any prior service here?

[armymt]

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Can I get your honest opinion here?

I had a 3.2 GPA undergrad with a BS in Info technology. I have over 6 years experience in the medical laboratory, mostly in military hospitals. Currently I have 4.0 GPA post-bac and I should be done with all the pre-reqs by the end of this semester. I take the MCAT on May 31, and turn in my AMCAS this June.

My goal and dream to to practice military medicine/clinical pathology.

I plan to only apply to the following schools, most of them are my home-state schools:

USUHS(my #1 choice)
Mercer
MCG
Emory(my reach school)
Morehouse
PECOM (DO school in Georgia)
Kansas University (I love this place!)
George Washington University (I am an alumni of this place)

If I don't get in to any of these schools, I plan to go back to Active Duty in the US Army. So that is my plan, what do you all think? I would love to get some of your opinions or advice or anything. Thank you!

 

[MSmentor018]

that's good you've a plan, your mcat score will determine how many schools you should apply to. I am from GA too so I applied to the same places you did. I used the US news and world report (on line) as my benchmark on where to apply. they give you all the stats and will give you a good idea of where you stack up. good luck on the mcat...then take it from there. one test at a time!

 

[DeAlighieri]

Agreed. uGPA is on the low side, but can be balanced (to a degree) by a strong MCAT and your experience. I think that USUHS would look at you in a good light. With respect to U.S. News though, I'd trust the MSAR over those numbers any day of the week. Definitely a good idea to see where you're competitive, and tailor your application accordingly. Good luck!

 

[elderjack21]

If you haven't scanned through an MSAR, it would be worth purchasing when you choose schools to apply to. A solid MCAT will go a long way, make sure you highlight your military service in your ECs, but don't let it be all consuming on your application, as the schools want future physicians first and foremost. VCU and Creighton may be worth looking at as well since they accept lots of out of state and seem to have some preference for military vets as well. Also, if you plan on going the military route, start applying for HPSP early as the recruiters seem to take their sweet time getting things together for it.

 

[FutureNavyFP]

USUHS(my #1 choice)
Mercer
MCG
Emory(my reach school)
Morehouse
PECOM (DO school in Georgia)
Kansas University (I love this place!)
George Washington University (I am an alumni of this place)

Just my 2 cents:

If you have USUHS as your #1 choice above your in-state schools, then maybe you are thinking about finances?

I had USUHS listed as my top choice as well until I visited my current school. If you are thinking military, then think longer about HPSP. I'm sure USUHS is a great school, but for me, I am glad I don't have the extra 3 years tagged on my contract. I am living just fine right now on the scholorship with a family. If you think that you want to make the army a career, it is better to do it on your own terms.

Good luck.

 

[PharmD2MD]

I think USUHS will look kindly on your background, and it's probably your best shot at getting into an allopathic school. When I was interviewing, I didn't think other schools really thought much about my prior experience. Good luck on the MCAT.

 

[elderjack21]

I think USUHS will look kindly on your background, and it's probably your best shot at getting into an allopathic school. When I was interviewing, I didn't think other schools really thought much about my prior experience. Good luck on the MCAT.

I thought the same thing when I applied...but was pleased that most of the schools that I applied to seemed interested in my prior service time. I ended up getting into 4 MD programs including USUHS.