Advice on Options

[PepperMD]

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Okay, so here's another one of those "help me plan my life" threads, but I could really use some fresh perspectives. My story is as follows:

Started college in 2000 as a Computer Science major, hated it, became an English major, hated it, decided to pursue medicine 2 or 3 years into undergrad with a mid 2-point-something gpa. Over the years I busted my hump and will be graduating in May with a BS in Psychology, a BA in Literature, Science, and the Arts (an interdisciplinary lib arts degree) and a minor in English. I applied late for 2007 and still have hope for my state school where I interviewed early in January.

My stats:
3.33 overall
3.40 BCPM
(These numbers will be slightly higher upon reapp since I'll have two more semesters of near-4.0 grades factored in).

August 2006 MCAT with limited prep: 28P (9P 9V 10B)

EC's:

I enrolled in a full-time Medical Assistant program at a local community college while enrolled full-time at my undergrad university and received an associate's degree and became a Certified Medical Assistant. I also became a Certified Nursing Assistant.

Clinical experience in primary care as a Medical Assistant student intern and tertiary care as a Patient Care Tech at a local hospital.

Pharmacy experience in pharmaceutical production and as a pharmacy technician at a local hospital.

5+ years biomedical lab research as well as research in hospital administration at a local VA medical center.

My strengths I believe are the diversity of academic disciplines I've explored as well as the variety of healthcare experiences I've pursued.

If I should fail to get in this cycle, I have a couple options I'm considering and would really appreciate some advice.

First of all, I know I can improve the MCAT. A number of factors led to insufficient preparation last summer (not the least of which helping my 60-year-old mother fix up her acreage for sale), and I literally only had 5 days to study before the test. I'm positive I can pick up a few points and easily get 30+ upon retake. In addition, I applied late this cycle, so I definitely will get my AMCAS submitted THE DAY it's available this summer.

So that leaves me with the million dollar question: What to do with the year off?

I'm not sure about doing a post-bacc since I've already taken 200+ credit hours of coursework and I have a pretty good upward trend (4.0s the last 5 semesters).

I think I have some decent patient care experience already, although one can always do more. Most of my experiences have been paid, however, so I could definitely beef up my volunteering.

I'm considering graduate programs, but from what I've read here, the time and money may not be worth the relatively small boost it gives your application. Specifically I've been considering MPH programs which many on these boards suggest are pretty much worthless in the eyes of adcomms. I am interested in an MPH, but the true motivation would be as a stepping stone to med school which may or may not be viewed favorably or worth my time.

Anyway, that's where I'm at. I'm sorry for the uber-long post. Feedback would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[spicedmanna]

Well, your GPA as it stands isn't the highest--it's below average for a matriculant--but it's really not too bad, either. You did your best to up your GPA, I'm sure, and your trending up sure helps. Your MCAT can definitely be improved upon, though. I recommend that you sit down and figure out where you went wrong on the MCAT and do some focused studying for your next test date. Do what you need to do to raise that MCAT score above 30. Take as many practice tests under realistic conditions as you can. Hire a tutor; whatever. My guess is that your MCAT score, in combination with the lateness of your application and the lack of applying broadly, is holding you back. I don't think you need any further education; you already have accumulated too many degrees, in my opinion. This kind of makes adcomms a little suspicious, as they might begin to think you are some kind of career student, or something. So, I don't think any more degrees, such as a master's, will help you. Keep volunteering and doing healthcare-related work, with direct patient contact; get that MCAT score as high as you can. Also, if you haven't already, consider DO schools for the next application cycle (shadow a DO and get a recommendation from one, if you consider going DO).

Another possibility would be to consider doing some clinical research; that's always a fun ride, if you never been involved in any. Your primary focus, I think, really ought to be on your MCAT, however.

 

[RPCVGuy]

Agree with spicedmanna - higher MCATs will help to 'drag' up your GPA so you are able to hop over some of the minimum barriers to get secondaries and interviews.

Volunteering should be done long-term, no matter what you are doing. Nothing looks as good on an application as a several years of something you feel passionately about - no matter what the cause. Although you have patient experience, I would make sure to have some shadowing or other contact with a physician with you can answer the question, 'why medicine - what have you done to experience it?' it is a silly question, but one that will come up almost guaranteed.

Hope this helps and best of luck w/ everything.