Advice please

[makoto00]

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Hello. I'm at a bit of a loss as to what I should do right now and thought I would ask those more experienced for some help.

My GPA breakdown is 2.76 BCPM (3.69 everything else) - overall 3.3. I was a humanities major, but took all those prereq/core classes and didn't do too hot obviously. I passed them all though. My MCAT topped out at 28 after taking it 3 times.

I am set on going to medical school and am looking at postbaccs (stuff like Drexel, Georgetown) and Carribean schools (Ross, St. George) as options. For someone like me, is this the right thing to do? I know my core science grades were horrible, but I think I've matured a bit since I've taken those classes and I feel like were I to take those classes over again, I'd be able to do better. Any input at all would be great. Thanks in advance.

 

[Law2Doc]

Hello. I'm at a bit of a loss as to what I should do right now and thought I would ask those more experienced for some help.

My GPA breakdown is 2.76 BCPM (3.69 everything else) - overall 3.3. I was a humanities major, but took all those prereq/core classes and didn't do too hot obviously. I passed them all though. My MCAT topped out at 28 after taking it 3 times.

I am set on going to medical school and am looking at postbaccs (stuff like Drexel, Georgetown) and Carribean schools (Ross, St. George) as options. For someone like me, is this the right thing to do? I know my core science grades were horrible, but I think I've matured a bit since I've taken those classes and I feel like were I to take those classes over again, I'd be able to do better. Any input at all would be great. Thanks in advance.

I'm not sure that what you mean is "postbac" -- which is courses at the undergrad level, as opposed to a SMP (such as the one at georgetown), which is a masters (grad level). But aside for the definitional issue, one of these routes may make sense. You either want to find a place where you can take a bunch of upper level sciences at the undegrad level (and retake anything you got below a C in) to prove your ability to handle them (and which will slightly improve your cumulative BCPM and GPA on AMCAS), or else you want to take an SMP, which won't ever be aggregated with the undergrad numbers, as it is graduate, but may provide evidence that you can handle the sciences. I'd probably lean toward SMP (at Georgetown or elsewhere) at your stage. Is your MCAT evenly balanced? If not, you will want to retake after you finish your postbac or SMP studies. It would have been better if you addressed some of your GPA issues before you took it once, let alone three times, but it is what it is. While I suppose the Carribean is an option, my personal view is to use that as your last resort once you've done everything you can do to give yourself a shot at a US school, to no avail, and I'm not sure you are there yet..

 

[makoto00]

My MCAT is 10 verbal, 8 physical, 10 bio... I guess it's kinda balanced looking.

As far as options go, I'm more than willing to put in my time to fix things. So my choices now are to take more undergrad level sciences or take a SMP? Which route would be the surest/safest way? I really want to make sure the carribeans is not an option, even though I'm willing to do it. Is my core science GPA too low for a SMP to make a difference? Or will a good performance in a SMP make a significant impact? Should I do both even, taking more undergrad science classes and then doing an SMP? It should be noted I only have about 45 semester hours worth of BCPM classes. And as for being able to take the MCAT again, am I even allowed to? Is not 3 times the maximum? Thanks again 🙂

 

[EctopicFetus]

Think about going DO. IMO DO is better than Carribean. This is obviously up for debate but thats my opinion and FYI I am an MD.

 

[Sundarban1]

FYI I am an MD.

Actually, still a medical student for the next 5 months.

 

[makoto00]

I'm trying to stay focused on allopathic schools as long as it's achievable for me. Besides even if I wanted to apply to osteopathic schools, I would think I still need to do more classes from somewhere.

 

[makoto00]

Alright, here's an update. I got into the BU MAMS program, and got interviewed for Drexel. Still waiting on any kind of word from Georgetown. Georgetown would be my first pick out of the three schools, followed by BU and then Drexel.

Now the problem is, I have about 1.5 weeks left to tell BU my decision, but would love to hear from Georgetown first. Should I ask them for an update even though it's been said that they wouldn't be making decisions on the next batch for another 3 weeks?