HELP, at the End of my Rope! What should I do?

[jaykav07]

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Okay this is the middle of my junior year, I posted on this forum at the end of my sophomore year, wondering whether or not I should go to an Indian program (Manipal medical) which is basically like a Caribbean med school, except with undergrad and training specifically on the boards to come back to the US (its a 6 yr program, minus a few years if you finished some classes). Well everyone was very negative to the idea on this board of me going to India, even with my 3.15 GPa and non-existent EC's.

Well now I'm here and I've bombed this semsester, I have a lot of leadership this year (clubs), with some volunteering, but I'm making a B in organic chemistry, and am probably going to get C's in my 2 upper level bio classes. My GPA before this horrible semester was 3.15.

I've talked to my parents, and they said that I shouldn't go to Manipal anymore, and should stay here since I might as well get my undergraduate degree, as it is weighted in residencies, and also that I should try to get into a US med school, even though, as you all know, its probably impossible. I think the only way that I could be admitted into a US med school is if I literally redo this semester, spending an extra 15k. I've also heard of SMP programs, but heard its characterized by studying for finals all the time... If I decide to stay here (which will probably be, in the end, cheaper, since India and the Caribbean cost 200k in debt), should I do an SMP or just work on my undergrad GPA? Or should I go to India/Caribbean after graduating? I mean the way I see it, its just a price difference, I have to bust my @ss in all cases 😛 (there's so much uncertainty if I stay here though, will I get shadowing? Will I finish my research? etc.)

On the bright side, I'm going to getting research in next semester, though I don't know how in the world I could get shadowing... Can I work on my undergrad GPA in another school though (or after graduating?), as my scholarship will run out here after 4 yrs. Ty ahead of time guys!

 

[Catalystik]

You knew at the end of spring semester that it was critical for you to turn up your academic efforts and get as close to straight As as possible. That things have gone so poorly means that the best cGPA you could pull off after five years in college (or four years plus a year of postbac work anywhere) will be a 3.5 if you get only As from now on. I'm not optimistic that you can do that from looking at your track record, so you might want to start thinking about a future application to DO med schools, where you can retake some of those Cs and only have the retake grade count.

SMPs are another option if you can keep your cGPA above a 3.0 and get a good MCAT score, but for it to help you, you'd need to perform at the top of your class where you'd likely be competing with first year med students. I'm not sure they'd accept you into such a program if you don't have an upward grade trend before applying to show your potential. They are a last ditch gamble to redeem your academic record. Keep in mind that many completing those programs who get below a 3.5 GPA will end up being accepted to DO programs, not MD. Either route ends in your becoming a physician with a high chance of completing a US-based residency program.

I wouldn't worry about ECs for now, as dividing your attention may be a reason you're not doing better with your classes. Even 30+ers apply to med schools. Don't be in such a hurry that you sabotage yourself just to suit your preferred timeline.

 

[jaykav07]

You knew at the end of spring semester that it was critical for you to turn up your academic efforts and get as close to straight As as possible. That things have gone so poorly means that the best cGPA you could pull off after five years in college (or four years plus a year of postbac work anywhere) will be a 3.5 if you get only As from now on. I'm not optimistic that you can do that from looking at your track record, so you might want to start thinking about a future application to DO med schools, where you can retake some of those Cs and only have the retake grade count.

SMPs are another option if you can keep your cGPA above a 3.0 and get a good MCAT score, but for it to help you, you'd need to perform at the top of your class where you'd likely be competing with first year med students. I'm not sure they'd accept you into such a program if you don't have an upward grade trend before applying to show your potential. They are a last ditch gamble to redeem your academic record. Keep in mind that many completing those programs who get below a 3.5 GPA will end up being accepted to DO programs, not MD. Either route ends in your becoming a physician with a high chance of completing a US-based residency program.

I wouldn't worry about ECs for now, as dividing your attention may be a reason you're not doing better with your classes. Even 30+ers apply to med schools. Don't be in such a hurry that you sabotage yourself just to suit your preferred timeline.

Thanks for the response! Well if I stay here should I do an SMP or just do 4.5-5 yrs of undergrad? I mean I'm not stupid, its just that I didn't have my stuff together in the past, and I've had a lot of personal issues this semester, but it resulted in a lot of growth so I'm not too down about it.

If DO's make mostly same amount as MD's, yeah I'll probably be trying to get into a DO program instead.

 

[Catalystik]

Thanks for the response! Well if I stay here should I do an SMP or just do 4.5-5 yrs of undergrad?

If DO's make mostly same amount as MD's, yeah I'll probably be trying to get into a DO program instead.

Get your GPA up to 3.5, and with a strong MCAT score, you won't need the (expensive) SMP.

DO and MD incomes for same specialty are equitable.

 

[J ROD]

Thanks for the response! Well if I stay here should I do an SMP or just do 4.5-5 yrs of undergrad? I mean I'm not stupid, its just that I didn't have my stuff together in the past, and I've had a lot of personal issues this semester, but it resulted in a lot of growth so I'm not too down about it.

If DO's make mostly same amount as MD's, yeah I'll probably be trying to get into a DO program instead.

DO schools are your best shot for US. Average GPA is 3.45 and 26 MCAT.

Plus, they practice grade replacement so you could raise your GPA faster and not have to get as high....and a 30 MCAT would actually help!!

I would still work on the ECs because you have to have them just dont it at the expense of your classes. Just do one or two like volunteering and research. mix in some shadowing too!!