Help this underdog decide...

[Postictal Raiden]

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I was pretty set on applying to DO schools this season. I had all my ducks in row (3.38cGPA, 3.4 sGPA, strong upward trend, LOR's, EC's, etc..). However, my MCAT score, especially verbal, was a deal breaker. I am out of the run for this cycle.

I am debating whether or not I should apply to Western MSMS program(SMP w/ linkage). I spoke to the program director and was told that with my GPA, I stand a strong chance of being accepted. I was also informed that all of the program recent graduates, except two, were linked to Western and other DO programs.

On the other side of the coin, the idea of adding another 48K of tuition and living expenses (plus years of interests) to my undergrad loans (55k) and med school loans (300K+) is unjustifiable.

I truly would love to attend Western, and I know that doing the MSMS program would significantly enhance my chances. At the same time, I don't want to bury myself deeper in debts, especially in an economy where the future of a medical career has become questionable.

 

[411309]

why not just retake the mcat? if its only your first time, a lot of people end up retaking it.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

why not just retake the mcat? if its only your first time, a lot of people end up retaking it.

Either way, I will be retaking the MCAT. However, if I do the SMP at western, I won't need a 28+ score to be competitive. All what I will need is 23+ with nothing less than 6.

I know it may sound naive to you that I'm welling to dump 48k and commit myself to a whole-year of rigorous courses instead of focusing on getting 28+ on the test. However, scoring 20, with 3 on verbal, has completely killed my confidence.

 

[Mehd School]

I'll never understand why people who are relatively set on DO school will even consider an expensive ass SMP.

 

[Hopefulslack]

IMO even with a SMP under your belt, an MCAT less than 26-27 will not help you much.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

I'll never understand why people who are relatively set on DO school will even consider an expensive ass SMP.

Five weeks ago I shared your prospective, but after my pathetic MCAT performance, and seeing my friends submitting their primaries and secondaries, I'm growing uncontrollably desperate.

 

[Temperature101]

I was pretty set on applying to DO schools this season. I had all my ducks in row (3.38cGPA, 3.4 sGPA, strong upward trend, LOR's, EC's, etc..). However, my MCAT score, especially verbal, was a deal breaker. I am out of the run for this cycle.

I am debating whether or not I should apply to Western MSMS program(SMP w/ linkage). I spoke to the program director and was told that with my GPA, I stand a strong chance of being accepted. I was also informed that all of the program recent graduates, except two, were linked to Western and other DO programs.

On the other side of the coin, the idea of adding another 48K of tuition and living expenses (plus years of interests) to my undergrad loans (55k) and med school loans (300K+) is unjustifiable.

I truly would love to attend Western, and I know that doing the MSMS program would significantly enhance my chances. At the same time, I don't want to bury myself deeper in debts, especially in an economy where the future of a medical career has become questionable.

If you are already deep in dept, I would not do it...Just retake the mcat and aim for 25+...If I remember, you did ok in PS/BS and VR was your problem ( I have the same issue as well with VR). Dont put yourself too much in dept when there is an easier way to get into DO school.

 

[Temperature101]

Five weeks ago I shared your prospective, but after my pathetic MCAT performance, and seeing my friends submitting their primaries and secondaries, I'm growing uncontrollably desperate.

I share your frustration couple with me beeing in my mid 30s... I am getting desperate as well but we gotta be smart...We can do it...

 

[DrMeows]

I agree with retaking your MCAT. if this was your first time it's definitely doable to increase it enormous amounts.However,, to comment on people's one-sided SMP comments: yes, it is expensive. However, this whole process is. As someone who is a recent graduate of an SMP, I can think of no better way to prepare yourself for the rigorous nature of medical school. I would never trade the experience for the world.

That being said, you do not need a super high MCAT to be accepted to places after the fact. I know NUMEROUS people accepted to CCOM and AZCOM with 24 MCATs or less, just because they did the SMP. Also, as someone applying this year, I believe my recent graduate degree has given me an edge and is the reason for my multiple interviews so early in the cycle.


So while I know it is expensive, don't let that deter you from considering this pathway also. There are so many pros to an SMP it's ridiculous, you just have to work your butt off while you are in it. Also - I had an MCAT much like yours, retook it the month I started my SMP, got a much better score for DO schools, while completing my SMP. It is the ultimate application enhancement and many schools will look favorably on that.


