help!!!!!!!!!

[monu1234]

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Hi, I just got back my MCAT scores, I knew I didn't do as well I could have because I couldn't sleep the night before. I really bombed them, I got a 24, I was getting low thirtys on the practice exams so I plan on retaking them in April (and sleeping the night before this time around). Anyway, I wanted to do some kind of masters program or something to enhance my resume becuase my GPA was on the low side (3.2). I had about a 2.8 my first two years and about a 3.5 my last two years, I'm currently staying a fift year to do a research honors thesis. Does any one have suggestions on where I should apply and how to start the application process. Please respond, I'm very flabbergasted

 

[junebuguf]

First off....desi love!!! Us Overrepresented Minorities gotta stick together. Second, calm down. There are people on this forum with much lower numbers than yours that are struggling to get in.

The good news is that fixing a low MCAT score is a *lot* easier than fixing a low gpa. Your overall gpa shows a good trend. Even though a 3.5 is still kinda low for med school (I think ~3.6-3.7 is average) its very good. What you should do immediately depends on your personal situation. Do you live in a tough state (see CA) or a relatively easy state (TX, SC)? If you're just trying to get in anywhere and live in a state with a lot of state med school seats like IL and TX, just doing the fifth honors year should be enough. I would work hard on the MCAT for April and aim for at least a 32 (with a low gpa you need a high mcat).

Just between the two of us, desi kids need extra high numbers (we're already overrepresented) and if you already have a low gpa *and* you're desi, you should get at least a 33+

If you live in a tough state like CA or NY, you will definetly need that 33+ and will probably also need additional MS level coursework--preferrably in an SMP program.

 

[monu1234]

I live in NJ, I'm not making excuses but part of the reason my transition to college was so tough was becuase I hated staying in state for college and I was a varsity athlete. Should I do a post bac program, and if so, where?

-rahul 😕

 

[sidewalkman]

Are you a science major? And what's your science GPA? That'll help me with my answer.

 

[monu1234]

yes i am a science major (biochem)... my science gpa is about a 3.2 but alot of those credits are from research (i don't know if that hurts my cause)

 

[sidewalkman]

Hmmm. That 3.2 science in a science major hurts you, as you know, and your trend is positive, but not jaw-dropping. Do the math to see how more science credits would boost your GPA. If it's significant, consider it, but I would seriously consider an SMP. Call around to SMP programs and explain your situation. Some may find your MCAT to be too low for them, but you should be able to get into one somewhere.

 

[Lindyhopper]

UMDNJ as a special masters. You can do a search of the program. Some SDNers fround the administration frustrating. The one person I know in the program found the education level excellent. For a New Jerseyite it is probably an excellent affordable way into the Med school.

 

[monu1234]

what is an smp?... i am hoping to do the masters in med sci at BU, i think I may have the credentials.... I really want to leave NJ so I don't want to do UMDNJ unless absolutely necesary. does anyone know of any other med sci programs that would consider a kid with a 3.2 and 24 mcats (planning on retaking them in april)

 

[Jonathan13180]

Upenn might Monu1234. ...smp is georgtowns program, and i heard they require a 29 onthe mcat, im not sure though, you might want to check it out. Goodluck.

 

[monu1234]

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Hey, I just got info from the Dartmouth CECS masters and MPH program, however it doesn't say if these are programs geared to help me enhance or strengthen my resume. So I have some questions I hope someone can answer:

Does anyone have any info on the Dartmouth masters program? (Is it for people who wanna go to med school?)

Anyone know what the requirements are for the UPENN masters program?

The only 4 places I can think of applying for where I might have a chance are Dartmouth, BU, UMDNJ, and the Drexel IMFS (i think I spelled that right) programs... Can anyone suggest any other places for me to apply where I have a chance to get in? My gpa is 3.2 (my GPA by year improved dramatically, with most of the poor grades being in my first two years) and my MCAT score was 24 (I will definitely retake them)

All help will be greatly appreciated. Thanx

 

[Phil Anthropist]

UMDNJ as a special masters. You can do a search of the program. Some SDNers fround the administration frustrating. The one person I know in the program found the education level excellent. For a New Jerseyite it is probably an excellent affordable way into the Med school.

The big thread on it just got bumped by the OP actually...the "I don't recommend..." thread

what is an smp?... i am hoping to do the masters in med sci at BU, i think I may have the credentials.... I really want to leave NJ so I don't want to do UMDNJ unless absolutely necesary. does anyone know of any other med sci programs that would consider a kid with a 3.2 and 24 mcats (planning on retaking them in april)

SMP stands for Special Master's Program. It specifically refers to Georgetown's MS in Physiology and Biophysics, but many use SMP to refer to any masters program specifically designed to get you into med school. Some of them are specifically designed to be completed in one year.

undefined

Hey, I just got info from the Dartmouth CECS masters and MPH program, however it doesn't say if these are programs geared to help me enhance or strengthen my resume. So I have some questions I hope someone can answer:

Does anyone have any info on the Dartmouth masters program? (Is it for people who wanna go to med school?)

Anyone know what the requirements are for the UPENN masters program?

The only 4 places I can think of applying for where I might have a chance are Dartmouth, BU, UMDNJ, and the Drexel IMFS (i think I spelled that right) programs... Can anyone suggest any other places for me to apply where I have a chance to get in? My gpa is 3.2 (my GPA by year improved dramatically, with most of the poor grades being in my first two years) and my MCAT score was 24 (I will definitely retake them)

All help will be greatly appreciated. Thanx

Check this out:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=115896
Honestly, I don't know too much about the program. But I heard somewhere (don't quote me on this) that it's pass/fail for some courses. That could be a disadvantage--especially if you're trying to pad the bcpm a bit or demonstrate that you can handle challenging hard sciences. Last I checked, the program didn't seem to be especially heavy in hard science courses. The Dartmouth program is specifically linked off of the AAMC postbac program site, so it is at least somewhat intended to be for people who are trying to get into med school.

Edit: This has more info on the Dartmouth program(s): http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=54157

Check out the AAMC postbac link--it's somewhere on that Sticky postbac FAQ thread at the top of this forum. There are many graduate programs that are similar to the ones you mentioned. Oh heck, here it is: http://services.aamc.org/postbac/ 😀

Another program that is similar to the ones you mentioned that you might want to consider is Barry University's MS in Biomedical Sciences. With your MCAT of 24, you are eligible for their Option I-track which is an accelerated program that you can complete in one year. The curriculum looks great, it's in the Miami area, and you take classes with podiatry students I believe. My understanding is it's an excellent osteopathic feeder and it's been effective in helping some gain allopathic admission too (but I don't know numbers on that. Also, it's not as effective for allopathic schools from what I've heard). However, the BU MA Medical Sciences program and G-Town program claim that 65% of their program students are accepted into medical schools (allo/osteo) during the program. My understanding is Barry isn't so much designed that way, so it may in fact take you two years before med school matriculation.

My $.02

Phil