Confused on where to go from here...

[allvol006]

I am new at this so I apologize if I am going about this in the wrong way. I am currently a senior at a small private school. GPA is 3.65 (science 3.49), 25O MCAT, decent extra-curricular stuff. I know I am not competitive for allopathic schools at this point, and I need help in which direction to go from here.

Possible SMP? take a year off, work on my resume and boost my mcat? other grad school programs? DO schools? quit on my dream and go to dental school?

I have all the confidence in the world that I can do a lot better on the MCAT. Just was too busy to put in the wrench time.

Any and all feedback would be appreciated! Thanks!

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[armybound]

You need to retake the MCAT more than anything else. Study and retake it when you're confident you can do well.

I'm going to move this to the "What are my chances?" forum.

 

[Disinence2]

You have many options. Take a year off, study hard for the MCAT. Take some more classes your interested. SMP is always a decent option. Maybe an MPH.

Your likely going to have to retake that MCAT for a shot at US MD schools, but be sure to spend the next year doing something your interested in.

 

[ucsfstudents]

- Don't quit on your dream if being a doctor is what you really want to be
- You might not be the most competitive student out there, but you're not out of the running; there were students in worse positions than you who ended up in allopathic schools and became great doctors
- Most people who retake the MCAT get a score very close to the one they had; this is because habits are hard to break and they tend to fall into the same routine. Because you got a 25, I would recommend retaking it, but you'll need to overhall your study strategy and lengthen your studying for the exam
- Taking a year off is always a good idea (you'll get a break, you'll have something interesting to talk about, you'll reflect on your decision to go into medical school, etc. etc. it's a win-win.
- DO schools are always a possibility. First look into the DO philosophy and see if that interests you.
- Good luck!

 

[Stratego]

You do not need an SMP when your cGPA is competitive, as yours is. I don't think you can get into one without a higher MCAT score anyway. Either retake the MCAT to be more competitive for allo schools (maybe take a formal classroom prep course, or apply to DO schools where all your stats are comptitive as you are. And, BTW, a traditional masters degree won't help you get into med schoool, unless you need some research experience to round out your application.

 

[J ROD]

Apply to DO now or retake MCAT for MD.

 

[Anesthetic]

dental school