Sorry for the novel 😳 I just wanted to add my 2 cents!

 

[angldrps]

if I were you , I would not do the SMP and add on to my total debt. Retake the mcat. I did this and raised my score significantly. I was in your exact same situation last year and decided to delay my application cycle by one year.

 

[HalfListic]

Five weeks ago I shared your prospective, but after my pathetic MCAT performance, and seeing my friends submitting their primaries and secondaries, I'm growing uncontrollably desperate.

Have you considered getting an MCAT tutor (like from Kaplan)?

Its very expensive, but compared to an SMP, its actually a bargain. And I know you, like I, would do pretty much anything to get into med school

With your GPA, Id look into putting your heart and money into the MCAT. Look at a few companies and think about a tutoring program. Its pretty much a guarantee that youll score well enough, given you have the capacity and do the work.

Good luck...dont make a decision out of desperation. Gather yourself and work harder. It takes multiple tries for many of us.

 

[NeuroLAX]

If Verbal is your problem, then I recommend Examkrackers. I've said it a zillion times and I'll keep swearing by it. Helped me boost my VR score 4 points from 6 to 10.

If you're willing to spend a little dough on a prep course, a coworker of mine told me about a lesser known company called Altius. I think they are predominantly located out West, but he made it sound worlds better than Kaplan and other similar companies. I did not find Kaplan very useful, but of course every person is different. Just some food for thought.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

If Verbal is your problem, then I recommend Examkrackers. I've said it a zillion times and I'll keep swearing by it. Helped me boost my VR score 4 points from 6 to 10.

If you're willing to spend a little dough on a prep course, a coworker of mine told me about a lesser known company called Altius. I think they are predominantly located out West, but he made it sound worlds better than Kaplan and other similar companies. I did not find Kaplan very useful, but of course every person is different. Just some food for thought.

During my prep for the first take, I've used up the entire EK passages (averaging 6). I didn't take full advantage of them however. I rarely went over the solutions. I also used a good portion of TPRH. I'm planning on redoing all of the EK and TPRH passages since I am sure I've forgotten most of the passages.

Btw, I checked out Altius. They have no branch here in SoCal 🙁

 

[Postictal Raiden]

Have you considered getting an MCAT tutor (like from Kaplan)?

Its very expensive, but compared to an SMP, its actually a bargain. And I know you, like I, would do pretty much anything to get into med school

With your GPA, Id look into putting your heart and money into the MCAT. Look at a few companies and think about a tutoring program. Its pretty much a guarantee that youll score well enough, given you have the capacity and do the work.

Good luck...dont make a decision out of desperation. Gather yourself and work harder. It takes multiple tries for many of us.

I agree with you. MCAT prep costs a lot less than the SMP.

I regret not taking the MCAT seriously. Everyone advised me to postpone but I was too stubborn to listen. I was deceived by those who claim (they may be right) they scored 30+ with one month of preparation.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

if I were you , I would not do the SMP and add on to my total debt. Retake the mcat. I did this and raised my score significantly. I was in your exact same situation last year and decided to delay my application cycle by one year.

If you don't mind, I would like you to share the details of your score redemption.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

I agree with retaking your MCAT. if this was your first time it's definitely doable to increase it enormous amounts.However,, to comment on people's one-sided SMP comments: yes, it is expensive. However, this whole process is. As someone who is a recent graduate of an SMP, I can think of no better way to prepare yourself for the rigorous nature of medical school. I would never trade the experience for the world.

That being said, you do not need a super high MCAT to be accepted to places after the fact. I know NUMEROUS people accepted to CCOM and AZCOM with 24 MCATs or less, just because they did the SMP. Also, as someone applying this year, I believe my recent graduate degree has given me an edge and is the reason for my multiple interviews so early in the cycle.


So while I know it is expensive, don't let that deter you from considering this pathway also. There are so many pros to an SMP it's ridiculous, you just have to work your butt off while you are in it. Also - I had an MCAT much like yours, retook it the month I started my SMP, got a much better score for DO schools, while completing my SMP. It is the ultimate application enhancement and many schools will look favorably on that.


Sorry for the novel 😳 I just wanted to add my 2 cents!

You have good points. Such programs provide students with unprecedented experiences of how rigorous and depleting the medical curriculum can be.

