Another long shot thread...but hoping for some advice

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engelm

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I graduated with a dismal undergrad gpa of 2.4 in Psychology. I am now in my fifth quarter of post bac with a straight 4.0. I have taken all of the prerequisits for med school and I will do whatever it takes to go.

I have over three years experience working in ophthalmology. I have a COA certification, experience with multiple doctors in both rural and urban settings, and surgery assisting. I have also shadowed other physicians in the clinic, from internal medicine to otolaryngology. I have three very strong letter of recommendation from three great physicians, all of whom I have worked with.

At this point, even with my 75 credits of 4.0 post bac work I am not quite scratching the 3.0 mark. I am still at an overall gpa of 2.8 and a science gpa of 3.5. What are my options here? SMP? Apply to US med schools and hope that my significant up trend in grades, my experience and letters of recommendation will help me get in?

Any advice would be very appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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How many years removed from undergrad are you?

A 4.0 post-bac and an excellent MCAT should get you looks at enough schools to give you a chance.
 
I finished my undergrad two years ago. I forgot to mention my MCAT. I took it last year and scored 33.
 
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Have you considered the DO medical school route? Their application service will replace a poor grade with the most recent retake (provided credit hours are the same or better) before claculating the application GPA. You could get your GPA up much faster that way.

Use this DO GPA calculator picking out some key dismal grades and see what the least you'd need to do to get your GPA over 3.0, where many DO schools will consider your application: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=450050

There are some DO schools that will consider your application with a GPA > 2.75: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=7199902&postcount=2

Here is a booklet listing all DO schools and their requirements:
http://www.aacom.org/resources/bookstore/cib/Documents/cib2010/2010-CIB-complete.pdf
 
I think you stand a shot at an MD acceptance, but you should probably apply DO also. Yeah, the 2.8 is rough, but you've clearly turned everything around. A 4.0 post-bac and 33 MCAT is impressive. You're two years removed from undergrad, and in that time you've matured academically.

Choose schools that you apply to carefully. I think you fit what Tulane is looking for pretty well.
 
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