Best Option?

[Atheene]

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I am a post-bacc UPENN student looking for a little advice. I just finished taking four courses here and got a 3.5 GPA. I will be taking three or four classes next semester at UPENN as well where I hope to do better ending with, hopefully, around a ~3.7 GPA.

Some quick background: sGPA/cGPA(undergrad at GWU as BME): 3.31; Old MCAT: 30; PA resident (22 white male), 300 hours of EMT, 500 hours gwu medical research, 200 hours shadowing, I applied to 6 medical schools last year and didn't even get an interview at any school.

My ultimate goal is allopathic medical school and was wondering what I should do in the next year I need to retake the MCAT at one point before I apply not this cycle but next, which option should I pursue?:

1. Finish this UPENN program taking four classes -> take MCAT at the end of this summer after studying all summer -> get a job as an engineer for a year and apply for 2017-2018 cycle.

2. Same as above except do another full time post-bac program next year (BU, GWU, Drexel, TCMC, or Cincinatti)

3. Stop the UPENN program and start a part-time MBS program at commonwealth medical school(TCMC) in my home state that guarantees an interview. Because studying part time can volunteer/get some more clinical experience.

4. Any other suggestions to give me my best shot at getting into an MD program!


Thank you all

 

[PB&Jam]

Whichever option you choose, apply to more schools next time! Six is WAYYYYYYY too few with the extremely low MD acceptance rates and with your GPA a bit on the low end. Also, APPLY EARLY! If you are applying for 2017-2018, make sure you have all your ducks in a row, your MCAT taken and scores in so you can submit by July. If you can't take the MCAT before the end of the summer, you're really limiting your chances. It's not the end of the world to apply in September, but almost any school will tell you you have better odds the earlier you apply. Also, I highly doubt it's that easy to just "get a job as an engineer," (I assume you have a bachelor's in an engineering field), and if you do, why not pursue that? You'll have to answer that in your PS/secondaries/interviews anyway.

TLDR: apply to more schools and apply early in the cycle. Luck!

 

[Frogger27]

I can't really comment on all of your above options, but I completed the penn post bacc with ~3.6 gpa and have been admitted to a few allopathic medical schools. My gpa was higher than yours, but I know people with around 3.3 cGPA who have gain acceptances after doing well in the post bacc.

It is expensive, but it seems to carry some weight if you do well. The resources at PENN are top notch and you can get involved in many different kinds of research/activities that will make you a strong candidate. It is risky however because it does not really have linkages programs.

Feel free to PM me

 

[Atheene]

Whichever option you choose, apply to more schools next time! Six is WAYYYYYYY too few with the extremely low MD acceptance rates and with your GPA a bit on the low end. Also, APPLY EARLY! If you are applying for 2017-2018, make sure you have all your ducks in a row, your MCAT taken and scores in so you can submit by July. If you can't take the MCAT before the end of the summer, you're really limiting your chances. It's not the end of the world to apply in September, but almost any school will tell you you have better odds the earlier you apply. Also, I highly doubt it's that easy to just "get a job as an engineer," (I assume you have a bachelor's in an engineering field), and if you do, why not pursue that? You'll have to answer that in your PS/secondaries/interviews anyway.

TLDR: apply to more schools and apply early in the cycle. Luck!

Thanks PB&Jam, I will be applying as early as possible but not this cycle but next (is that 2017-2018 or 2018-2019?), so this summer I will take the MCAT, then do something for a year (my question is what to do) then apply really early in June of 2018.

thank you

 

[Lua]

Did either of you work while completing the upenn post bacc?

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[Frogger27]

Did either of you work while completing the upenn post bacc?

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Part time

 

[Lua]

Part time

Thanks, I was planning to work full time as a research specialist if I enrolled in their post bacc program. Were classes in the evening/weekends?

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[PB&Jam]

Thanks PB&Jam, I will be applying as early as possible but not this cycle but next (is that 2017-2018 or 2018-2019?), so this summer I will take the MCAT, then do something for a year (my question is what to do) then apply really early in June of 2018.

thank you

If you're applying June 2018 that would be the 2018-2019 cycle, to enter medical school in fall of 2019.

 

[Frogger27]

Thanks, I was planning to work full time as a research specialist if I enrolled in their post bacc program. Were classes in the evening/weekends?

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None were weekend, most classes were after 4. It would be hard to take 4 classes working full time (both from work load and having classes offered at time that would fit a working schedule). 2-3 classes would be doable though

 

[Goro]

I suggest:

1. Finish this UPENN program taking four classes -> take MCAT at the end of this summer after studying all summer -> get a job as an engineer for a year and apply for 2017-2018 cycle.

You will need to ace the MCAT (513+) to have a realistic shot at MD schools other than TCMC. DO school need to be on your list; beggars can't be choosy. And you really need to be acing a post-bac for those MD schools that reward reinvention.

 

[Frogger27]

I suggest:

1. Finish this UPENN program taking four classes -> take MCAT at the end of this summer after studying all summer -> get a job as an engineer for a year and apply for 2017-2018 cycle.

You will need to ace the MCAT (513+) to have a realistic shot at MD schools other than TCMC. DO school need to be on your list; beggars can't be choosy. And you really need to be acing a post-bac for those MD schools that reward reinvention.

You mean apply 2018-2019 cycle, correct?

 

[Goro]

Correct.

You mean apply 2018-2019 cycle, correct?

 

[Lua]

None were weekend, most classes were after 4. It would be hard to take 4 classes working full time (both from work load and having classes offered at time that would fit a working schedule). 2-3 classes would be doable though

Thanks, I was planning to start with 2 classes. Do you mind if I PM you with other questions specific to the penn post bacc?

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