But is such experience worth 48K (PLUS interests)? That's what I'm trying to figure out.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

If you are already deep in dept, I would not do it...Just retake the mcat and aim for 25+...If I remember, you did ok in PS/BS and VR was your problem ( I have the same issue as well with VR). Dont put yourself too much in dept when there is an easier way to get into DO school.

Yes, I did OK on the other two sections, and I'm sure I can boost them up by at least a point each if I focus on (ochem and electricity)

I have been following your progress in regards to MCAT prep, especially Verbal. I wish you good luck.

 

[angldrps]

If you don't mind, I would like you to share the details of your score redemption.

Sure. I would PM you. My MCAT story is quite lengthy. lol

 

[Back 5]

I rarely went over the solutions.

You have 500+ posts on SDN, so I'm sure you have read countless threads on the MCAT forum stating answer review being one of the, if not most, important aspects of MCAT study.

Why would you ignore such advice, given by nearly every exam scorer with a score >30?

If you are sooooo stubborn as to basically throw away an MCAT, are you ready for medical school? Are you mature enough to be put in your place by a Resident and not fight back or completely ignore their advice? I'm sure you can score well on a retake and write a good enough essay to say there was some challenge you overcame to increase your score, but I would take the time to really look deep inside and figure out this "stubbornness" issue.

 

[oms2]

op: you need to go over the solutions.
that's how you learn in med school after every exam, and that's how you study for boards: question, answer, explanation for answer.
people who claim a high score after a month of study are the same people in med school who say they barely studied for the exam and got a 90. they're lying gunners.

 

[gmcguitar4]

If you want to go DO, do NOT do the SMP. Of course your GPA could be higher, but it is not what's holding you back at this point. Just study your freaking ass off for the MCAT for like 6 months and destroy it. you could get like a 25-28 score and still get interviews somewhere.

If you work hard at it but still can't get a competitive score, maybe consider other career options. Once you are in med school you are going to have to take the boards and the MCAT is a joke compared to those.

I would say take the online kaplan course and do EVERY SINGLE question that the thing can give you. I did every quiz question, section test, full-length, etc. Be sure to have gone over all the material before taking section/full-lengths. When you finish them be sure to go over EVERY single question. I would read the explanation for every answer even if I got it right just to reenforce. Then for the questions I got wrong, I would go back and review the material again to ensure I would know it the next time I encountered a similar question. Just constantly reenforce the material.

Once this is down, then work on your timing. I gave myself a specific amount of time to do 2 passages. So first, I would time myself reading one passage and doing the questions and getting it under a certain time limit. Then I would practice with 2 passages. Then I would just do that with the whole section. On the real thing, I finished the BS section with about 6-7 minutes left and PS with about 5 minutes left so I had plenty of time to review answers and concentrate on the really hard stuff.

I went from a 24 on my diagnostic to 33 with this approach but was averaging 37 on practice tests. Def happy with the 33 though. So my approach worked!

 

[Postictal Raiden]

You have 500+ posts on SDN, so I'm sure you have read countless threads on the MCAT forum stating answer review being one of the, if not most, important aspects of MCAT study.

Why would you ignore such advice, given by nearly every exam scorer with a score >30?

If you are sooooo stubborn as to basically throw away an MCAT, are you ready for medical school? Are you mature enough to be put in your place by a Resident and not fight back or completely ignore their advice? I'm sure you can score well on a retake and write a good enough essay to say there was some challenge you overcame to increase your score, but I would take the time to really look deep inside and figure out this "stubbornness" issue.

I agree with you that stubbornness is a big issue, especially for someone pursuing a competitive and constantly changing field. However, this problem is not something I always had. I am a very flexible and patient person, but time and financial constraints led me to ignore everyone's advice and proceed with my original test date.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

op: you need to go over the solutions.
that's how you learn in med school after every exam, and that's how you study for boards: question, answer, explanation for answer.
people who claim a high score after a month of study are the same people in med school who say they barely studied for the exam and got a 90. they're lying gunners.

I didn't give the MCAT the attention and time it deserves. That was a good listen for me.

Yes, many of those who claim 30+ score with one month of preparation are either lying, but some, I know one person in particular, can score 35+ after two weeks of studying. Unfortunately, I thought I was one of those geniuses.

