Did I choose the wrong path getting my Master's?

[Twosacroud]

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I've recently discovered the forums and been pouring through the threads, and while helpful, it has not been overly encouraging.

My name is Mike, I'm 24, and devoting myself to get into medical school. My undergraduate career was not spectacular. There's a reason- after my freshmen year I lost 50 pounds and willed myself over some nasty social anxiety and just could not focus on school. First friends, girlfriends... it was an amazing experience, but definitely ill-timed. One thing I did not neglect was EC's- I was involved in research and service activities, and was active over the summers likewise.

Anyhow, I finished with a 3.0 on the nose, and my science is 2.8. It's at a top 30 school.

I am determined to go to med school however, and one of my advisers suggested a Master's program. Being from Buffalo and homesick, I enrolled in a program at RoswellPark (a division of SUNY Buffalo) which was pure upper level sciences that let me tailor my own program. I did really well, 4.0, in all upper level science courses (biochemistry, molecular genetics, phD cell bio, dental student neurophysiology, etc.) at about 13crs / semester, with research. Even got a position to TA a course phD students are required to take. It's really been incredible.

I took the MCAT before this program, without making up the courses and after a year of working to save up money, and got a 30P.

From poking my nose around here though, it seems that the graduate GPA really doesn't mean much of anything and my MCAT score is not sufficient. It leads to the question: what do I do now?

I'm enitrely committed and will do everything I can to get into an MD school, hopefully Buffalo since I am a homegrown who loves this town.

Should I apply for one of the SMP's that lets me take the medical school classes (I know there's not one in B-lo, but if it's my best shot at MD I will take it)? I'm pretty sure I can nail it if I get in. Should I take 2 years and do a thorough post-bacc AFTER having an advanced degree? I'm currently planning on re-taking the MCATs a year from now. I don't quite know what to do. My pre-health adviser thinks I am a 'very strong' DO applicant, but I have my heart set on MD, really UB.

Any advice is appreciated, coveted even, from people at any experience level. Sorry to be so long winded, and if anyone has any questions about the Roswell Park program PM me or respond and I can answer them as best I can.

 

[Wednesday]

Why don't you meet with the admissions director at UB and ask. That way you have the answer from the one person who matters most to you.

Your Master's doesn't sound like a mistake at all. Sounds like you learned a lot and excelled (and got some confidence back?). I doubt that after taking masters level science courses, taking a post-bacc would be allowed let alone a good idea. SMP might be your best bet since you would technically be taking med school level classes (and therefore not under what you already took for your masters degree). Retaking the MCAT seems to be a good idea. Last piece of advice is that when you apply, don't set your heart on only one school. Very hard to get into one specific school and you'll do yourself a disservice if you don't apply broadly. Good luck with everything!

 

[Twosacroud]

Thanks for the reply!

I've corresponded with him via email (very prompt on getting back to me), and definitely want to meet face to face. I'm going to hold off on asking for a meeting now though, as I figure it must be one of the busiest times of the year for him.

The program was excellent, but I might have mistimed it. I need to bring my ugrad GPA up for MD schools, no way around it, and thats what I intend to do.

I guess my question would be refined to: Has anyone really nailed an MS degree, but then gone back and done additional undergraduate work? I'm thinking 30-40 credits over a year, with organic chemistry as a retake over the summer. All my other pre-reqs are B's or higher. Hopefully working in an ER with my EMT-B while doing this, then sizing myself up for either a true SMP or the final plunge to application.