. Work on that first, and then you can look into SMPs and the like.

 

[Nerva]

i am planning on retaking it this summer.

 

[katy524]

I am a Canadian undergraduate student and I just finished the 4th year of my cell biology bachelor's degree. I have a cGPA of 3.01 and MCAT of 25. I can choose to finish my undergrad degree in either one more term or two more terms. I know my stats are not competitive. At this point, I am looking into my options after graduation to eventually accomplish my goal of attending medical school.

I desperately need to boost my stats and I would much appreciate it if you could give me advice about programs I should consider after graduation: GPA-enhancer post-baccs, 2nd bachelor's degree, SMPs. It doesn't matter if it is in the US.

Would any of these programs accept me with my current stats? Will any of these options help me at all at this point?

Is there a particular program that you would recommend for someone in my situation? I would prefer a formal, structured program where my progress is closely monitored but I am open to other options.

Furthermore, are there any post-baccs that have Winter or Spring entry should I choose to finish my current degree in the Fall term?

Any advice is appreciated!

I'm in a similar boat as you, Canadian citizen/student with a GPA hovering around 3.0 with MCAT of 29. I've applied to BU MAMS a couple weeks ago and am waiting for a decision from the school. Off the top of my head, the programs that are Canadian-friendly (confirmed by emailing adcoms) are Boston MAMS, U of Cincinnati, Georgetown, RFU, and Tulane. The latter two I didn't consider because they required you send your transcript to WES to have it evaluated for US equivalency...which costs around $200!!!

Though there are some minimum GPA/MCAT requirements stated on their websites, all the admissions people I've emailed said that they look at the overall application (extracurriculars, reference letters, personal statement) and may consider those under the minimum, so there isn't really a hard cutoff. Still, I would recommend redoing the MCAT. I plan on redoing mine as well if I don't get into BU.

 

[ZedsDed]

I'm in a similar boat as you, Canadian citizen/student with a GPA hovering around 3.0 with MCAT of 29. I've applied to BU MAMS a couple weeks ago and am waiting for a decision from the school. Off the top of my head, the programs that are Canadian-friendly (confirmed by emailing adcoms) are Boston MAMS, U of Cincinnati, Georgetown, RFU, and Tulane. The latter two I didn't consider because they required you send your transcript to WES to have it evaluated for US equivalency...which costs around $200!!!

Though there are some minimum GPA/MCAT requirements stated on their websites, all the admissions people I've emailed said that they look at the overall application (extracurriculars, reference letters, personal statement) and may consider those under the minimum, so there isn't really a hard cutoff. Still, I would recommend redoing the MCAT. I plan on redoing mine as well if I don't get into BU.

Right. The point isn' whether or not OP can get into an SMP with that MCAT (I'm sure he can.) The point is whether or not he can get into med school with that MCAT. The answer, for an international applicant, is probably no.

 

[Nerva]

I'm in a similar boat as you, Canadian citizen/student with a GPA hovering around 3.0 with MCAT of 29. I've applied to BU MAMS a couple weeks ago and am waiting for a decision from the school. Off the top of my head, the programs that are Canadian-friendly (confirmed by emailing adcoms) are Boston MAMS, U of Cincinnati, Georgetown, RFU, and Tulane. The latter two I didn't consider because they required you send your transcript to WES to have it evaluated for US equivalency...which costs around $200!!!

Though there are some minimum GPA/MCAT requirements stated on their websites, all the admissions people I've emailed said that they look at the overall application (extracurriculars, reference letters, personal statement) and may consider those under the minimum, so there isn't really a hard cutoff. Still, I would recommend redoing the MCAT. I plan on redoing mine as well if I don't get into BU.

Thanks for the input guys. I would appreciate it if you could update me when you get the outcome of your applications. BTW, are you planning to complete the BU MAMS progam in one or two years? How are you planning to pay for the program? Are you getting a line of credit for a Canadian bank or do the universities provide you with financial aid?

 

[Nerva]

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[Nerva]

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[katy524]

Thanks for the input guys. I would appreciate it if you could update me when you get the outcome of your applications. BTW, are you planning to complete the BU MAMS progam in one or two years? How are you planning to pay for the program? Are you getting a line of credit for a Canadian bank or do the universities provide you with financial aid?

Sure, I'll let you know if I get in. I'm planning to complete it in 2 years so that I can focus on improving my GPA the first year, then focus on applying the second year. What's really nice about BU MAMS is that you spend the 2nd year doing your thesis, so you do have free time to apply to med, retake the MCAT, and since you're still enrolled in BU, you can get paid to TA or work for the school (as an international student) to pay back that steep steep tuition.

I haven't heard of any international students getting financial aid from BU MAMS. I'm paying for this with generous support from my family, my own savings, and private Canadian bank loans. It's a little anxiety-provoking, thinking about how much money I'm gonna be sinking into this program but I feel like I really need the structure and support the program provides that I wouldn't be able to get in a second Bachelor's or DIY post-bacc at a Canadian university.

 

[diehappy]

goodluck, i'm waiting for BU's reply also.

 

[Nerva]

Sure, I'll let you know if I get in. I'm planning to complete it in 2 years so that I can focus on improving my GPA the first year, then focus on applying the second year. What's really nice about BU MAMS is that you spend the 2nd year doing your thesis, so you do have free time to apply to med, retake the MCAT, and since you're still enrolled in BU, you can get paid to TA or work for the school (as an international student) to pay back that steep steep tuition.

I haven't heard of any international students getting financial aid from BU MAMS. I'm paying for this with generous support from my family, my own savings, and private Canadian bank loans. It's a little anxiety-provoking, thinking about how much money I'm gonna be sinking into this program but I feel like I really need the structure and support the program provides that I wouldn't be able to get in a second Bachelor's or DIY post-bacc at a Canadian university.

i can understand and personally testify to the need for structure in my program. i don't perform well with too much independence either. thanks for sharing your experience and good luck with admissions.