Big dilemma: When should I reapply?

[Snapshots]

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Hello everyone, I really really need some advice on when to reapply.

I finished my undergrad at state university (2004-2007)
Academic status:
-GPA: 3.0
-MCAT: 19

ECs:
-Shadowing MD from 2001-2008 (have done it since junior in high school)
-Working as a medical assistant in 2007-2008.
-Started an organization to help and feed the homeless, done it for 3 yrs.
-Teaching piano, English and math to unprivileged children.
-Teaching English to local immigrants.
-Medical mission trip to Cambodia in 2007
-No big research or publication... (but volunteered in a research lab back in undergrad..for a semester)

Very low GPA and MCAT I know...but I thought I had decent amount of clinical experience and ECs...so I applied to my state medical school. I shouldn't have done it because I was very depressed when I got rejected..(thought I'd get in with some kind of miracle because they gave me secondary lol...found out it was all automatic system later..how embarrassing!)

So then I decided to do post-bacc. Started from Fall 2009 and I just finished 2 semesters so far. These are classes I've taken in post-bacc:

-Biochemistry I, II (didn't take it in undergrad)
-Endocrinology
-Neuroanatomy with lab
-Human genetics
-Human embryology

And I'll be taking these next semester:
-Pathophysiology or Epidemiology (still deciding what to take)
-Histology
-Health and ethics

*I retook Genetics and Embryology because I had C in undergrad (but I have a few more classes with C...) and because they were the weakest part of MCAT biology section.

So far, I'm maintaining 4.0 GPA...and planning to be a TA for biochemistry and neuroanatomy class next semester...

I'm currently studying for MCAT I'll take on Sep 3rd. Now, my MCAT score increased compared to what I had. I'm getting 28-30 range..

My state school requires 24 MCAT at least to be a qualified applicant.

Many of my classmates in post-bacc are applying this year and I feel really behind. Well, I was planning to finish my post-bacc with 4.0 (hopefully) then re-apply...with better GPA, more ECs, and more shadowing etc.

I'm turning 27 this year and now I'm confused whether I should re-apply like everybody...? Or should I wait until I graduate (next May) then apply for 2012, because I still don't think I'm well enough to reapply this year...

I really want to get into med school as early as possible...I mean, my friends from undergrad got accepted 2 years ago and now they're getting their white coats...I often feel like a big loser and failure...not married, no job but a full time student, still studying for mcat.......etc etc.

What do you guys think, when would you reapply if you were myself..?

What would be my chance? I know it really depends on my MCAT but assuming I'd get what I'm getting now...28-30, do you think it'd be worth a shot to apply for 2011 or 2012?

And lastly, should I retake all the classes with C in undergrad...?

(Ah...if I ever could go back to my undergrad....I'm very regretful that I couldn't do well...but life goes on right?)

Thanks for reading it and any advice will be appreciated. Thanks guys and good luck on your applications as well.

 

[dragonfly99]

You have to see what you actually get on the MCAT. I would concentrate on that now, and not on trying to apply. Even if you get a 28, your GPA is on the very low side. I agree with finishing the postbac...you are doing MUCH better than you did in undergrad. The first question the admissions committee has to answer (in their heads) is whether the person can do the work (academic) in medical school...otherwise they serve nobody by accepting the student. Not the student, who often has to take out huge loans and would be in a disastrous situation if can't finish school and practice medicine, not the public, who count on the doc knowing the medical information, not the taxpayers, who pay for resident education and if it's a state med school are also subsidizing the med school.

It seems ilke you have a lot of clinical experience, which might make you an attractive candidate for DO schools if you can get your MCAT score and GPA up a little. In your situation (with a lot of clinical experience and lower MCAT and GPA) I would definitely explore that option...you can always apply to your state schools plus DO schools if you apply next year.

I would favor finishing the postbac before you apply...but if you want to apply now you could try early decision @your state school if they have it...would only have a shot if you got a higher MCAT score, I imagine.

 

[Snapshots]

You have to see what you actually get on the MCAT. I would concentrate on that now, and not on trying to apply. Even if you get a 28, your GPA is on the very low side. I agree with finishing the postbac...you are doing MUCH better than you did in undergrad. The first question the admissions committee has to answer (in their heads) is whether the person can do the work (academic) in medical school...otherwise they serve nobody by accepting the student. Not the student, who often has to take out huge loans and would be in a disastrous situation if can't finish school and practice medicine, not the public, who count on the doc knowing the medical information, not the taxpayers, who pay for resident education and if it's a state med school are also subsidizing the med school.

It seems ilke you have a lot of clinical experience, which might make you an attractive candidate for DO schools if you can get your MCAT score and GPA up a little. In your situation (with a lot of clinical experience and lower MCAT and GPA) I would definitely explore that option...you can always apply to your state schools plus DO schools if you apply next year.

I would favor finishing the postbac before you apply...but if you want to apply now you could try early decision @your state school if they have it...would only have a shot if you got a higher MCAT score, I imagine.

Thanks Dragonfly for your reply.

Your reply definitely made my decision...I want to apply after my postbacc as I planned. I just felt like rushing myself just because everyone else is applying NOW...and didn't want to be left behind I guess. But you're right, I have lots of things to overcome, especially my MCAT score...I'm going to really focus on MCAT and see what happens, then start worrying about my application.

The main reason I want to finish postbacc before I reapply is the fact I want to 'show' the admission committee that I could do well in medical school...by taking higher level biology classes and by getting all A's like now. My question is...do they even care? Or do they think postbacc is not THAT hard so it's easy for everybody can A's...?

Also, if you don't mind, can I ask you if you're in DO school? You mentioned DO school might take my clinical experience good...what about MD schools? Do I even have a chance to apply to MDs?

Again, thanks for answering my questions. It really helped me.

 

[swamprat]

Thanks Dragonfly for your reply.

Your reply definitely made my decision...I want to apply after my postbacc as I planned. I just felt like rushing myself just because everyone else is applying NOW...and didn't want to be left behind I guess. But you're right, I have lots of things to overcome, especially my MCAT score...I'm going to really focus on MCAT and see what happens, then start worrying about my application.

The main reason I want to finish postbacc before I reapply is the fact I want to 'show' the admission committee that I could do well in medical school...by taking higher level biology classes and by getting all A's like now. My question is...do they even care? Or do they think postbacc is not THAT hard so it's easy for everybody can A's...?

Also, if you don't mind, can I ask you if you're in DO school? You mentioned DO school might take my clinical experience good...what about MD schools? Do I even have a chance to apply to MDs?

Again, thanks for answering my questions. It really helped me.

dragonfly is a doctor according to his/her status.

the reason he/she said do school is because they are WAY more forgiving for poor performance in the past and mcat. they look at the whole applicant as oppose to alot of MD programs that just say 30 mcat? -> if yes, look at gpa if no reject.

 

[swamprat]

Oh and I would def apply to DO schools if I were you.

 

[dragonfly99]

No, I am a doctor. I went to an MD school. I agree w/above comments...