Hoping to get some advice from Adcoms and others about how to proceed

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arjusmc

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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?
 
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No interviews invites yet.

MD
All florida schools(Fl resident)
ETSU(because I'm a vet)

DO
LECOM B
PCOM, both Ga campuses
VCOM, all campuses, auburn as 1st choice
ARCOM
ACOM
 
I expect you to get some DO school interviews; all of the schools you applied to are between middle to lower tier. You have a good MCAT for DO school, and I think your upward trend in GPA will help you. I can't imagine that you will be seen as even remotely competitive for any MD school though. It's still early, just give it some time. A lot of schools work through the most competitive students first and work down. You don't need to get one of the first seats at a school, you just need A seat.
 
Thank you for your service!
If it were up to me I would offer you an acceptance.
Your devotion, growth and work ethic are so impressive, I would hope they make up for poor undergrad grades, and less competitive MCAT.
I can’t however answer the DUI conviction and hope it isn’t a obstacle to your future as a doctor.
Best of luck.
 
Screen Shot 2019-06-11 at 9.35.47 AM.png

I obviously didn't start to take coursework seriously until later in life. During my undergrad, I worked full time.
 
Thank you for your service!
If it were up to me I would offer you an acceptance.
Your devotion, growth and work ethic are so impressive, I would hope they make up for poor undergrad grades, and less competitive MCAT.
I can’t however answer the DUI conviction and hope it isn’t a obstacle to your future as a doctor.
Best of luck.

Thank you for your support!
 
With your extensive military service, paramedic work, uneven GPA and 10 year old DUI, I think
1) you have a lower to decent shot at DO
2) you could take more upper level as well as prep for Strong MCAT retake
3) do SMP

I see a strong SMP performance and MCAT retake is best bet,

Thank you, I suppose I will look into the SMPs and MCAT prep.

I'd imagine that I've done all the undergrad GPA repair I can, and a 3.2 vs a 3.18 isn't going to help all that much. Would you agree?
 
Stop focusing on a single GPA number. You need to sell yourself on the PB 3.9GPA 80 credits. More course work wont add to it. An improved MCAT and SMP would help. At this date it maybe too late to get into SMP. So a few advanced PB classes and MCAT is the direction you will have to go.

Your narrative will need to be coherent, concise and very compelling.
Thanks for all the help.
 
All the Lecoms. They have a good board pass rate.They are inexpensive and you have a blended family to ssupport. With your military background, their strict policies wont be bothersome. You will have some 'Splaining to do. If it is clear and coherent, you have a decent shot. Good luck and best wishes.
 
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

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?
Raising your GPAs is no longer the issue. You have shown that you have successfully reinvented yourself via your post-bac work. However, your MCAT is lethal for MD unless you live in a very luck state like AL, MS, KS, NM, SD, ND etc.

Your are fine for any DO school

And thank you for your service to our country!
 
Raising your GPAs is no longer the issue. You have shown that you have successfully reinvented yourself via your post-bac work. However, your MCAT is lethal for MD unless you live in a very luck state like AL, MS, KS, NM, SD, ND etc.

Your are fine for any DO school

And thank you for your service to our country!

Thank you for your input. Out of the MD schools I thought I had the best shot with ETSU and FSU because of my desire to practice in rural areas. Never know, could still happen. Just not holding my breath.


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All the Lecoms. They have a good board pass rate.They are inexpensive and you have a blended family to ssupport. With your military background, their strict policies wont be bothersome. You will have some 'Splaining to do. If it is clear and coherent, you have a decent shot. Good luck and best wishes.

I’m well aware of the ‘splaining and why it’s necessary. It’s justified but for me personally it was a lifetime ago. I’m a completely different person.


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