Advice on plan for med school

[m2DO]

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Hello everyone!

I found out about this forum because a classmate of mine had told me about it. After finally deciding to make a commitment towards medical school, I started doing research on this forum. I'd like to thank everyone in advance who takes the time to read what I have to say. Here it goes!

I'm your typical college dropout. After my first year, I quit and worked for about 2 years before returning to school. It took me 4 years to graduate with my associates in Biology (long I know). I graduated with a 2.9 cgpa and a 2.5 sgpa. I went to a 4 year pursing Biology right after. My cgpa ended up becoming a 2.7 cgpa with a 2.5 sgpa. I know... not so good.

During this time, I was working full-time and ended up having a baby with my girlfriend. This is where I made a drastic change. I realized I couldn't mess around anymore and had to focus on getting a real career.

I went to school full-time and worked full-time that semester ended up having a 3.75 with 16 credits. The next semester I took 16 credits again and got another 3.75 (stupid Bs), still working full-time. Now I have 2.96 cgpa, 3.1 sgpa. I'm graduating this semester, and if all goes according to plan I should have around a 3.1 cgpa, 3.3 sgpa.

As for ec/work experience, I worked full-time as a direct care counselor for the developementally disabled for 2 years. Now I work there per-diem (can't bring myself to leave) and currently I've been working as a telemetry technician in a hospital for a little over a month.

After I graduate this fall semester, I plan on taking a break from school and focusing solely on the mcats. I can't quit my job, I still need to support my family.

I'm trying to figure out what I should plan on doing after I graduate. I'd like to apply for medical school this coming spring if at all possible.

Should I focus on trying to kill the mcats? Or should I be taking more courses? Or is it possible to gain admission with my gpa being so low? cga 3.1, sgpa 3.3.

Do I have enough to fill out the rest of my med school resume? I don't have any leadership roles and I've heard thats pretty important...

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Any responses are appreaciated!

 

[stolen_biscuit]

I don't think you'd be very competitive (based on what you've written here) this spring. You need to put a little more work into this.

I wouldn't stress about the grades; they show a clear upward trend. By your sn, I will assume you are looking at DO. I've heard they do grade replacement; in that case, I would retake some of that early stuff. You will probably see a big jump there.

Your work experience is good, but your ECs are lacking. Have you done any volunteer work? You definitely need that, I think. After all, this is a helping profession. Research in undergrad? That helps.

I'm not sure here, but I think schools might also like to see that you've been talking to physicians. I know you've been in medical work, but I think schools like to see that you've done a little research into what physician life is like. Maybe ask a couple of the docs in your hospital if you can shadow them.

I'm no expert, but if you search around on here a little, you'll see that most people have really put a lot of effort into the process. It doesn't seem you're there yet, so delaying may be your best bet. There are a lot of people applying each cycle, and you want to make yourself the best candidate you can!

Best of luck!

 

[stsa84]

Should I focus on trying to kill the mcats? Or should I be taking more courses? Or is it possible to gain admission with my gpa being so low? cga 3.1, sgpa 3.3.

Yes, pour your heart and soul into preparing for the MCAT. Your upward trend is great, but pulling a high score on the MCAT will help schools look past your overall GPA to take a closer look at you.

I was just accepted to an allopathic school with sGPA and cGPA < 3.3, and MCAT of 36. My upward trend: first 83 hours at 2.06 GPA, final 149 hours at 3.94.

I know some schools review every app thoroughly, but I would think that many others would screen to some extent before reading someone's entire application. A 3.2 GPA with a 30 MCAT might be easy to skip over...a 3.2 GPA with perhaps a 34+ might interest the reader enough to look at your history and see why your overall GPA is low. I feel like getting someone to truly listen to "your story" is over half the battle for us non-traditional applicants. Anyway, my thoughts on the admissions process are speculation, but I do think it is extremely important that you own the MCAT.

As for EC's, shadow some docs.

 

[stolen_biscuit]

I was just accepted to an allopathic school with sGPA and cGPA < 3.3, and MCAT of 36. My upward trend: first 83 hours at 2.06 GPA, final 149 hours at 3.94.

