Am I considered a "non-traditional" applicant?

[xx3344]

Hey everyone,
Sorry for the long post, and sorry if this thread has already been created or not (I'm really not a frequent SDN user), but I am seeking some advice regarding whether or not I am considered "non-traditional" in your opinions (I don't really know what the definition of that is) and also whether or not I should be applying to dozens of post-baccs/masters programs. I have applied to 10 MD schools and 10 DO schools this cycle. Money is extremely tight, and I do not know whether I should take the risk of applying to other programs (I am very thankful that I received FAP for all of my applications and secondaries this cycle.) Obviously in the grand scheme of things, application fees are pennies in comparison to tuition, but I am unsure of exactly how many I should be applying to, if that makes sense?

In terms of my main ECs, I did 15 hours per week of embryology research for almost 2 years and was not part of a publication during my time in the lab, but I created and presented a poster of my own research and wrote a Biology Honors thesis. I was also a D1 athlete for all 4 years of college, and captain my senior year (about 20-25 hours per week give or take not including traveling). Since 5/2015, I have been a full-time ER medical scribe (35-40 hours per week) and have about 500 hours thus far of clinic experience. Aside from these, I have been on a 2 week medical brigade to central america, was a volunteer at my university local hospital, shadowed 2 MDs and 1 DO, TA'd organic chemistry and an intro biology class, and was an orientation leader during my sophomore year. Won some leadership awards my senior year from dean.

I thinned myself out a lot throughout college as a premed student and was pretty miserable, and looking back on it, I'm not sure if all the B's in my main science classes were worth the ECs. My cGPA is a 3.3, and my sGPA is a 3.1. My MCAT is a 507, but it was also my third try (I scored under 50th %ile my first 2 times.) I'm not sure if letters make a difference at all, but I received an MD, DO, dean of students, my research prof, my genetics prof, athletics director, and my writing prof.

If anyone actually reads this, I would appreciate your brutally honest, whole-hearted opinion. This is my first time applying to medical school, and I am all ears for any advice I can get my hands on from people who are going through/have already been through this. I feel it will give me a more clear idea of whether I should be applying to a bunch of programs or not. Thanks so much!

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[piii]

A strict definition of non traditional is someone who doesn't follow the traditional path of going straight to medical school from college. So taking at least a year off.

Sometimes people use non traditional to also mean applicants that come from non traditional backgrounds, either different areas of study in college or career changers.

If you studied biology and applied to attend med school right after you graduate, then you are as traditional as they come.

 

[xx3344]

A strict definition of non traditional is someone who doesn't follow the traditional path of going straight to medical school from college. So taking at least a year off.

Sometimes people use non traditional to also mean applicants that come from non traditional backgrounds, either different areas of study in college or career changers.

If you studied biology and applied to attend med school right after you graduate, then you are as traditional as they come.

Thanks so much for responding. I was totally mistaking a lower GPA and multiple MCAT attempts as non trad compared to all the other super smart applicants Any chance you have insight on whether or not l I should be applying to a bunch of post bacc/SMPs with the information I provided?

 

[Cuetec]

Thanks so much for responding. I was totally mistaking a lower GPA and multiple MCAT attempts as non trad compared to all the other super smart applicants Any chance you have insight on whether or not l I should be applying to a bunch of post bacc/SMPs with the information I provided?

You should be okay assuming your DO schools are broad enough

 

[piii]

Thanks so much for responding. I was totally mistaking a lower GPA and multiple MCAT attempts as non trad compared to all the other super smart applicants Any chance you have insight on whether or not l I should be applying to a bunch of post bacc/SMPs with the information I provided?

You have a few options.

1) Look into post bacc curriculums and do the calculations to see that if you ace all the classes you can bring your GPAs close to 3.5. If you can apply with a 3.5 and an MCAT retake of 513+ you may have some luck for MD, but I doubt you'll be able to raise it to a 3.5 because of how many classes you have already taken.

2) You can take an SMP if you want an MD. It is risky, and you need to get a 3.7+ and apply after the entire year is done. Must be at a reputable program too (BU, GT, Cinci, Tufts). You will also need to get a MCAT in the 513 range.

3) Take a year or so of post bacc and retake science classes with a C+ or lower and apply DO. No MCAT retake. You'll be a fine applicant for all schools. This is the cheaper and best route for you.