Application Options-Chances

[eastcoast18]

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Hey guys, this is my first time posting (been following the forum for a couple months now). Just wondering if I could get some feedback on my options. I graduated school this past year with a 2.82 cgpa and a 2.85 sgpa, I know this is way below par. I have very good EC's, shadowed an orthopedic surgeon 300+ hours, research publication, been on a medical missions trip, etc. and also started working as a medical assistant at a podiatry office since June (plan on working there until I get into school, even if it is in 2014!). I took my MCAT in August and just received my score back (terrible test nerves) and received a 18N. My application has been finished since mid August but I have been waiting to get my test results to apply. Now I am stuck on what to do, should I apply and just take my chances, indicating in my application that I will be retaking the MCAT in January? Should I take the DAT (number 1 choice is Temple) and then apply? Or should I just wait until after I take the test in January and apply. Also does anyone know if Temple or any other school will reopen your application if I do better after the January MCAT? I realize that most people will grill me on my stats but as long as you can provide some helpful advice, I am okay with that! Thanks!

 

[hematosis]

Hey guys, this is my first time posting (been following the forum for a couple months now). Just wondering if I could get some feedback on my options. I graduated school this past year with a 2.82 cgpa and a 2.85 sgpa, I know this is way below par. I have very good EC's, shadowed an orthopedic surgeon 300+ hours, research publication, been on a medical missions trip, etc. and also started working as a medical assistant at a podiatry office since June (plan on working there until I get into school, even if it is in 2014!). I took my MCAT in August and just received my score back (terrible test nerves) and received a 18N. My application has been finished since mid August but I have been waiting to get my test results to apply. Now I am stuck on what to do, should I apply and just take my chances, indicating in my application that I will be retaking the MCAT in January? Should I take the DAT (number 1 choice is Temple) and then apply? Or should I just wait until after I take the test in January and apply. Also does anyone know if Temple or any other school will reopen your application if I do better after the January MCAT? I realize that most people will grill me on my stats but as long as you can provide some helpful advice, I am okay with that! Thanks!

Hang in there. 2.85 and 18 are very much below average (3.2-3.3 and 21-22)
I would recommend studying for the MCAT and scoring around a 28 to maximize your change. I would also suggest investing in a 1 year special masters program or some sort of a post bac program. You can definitely do it. Are you willing to try? Good luck

 

[347932]

I'm sorry, but your stats are very low. The question really is, how are you going to succeed in a rigorous curriculum with a well below average performance in your studies and on the MCAT? I'm not trying to be cruel, but it's a reality you may have to face.

 

[Ferocity]

Your only chance of getting an interview invite is if you get AT LEAST a 25 on the MCAT. Your other option is to do a special masters program and you will have to work your arse off to come as close to a 4.0gpa as possible.

Was there a significant upward trend in your GPA for each year or did you have around 2.8 GPA each year?

 

[javajava]

Hey guys, this is my first time posting (been following the forum for a couple months now). Just wondering if I could get some feedback on my options. I graduated school this past year with a 2.82 cgpa and a 2.85 sgpa, I know this is way below par. I have very good EC's, shadowed an orthopedic surgeon 300+ hours, research publication, been on a medical missions trip, etc. and also started working as a medical assistant at a podiatry office since June (plan on working there until I get into school, even if it is in 2014!). I took my MCAT in August and just received my score back (terrible test nerves) and received a 18N. My application has been finished since mid August but I have been waiting to get my test results to apply. Now I am stuck on what to do, should I apply and just take my chances, indicating in my application that I will be retaking the MCAT in January? Should I take the DAT (number 1 choice is Temple) and then apply? Or should I just wait until after I take the test in January and apply. Also does anyone know if Temple or any other school will reopen your application if I do better after the January MCAT? I realize that most people will grill me on my stats but as long as you can provide some helpful advice, I am okay with that! Thanks!

I suggest retake MCAT and do a post bacc or SMP

ORRRR

If you want to get into any field in medicine, you could try DO as it seems to be the only way to save yourself with their replacment policy

Just go to a school that allows a lot of re takes so you can retake some then you can apply to ortho resid

 

[FiveOVicryl]

I'm sorry, but your stats are very low. The question really is, how are you going to succeed in a rigorous curriculum with a well below average performance in your studies and on the MCAT? I'm not trying to be cruel, but it's a reality you may have to face.

👍

 

[kcw5x8]

honestly, you have a chance, I would just apply now if you know what school you want to go but it is expensive to apply to all of the schools.

 

[flyhi]

I do think you need to honestly assess why you did not perform well. If you weren't grasping the material, then I think an SMP may be the way to go. You don't want to just get accepted to find out you can't handle the coursework.

If you did well in your sciences and for whatever reason, had some issues with other classes and are positive you can handle a rigorous program, then I would say to apply. If you don't get accepted, you know you need to probably go do an SMP to prove yourself and definitely retake the MCAT.

Only you know whether you are really ready to attempt a medical program.

Someone else will have chime in whether it's better to apply earlier with your stats, or retake the MCAT in January and then apply. If you feel as though you can rock it the second time, I would wait.

Good Luck!

 

[bobdolerson]

I'll tell you as a current podiatry student that likely nothing you've taken in undergrad will correspond to the sheer mass of information you'll get during podiatry school. If you understood the material well during undergrad, but had problems with motivation, the only question is what is your motivation to do well now? (other than massive debt)

If you've made a mental change and decided for sure to embark down this road, the other posters were right; if you don't make it this round, I would definitely take additional grad level classes to up the GPA and demonstrate your ability to perform well at these levels.

If the problem wasn't one of motivation or unfortunate circumstances, but genuine difficulty with the material, you will have exponentially more problems in podiatry school. The material isn't much harder than undergrad, it's just the amount that gets you, and if you had issues staying up with previous curriculum, you stand a good chance of getting way behind, really quickly.

I hope this information helps make a decision, and I wish you luck with whatever you embark on.