Hello everyone,
Just thought I'd drop a line, as I've been on these forums a decent amount lurking for info. Everything I've been reading has really helped me so far, I wish I had found these forums sooner as I kind of came across the SMP pathway to Med School by myself and used these forums to confirm some conclusions I made.
I graduated from University of Vermont in May 2011 with a BS Biochemistry. Really enjoyed my time there (maybe a little too much heh), but I got a solid foundation in the sciences and was able to explore some upper level pharmacology through research and coursework that really got me interested. Upon graduation I was quite certain that I wanted to pursue a career in research with a PhD in MoleMed or Pharmacology, but after trying desperately to get a research position all summer long, I came up empty-handed. I generally considered an MD to be something I might pursue after receiving a PhD but my experiences over the summer including some that weren't related to academics and career made me question why I would pursue one or the other.
As I realized that Medical school was something that appealed to me more and more due to the difference in careers between MD and PhD, I began searching for ways into Med School. I knew straight away that my GPA (3.16cum, 3.24sci) was not competitive and the fact that I haven't taken the MCAT yet was also holding me back, so I began searching for a way to bolster my academic record, leading me to the crop of SMPs that are designed for folks like me. Also I scored 730q630v on the GRE last year. Drexel IMS is currently my top pick due to location and price.
I've been studying for the MCAT for around two weeks right now and am prepping as though I'll be taking it at the end of January. I'm doing this because I'm worried about holding up my applications to SMPs that require MCATs until the later March test date as there are none in February. I've seen several posts that people just get 'holds' on their app and then if they do alright on the MCAT they get in, but Im going to research a bit more before I commit to this.
Anyway thanks for all the info folks, Im posted up and reading as much as possible.
P
Just thought I'd drop a line, as I've been on these forums a decent amount lurking for info. Everything I've been reading has really helped me so far, I wish I had found these forums sooner as I kind of came across the SMP pathway to Med School by myself and used these forums to confirm some conclusions I made.
I graduated from University of Vermont in May 2011 with a BS Biochemistry. Really enjoyed my time there (maybe a little too much heh), but I got a solid foundation in the sciences and was able to explore some upper level pharmacology through research and coursework that really got me interested. Upon graduation I was quite certain that I wanted to pursue a career in research with a PhD in MoleMed or Pharmacology, but after trying desperately to get a research position all summer long, I came up empty-handed. I generally considered an MD to be something I might pursue after receiving a PhD but my experiences over the summer including some that weren't related to academics and career made me question why I would pursue one or the other.
As I realized that Medical school was something that appealed to me more and more due to the difference in careers between MD and PhD, I began searching for ways into Med School. I knew straight away that my GPA (3.16cum, 3.24sci) was not competitive and the fact that I haven't taken the MCAT yet was also holding me back, so I began searching for a way to bolster my academic record, leading me to the crop of SMPs that are designed for folks like me. Also I scored 730q630v on the GRE last year. Drexel IMS is currently my top pick due to location and price.
I've been studying for the MCAT for around two weeks right now and am prepping as though I'll be taking it at the end of January. I'm doing this because I'm worried about holding up my applications to SMPs that require MCATs until the later March test date as there are none in February. I've seen several posts that people just get 'holds' on their app and then if they do alright on the MCAT they get in, but Im going to research a bit more before I commit to this.
Anyway thanks for all the info folks, Im posted up and reading as much as possible.
P