Now I came to a realization that one should treat the MCAT as if it was a full-load semester of difficult courses. For those of us who did their prerequisite courses years ago and only cared about getting A's rather than learning the material, the SN23d's 3-month commitment is A MUST.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

If you want to go DO, do NOT do the SMP. Of course your GPA could be higher, but it is not what's holding you back at this point. Just study your freaking ass off for the MCAT for like 6 months and destroy it. you could get like a 25-28 score and still get interviews somewhere.

If you work hard at it but still can't get a competitive score, maybe consider other career options. Once you are in med school you are going to have to take the boards and the MCAT is a joke compared to those.

I would say take the online kaplan course and do EVERY SINGLE question that the thing can give you. I did every quiz question, section test, full-length, etc. Be sure to have gone over all the material before taking section/full-lengths. When you finish them be sure to go over EVERY single question. I would read the explanation for every answer even if I got it right just to reenforce. Then for the questions I got wrong, I would go back and review the material again to ensure I would know it the next time I encountered a similar question. Just constantly reenforce the material.

Once this is down, then work on your timing. I gave myself a specific amount of time to do 2 passages. So first, I would time myself reading one passage and doing the questions and getting it under a certain time limit. Then I would practice with 2 passages. Then I would just do that with the whole section. On the real thing, I finished the BS section with about 6-7 minutes left and PS with about 5 minutes left so I had plenty of time to review answers and concentrate on the really hard stuff.

I went from a 24 on my diagnostic to 33 with this approach but was averaging 37 on practice tests. Def happy with the 33 though. So my approach worked!

Congrats on your awesome score!

However, you had a good baseline performance. My AAMC 3 score was 18, and that's after three weeks of content review.

My main purpose of considering the SMP is not to improve my GPA. I was looking for options to not having to worry about scoring 7+ on the verbal section. Scoring 9+ on the other two sections is very obtainable for me. I did the bare minimum of preparation (didn't tough ochem) and till managed 8 and 9 on the PS/BS, respectively. It is verbal reasoning that is keeping me away from applying this year to DO schools.

Therefore, I thought by doing an SMP and scoring 24+ on my retake, schools would turn a blind eye on the verbal score. As I mentioned above, coming from the MSMS program, a score of 6 in verbal is sufficient to gain a linkage in the DO program.

 

[Mehd School]

As someone who is a recent graduate of an SMP, I can think of no better way to prepare yourself for the rigorous nature of medical school. I would never trade the experience for the world.

It's awesome you had a great experience, and I wish you well this cycle. However, it seems OP and many others in his situation are more worried about actually getting into medical school rather than beasting classes once you get there.

The main con of an SMP hasn't been listed yet. If you perform poorly in these classes, you just dug yourself a hole that many will never get out of. Is it worth that risk? Not if you're willing to go the DO route.

Take a couple more science classes, and do anything and everything possible to obtain an MCAT score >25. I highly recommend a course. Normally I would recommend Kaplan, but their verbal is poor and it's what you need.

Good luck.

 

[DrMeows]

You have good points. Such programs provide students with unprecedented experiences of how rigorous and depleting the medical curriculum can be.

But is such experience worth 48K (PLUS interests)? That's what I'm trying to figure out.

With your specific situation, probably not. I'd take the MCAT more seriously and focus on that - I know it's possible to increase substantially. I took it a lot more seriously when retook it and it paid off. I just really wanted to mention the pros because everyone before me was shooting down SMPs in general like they were the devil lol.

The main con of an SMP hasn't been listed yet. If you perform poorly in these classes, you just dug yourself a hole that many will never get out of. Is it worth that risk? Not if you're willing to go the DO route.

That's a very good point to bring up actually, and a good thing to bring to people's attention. I think if you think you can handle it, it's worth the risk. I did fairly well in my program, so it worked out well in my situation so far and I tend to forget about some people that really struggle with it.


Overall I think people need to focus on their weaknesses in their apps. Mine was my GPA, so an SMP was an ideal situation for me. As far as Ibn Alnafis MD is concerned, it seems to be the MCAT. So focus on that first, and consider an SMP as a backup plan (in my opinion).

 

[Mehd School]

DrMeows,

Will you be applying to both DO and MD schools?

 

[DrMeows]

DrMeows,

Will you be applying to both DO and MD schools?

