Am I on track?

[prentice25]

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Alright so first off, congratulations to everyone on their acceptances for this year. I discovered the field of podiatry about a year or so ago, and feel certain that it is for me. I started out at a really prestigious private university, but really struggled adjusting to college life and did a little too much partying. I transferred back to a local state school after my freshman year, and have been doing much better since. After my awful freshman year, I had a cumulative gpa of around a 2.8. I'm wondering how those grades work, because they don't factor into my cumulative gpa (about a 3.34) at my new school, but I'm sure they will be visible on my transcript. Will the schools be concerned with these grades? Like I said, I've been on a great trend since with a cum gpa of 3.34, with a very similar science gpa. Also, I spent an entire month, probably around 100+ hours shadowing a really well-respected podiatrist and sitting in on both clinicals and surgeries. As far as the MCAT, I am planning on taking it this spring, but haven't studied for it at all. I've taken all the pre-reqs, but just can't force myself to sit down and study for it. I did, however, take the AAMC practice test 3 the other day and scored a 24 ( 7P 9V 8B). I was really hoping I would be able to score around a 26 or so without studying, and am disappointed especially because I read that practice test 3 is much simpler than the MCAT I will see on test day. Do you guys think I'm on track for most of the programs? Is my gpa going to be a problem? What's the best study plan to maximize my MCAT score ( no courses- not going to waste my money on that crap) ?

 

[347932]

You are on track. I have no idea how to recommend studying for the MCAT as I don't know your study methods. The course may not be a waste of $$ if it helps you to score better. My $0.02.

 

[bobdolerson]

The trend is far more important than any one semester.

I had a 2.x my sophomore year, and it was even the year I decided to take on all the sciences (inorganic chem 1/2, phsy 1/2, bio 1/2). After that, my grades jumped dramatically and stayed high.

It helped that I had a reasonable excuse (undiagnosed autoimmune disease that ran rampant during that year, had several hospital visits, etc.) and a kickass MCAT, but even with a high overall GPA and a mid-30's MCAT, they did indeed ask about that semester. Make sure you understand why it was a learning experience (whether it was or not, for all intents and purposes during the interview, it was) and why it wouldn't happen again during your tenure at the pod school.

Don't mention the specifics, they never really help. "Well, I neglected class because I was high, neglected studying because I was partying the night before, and didn't care about my grades because chasing tail was way more important."

True or not, chalk it up as a "learning experience". 2.8 really isn't that bad as long as you bust your butt and show improvement and determination. Hell, some people make it in with that GPA after 4 years.

 

[347932]

"Well, I neglected class because I was high, neglected studying because I was partying the night before, and didn't care about my grades because chasing tail was way more important."

Those are all great excuses for poor grades. I would think that you would try all that out but not let it affect your grades, no? 🙄

 

[prentice25]

Lately I've been thinking about skipping my senior year and trying to rush in an application for this cycle. Does anyone know if ocpm has a lot of spots still open? I feel like my gpa might be sufficient and if I had a somewhat respectable MCAT score, it might be a legitimate option. Let's say I don't receive very much if any scholarship money because my application comes in so late- is this something I will be stuck with for four years, or could my fin aid be adjusted after the first year? I would need to ask the podiatrist I shadowed for a lor, and ask two teachers for lors, register and take the MCAT, and fill out the application- all while taking a heavy semester in the spring. This would be tough, but might be worth it right?

 

[GSL83]

Lately I've been thinking about skipping my senior year and trying to rush in an application for this cycle. Does anyone know if ocpm has a lot of spots still open? I feel like my gpa might be sufficient and if I had a somewhat respectable MCAT score, it might be a legitimate option. Let's say I don't receive very much if any scholarship money because my application comes in so late- is this something I will be stuck with for four years, or could my fin aid be adjusted after the first year? I would need to ask the podiatrist I shadowed for a lor, and ask two teachers for lors, register and take the MCAT, and fill out the application- all while taking a heavy semester in the spring. This would be tough, but might be worth it right?

I would definitely say you should submit an application this cycle and schedule the MCAT. I know there were open slots at a few of the schools well into June, when the previous cycle ended. It just depends on how ready you feel with the MCAT...and your practice scores are more than enough IMO. Besides, if you have all the pre-req classes done, why sit around a whole year?? I took all my pre-req classes (except for my physics, taking those now) over two years ago. Though I got a good enough score on the mcat to get me in, it wasn't fun having to re-learn the material.

In regards to having a heavy class load this spring, I would lighten it up so that you can study for the MCAT. Can you take the classes over the summer? I do realize some classes are only offered during certain semesters. That would be an option if you were thinking about starting POD school in August.

