After finishing my junior year, I'm worried about my GPA. With a 3.5 GPA (A's in Calc 1, 2, and stats , A's in gen chem 1 and 2 and lab, B+/B in Org1 and 2, and C+/C in org 1 and 2 lab, and a B- in physics 1 and A in lab and C in Physics 2 and B in the lab), I am worried that maybe I should just apply to DO? I will take the MCAT for the first time in late May. I have also thought about doing a post bac after my senior year. Should I wait until I get the MCAT back before I make a decision about applying to MD or Do, or wait until next year?
Also have 450 hours of a paid internship in the operating room and do marine biology research.
There is good and bad in your situation. This is all from my personal experience but I feel as if I'm pretty familiar with the system, but again, the best thing to do is to talk to your advisor.
Bad:
1) GPA isn't that high, but it IS high enough. Where the challenge lies for you is choosing the right schools to apply to (Many say "broadly" which is a foolproof strategy that I happen to disagree with, I say "intelligently" with a reasonable number of schools).
2) It is hard to say without your MCAT
3) Don't count out several DO schools (AT Still-Kirksville) that are held in higher regard (at least to US News) than plenty of MD schools just because you don't get the magical MD.
4) I've worked multiple jobs the last five summers so I'm probably coming from the same POV on work that you are but your paid internship doesn't look as good as a volunteer internship (this coming from an interviewer I the best school I was allowed to interview at). Yet, it still counts.
Good:
1) Interesting research. Marine biology is interesting and will give you something to talk about (especially if you are being interviewed by PhD's). Your research doesn't have to be in molecular biology. I talked to an interviewer for an hour about the synthesis of synthetic hops.
2) You seem like you have a good head on your shoulders (IE not one of those people "I have to be an MD or else and don't tell me otherwise"). You can make serious hay if you apply intelligently to schools you are competitive at and you are very competitive at top-notch DO schools.
3) Again this is a question for your advisor, there are plenty of reapplicants that get in, why not give it a go this year and then see what it is you have to do to improve your stats.
4) You have a well though out course of action.
Feel free to PM me if you have questions.
