Advice to improve my app for next cycle

[sepho]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I was hoping to get some advice from SDN about what to do for the next couple months before applying again. I am a postbac student.

My stats:
undergrad cgpa: 3.07
Postbacc gpa: 3.37
bcpm: 3.37
mcat: 26Q (ps8/vr9/bs9)
ec's: shadowed, volunteered, worked as unit secretary and er tech
lors: solid
last year of postbacc: 3.9ish - all A's and A-'s
Planning in the summer to shadow and volunteer more
Planning to retake mcats - taking kaplan course

I'm debating whether or not to take more classes. At the end of this spring semester, I'll be done with all my prereqs plus biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, and human genetics. I could take physiology or medical ethics (sociology/philosophy) type classes, but with so many credits, is it worth it?

I spoke with the dean of admissions at a school I interviewed for and was rejected, and he said that taking additional classes would not make a difference. What do you guys think?

My preference would be to not take any more classes, so I don't risk NOT getting an A (which I know I must). Then I can get my cna or emt and work full time, getting clinical experience.

Anyone in a similar situation? Any advice? Thanks in advance.

 

[not so calm now]

Looks like retaking the mcat is your best bet right now.

 

[sepho]

in my situation, do you think i should take more classes?

 

[dragonfly99]

Are you trying to get into an allopathic and/or DO school?
I think the GPA is really low for an allopathic school, and you might not be able to overcome that even if you raise the MCAT score some.

You could go offshore or to a DO School. Your postbac GPA is better, which might help somewhat, but the overall 3.0 GPA is going to be a killer I think for your application to US MD schools...there are so many with 3.7-3.8 GPA that usually the adcoms don't let the 3.0 people even get to interviews.

I would try to raise the MCAT score, and go for all your state MD schools, and a bunch of DO schools, and consider applying abroad, like Ireland or Caribbean as well (or have that as a backup plan).

 

[romba]

In addition to raising your MCAT you also might want to consider doing some research, it's something you don't have as of yet.

 

[not so calm now]

Was the postbac just for the prereqs or was it to improve grades? Honestly, that postbac gpa looks a little low. Usually it seems schools want to see good grades in them, especially if you have a lower undergrad gpa. Taking scattered undergrad classes probably won't help too much, but you might be a candidate for a special master's program (SMP) in the next year or two provided you get the mcat up to ~30.

Honestly, if I were you, I would wait two years or so to reapply. I would study like crazy for the mcat, try to get a full-time job, then try to apply to SMPs. It's going to take awhile before you get a US med school acceptance. Alternatively, like others have said, you may be able to do offshore.

Do you have any research experience, by the way? From what I understand, this isn't a huge deal to DO schools but might hurt you when applying to MD schools.

 

[sepho]

For a person with my stats, my best chance is at a state school. When I asked what I could do to improve my application, he only mentioned my essays. He said they didn't prove to the committee my real commitment to medicine. As I mentioned in the original post, he also said that taking more classes would be pointless.

So my plan would be to improve my mcat, volunteer, shadow and do some volunteer research in a lab at my state medical school. I also think that working as a full time cna or emt would really show them my commitment to medicine.

I'm not really looking toward international or do schools. However, I know that if I can't get into my state school, my chances of getting into an oos school are slim. Plus I'm old. I'd really like to get in soon.

not so calm, my postbac gpa started out pretty low when because of o. chem. But I've picked it up in the last year.

 

[cleothecat]

If your application is strong beyond the numbers strongly consider DO.

 

[BruceBanner]

Sepho-

I have the exact same composite MCAT score as you, but my gpa is a bit higher (3.45).

I agree with the others that your GPA is what it is. Yeah, you could do an SMP, but here's the catch: you would absolutely have to kick as$ and get straight A's, or you will be sunk for good. That's a lot of pressure, and a lot of money. Those programs arent cheap.

If you dont have an aversion to retaking your MCAT, this would be your best bet. Medical work experience is good, but frankly, if we're honest, it's overrated. The reason why is that you can have all the awesome EMT/CNA/Phlebotomist/Paramedic/Tech experience in the world, but if your gpa and MCAT arent up to par you arent getting in anywhere.

It is good to have, dont get me wrong, but it is pimped a bit too much on SDN. MCAT and GPA are the king and queen, respectively, and should be treated as such.

You could potentially get into a D.O. program with your current stats, provided you apply early. Offshore is an option as well but it it were me that would be my absolute last resort, because the risks are large. With your current GPA, anything but an exemplary MCAT score is going to keep you out of MD schools. I know there is a lot of anecdotal reports floating around of people getting in with low stats, but dont let that be your guide. People like that are exceptions, and there is usually a good reason for the exception. By and large no one gets into an MD program with a sub 3.4 and a sub 28 MCAT.

So basically my point here is you should gun hard for D.O. schools, or pull out all the stops and ENSURE you get a 30+ on your next MCAT. If expediency and probability of acceptance are your main concerns, go D.O.

 

[sepho]

Sepho-

I have the exact same composite MCAT score as you, but my gpa is a bit higher (3.45).

I agree with the others that your GPA is what it is. Yeah, you could do an SMP, but here's the catch: you would absolutely have to kick as$ and get straight A's, or you will be sunk for good. That's a lot of pressure, and a lot of money. Those programs arent cheap.

If you dont have an aversion to retaking your MCAT, this would be your best bet. Medical work experience is good, but frankly, if we're honest, it's overrated. The reason why is that you can have all the awesome EMT/CNA/Phlebotomist/Paramedic/Tech experience in the world, but if your gpa and MCAT arent up to par you arent getting in anywhere.

It is good to have, dont get me wrong, but it is pimped a bit too much on SDN. MCAT and GPA are the king and queen, respectively, and should be treated as such.

You could potentially get into a D.O. program with your current stats, provided you apply early. Offshore is an option as well but it it were me that would be my absolute last resort, because the risks are large. With your current GPA, anything but an exemplary MCAT score is going to keep you out of MD schools. I know there is a lot of anecdotal reports floating around of people getting in with low stats, but dont let that be your guide. People like that are exceptions, and there is usually a good reason for the exception. By and large no one gets into an MD program with a sub 3.4 and a sub 28 MCAT.

So basically my point here is you should gun hard for D.O. schools, or pull out all the stops and ENSURE you get a 30+ on your next MCAT. If expediency and probability of acceptance are your main concerns, go D.O.

bruce, you going the DO route as well?

 

[BruceBanner]

bruce, you going the DO route as well?

Yeah, I'm applying exclusively DO this year.