Advice on how to proceed as a reapplicant (non-trad)

[spicedmanna]

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Hi, all,

I'm usually dishing out advice, but this time I have a question to ask about how to proceed into the next application cycle. I'm not abandoning the idea that I will receive an acceptance for 2007, but in all honesty my chances are bleak and it's a hell of a long shot to say the least. In all likelihood, I'll be looking to apply for 2008. I certainly didn't fair as well in my MCAT as my practice tests indicated; the killing blow, I think, was the 7 on the PS section. Admittedly, I didn't spend as much time on Newtonian mechanics as I probably should have, and it showed. This can be remedied, however, by practicing PS until I can't stand looking at another variation of an "F = ma" problem. Obviously, I'm planning on retaking the MCAT next year.

I have a choice, however, on how to proceed with my academics. There are two immediate options that come to mind. I can become a SMP student at Georgetown. If I did that, I would predict that I would work until all my hair turned gray on a degree that has no practical value outside of medical school application and would need to take out a significant loan. It won't raise my UGPA any, and it would probably interfere with my MCAT studying and wouldn't allow me to pursue any volunteering experiences. It's a prestigious program, however, and if I do well, medical schools could view it favorably. On the other hand, I could continue taking upper-level science classes, and/or easily get a second bachelor's degree while I study for the MCAT. This would increase my UGPA, give me time to get more clincal hours as an EMT, and also allow me to study for the MCAT. It would also be significantly more cost-effective, too.

What do you all think? I'm leaning towards the continued post-baccalaureate classwork, but am interested in your opinion.

 

[Law2Doc]

Hi, all,

I'm usually dishing out advice, but this time I have a question to ask about how to proceed into the next application cycle. I'm not abandoning the idea that I will receive an acceptance for 2007, but in all honesty my chances are bleak and it's a hell of a long shot to say the least. In all likelihood, I'll be looking to apply for 2008. I certainly didn't fair as well in my MCAT as my practice tests indicated; the killing blow, I think, was the 7 on the PS section. Admittedly, I didn't spend as much time on Newtonian mechanics as I probably should have, and it showed. This can be remedied, however, by practicing PS until I can't stand looking at another variation of an "F = ma" problem. Obviously, I'm planning on retaking the MCAT next year.

I have a choice, however, on how to proceed with my academics. There are two immediate options that come to mind. I can become a SMP student at Georgetown. If I did that, I would predict that I would work until all my hair turned gray on a degree that has no practical value outside of medical school application and would need to take out a significant loan. It won't raise my UGPA any, and it would probably interfere with my MCAT studying and wouldn't allow me to pursue any volunteering experiences. It's a prestigious program, however, and if I do well, medical schools could view it favorably. On the other hand, I could continue taking upper-level science classes, and/or easily get a second bachelor's degree while I study for the MCAT. This would increase my UGPA, give my time to get more clincal hours as an EMT, and also allow me to study for the MCAT. It would be significantly cheaper, too.

What do you all think? I'm leaning towards the continued post-baccalaureate classwork, but am interested in your opinion. My stats are located here:

http://mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid=6998

My personal view is that the Gtown SMP, accompanied by a slightly higher and more balanced MCAT would help you a lot. And you need to apply to many more places next time. But don't give up all hope for this cycle yet.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

You know, I don't know if you'd need the Georgetown SMP if you up the MCAT and apply to more schools (especially including osteopathic schools). Personally, I'd focus on upping the MCAT score and doing well in those higher level science courses. That coupled with good health care experience should be enough, imo.

 

[QofQuimica]

I think your biggest mistake was applying to so few schools, along with not choosing the right schools. Your numbers are below average for most allopathic schools, but they're not absolutely horrible. Next time, you need to apply much more broadly. I don't understand why you chose most of those schools on your list, to be honest. Maryland makes sense b/c you're a resident. But some of those others are schools that get zillions of applications each year and won't give you any special consideration. Look at the MSAR. When you see that some schools get 7000+ applications (and the schools in Boston and DC will), my advice is to avoid them unless you have a very good reason for choosing them. Since you presumably aren't tied to MD, I suggest that you take a serious look at schools in the South and the Midwest that aren't in everyone's dream city of residence.

If you're going to retake the MCAT, don't do anything that is going to affect your ability to study for it and really do well this time. Based on what you said, I think I would choose the post bac and second degree too. I don't think I'd take on that SMP unless it came contingent with an automatic acceptance to med school if you make it through.

 

[njbmd]

I have a choice, however, on how to proceed with my academics. There are two immediate options that come to mind. I can become a SMP student at Georgetown. If I did that, I would predict that I would work until all my hair turned gray on a degree that has no practical value outside of medical school application and would need to take out a significant loan.
What do you all think? I'm leaning towards the continued post-baccalaureate classwork, but am interested in your opinion. My stats are located here:

http://mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid=6998

The SMP at Georgetown is a Masters of Physiology and a masters degree is awarded at the end of that program. It would be as valuable as any masters of physiology degree (if you did not get into medical school) as long as you completed this program and received the degree. You could use this masters to teach a the college level or as entry into many research positions.

The greatest utility of the Georgetown SMP is for entry into medical school. Most medical schools are very familiar with the rigors of this program and the competitiveness of this program. Completion of this program with very high grades will make you very competitive for medical school.

No graduate degree, even a Ph.D will raise your undergraduate GPA. Taking graduate coursework to "prove yourself" to medical school admissions committees is a very poor reason to attend graduate school and obtain a graduate degree. Attend graduate school if you want a graduate degree and want to do graduate school in a particular area of study.

You would be better served entering a post-bacc such as the Johns Hopkins Post Bacc, your own informal post-bacc or the Goucher post-bacc which would provide the coursework along with some MCAT coaching (in the case of the Hopkins program) which will raise your undergraduate GPA. Anything at the master's level is not going to do this but make no mistake, if you enter a masters program and complete it, you come out with a masters degree.

To the OP:
Your GPA was way too low for all of the schools that you applied to and your MCAT didn't help you any. You likely need to apply to more schools both allopathic and osteopathic and up the MCAT score. Your string of extracurriculars is not going to offset that GPA/MCAT but your GPA is not that low for many schools (not your state b/c MD only has one state schools and it's competitive) and the osteopathic schools. You don't need anymore extracurriculars such as an EMT (unless you just want to do this). You need to focus on MCAT, maybe take a science course or two as long as they do not interfere with your MCAT study and re-apply to less competitive schools. You likely would have gotten into many of the osteopathic schools this year had you chosen to apply to them. (VCOM, PCOM, NEOUCOM, LECOM, WVCOM).