Do I have a shot?

[godzilla0120]

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I have a 3.16 undergrad GPA.
Planning to go to one of SMP programs.
my MCAT score is 25, which is below average.
This is actually my third time taking it.
the previous two had expired.

I worked in a clinic for one year
currently volunteering
and currently working for Quest Diagnostic

My question is do I have a shot for SMP.
Or I need to retake my MCAT????

 

[Perrotfish]

No reason not to apply. However, most SMPs are geared more towards high MCATs and low GPAs than the other way around, so you're going to need some luck.

Your best shot would be at a high linkage program. If you get in to one of those your performance in the program would be the only factor that would determine if you get into the program's host medical school, so if you were accepted your MCAT score would become moot. EVMS and Rosalind Franklin are worth looking into.

Also if you're really having trouble getting your MCAT up consider applying to the Drexel MSP program, its the only SMP (that I know of) designed specifically to raise your MCAT score It has almost no linkage, though, except to Drexels IMS program, so be prepared to spend a full 2 years in an SMP if you go that route.

 

[godzilla0120]

Thanks perrotfish and Lokhtar for the response.

I wouldn't mind retaking MCAT.
But doesn't taking 4 times a bad record?
How will the adcom look at you?

Would it better to take the MCAT during my SMP (if i got in)
or before the application?

Thanks.

 

[Perrotfish]

Would it better to take the MCAT during my SMP (if i got in) or before the application?

Unless you're doing Drexels MSP program take the MCAT before you do the SMP program.

Also if you're accepted to a high linkage program (Rosalind Franklin or EVMS) you wouldn't need to retake the SMP at all, just do well in the SMP. I'm not sure how likely an acceptance would be, though.

In general you should probably expect your summer to be devoted to MCAT prep. I'd recomend the Princeton Review course if you haven't taken it yet.

Finally with a 3.16 is there any way you could take a couple of communty college classes in underwater basket weaving to get that up to a 3.2? A lot of medical schools look for GPAs at or above a 3.2.

 

[godzilla0120]

a lot of medical school look at 3.2 or above...really！！！　＠＿＠
I thought the minimum is 3.4．

I guess no matter what my mcat is too low.

If I can improve my MCAT and find a way to boost up GPA to 3.2, would that be a better route than the SMP???

Thanks for all the feedback.
this really gives me a direction of where to go now.

 

[Perrotfish]

a lot of medical school look at 3.2 or above...really！！！　＠＿＠
I thought the minimum is 3.4．

They definitely look at applications with a 3.2. Keep in minds that's look at, as in they don't throw it out when they see the GPA. You still need something to offset the low GPA to actually get an interview.


My opinion: devote all summer to studying for the MCAT, retake the MCAT (you need to do that no matter what), and apply to the high linkage SMPs. If you do well on the MCAT you might be accepted to EVMS or RFU as an SMP student. If you do well in one of those programs you're a medical student only one year too late.

If you don't get in to the SMP then continue on at your undergrad and get your GPA up. 3.5-3.6 is still the average GPA for acceptance, so a 3.2 would need to be paired with a pretty spectacular MCAT score. At the very best you'd be two years from starting medical school without an SMP.

Finally there's one last option: the Carribbean. If you botch the MCAT again, I'd seriously consider applying. You could start medical school next fall and prove yourself once you're there. If you do poorly on your fourth MCAT I'd say your options are either that or Drexel MSP, which would involve a 3 year wait (MSP, IMS, and lag year) before getting into medical school.

Whatever you choose to do, good luck