Congratulations! Your MCAT rocks!

Off-topic, but I thought nothing went out before Oct 15? (Applying next cycle, so I'm interested. 🙂)

 

[stsa84]

Congratulations! Your MCAT rocks!

Off-topic, but I thought nothing went out before Oct 15? (Applying next cycle, so I'm interested. 🙂)

Early decision. Interviewed mid-August, found out mid-September. Good luck on your journey!

 

[hawkbit]

Yes, pour your heart and soul into preparing for the MCAT. Your upward trend is great, but pulling a high score on the MCAT will help schools look past your overall GPA to take a closer look at you.

I was just accepted to an allopathic school with sGPA and cGPA < 3.3, and MCAT of 36. My upward trend: first 83 hours at 2.06 GPA, final 149 hours at 3.94.

I know some schools review every app thoroughly, but I would think that many others would screen to some extent before reading someone's entire application. A 3.2 GPA with a 30 MCAT might be easy to skip over...a 3.2 GPA with perhaps a 34+ might interest the reader enough to look at your history and see why your overall GPA is low. I feel like getting someone to truly listen to "your story" is over half the battle for us non-traditional applicants. Anyway, my thoughts on the admissions process are speculation, but I do think it is extremely important that you own the MCAT.

As for EC's, shadow some docs.

+1
(to the OP)
Good job on taking responsibility in your life, that's something to be proud of regardless of what happens about med school. A couple of things... Have you checked with some of the medical schools (website or phone call) you are interested in as to what pre reqs they require. It's fairly universal, but there's usually one or two different courses required. You will need to be thinking about your personal statement, why physician, and what strengths you bring to the table. Your ps is the other hook you need for your app to get someone to take a look. Good luck!

 

[stolen_biscuit]

Early decision. Interviewed mid-August, found out mid-September. Good luck on your journey!

👍

 

[m2DO]

Thanks for the responses guys. And to the person who got accepted with a gpa < 3.3... congratulations!!! I'm happy to hear you made it and it's a huge confidence booster.

I'll try focusing HEAVILY on the mcats. I started reviewing during my breaks at work about 2 weeks ago and I listen to Audio Osmosis literally ALL DAY LONG and in my sleep. I plan to spend the entire winter break studying. I already made a daily schedule and I'm really excited :-D

Sadly the last volunteer experience I've done was over 6 year ago. I did shadow a doctor for only about 32 contact hours a couple months ago. Outside of that, the only doctors I've spoken to are the ones around my hospital and future father in law..

For ECs I used to be part of a dance company (2 years) and I did teach for about a year (5 years ago). I also played table tennis for college for 2 years (2 years ago). Outside of that I play golf (rarely). I haven't done anything ever since finding out about the baby... so that was almost 2 years ago since I've actually done anything credible outside of work and school. Honestly, I like to spend the extra time I have with my son and my fiance. I honestly can't find it in me to take that time away for ECs... I hope that doesn't burn me.

I honestly wasn't working on my ps yet but maybe it'll be a good idea to start working on ideas. I already took all pre-req courses for med school... All the courses required for the mcats, Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2, microbiology and I plan on registering for Biochem next semester.

Again, thank you for taking the time to respond. It really is very much appreciated. Best of luck to you guys and wish me luck as well!

 

[Jack is Back]

Clinical or volunteer experience is HUGE.

People want to know that you KNOW you want to do medicine.

Be careful about thinking, "Oh, he got in with a 3.3 GPA, which means ____"

If you have 2 years of coursework @ near 4.0 then GPA matters much less as long as it's 3.3 +.

Anyway, do well on the MCAT but that isn't the end all. You need a strong app and DO schools will be best with grade replacement.

Medicine is a long term career, like 20+ years. So whether it takes you 1, 2 or 3 years to work a plan shouldn't matter much. Set up a strong plan and execute. Lots of people in your position want to rush to the app, put together a strong app with all the pieces first. (i.e. clinic, strong course work, clear purpose, strong recs, etc.)

 

[m2DO]

Thanks for the response.


Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought being a telemetry technician would count as clinical experience (truthfully the reason I applied for the job). I usually have patient contact when I have to change leads and I have explain the purpose of the telemetry monitor to the new admissions. I also like to help the PCAs transport patients into the bed and escort patients to and from their bed and chair. I also interact with doctors daily; I usually have to update them with the status of each of their patients rhythms.


What I'm a really concerned with is having ECs and volunteer experience. I'm a full-time dad, I have a full-time job and a per diem job(40 - 60 hours per week) and I'm a full-time student (16 credits). I honestly think I'm averaging 3 or 4 hours of straight sleep (I do take naps). Maybe 6 for Saturday and Sunday (if I don't have to study or do work.. which is rare).. but then again.. my son likes to wake me up when I finally fall asleep :-D It's worth it though.


My point is do medical schools really expect me to squeeze more time into that schedule? Or are you guys implying I should do the volunteer work after I finish classes? I was planning on taking an extra year of courses to bring up my gpa.

Thanks again for anyone who takes the time to read this. As always, input is greatly appreciated.

 

[katiemaude]

I would focus on killing the MCAT and getting some volunteering and shadowing in before you apply next spring. In case you don't make it in the first time, you could spend your app year taking some upper level bio classes that random med schools require, which will help pull up your GPA even more for a reapp.

Conventional wisdom is you want at least 40 hours of direct shadowing experience and get to know at least one D.O. if you plan to apply to osteopathic schools.

And I know you're overextended, but medical schools don't care. Set up a weekly volunteer gig. It can be non-medical.

Don't underestimate the difficulty of the MCAT, especially if your experience with standardized tests has been with paper and pencil. I'm generally a good test taker and did very well in my prereqs, but the testing conditions psyched me out a bit. In addition to reviewing the material thoroughly, you need to take the AAMC tests online and in real time for practice. No snacks (there is very little time between sections on the real test unless you are good at choking down something in a minute) and drink water/whatever and use the bathroom only between sections. You get 10 minutes, but you really only get 6 or 7 because you have to check out and check in to the testing room. Don't bother with noise canceling headphones because there will be someone wiggling or coughing or something in your room. Also at least in my testing center, you could have one tissue but you couldn't blow your nose during the exam (?) which is fine ordinarily but I had a raging summer cold during it. I had to leave twice during the verbal section to blow. Lost 4 minutes that way. Total nightmare.

Best of luck! You can do it.

 

[Jack is Back]

Thanks for the response.


Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought being a telemetry technician would count as clinical experience (truthfully the reason I applied for the job). I usually have patient contact when I have to change leads and I have explain the purpose of the telemetry monitor to the new admissions. I also like to help the PCAs transport patients into the bed and escort patients to and from their bed and chair. I also interact with doctors daily; I usually have to update them with the status of each of their patients rhythms.


What I'm a really concerned with is having ECs and volunteer experience. I'm a full-time dad, I have a full-time job and a per diem job(40 - 60 hours per week) and I'm a full-time student (16 credits). I honestly think I'm averaging 3 or 4 hours of straight sleep (I do take naps). Maybe 6 for Saturday and Sunday (if I don't have to study or do work.. which is rare).. but then again.. my son likes to wake me up when I finally fall asleep :-D It's worth it though.


My point is do medical schools really expect me to squeeze more time into that schedule? Or are you guys implying I should do the volunteer work after I finish classes? I was planning on taking an extra year of courses to bring up my gpa.

Thanks again for anyone who takes the time to read this. As always, input is greatly appreciated.

No, you're doing enough. Sleep is important.

 

[MrsOfficer]

I would focus on killing the MCAT and getting some volunteering and shadowing in before you apply next spring.

And I know you're overextended, but medical schools don't care. Set up a weekly volunteer gig. It can be non-medical.

Don't underestimate the difficulty of the MCAT, especially if your experience with standardized tests has been with paper and pencil.

Best of luck! You can do it.