Yes - I sent out a few MD even though I'd probably rather go DO anyways. It's all in my MDApps. Why do u ask?

 

[dudeliness]

op: you need to go over the solutions.
that's how you learn in med school after every exam, and that's how you study for boards: question, answer, explanation for answer.
people who claim a high score after a month of study are the same people in med school who say they barely studied for the exam and got a 90. they're lying gunners.

I TOTALLY agree about going over the solutions, and what someone said above about timing yourself while on the practice tests, and just doing everything you can to make it as real as possible, and then spending just as much effort reviewing why you got each answer wrong.
I would have to disagree with the statement that everyone who claims to study for a month and does well is a gunner. I'm in no way shape or form a gunner, studied little, and did decent on the MCAT.

 

[GypsyHummus]

I was pretty set on applying to DO schools this season. I had all my ducks in row (3.38cGPA, 3.4 sGPA, strong upward trend, LOR's, EC's, etc..). However, my MCAT score, especially verbal, was a deal breaker. I am out of the run for this cycle.

I am debating whether or not I should apply to Western MSMS program(SMP w/ linkage). I spoke to the program director and was told that with my GPA, I stand a strong chance of being accepted. I was also informed that all of the program recent graduates, except two, were linked to Western and other DO programs.

On the other side of the coin, the idea of adding another 48K of tuition and living expenses (plus years of interests) to my undergrad loans (55k) and med school loans (300K+) is unjustifiable.

I truly would love to attend Western, and I know that doing the MSMS program would significantly enhance my chances. At the same time, I don't want to bury myself deeper in debts, especially in an economy where the future of a medical career has become questionable.

here is my 2 cents and just take it with a grain of salt.

From your GPA, I would just retake the MCAT if your heart is set on DO school. However, you might also be a candidate for certain smp MD schools, and if you do well in those, u would have a chance at MD school.

Another option I have been looking into in case my MCAT goes south, LECOMs post bac. Its only like 15k and you have to get a minimum of 3.0 and a 22 or 23 (someone correct me if Im wrong) on the mcat once ur in it. If you do that, you get accepted. Seems like the cheapest and safest route to becoming a doctor if my mcat was a bust or organic kills me this year lol.

Good luck 👍

 

[Postictal Raiden]

here is my 2 cents and just take it with a grain of salt.

From your GPA, I would just retake the MCAT if your heart is set on DO school. However, you might also be a candidate for certain smp MD schools, and if you do well in those, u would have a chance at MD school.

Another option I have been looking into in case my MCAT goes south, LECOMs post bac. Its only like 15k and you have to get a minimum of 3.0 and a 22 or 23 (someone correct me if Im wrong) on the mcat once ur in it. If you do that, you get accepted. Seems like the cheapest and safest route to becoming a doctor if my mcat was a bust or organic kills me this year lol.

Good luck 👍

I am very set on pursuing the DO degree. Regardless, my AMCAS GPA is just above 3.0 due to a number of retakes.

I've looked into LECOM's post bac program. It seems pretty good, but it's not ideal for someone who has no parental support, much less someone who's married with kids. It's not a master's program; it won't qualify for loans other than stafford undergrad ($12500), meaning I need to privately finance the remaining tuition plus the living expenses. Besides, it's not that cheaper than Western's MSMS ($20500).

Despite of the money issue, I would still prefer going to do the SMP at western. It's a master's program and it's in sunny SoCal 😉

Thanks for the input though.

 

[GypsyHummus]

I am very set on pursuing the DO degree. Regardless, my AMCAS GPA is just above 3.0 due to a number of retakes.

I've looked into LECOM's post bac program. It seems pretty good, but it's not ideal for someone who has no parental support, much less someone who's married with kids. It's not a master's program; it won't qualify for loans other than stafford undergrad ($12500), meaning I need to privately finance the remaining tuition plus the living expenses. Besides, it's not that cheaper than Western's MSMS ($20500).

Despite of the money issue, I would still prefer going to do the SMP at western. It's a master's program and it's in sunny SoCal 😉

Thanks for the input though.

Ok, sounds like a plan!

Just be very careful about the smp. Make sure you find it in writing that if you have a certain GPA and Mcat, that they will let you into the DO school. Nothing worse than going 25ish K in debt and realizing that it wasnt an automatic acceptance and just missing it. I'm not sure how westerns smp works. At Lecom, as it was explained to me, if you get a 3.0 GPA and 23 Mcat, you are guaranteed a seat next year.

