Beginning third year undegraduate questions

[dmission]

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[Long Dong]

1. Maybe not take it.

2. Maybe not apply to med school.

3. Maybe think about programing or nursing school/pharm/dental etc. js

 

[tomh98]

1. As soon as you feel you are ready to take it. Study hard and make it count. Take a prep class (I took one and I think it paid off). If you take one in January, then you can retake in the spring if necessary.

2. June 1st. Let me tell you this: applying to medical school sucks and is a test of patience. I was a little on the late side and I wish I hadn't been. Start looking at the AMCAS application and planning your personal statement. Have it ready (with your letters of rec) by June 1st if possible. Then pre-write all the secondaries using the past essays posted on this site. You'll be way ahead of the game and you'll be put out of your misery sooner.

Seem impossible? Maybe, so do what's reasonable.

3. more extracurriculars! you need a good story

 

[Catalystik]

If you prefer to attend an allopathic med school, your GPA isn't very competitive and needs a lot of work. You need to produce great grades from now on, and possibly even spend a fifth year in college. With straight As for the next two years, you'd be at a ~3.55, which might be fine with a strong MCAT score. In three years, you could be at 3.65, which is about the mean for those accepted.

DO med schools are more academically forgiving and have a grade replacement policy if you retake. MD schools don't do this.

Keeping in mind that the MCAT score expires in 2-3 years at most schools (and 4-10 years at a few), I wouldn't take the test until January through April prior to the June you plan to apply, though some might take it at the end of the previous fall, once all prerequisites are completed, to have more time for retakes if needed.

 

[dmission]

Thanks for the replies.

Does this mean I should take the MCAT this January? If this is my third undergraduate year (junior)? Would I apply June 2011?

Also, honestly, does it seem like I even have a chance if that's my GPA right now?

Thanks

 

[USCTrojan11]

Don't listen to these haters. You NEED to do well from now on out and work your ass off for the MCAT. Seriously it is the only thing along with being an underrepresented minority (Hispanic or African American) that can save you.

 

[dmission]

Thanks, I will work my butt off.

In addition to my above MCAT questions, I have some additional questions:

Is it insane to get a masters degree to raise my GPA and then apply?
Does the masters degree have to be MPH or can it be a master's in something else?

Thank you!

 

[Catalystik]

A masters degree doesn't raise the undergrad GPA, by which you are primarily judged at most allopathic and many DO schools. For the few exceptions, you'd want to get a hard-science masters, not an MPH (unless you want the MPH for its own sake).

 

[dmission]

Thanks for the reply. So would it be a good idea get my masters in CS, then apply?

 

[Catalystik]

A Computer Science masters isn't going to help you get into allopathic med school GPA-wise either. Like an MPH, it might help if you gain teaching or research opportunities through the program. And it would be looked on as a nice EC. Having it could be helpful later, in the residency application process, though, so I wouldn't discourage it if you really want to learn it.

 

[dmission]

So given that, if I took MCAT this summer 2011, it wouldn't expire until summer 2014, should I stay another year after my senior year (2012), and get a CS masters? It would allow me to do some more research (though it would mostly be CS)... would med schools like something like this, or would I be better off straight up applying after my senior year undegrad?

Thanks for the input.

 

[Catalystik]

You can apply to med schools at any age, even 30s, 40s, and 50s, as evidenced by the success of mature applicants in the nontrad forum. Type of research doesn't matter; it need not be in the sciences to give a benefit. Don't get a CS masters it because "med schools like something like this" but rather because you want to learn it. And if you don't get your uGPA higher, nothing short of an amazing MCAT score, or completing a Special Masters Program will get you into an allopathic med school.

 

[dmission]

Thanks -- I definitely would get it for a backup choice and the fact that I love CS stuff. But I'm only wondering if medical schools will look at this age 23 guy with medicore GPA and a CS masters and an almost expired MCAT score and just say "well, forget him, he prefers to study CS." I guess what I'm asking is, provided I take the MCAT summer 2011, and then stay 2 more years undergrad, then get a masters in CS, will that hurt my chances? -One benefit I can think of is that since I'm a CA resident, two new MD schools in CA will have opened by the time I graduate with my masters, so that may increase my chances. Thanks again for all the advice!

 

[Catalystik]

Some schools, including a few in California, expire the MCAT in 2 years. Aside from that major issue, I think if you continue to gain clinical experience and get in some nonmedical community service through all those years, med schools could see that your ultimate goal was always medicine.

 

[dmission]

Would you happen to know where I can see which schools don't accept MCAT after 2 years? That would be a major factor =P

So, do you think it's a better idea for me to get a masters (gain CS research experience), or better to apply right after undergrad?

Thank you.

 

[Catalystik]

MSAR has the MCAT expiration time for each school.

There is no reason to rush into applying to med school if there are other things you want to learn or accomplish before you settle into the med school grind. You may want to travel, or try a job using the CS skills you've gained, or do Teach for America, Americorps, or Peace Corps.

But the problem with having interesting life experiences is that you'll never be as fresh on MCAT topics as you will right after completing the prerequisites. And retaking the MCAT later may not go as well since "life happens" and you may have other responisiblities by then and solid study time may be hard to come by.

I'm not going to tell you what is the better plan for you, I'm just going to present the pros and cons so you can decide what suits you best. You need to decide your priorities.

 

[dmission]

Thank you. Would something like this
https://meded-postbac.ucsd.edu/
be advisable to enter after my senior year?

 

[Catalystik]

Programs like that are a good choice.

 

[dmission]

Ugh.. nevermind. I just saw that it is for "unadvantaged" students only...

I just don't know what to do 🙁

 

[drdandelion]

Hi,

So, I'm just beginning my third year as a comp sci major at a UC school. Currently my GPA is about 3.1, but I expect it to go up some more (taking classes that I am good at now, no more Ochem). I'm a California resident, and right now my only major EC is work (for the past 2 years), but I'm scheduled to shadow a physician soon.

My main questions:
-when should I plan to take the MCAT? I'm beginning my 3rd year undegrad, and would like to enter med school as soon as possible after 4 years.

-when should I send off med school applications (earlier the better, i've heard)

-any other random advice you all have, I know you've all got a bunch of experience.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, any help appreciated 🙂

Take MCAT when ready for it, many medical schools do rolling admissions so sending them early would work in your favor (but no guarantee for admission), hang in there and remember that it's about the whole package not just numbers/stats.

 

[dmission]

Thanks 🙂. Maybe you guys can tell me what you think of my current plan:
-volunteer
-work hard on classes
-take MCAT in April
-apply in summer (if GPA permits, otherwise...well, who knows)

 

[itellitlikeitis]

Thanks 🙂. Maybe you guys can tell me what you think of my current plan:
-volunteer
-work hard on classes
-take MCAT in April
-apply in summer (if GPA permits, otherwise...well, who knows)

maintain some type of non-clinical related interest that you can enthusiastically talk about during interviews. It'll make a world of a difference during some of your interviews especially for the type of interviewers that like to keep their questions open-ended who are trying to get you to steer the direction of the interview

 

[dmission]

Thanks. Just like a sport or something?