How does this plan look?

[yadave]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Ok so after reading the advice I have been given on the forum I sat down and came up with a plan for myself. I will relist my current stats as well as the plan from here on out. please feel free to comment and let me know what you think. any suggestions/corrections/advice will be very much appreciated.


As of now:
Cum GPA: 2.2
BCPM GPA: 2.0
Majors: Biology and Biopsychology
Research: have 2 publications
Volunteer: 200 hours or more
Work xp: proctor and gamble and now working at KAO group (former jergens)

Plan starting now:
1) get over all cum GPA up to 3.0-3.2
--- To do this however, I would need a good amount of credits. Would it be ok to take extra credits on the side at a community college while still being enrolled in my current university? It will let me put in a lot more credit hours that way.
2) Take the GRE by this coming spring
3) Retake any undergrad BCPM credits I got a C or lower in either here at university of cincinnati or at the harvard extension college

4) Either apply for SMP before retaking the BCPM classes or after...


Now the confusion lies in where do I take my MCAT? I dont want to take it before I have to but the best SMPs require it for admission so I have to fit it in somewhere that will be a good timing.

Anyways, thats the general idea of my plan. let me know what you all think. thanks!

PS-I've heard that taking BCPM classes at the harvard extension college really helps you in studying for the MCAT. is this true?

 

[Medicinelover]

hi, I won't be able to give advice on everything, but wanted to say that if u take classes at a community college, don't take the 4 basic pre-med classes there because med schools def don't like to see that. they want u to take them at a 4 year college, private of public. I think it's good that u plan on raising ur gpa, good luck with that, u can do it!!!

 

[hung]

Since it may take a year to bring up your gpa to the 3.0 mark, you can plan to take the MCAT next summer ('09). Then apply for smp during winter/spring '10 for fall '10 start.

 

[Instatewaiter]

The MCAT is good for 3 years at most schools so keep that in mind in terms of timing.
Ideally you would take it right before the SMP that way if you dont get in after the SMP you still have a bit of leeway to retake classes etc.

Otherwise your steps seem right... take undergrad courses to raise the GPA. Once you get it close to a 3.0 apply to SMPs.

It will probably take multiple years. My recommendation is to find a pretty cheap state school at which to do your post-baccalaureate work. SMPs and med school are expensive enough if you dont go in with 200K in debt.

The absolute first thing you should do is contact the dean of admissions at your state school. Discuss your plan w/ him/her. This will get your name out there right now. That way in a few years, they will know the effort you have put forth and you may get in sooner than if you hadn't contacted them at all.

 

[yadave]

The absolute first thing you should do is contact the dean of admissions at your state school. Discuss your plan w/ him/her. This will get your name out there right now. That way in a few years, they will know the effort you have put forth and you may get in sooner than if you hadn't contacted them at all.

that's a really good idea. I will contact them to let them know.

thanks!