Going nuts.

[tifsahoy]

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Please help, I have no where else to turn!

I'm pre-osteopathic
overall gpa 3.0
science 2.9
9's on the MCAT
work
volunteering DO shadowing
I just graduated.

I applied for post-bac's - didn't get in. I was actually ok with this, because my back up plan is to get some sort of clinical job (EMT, phlebotomist). But I really gotta re-take some classes. #1 Does it look bad if it's a community college?

The schools I want are all the CA, AZ, and NV schools, so most of the deadlines are in April. #2 Should I even bother applying this application cycle? Will it be too soon for them to see work experience/improved gpa?
(oh, and if I do apply, when? Now? This winter? I'm confused!)

All the people I've talked to have been traditional applicants, and not much help.

I'm doing this "year-off" thing and I feel so lost...

Thanks guys

 

[Halligan]

APPLY NOW! Applying early is huge! many people have already turned in some primary apps, and are now even beginning their secondaries. With your stats, do them ASAP!

As for the community college deal, it's a huge debate. Can't you go to a state school as a "non-degree seeking" student to re-take the courses? If not, I don't see why you can't take a class at a community college that you need to re-take. Many people do so because of the cost.

 

[zed350]

Please help, I have no where else to turn!

I'm pre-osteopathic
overall gpa 3.0
science 2.9
9's on the MCAT
work
volunteering DO shadowing
I just graduated.

I applied for post-bac's - didn't get in. I was actually ok with this, because my back up plan is to get some sort of clinical job (EMT, phlebotomist). But I really gotta re-take some classes. #1 Does it look bad if it's a community college?

The schools I want are all the CA, AZ, and NV schools, so most of the deadlines are in April. #2 Should I even bother applying this application cycle? Will it be too soon for them to see work experience/improved gpa?
(oh, and if I do apply, when? Now? This winter? I'm confused!)

All the people I've talked to have been traditional applicants, and not much help.

I'm doing this "year-off" thing and I feel so lost...

Thanks guys

All the Med Schools I have talked to, do not mind if you take your Post_Bacc classes at a CC. However, they "Prefer" you to take them at a 4-yr College/Univ.

Apply as soon as possible !! Check the residency req. in AZ. For their MD school (UoA?) they only prefer AZ residents, it maybe different for DO programs.

Best of Luck

 

[MSmentor018]

apply now and apply very broadly!

 

[ShyRem]

Apply EARLY. As early as freakin' possible. A re-app year is a chance to fix all the problems you had the first time around.

 

[tifsahoy]

But what do I do about the work experience/retaken classes I plan to do?
I'm really worried that I'm just not competitive enough...

 

[TypeA]

But what do I do about the work experience/retaken classes I plan to do?
I'm really worried that I'm just not competitive enough...

You'll never know until you try. I am in the same situation...not knowing if I stand a snowball's chance in he!!, but gonna go for it anyway. Someone has to get in and it might as well be me. Think of things that you have to offer that others don't. Focus on those to keep your head up and work to improve the others. But, like everyone else has said...apply early. Don't wait another second!

 

[zed350]

You'll never know until you try. I am in the same situation...not knowing if I stand a snowball's chance in he!!, but gonna go for it anyway. Someone has to get in and it might as well be me. Think of things that you have to offer that others don't. Focus on those to keep your head up and work to improve the others. But, like everyone else has said...apply early. Don't wait another second!

👍

 

[MSmentor018]

You'll never know until you try. I am in the same situation...not knowing if I stand a snowball's chance in he!!, but gonna go for it anyway. Someone has to get in and it might as well be me. Think of things that you have to offer that others don't. Focus on those to keep your head up and work to improve the others. But, like everyone else has said...apply early. Don't wait another second!

I am in the same boat, had a lot against me..even my age! on your PS focus on your strong points. give honest 1 line answers for your downfalls and how that will change. prep for interviews with this site(interviews), read books, practice with professors/parents. have them drill you! use US news/WR, med school gpa/mcat rankings. find where you fit in. everything below it, is your target schools. filter out "no out of state"...etc. then choose from there. it's like the lotto, if you don't play, you can't win. better to have a bunch of acceptance letters now than none and waiting a year. I know it can get expensive but it's cheaper to add a school/secondary than reapplying. good luck! keep your chin up 🙂

 

[budhak0n]

I am in the same boat, had a lot against me..even my age! on your PS focus on your strong points. give honest 1 line answers for your downfalls and how that will change. prep for interviews with this site(interviews), read books, practice with professors/parents. have them drill you! use US news/WR, med school gpa/mcat rankings. find where you fit in. everything below it, is your target schools. filter out "no out of state"...etc. then choose from there. it's like the lotto, if you don't play, you can't win. better to have a bunch of acceptance letters now than none and waiting a year. I know it can get expensive but it's cheaper to add a school/secondary than reapplying. good luck! keep your chin up 🙂

Just wondering... Why would you think your "age" would work against you? I know I've heard that most Allopathic schools if they don't outright say it prefer Traditional applicants but I would think unless there's this huge percentage of non traditional applicants in the pool... Age wouldn't be such a huge "disadvantage" . I would think in many situations it might actually be a bit of an advantage... but hey I'm always open to being wrong <g>

 

[MSmentor018]

Just wondering... Why would you think your "age" would work against you? I know I've heard that most Allopathic schools if they don't outright say it prefer Traditional applicants but I would think unless there's this huge percentage of non traditional applicants in the pool... Age wouldn't be such a huge "disadvantage" . I would think in many situations it might actually be a bit of an advantage... but hey I'm always open to being wrong <g>

I read this in (I think in USN&WR) for every yr above 25, it's 7% less of getting into school. it was some numerical data that was gathered about how an increasing # of non trads are going into medicine, their chances of getting in, where they went..etc. being older I definitely agree experience is an adv. here's what a co worker of mine on the committee explained to me. older students usually have more distractions (family, debt, finances, out of school a while, diff obligations, don't really fit in with 23 year olds and so on). younger students fresh out of school, still in academic mode, less outside influences, able to fit the mold they that feel represents their institution.

that was just his opinion, I haven't read any actual facts on that but that was the feeling I got at some of the interviews judging the questions they asked me. all legit questions. nothing was rude or out of line. I don't know if it's a "huge" disadv. I'll ask some of my adcom mentor colleagues on here and see what they say.

 

[prionsRbad]

9's on the MCAT

So did you take the MCAT and get a 27 or is that your practice score average? If you still need to take the MCAT you better register now for the August test (if there is still room). I think you can still apply this cycle if you bust your butt 😀

Good Luck