All it takes is one acceptance.

I'm rooting for yah any way you wanna go tho! Everyone wants to see yah succeed 🙂

 

[GypsyHummus]

Are you sure that a 23 would be all you need to get in? The admissions people told me I got rejected (for COM) solely on having a 23. If I had 3 more points, I would have likely been a sure admission.

Anyway, if you don't have a job and truly feel you can't do better on the MCAT, I say go for it. However, if you have a job, you should try on the MCAT again. At the very least apply for the MSMS and retake the MCAT during the first half on next year. If you end up with something satisfying (26+), I see no reason why you wouldn't make it into many D.O. schools.

This is what one of the emails said in the post bacc forums:

The LECOM post-bacc program is one of the best kept secrets when it comes to those who have been rejected from medical school (I was one last year) It's the only program in the country that GUARANTEES entry the following year into their medical school as long as you maintain a 3.0 GPA and have the minimum MCAT. Think about it, If students meet these requirements they are an official medical student. They don't have to worry about other aspects of their resume such as volunteer hours, shadowing, etc. It's truly a put-up or shut-up year.

However, maintaining the 3.0 is easier said than done because the program is just as arduous and in depth as medical school, not to mention it's block grading ( A, B C... no +/-) Truthfully, LECOM Post-Bacc is probably one of the toughest in the country but it's also one of the cheapest. Many post-bacc programs from other schools cost just as much as medical school tuition (28K+) but the LECOM program tuition cost (as of last year) was only 6,000 a semester (12k total!). This low price allows possible students to sample a medical school atmosphere at a relatively cheap cost and decide whether becoming a physician is really what they want to do; and if not, their not crushed under significant debt.


Post- Bacc was a blessing in disguise for me because it gave me a year to mature as both a student and person which prepared me for this year and I have my highest GPA ever in my entire life. Not to mention I made a lot of very close friends that transitioned with me into medical school. I would heavily suggest this program to those who want to become a doctor but have something weighing their resume down against the field. But remember, this is either your get our of jail free card (become med student quick) or the final nail in your coffin because it's impossible to explain to other schools why you couldn't pass in a medical school trial run. Best of luck!

 

[HM3]

Just retake the MCAT. This SMP talk is you copping out, and it will be of no benefit to you. Let me give you some truth : Tests are a measure of a person's honesty with their self.

 

[angldrps]

Just retake the MCAT. This SMP talk is you copping out, and it will be of no benefit to you. Let me give you some truth : Tests are a measure of a person's honesty with their self.

👍

 

[365593]

Ok, sounds like a plan!

Just be very careful about the smp. Make sure you find it in writing that if you have a certain GPA and Mcat, that they will let you into the DO school. Nothing worse than going 25ish K in debt and realizing that it wasnt an automatic acceptance and just missing it. I'm not sure how westerns smp works. At Lecom, as it was explained to me, if you get a 3.0 GPA and 23 Mcat, you are guaranteed a seat next year.

All it takes is one acceptance.

I'm rooting for yah any way you wanna go tho! Everyone wants to see yah succeed 🙂

Sorry to respond to an old-ish post, but is there anything, preferably in granite, stating that you are in at LECOM if you achieve a 3.0 on their postbac?

 

[touchpause13]

Honestly I am kind of considering this as well and could use some advice. I did not get into the school I wanted this year mostly because of my crappy science gpa. I am finishing up my senior year now and if I can pull another 4.0 my science GPA should increase from around a 3.1 to a 3.2. My cum is a little bit below a 3.5 and my MCAT is on the low side (25) Right now my options are:
1) Take science classes at the local community college over the summer and fall to improve my sGPA and work full time to try and save up some money. This option also means I would get to be with my new husband
2) Try and do an SMP somewhere in the midwest

I'm not gunning for a top school or anything, I really want to go to Marian honestly. What would yall do?

 

[angldrps]

Honestly I am kind of considering this as well and could use some advice. I did not get into the school I wanted this year mostly because of my crappy science gpa. I am finishing up my senior year now and if I can pull another 4.0 my science GPA should increase from around a 3.1 to a 3.2. My cum is a little bit below a 3.5 and my MCAT is on the low side (25) Right now my options are:
1) Take science classes at the local community college over the summer and fall to improve my sGPA and work full time to try and save up some money. This option also means I would get to be with my new husband
2) Try and do an SMP somewhere in the midwest

I'm not gunning for a top school or anything, I really want to go to Marian honestly. What would yall do?

