Apply this year or wait?

[Led Zep]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Ok so after my first year of undergrad I had a 3.8 GPA, followed by two years of harder science courses and a naive idea about med school, as well as playing on the school's rugby team. I ended my third year of undergrad with a 3.01 cumulative gpa. That's when I got my head on straight, over the summer I did a medical internship and it really changed everything, beyond that I did my research and really had my eyes opened as to what it would take to get into med school. I've looked at osteopathic schools and think that they just might be a better fit for me.

So, I got an A for my internship, and got a 4.0 this past fall, (with one retake turning a C into an A, as well as upper level courses)

I'm currently sitting on a 3.23 GPA and after this semester, if I get a 4.0 again (and there is no doubt in my mind that I will) I stand to have a 3.47 GPA at the end of this semester (two more retakes in there, as well and also more upper level courses and undergrad research).

I'm planning on taking the MCAT in may, and I've scheduled time each week to study the subjects I need to score well.

I am the president of the school's pre-med club, I volunteer at local hospitals, I've shadowed a DO and an MD, I have a DO mentor, as I've mentioned I have undergrad research planned for this semester, and this summer before I submit my application I will be doing a research scholar program with a local hospital giving me another 250 hours of experience with patients in every department of the hospital from research, to internal medicine, to cardiovascular surgery.

So here are my questions (Please let me know if you need more information or if I can provide anything other helpful information), Please note that I am also planning on taking one more year of undergrad to get a minor in biochem as well as raise my GPA further, If I maintain the status quo I can graduate with a 3.8 GPA

Should I apply to school this year or wait until I have my last year of undergrad under my belt along with a higher GPA and a biochem minor?

If I apply this year what should I be doing right now, bearing in mind I have not started to do anything AACOMAS yet (when should I start that process?)?

If I decide not to apply until next year I've looked into a Special Masters Program as well, but my goal is med school.

 

[DitchDoc73]

Ok so after my first year of undergrad I had a 3.8 GPA, followed by two years of harder science courses and a naive idea about med school, as well as playing on the school's rugby team. I ended my third year of undergrad with a 3.01 cumulative gpa. That's when I got my head on straight, over the summer I did a medical internship and it really changed everything, beyond that I did my research and really had my eyes opened as to what it would take to get into med school. I've looked at osteopathic schools and think that they just might be a better fit for me.

So, I got an A for my internship, and got a 4.0 this past fall, (with one retake turning a C into an A, as well as upper level courses)

I'm currently sitting on a 3.23 GPA and after this semester, if I get a 4.0 again (and there is no doubt in my mind that I will) I stand to have a 3.47 GPA at the end of this semester (two more retakes in there, as well and also more upper level courses and undergrad research).

I'm planning on taking the MCAT in may, and I've scheduled time each week to study the subjects I need to score well.

I am the president of the school's pre-med club, I volunteer at local hospitals, I've shadowed a DO and an MD, I have a DO mentor, as I've mentioned I have undergrad research planned for this semester, and this summer before I submit my application I will be doing a research scholar program with a local hospital giving me another 250 hours of experience with patients in every department of the hospital from research, to internal medicine, to cardiovascular surgery.

So here are my questions (Please let me know if you need more information or if I can provide anything other helpful information), Please note that I am also planning on taking one more year of undergrad to get a minor in biochem as well as raise my GPA further, If I maintain the status quo I can graduate with a 3.8 GPA

Should I apply to school this year or wait until I have my last year of undergrad under my belt along with a higher GPA and a biochem minor?

If I apply this year what should I be doing right now, bearing in mind I have not started to do anything AACOMAS yet (when should I start that process?)?

If I decide not to apply until next year I've looked into a Special Masters Program as well, but my goal is med school.

Without knowing how you are performing on practice MCATs, it is a little hard to give you a fully informed opinion. But based on your GPA and ECs alone, you should be a fairly competitive applicant, especially for DO. If I were in your shoes I would apply next cycle. Are you going to be able to study for the MCAT and take classes at the same time? Your best bet is to complete all of your research now (on schools, AACOMAS, AMCAS, etc), and get most of your LOR requests started. Have all of this ready, and submit your primary applications as soon as they open (around June 1). By applying early you will maximize your chances! Best of luck!

 

[engineeredout]

Go for it. The worst that can happen is you don't get in, but you definitely have a chance. I was in a similar situation (similar GPA but you definitely have more ECs than me) and decided to roll the dice to apply instead of waiting a year, even before taking my MCAT. Best decision I've ever made in my life.

 

[jcrewtriathlete]

I knew someone who claimed to have a 33 MCAT, accepted to UMDNJ (MD), and turned it down to take the MCAT again and try to get into Ivy. He said, "if only I scored a 34, I wouldn't want to take it again." Well... he did take it again and apparently scored a 28.

It comes down to what you want. If you want to become a doctor, applying this coming cycle with a 3.47 can get you there. If you want to wait and play your chances like the gentleman I know, good luck. 🙂

that's a great point, and very similar to the advice i got from every former ad com member/pre health advisor/recommendation letter writer that i talked to.

that said, here's some other thoughts:
1. are you going to be able to focus on classes, and MCAT, and an application? the personal statement is the only difficult part of the initial apps, but then there are often follow-up essays and the application process itself is somewhat tedious and time-consuming.

2. would you be able to find something in the "interim" year that would strengthen your app? it's already looking pretty strong (minus an unknown MCAT score) as long as you deliver what you say you can, but you'll want to consider whether taking more classes is a good idea, or if getting a clinically relevant job might be better. given the number of retakes you're alluding to, it might be good to at least take a graduate biochem or physiology course to legitimately argue that you can handle the basic sciences part of med school (AdComs are probably going to be more impressed with someone who gets a "B" in a 600 level biochem course than someone who gets an "A" on a retake of a 200 level chem class, for example).

3. are you applying MD or DO? MD are gonna focus more on your numbers, and it's a little later in the MD season than the DO season (in general - specific schools might be exceptions, so don't crucify me for generalizing 🙄). for a DO school, your numbers *right now* look pretty solid in light of the fact that you also appear to be a fairly experienced/well rounded applicant as far as clinical exp goes.

if i were in your shoes, and i had the time and money (it's costly), i'd consider applying to a few schools that don't have a limit on how many application cycles you participate in, and that i would definitely go to if i got in. if you don't have the $ to burn, wait until the next cycle (if you prep your personal statement and transcripts etc now, you can send your app in first thing in june and it's only a 20 week wait or so).

good luck!

 

[Flushot]

From my quick glimpse of the OP, all I can say is prepare and take the MCAT. It can change all of your plans, for better or for worse. To ponder the situation without that in mind is so common and yet, it seems like a difficult decision. It really isn't, so do the best you can in May and come back when all of the cards are on the table if you still need help.

 

[Nicbmann]

I agree with the others. I would say take the MCAT, see where you fall, if it's greater than say 26, go for it. You should be a pretty qualified applicant and if you apply early and fairly broadly you should be just fine.
As far as the application goes just work on getting your letters of rec and maybe your personal statement. Remember it takes about 4-6 weeks for AACOMAS to verify everything so the earlier the better. Good luck with everything.