Awesome advice. As someone who got a ~3.3 undergrad GPA, and is now a 4th year med student at a great school, I can tell you that it does happen. For me, I did a post-bacc Masters and rocked it, and I think it almost single-handedly got me in, along with the year-long training on how to PERFECT the application. It's such a game. I applied twice, before & after the program (3 years apart). No interviews first time, too many the 2nd time & got into my top choice school. Don't even try to apply this year, you're late and you'll be rushed, it'll be a waste of time, $, and an application. Set yourself up for success.

Also, for volunteering, don't just do it for the application. Work with what you love, and it won't seem hard or tedious. For example, my husband & I arranged a community "bike rodeo" for kid's bike safety with helmet fittings, obstacle courses, etc. We do several each summer, and it's a lot of fun. Yes, it's a small thing, but with stuff like that you can double-whammy: fun with the kiddo & volunteering. But seriously, have a little fun with it. You might take yourself by surprise 😉

 

[MrsOfficer]

My point is do medical schools really expect me to __________

Also, be SUPER careful this line of thinking. The previous poster is right, schools don't care. Many might use it as a talking point, a "human connection" or even be impressed come interview time, but right now it's all about the application. They expect you to be a great candidate and be a thus be a great student, period.

I only have experience with one med school obviously, so maybe other schools or DO schools are different, but please be aware that expectations will be high. The 2nd & 3rd years of med school, doing 80+ hour weeks for "free/for the love of learning" and being stationed wherever the school chooses, with crazy schedules chosen for you, without being able to call in sick/request off was eye opening after working in the "real world" for a while. As a 4th year, I feel more optimistic (just in time to be crushed again in residency, I'm sure!). But be ready to essentially hand your life over to the school, if this is truely what you want to do.

Sorry if that came across too harsh, and of course take each persons' experience/advice with a big grain of salt... 😳

 

[m2DO]

Wow guys, great input. I'd like to thank you all for the amount of time you put into each response.

katiemaude: Thanks for the Mcat advise. I'll make sure not to take it lightly. As for shadowing experience, I actually have about 32 from a DO. He was a good guy and was actually the person to convince me to go for medical school.

Jack is Back: Haha, I'll get sleep when I finally reach my goals!

MrsOfficer: You just gave me the perfect idea for volunteering!! thank you so much. Your example was awesome. And your response was not harsh at all. It was very much appreciated. Thank you for that. I'll really focus hard to make my application worthy.

Once again, thanks guys.

 

[Jack is Back]

Make sure you have all the pieces to the application puzzle and you are destined for success.

Obviously, do what you have time for, don't sacrifice everything just to add one more thing to the application. BUT really do try to excel in each area.

• Last 2 years of GPA (near 4.0)
• Strong MCAT
• Strong letters of rec
• Strong clinical experience
• Some type of volunteering / activity

Put together all the pieces, then interview well. It's that simple.👍

 

[m2DO]

Thanks again Jack. I'm going to steal that list.

 

[dbizzy]

If you can accommodate it, another option is to delay your graduation until the end of the school year in May/June. You have been making considerable strides in your cgpa and sgpas, and one last semester of strategically planned retakes of any remaining Ds or Fs in science could boost your gpa significantly, easily pushing your sgpa well above the average for DO applicants. It might get that 3.1/3.3 to say, a 3.2/3.5 or something like that.

Hell, if your school offers a short winter session, you can also use that to squeeze in one or two retakes (what I did last winter). Point is, every A retake counts.

I'm just throwing it out as an option since as an underdog, you want every edge you can get. Getting that sgpa above the average + stellar upward trend + a hopefully strong MCAT can very well seal the deal for you.

 

[Law2Doc]

... Sleep is important.

med schools don't think this way. They want you to have an application that wows them. They don't care about the logistics. If it takes you an extra year to get the wow factor in in terms of ECs, you may have to take that route.

A more important question is whether you have thought through what is involved in med school. A lot of the clinical years and residency is going to involve 80 hour work weeks with a lot of overnight and weekend hours. And then you are expected to "study" on top of that in your "spare" time. Be aware that this is going to be a bigger hit to your schedule than a job plus classes ever were. Not saying it's not doable, but everyone involved needs to realize it's not like you are going back to college and going to have that kind of availability.