My GPA was in that range as well but I was blessed with multiple acceptances so I think if you can improve your MCAT, you will open up a lot of doors for yourself. My MCAT was 32 which allowed schools to look over my GPA. SMPs are expensive so just for that, I wouldn't advise you go that route. I think GPA repair takes longer than MCAT prep. I would advise you to buckle down for next 3 months and make MCAT preparation your main priority, then apply early and hopefully you will be successful next cycle.

 

[365593]

My GPA was in that range as well but I was blessed with multiple acceptances so I think if you can improve your MCAT, you will open up a lot of doors for yourself. My MCAT was 32 which allowed schools to look over my GPA. SMPs are expensive so just for that, I wouldn't advise you go that route. I think GPA repair takes longer than MCAT prep. I would advise you to buckle down for next 3 months and make MCAT preparation your main priority, then apply early and hopefully you will be successful next cycle.

I'm at c3.5, s3.4+, and 26 MCAT on the second try. It sounds good to improve the MCAT, but my trouble is with physics, and really, do I ever need to study that again? In a certain sense, it seems more reasonable to move ahead and keep studying the biological sciences, which really is applicable. I'm just not sure this postbac option from LECOM is such an in-the-bag option to DO school admission.

 

[Ost3oclast]

Im gonna recommend retaking the MCAT OP. much cheaper option. If you start studying now, you could be ready to rock it in April or May, then be set to apply.

 

[angldrps]

I'm at c3.5, s3.4+, and 26 MCAT on the second try. It sounds good to improve the MCAT, but my trouble is with physics, and really, do I ever need to study that again? In a certain sense, it seems more reasonable to move ahead and keep studying the biological sciences, which really is applicable. I'm just not sure this postbac option from LECOM is such an in-the-bag option to DO school admission.

believe it or not, this is actually one of the easiest subjects to easily improve your score in. No, its not reasonable to just concentrate on BS section when physics is your weakness.

 

[365593]

Sorry to respond to an old-ish post, but is there anything, preferably in granite, stating that you are in at LECOM if you achieve a 3.0 on their postbac?

Lots of good advice here, but it seems no one knows about the guaruntee of a DO seat following the postbac?

 

[Postictal Raiden]

Im gonna recommend retaking the MCAT OP. much cheaper option. If you start studying now, you could be ready to rock it in April or May, then be set to apply.

If by OP, you mean me (the original poster), then yes, I have decided to focus on the mcat instead of pursuing an SMP. Improving the mcat is a lot cheaper and faster than improving GPA. However, scoring high on the mcat may be harder to achieve than maintaining a high GPA since mcat requires more critical thinking skills than excelling in college courses.

My issue with mcat is mainly the verbal reasoning. I have been studying since the beginning of the year for my retake on April 26. I'm doing 2-3 verbal passages per day hoping to develop some "intuition" for fishing out the correct answers. However, I'm also trying my best to score high in the other two sections because, from what I have read on SDN, having 10+ on the BS and PS sections can compensate for a sub 6 score on verbal, especially if the person is a non native speaker.

The mcat ordeal is something that everyone has to endure to become a physician. It has become the activation energy for the rate determining for gaining admission to medical school. The test is a beast, but with proper preparation it can be beat.

 

[365593]

Very nicely stated 🙂

 

[Ost3oclast]

If by OP, you mean me (the original poster), then yes, I have decided to focus on the mcat instead of pursuing an SMP. Improving the mcat is a lot cheaper and faster than improving GPA. However, scoring high on the mcat may be harder to achieve than maintaining a high GPA since mcat requires more critical thinking skills than excelling in college courses.

My issue with mcat is mainly the verbal reasoning. I have been studying since the beginning of the year for my retake on April 26. I'm doing 2-3 verbal passages per day hoping to develop some "intuition" for fishing out the correct answers. However, I'm also trying my best to score high in the other two sections because, from what I have read on SDN, having 10+ on the BS and PS sections can compensate for a sub 6 score on verbal, especially if the person is a non native speaker.