Don't waste your money on prep courses. Instead, check out examkrackers...it is a series of review books. I didn't even buy them since they were at my city library.

I also found some good websites online for mcat review:

http://mcat-review.org/index.php

http://www.wikipremed.com/

 

[bobdolerson]

I would say to call the schools you're looking at and asking them, because the vast majority of people being accepted have degrees.

Take pre-pod advice as to what to do with a grain of salt, as they're in the same boat as you. Best bet is always to talk to the schools.

 

[GSL83]

I would say to call the schools you're looking at and asking them, because the vast majority of people being accepted have degrees.

Take pre-pod advice as to what to do with a grain of salt, as they're in the same boat as you. Best bet is always to talk to the schools.

My vote is still try to apply this cycle, if they feel they could swing it (preparing for the MCAT). You are right, we are in the same boat... I was simply saying there isn't really that much risk in applying now "if" they are scoring decent on the MCAT practice tests, have a decent GPA (including a bad semester) and have all the pre-req classes done. I imagine most current pod students have a degree only because of that year of downtime from applying to matriculating.

I was surprised when I called some schools last year and they still had slots available in June. If I would have had my physics done and the MCAT scored, I would have gone for it. By taking my advice with a "grain of salt", I would assume phone calls to the schools of choice would be made when making this decision. 🙂

 

[GSL83]

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I started out at a really prestigious private university, but really struggled adjusting to college life and did a little too much partying. I transferred back to a local state school after my freshman year, and have been doing much better since. After my awful freshman year, I had a cumulative gpa of around a 2.8. I'm wondering how those grades work, because they don't factor into my cumulative gpa (about a 3.34) at my new school, but I'm sure they will be visible on my transcript. Will the schools be concerned with these grades? ?

Unfortunately, your grades from all colleges that you attend will be factored into your GPA by the AACPM. So even though your first school isn't factored into your GPA now at your current school, it will be when you apply. My GPA was different according to the AACPM after all my transcripts were submitted and accounted for.

There is actually a link on the AACPM website that breaks down how your GPA is calculated and what classes fall under each category. So, you can actually go through and calculate your GPA using their guidelines. I did this before I applied, since I had a a retake with Statistics and had transcripts from 3 different schools. Also, your school might even configure your GPA differently than others... ( for example: My gen chem I class was technically 4 credit hours on my transcripts, but was counted as 3 by the AACPM). So, bust out the calculator if you have the time!

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

I've called like every school about matriculating early, and they all said it was up to me, and they have no advice for me as it is a "personal question." A lot of students I talked to told me to wait and not rush into though...

 

[flyhi]

why wait? I say if you are ready, go for it and don't spend extra $$ on tuition if you don't have to. If you have the maturity to begin your professional program, by all means do it. We had several students in vet school who had not graduated UG. While the majority of students have at least a bachelor's, I feel this is only because student's don't consider applying early and have to stay in order to complete their pre-req's and simply aren't prepared for the application process whether it be taking the MCAT, getting LORs or shadowing. Plus, med schools usually will give you your bachelor's after you complete your first year...but, you'd need to confirm this with the school. I would definitely think you would want this in case the unforseen happens and you cannot finish podiatry school...you definitely want to at least have your bachelor's at the end of the day.

 

[bobdolerson]

By taking my advice with a "grain of salt", I would assume phone calls to the schools of choice would be made when making this decision.

Precisely. To be honest, I'd say the same things about taking anyone's advice except that of the admissions office of the pertinent school. Meant no disrespect, friend. Only that advice on here runs rampant and it's always a good idea to talk to the schools. Seems I'm rambling now because you already said that....

I've called like every school about matriculating early, and they all said it was up to me, and they have no advice for me as it is a "personal question." A lot of students I talked to told me to wait and not rush into though...

That's all they said? It sounds like either you didn't ask specific enough questions regarding how they view early graduation/matriculation without a degree, or they were much more vague than I've had in my experience. A bit frustrating to have questions and get a "well, it's your choice" answer. Well, duh.

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

That's all they said? It sounds like either you didn't ask specific enough questions regarding how they view early graduation/matriculation without a degree, or they were much more vague than I've had in my experience. A bit frustrating to have questions and get a "well, it's your choice" answer. Well, duh.

They as in schools or students? The schools were always frustratingly vague. Some schools said having a bachelors was looked on more favorably, others said they didn't care, but 95% of the matriculants had them.

The students I've talked to said a lot of the younger students have a harder time focusing and being mature enough to handle the course-load. They have said make sure you are ready to give up your life to studying for the next couple of years, and they said a lot of the younger students weren't able to do it that well. Just their opinions though.