So this is going to be a lengthy post, however, to get the full picture I think it has to be. I am not in panic mode yet, and I know most schools have rolling admissions. I’m completely fine going the DO route and applied both MD and DO. My problem is that I have to register for classes in about 3 weeks. I would like the SDN adcoms input on whether or not taking more course work is at the undergraduate level is necessary. If I don’t take classes, I could start saving for a possible SMP. I have not received an II as of yet. I applied the day the applications opened. I have not let up on improving my application since applying. I’m not planning on not being accepted, but I want to improve my app in the event I have to apply again.
I am 36yo nontrad white male, with a business degree from 2005. My first red flag is my GPA. I had a horrendous first year. I had an upward trend and ended with a 2.97 at graduation. I returned to school in 2014 to pursue PA school. After working as a paramedic I soon realized I wanted to be a physician. I took some classes before realizing this and received mostly As at a new state college(previous community college) with no hard science four-year degrees. I took most of these classes 1 or 2 at a time because I was working and have 50/50 custody of my child. I have one semester of full-time coursework where I dropped my hours way down at work. I maintained a 4.0, however, I could not continue to do it financially. I applied with a 3.16 cgpa and 3.30 sgpa for amcas and 3.75 sgpa for AACOMAS. My current gpa is a 3.18 cgpa and 3.37 sgpa with the classes I’ve completed since applying.
I took the following classes at the state college(all sciences have labs)
A&P1 A
A&P2 A
EMT school As
gen chem1 A
gen chem2 B
physics 1 A
physics 2 A
orgo 1
paramedic school As
Have taken the following courses at a university about an hour away(all sciences have labs)
Biochem 1 A
genetics A
sociology A
Human physiology (upper level course) A
Human anatomy(upper level course) currently taking have a strong A after the first test
Postbacc GPA 3.95cgpa, 3.90sgpa 87 hours total
Other information
MCAT 504 126/124/127/127 MD red flag, possible DO as well with a 124 subsection score
Veteran with extensive leadership experience. Not sure if it matters, but Iraq combat veteran(Infantry), 8 years total service.
5000 paid clinic hours(2000 as an EMT and 3000 as a paramedic, these numbers are climbing, but I doubt it matters)
shadowing 48 hours, all MD (I’ve since added 16 hours DO, looking for more)
nonclinical volunteering 48 hours-leadership position for am annual charity event(have another 32 scheduled)
clinical volunteer 0(I have since started volunteering under my paramedic license at a local free clinic I have 30 hours so far, I do about 5 hours a week)
research 0(I have started working with a physician who is in the planning period of some research. I hope to work with him, however, I am looking for more)
Paramedic/EMT preceptor(paid)-500 hours
LOR includes 2 science professors, 1 nonscience professor, 1 work supervisor, and 1 MD. The DO I shadowed is writing for me one, but I don’t have it as of yet. My university does not provide a committee letter.
other red flags
DUI arrest in 2009, I have not had so much as a speeding ticket since. I made sure to take ownership of the mistake and wrote about what I learned from it in the allotted space(I’d hope after 10 years that this could be overlooked).
I was placed on academic probation for poor grades in my freshman year(2001). I also wrote about how I learned from this and put all the blame on myself.
So in closing, I could plausibly raise my cgpa to 3.2 cgpa and 3.4 sgpa(AMCAS) by taking classes next semester. If I don’t I can work overtime to save for a potential SMP or save for medical school if I receive an acceptance. Is an SMP necessary in my position?
I am 36yo nontrad white male, with a business degree from 2005. My first red flag is my GPA. I had a horrendous first year. I had an upward trend and ended with a 2.97 at graduation. I returned to school in 2014 to pursue PA school. After working as a paramedic I soon realized I wanted to be a physician. I took some classes before realizing this and received mostly As at a new state college(previous community college) with no hard science four-year degrees. I took most of these classes 1 or 2 at a time because I was working and have 50/50 custody of my child. I have one semester of full-time coursework where I dropped my hours way down at work. I maintained a 4.0, however, I could not continue to do it financially. I applied with a 3.16 cgpa and 3.30 sgpa for amcas and 3.75 sgpa for AACOMAS. My current gpa is a 3.18 cgpa and 3.37 sgpa with the classes I’ve completed since applying.
I took the following classes at the state college(all sciences have labs)
A&P1 A
A&P2 A
EMT school As
gen chem1 A
gen chem2 B
physics 1 A
physics 2 A
orgo 1
paramedic school As
Have taken the following courses at a university about an hour away(all sciences have labs)
Biochem 1 A
genetics A
sociology A
Human physiology (upper level course) A
Human anatomy(upper level course) currently taking have a strong A after the first test
Postbacc GPA 3.95cgpa, 3.90sgpa 87 hours total
Other information
MCAT 504 126/124/127/127 MD red flag, possible DO as well with a 124 subsection score
Veteran with extensive leadership experience. Not sure if it matters, but Iraq combat veteran(Infantry), 8 years total service.
5000 paid clinic hours(2000 as an EMT and 3000 as a paramedic, these numbers are climbing, but I doubt it matters)
shadowing 48 hours, all MD (I’ve since added 16 hours DO, looking for more)
nonclinical volunteering 48 hours-leadership position for am annual charity event(have another 32 scheduled)
clinical volunteer 0(I have since started volunteering under my paramedic license at a local free clinic I have 30 hours so far, I do about 5 hours a week)
research 0(I have started working with a physician who is in the planning period of some research. I hope to work with him, however, I am looking for more)
Paramedic/EMT preceptor(paid)-500 hours
LOR includes 2 science professors, 1 nonscience professor, 1 work supervisor, and 1 MD. The DO I shadowed is writing for me one, but I don’t have it as of yet. My university does not provide a committee letter.
other red flags
DUI arrest in 2009, I have not had so much as a speeding ticket since. I made sure to take ownership of the mistake and wrote about what I learned from it in the allotted space(I’d hope after 10 years that this could be overlooked).
I was placed on academic probation for poor grades in my freshman year(2001). I also wrote about how I learned from this and put all the blame on myself.
So in closing, I could plausibly raise my cgpa to 3.2 cgpa and 3.4 sgpa(AMCAS) by taking classes next semester. If I don’t I can work overtime to save for a potential SMP or save for medical school if I receive an acceptance. Is an SMP necessary in my position?
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