The mcat ordeal is something that everyone has to endure to become a physician. It has become the activation energy for the rate determining for gaining admission to medical school. The test is a beast, but with proper preparation it can be beat.

Ok sweet. Yeah I didnt sift through all 3 pages to see why you decided, just gave my opinion. I think you are doing the right thing. I agree about verbal....it sucks.

 

[MedPR]

Either way, I will be retaking the MCAT. However, if I do the SMP at western, I won't need a 28+ score to be competitive. All what I will need is 23+ with nothing less than 6.

I know it may sound naive to you that I'm welling to dump 48k and commit myself to a whole-year of rigorous courses instead of focusing on getting 28+ on the test. However, scoring 20, with 3 on verbal, has completely killed my confidence.

A 23 isn't competitive. Not sure if I've posted in here before, but you need to at least score in the mid 20s to realistically have a chance. Sure UDs get in every year, but that's not he point.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[user3]

Honestly I am kind of considering this as well and could use some advice. I did not get into the school I wanted this year mostly because of my crappy science gpa. I am finishing up my senior year now and if I can pull another 4.0 my science GPA should increase from around a 3.1 to a 3.2. My cum is a little bit below a 3.5 and my MCAT is on the low side (25) Right now my options are:
1) Take science classes at the local community college over the summer and fall to improve my sGPA and work full time to try and save up some money. This option also means I would get to be with my new husband
2) Try and do an SMP somewhere in the midwest

I'm not gunning for a top school or anything, I really want to go to Marian honestly. What would yall do?

how broadly did you apply? I would have applied to at least 15 places with numbers. It sounds like you were banking on one school, which was not a wise move. Medical school admissions is competitive, and you can't short yourself by doing that. You have to take what you can get...

 

[Postictal Raiden]

A 23 isn't competitive. Not sure if I've posted in here before, but you need to at least score in the mid 20s to realistically have a chance. Sure UDs get in every year, but that's not he point.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

Exactly. That's why I was considering a SMP because schools, such as Western, lower their admission standards to those who complete SMP at their school.

Now that I have decided to not pursue a SMP, I know I will need a balanced score of at least 25 (combined with my 3.35 GPA) to gain admission SOMEWHERE. 28+ will make me competitive at many programs, and that's what I'm shooting for.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

Honestly I am kind of considering this as well and could use some advice. I did not get into the school I wanted this year mostly because of my crappy science gpa. I am finishing up my senior year now and if I can pull another 4.0 my science GPA should increase from around a 3.1 to a 3.2. My cum is a little bit below a 3.5 and my MCAT is on the low side (25) Right now my options are:
1) Take science classes at the local community college over the summer and fall to improve my sGPA and work full time to try and save up some money. This option also means I would get to be with my new husband
2) Try and do an SMP somewhere in the midwest

I'm not gunning for a top school or anything, I really want to go to Marian honestly. What would yall do?

I'm very surprised that you didn't get in with those stats. Sure, your numbers aren't golden, but they are good enough to get you in somewhere, given that you applied broadly enough. Did you bomb a specific section on the MCAT?

If your problem was not applying broadly, beef up your application in the upcoming five months, and on day 1 apply everywhere (except or regionally biased schools).

Don't do an SMP unless you are shooting for a specific school or an MD. SMP are for those who score 30+ on the mcat and have border line GPA, of which none applies to you.

If I were you, I would study for the May MCAT. However, don't retake unless you're scoring 30+ on practice AAMC.

 

[touchpause13]

I'm very surprised that you didn't get in with those stats. Sure, your numbers aren't golden, but they are good enough to get you in somewhere, given that you applied broadly enough. Did you bomb a specific section on the MCAT?

If your problem was not applying broadly, beef up your application in the upcoming five months, and on day 1 apply everywhere (except or regionally biased schools).

Don't do an SMP unless you are shooting for a specific school or an MD. SMP are for those who score 30+ on the mcat and have border line GPA, of which none applies to you.

If I were you, I would study for the May MCAT. However, don't retake unless you're scoring 30+ on practice AAMC.

I was a late applicant, which contributed to my not getting in. all sections were pretty even (7PS 8BS 10VR)
retaking the MCAT in may isnt so reasonable because I'm taking 20 credits and planning a wedding this semester which just doesnt leave me enough time..