GPA/MCAT questions - need advice

[wannabeDocinNYC]

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Ok, this is my first post and i'll try to summarize my background briefly. I am a post-bacc with a previous background in finance (graduated with BS in accounting in 2000 and have my CPA). I began my post bacc in Fall 2003 and did great, had 4.0 in all sciences taken last year (all prereq's except Orgo II and both Orgo labs). I have been volunteering in a hospital since I began the post bacc, did a semester of research , and now (just started this september) am shadowing doctors in an ER part time and volunteering in EMS ambulance corps. Ok, here's the bad part. I tried to take the MCAT this summer without any prep (i know so stupid) and got a 27R (9,9,9). I'm retaking in April this year. My problem is this: I got a B this semester in Orgo II and feel it looks bad b/c I started strong and declined on my last science class. My overall GPA, including my post-bacc, is a 3.53. Without my post-bacc its about a 3.45.

I want to study hard for MCAT this spring semester so only enrolled in last orgo lab course and an EMT training course ( only 2 nights/week) plus my shadowing job. Do you think its necessary to take another science class next semester or should I concentrate on scoring high for MCAT? Should i consider a master's? Any advice would be so very much appreciated.

P.S. I applied to schools this august, and am on hold for interviews at several schools, bunch of rejections, and 0 interview invites thus far.

 

[haujun]

Ok, this is my first post and i'll try to summarize my background briefly. I am a post-bacc with a previous background in finance (graduated with BS in accounting in 2000 and have my CPA). I began my post bacc in Fall 2003 and did great, had 4.0 in all sciences taken last year (all prereq's except Orgo II and both Orgo labs). I have been volunteering in a hospital since I began the post bacc, did a semester of research , and now (just started this september) am shadowing doctors in an ER part time and volunteering in EMS ambulance corps. Ok, here's the bad part. I tried to take the MCAT this summer without any prep (i know so stupid) and got a 27R (9,9,9). I'm retaking in April this year. My problem is this: I got a B this semester in Orgo II and feel it looks bad b/c I started strong and declined on my last science class. My overall GPA, including my post-bacc, is a 3.53. Without my post-bacc its about a 3.45.

I want to study hard for MCAT this spring semester so only enrolled in last orgo lab course and an EMT training course ( only 2 nights/week) plus my shadowing job. Do you think its necessary to take another science class next semester or should I concentrate on scoring high for MCAT? Should i consider a master's? Any advice would be so very much appreciated.

P.S. I applied to schools this august, and am on hold for interviews at several schools, bunch of rejections, and 0 interview invites thus far.

1. Focus on your MCAT
2. Apply early!

You will do fine.

 

[Bono]

Definetly the MCAT!! One B is not going to make or break you, but a not so good MCAT score can definetly break you where it hurts!!

 

[ajt2003]

Well, first off, congrats! Minimally prepping, you scored 9's in each section?! That, in and of itself, is quite an accomplish. And i have a feeling that if you really put your all into studying for the MCAT this time around, you'll easily hit 10's and above. The other posters are correct; the MCAT takes priority - don't worry about one silly B. Everyone knows that Orgo is annoying - and a B is a solid grade. Good luck! And happy holidays!!

 

[ntmed]

P.S. I applied to schools this august, and am on hold for interviews at several schools, bunch of rejections, and 0 interview invites thus far.

A 27 MCAT and 3.53 GPA is competitive, albeit a little below average.

The reason you received no interviews is because you applied in august.

Assuming it took 4-6 weeks to process your application, your application wasn't in front of medical schools until September. And by the time you got your secondaries in, it was October/November.

Most medical schools select the students they will interview by early September. After that, they leave only a few interview spots open for stellar candidates who apply late.

You have to apply to medical school on June 1st, the first day applications are accepted. Because of the early bottleneck, each day you delay probably adds an extra week or two to the time required to process your application. Also, you should return your secondaries as soon as possible, preferably within a week of receiving them.

If you reapply next year on June 1st (especially with improved MCAT scores), you should get several interviews.

 

[wannabeDocinNYC]

Thank you all for the great advice. Very much appreciated.