Help with an important decision

[XOT]

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Hi all,

I have formulated two options in regards to entering medical school in F'13, and would appreciate some input as to which one is more ideal:

First, here are my stats: extremely low AMCAS GPA (~2.7), Post-bacc (20 credits of upper-level science= 3.7 GPA). No MCAT. Little EC

1st option:
-take MCAT 9/10/2011
-Clinical Volunteer September-December
-Apply to Wayne State BMS (after receiving MCAT) for W'11
-Apply to MD in June 2012 (having completed one semester of BMS masters)
-Supplement application with F'12 BMS grades

2nd option:
-take MCAT 1/28/2012
-complete 10 more upper level science post-bacc. courses (for a total of 30 post-bach at GPA > 3.75)
-Clinical Volunteer/work January-March
-Apply to SMP (Georgetown, Toledo, etc) in March (after receiving MCAT score) for F'12
-Apply to MD June 2012 (before SMP start), and supplement grades from first semester of SMP

Advantages/Disadvantages of each option:
-Wayne BMS: Advantages= start earlier; greater chance at acceptance for F'13 MD (due to more masters classes completed); less expensive; Disadvantages = less time to study for MCAT; less EC BEFORE applying to Wayne BMS; no additional post-bach)

-SMP: Advantages= more MD options after completion; more time to study for MCAT; more time for volunteer/work; additional post-bacc on application; Disadvantages= expensive, start later; RISK at not being accepted for F'13 MD

My main concern with SMP route, is if I apply to MD schools before I start SMP, will my credential be good enough for acceptance to medical school by F'13? I know this has been widely debated (applying to medical schools BEFORE starting SMP), but I do not know how my situation will be considered.

 

[DrMidlife]

Both of your options have the same risk of not being accepted for med school. You're never given anything like a guarantee; from a low GPA the odds are very strongly against you. It's fine to aggressively pursue med school despite a low GPA, but it's not wise to try to fit it to a schedule. Even if you're going for DO you can't predict an acceptance.

In either option, your MCAT score would have to be above average (31+) for you to be taken seriously.

You can apply to SMPs whenever you want to, but I suggest that getting your cumulative undergrad GPAs up over 3.0 would be the smartest first priority. The only SMP or SMP-like programs that I would recommend with a sub-3.0 are the ones where you effectively have a med school seat reserved for you at the host school (such as Cincy, Tulane ACP, Temple, EVMS)...such programs have competitive admissions.

Don't apply to GTown with less than a 3.0/30. Odds are poor with those numbers anyway.

Best of luck to you.

 

[XOT]

What it really comes down to is this: would the two semesters of grades at Wayne State Masters in BMS outweigh one additional semester of undergrad. post-bach and possibly one semester of SMP for my June 2012 application? Which option will actually put me in a better position to apply to medical schools in June 2012? If I decide on the SMP path, will my SMP grades in my first semester be seriously considered at medical schools that I have already sent applications to (as supplemental)?

DrMidlife, I understand the risks in both options. But the best I can do is plan for the better option. Also, what do mean by the listed SMPs with strong linkage having competitive admissions if you are recommending them with sub-3.0? Do you agree with my advantage/disadvantage breakdown?

These options are feasible only with a strong MCAT. I agree.

 

[leggo]

Getting into the SMP will be the tough part in all honesty. A sub 3.0 will not get you into Cincy or Georgetown. I know EVMS is a bit more lax when it comes to GPA, but still, those 20ish seats are going to people with better grades. I agree with Dr. Midlife. You should not put your self on a "schedule" to get into medical school, especially with a sub 3.0. A SMP will only get you so far, and your current GPA will most likely hurt your app a bit. I don't think you are ready to apply to medical schools just yet.

 

[DrMidlife]

Option 3:
- take the MCAT when you've done months of prep, probably using a prep course, and you've beaten your goal on multiple practice tests. Your goal should be 31+ for MD, 28+ for DO.
- volunteer in a clinical setting all the time forever
- keep taking undergrad upper div science getting mostly A's until your cumulative GPAs are up over 3.0
- nurture relationships with faculty so that you can get good LORs
- study healthcare practice/policy/economics/ethics. Think. Put yourself in situations where you can ask questions from practicing physicians.
- when everything in your med school app is tidy and compelling, with the sole exception of your cumulative undergrad GPA being just over 3.0, then you're ready to apply to an SMP
- depending on the SMP and on the competitiveness of your home state, either apply to med school during the SMP or after the SMP

There are at least 3 more options I can think of.

Best of luck to you.

 

[XOT]

In all honestly, taking anymore than 10 or so additional post-bacc. classes is not so wise because my undergrad GPA is unlikely to change very much even with multiple more semesters of undergrad classes. Thus, my target has been to show a strong upward trend by taking a heavy load of tough upper-level science courses. Two particular schools in my home state look very favorable upon strong post-bach. performances. These are my target schools.

I have been studying for the MCAT and I am confident of achieving at least a 33. So the next thing to do is build my EC and enter an SMP as soon as possible.

Wayne State's BMS program has a good reputation of advancing their students into in-state medical schools. So, again my question comes down to which of my two options is a better choice in giving the better opportunity at being accepted into medical school in F'13?

To DrMidlife: if you could pick from either these options, which would you pick?

Thanks

 

[DrMidlife]

To DrMidlife: if you could pick from either these options, which would you pick?

I'll stick with option 3.

 

[deleted248403]

I dont think you are going to be in a competitive enough position for entrance fall 2013 - I think you should start thinking about Fall 2014