- Joined
- Jun 16, 2014
- Messages
- 185
- Reaction score
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Hello SDN!
Some background info, I graduated in May from a private undergrad. 3.51 cgpa, 3.4 sgpa, 29 MCAT (10PS, 9VR, 10 BS). Upward trend in GPA, with a 3.8 my last year in undergrad. Leadership in multiple clubs, ~50 shadowing hours, clinical (~100 hours) and non-clinical (~200) volunteer experiences, ~150 hours of research at undergrad, paid clinical job at a children's hospital last summer, no publications. Very good letters from a wide range of professors and work-related experiences.
I have already submitted my application for this cycle. I have applied to "low-tier" MD schools. I am retaking the MCAT in August. If I do not get in this cycle, I will apply MD and DO. Although, like a lot of pre-med students, I would prefer MD.
I initially believed I needed an SMP/post-bacc to boost my gpa, so I applied to a few. I have been accepted to Georgetown's SMP and University of Pennsylvania's SSP. I realize I have a few options, so I've evaluated them below.
OPTION 1: Penn
Penn Pros:
-Costs less
-Access to research/volunteer opportunities at HUP, CHOP, VA, etc.
-Close to home
-I would like to go to one of the three Philly med schools (Jeff, Drexel, Temple), being in Philly may be beneficial.
Penn Cons:
-Will only raise my gpa AT MOST to a 3.59 by the spring.
-Is mainly for students applying NEXT cycle (although I have already told them I plan to apply now, and they said that's fine, as long as I realize I would be doing this program as a back-up plan if I don't get in this cycle)
-No potential Master's degree.
OPTION 2: Georgetown
Georgetown Pros:
-Interviews top 50% (I REALIZE THIS IS NOT A GUARANTEE! But Penn does not have this potential opportunity)
-Tailored for students applying during the cycle they are attending the SMP.
-Taking medical school classes, which could be proving more than raising my gpa with undergraduate classes, if I do well. Also have the potential of gaining a master's if I don't get in this cycle.
Cons:
-$$$
-Farther from home
-Could potential jeopardize my gpa if I don't get >3.5 in classes.
OPTION 3: I have just come to realize this as an option. If I do better on the MCAT (80% or higher), I believe my application could stand a solid chance without these programs, and maybe I could just get a research position, save my money (and earn some!), and see how the cycle goes from there. I am taking an intensive MCAT course, which I did not do before, and therefore I believe I can do better this time. However, I also realize the MCAT retake is relatively late. I applied early and still have an MCAT score on file, so this has not delayed my primary getting sent out and receiving secondaries. All of those will be on time.
Another thing to add, I currently have very strong ties to one school, where I am considered in-state and my father did his residency.
If anyone has any insight, words of wisdom, words of past experience, please let me know. Thank you!
Some background info, I graduated in May from a private undergrad. 3.51 cgpa, 3.4 sgpa, 29 MCAT (10PS, 9VR, 10 BS). Upward trend in GPA, with a 3.8 my last year in undergrad. Leadership in multiple clubs, ~50 shadowing hours, clinical (~100 hours) and non-clinical (~200) volunteer experiences, ~150 hours of research at undergrad, paid clinical job at a children's hospital last summer, no publications. Very good letters from a wide range of professors and work-related experiences.
I have already submitted my application for this cycle. I have applied to "low-tier" MD schools. I am retaking the MCAT in August. If I do not get in this cycle, I will apply MD and DO. Although, like a lot of pre-med students, I would prefer MD.
I initially believed I needed an SMP/post-bacc to boost my gpa, so I applied to a few. I have been accepted to Georgetown's SMP and University of Pennsylvania's SSP. I realize I have a few options, so I've evaluated them below.
OPTION 1: Penn
Penn Pros:
-Costs less
-Access to research/volunteer opportunities at HUP, CHOP, VA, etc.
-Close to home
-I would like to go to one of the three Philly med schools (Jeff, Drexel, Temple), being in Philly may be beneficial.
Penn Cons:
-Will only raise my gpa AT MOST to a 3.59 by the spring.
-Is mainly for students applying NEXT cycle (although I have already told them I plan to apply now, and they said that's fine, as long as I realize I would be doing this program as a back-up plan if I don't get in this cycle)
-No potential Master's degree.
OPTION 2: Georgetown
Georgetown Pros:
-Interviews top 50% (I REALIZE THIS IS NOT A GUARANTEE! But Penn does not have this potential opportunity)
-Tailored for students applying during the cycle they are attending the SMP.
-Taking medical school classes, which could be proving more than raising my gpa with undergraduate classes, if I do well. Also have the potential of gaining a master's if I don't get in this cycle.
Cons:
-$$$
-Farther from home
-Could potential jeopardize my gpa if I don't get >3.5 in classes.
OPTION 3: I have just come to realize this as an option. If I do better on the MCAT (80% or higher), I believe my application could stand a solid chance without these programs, and maybe I could just get a research position, save my money (and earn some!), and see how the cycle goes from there. I am taking an intensive MCAT course, which I did not do before, and therefore I believe I can do better this time. However, I also realize the MCAT retake is relatively late. I applied early and still have an MCAT score on file, so this has not delayed my primary getting sent out and receiving secondaries. All of those will be on time.
Another thing to add, I currently have very strong ties to one school, where I am considered in-state and my father did his residency.
If anyone has any insight, words of wisdom, words of past experience, please let me know. Thank you!
