How to get into medical school?

[Aspiringdoc813]

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So I can't figure out a plan of action to take to allow myself to succeed getting accepted into a medical program. I applied this current cycle to maybe 20 MD/ DO programs and received a rejection letter from all of them. I also applied to three graduate (post bac or biomedical science) programs, and today received a rejection letter from one them. Im waiting to hear back from the other two, but I have a feeling I won't get into those either. This summer I plan on taking an accelerated EMT course and work as an EMT to boost my application this upcoming cycle 2016-2017. I will be retaking my MCAT May 14th as of now. I might delay it longer if I don't feel ready to take it. I've retaken most prerequisites for a better grade because my undergrad GPA was poor due to being a student athlete at a DI school. I've even taken extra science courses and done well in them. But now I feel like even if I receive a stellar MCAT score, med schools will not accept me because they will not think Im competitive enough for their programs. I'm at a loss and don't know what to do at this point anymore.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. But please keep the negativity to yourself if you do not have anything helpful to offer.

 

[AlteredScale]

So I can't figure out a plan of action to take to allow myself to succeed getting accepted into a medical program. I applied this current cycle to maybe 20 MD/ DO programs and received a rejection letter from all of them. I also applied to three graduate (post bac or biomedical science) programs, and today received a rejection letter from one them. Im waiting to hear back from the other two, but I have a feeling I won't get into those either. This summer I plan on taking an accelerated EMT course and work as an EMT to boost my application this upcoming cycle 2016-2017. I will be retaking my MCAT May 14th as of now. I might delay it longer if I don't feel ready to take it. I've retaken most prerequisites for a better grade because my undergrad GPA was poor due to being a student athlete at a DI school. I've even taken extra science courses and done well in them. But now I feel like even if I receive a stellar MCAT score, med schools will not accept me because they will not think Im competitive enough for their programs. I'm at a loss and don't know what to do at this point anymore.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. But please, keep the negativity to yourself if you do not have anything to offer.

What was the GPA (science and cumulative) and MCAT that you applied with?

 

[AlteredScale]

Also moving to pre-osteopathic.

 

[mathnerd88]

So I can't figure out a plan of action to take to allow myself to succeed getting accepted into a medical program. I applied this current cycle to maybe 20 MD/ DO programs and received a rejection letter from all of them. I also applied to three graduate (post bac or biomedical science) programs, and today received a rejection letter from one them. Im waiting to hear back from the other two, but I have a feeling I won't get into those either. This summer I plan on taking an accelerated EMT course and work as an EMT to boost my application this upcoming cycle 2016-2017. I will be retaking my MCAT May 14th as of now. I might delay it longer if I don't feel ready to take it. I've retaken most prerequisites for a better grade because my undergrad GPA was poor due to being a student athlete at a DI school. I've even taken extra science courses and done well in them. But now I feel like even if I receive a stellar MCAT score, med schools will not accept me because they will not think Im competitive enough for their programs. I'm at a loss and don't know what to do at this point anymore.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. But please, keep the negativity to yourself if you do not have anything to offer.

What was the GPA (science and cumulative) and MCAT that you applied with?

You need to give us your stats, OP. It will help us in giving you advice on how to tackle medical school admissions.

 

[Aspiringdoc813]

I graduated with a 2.8. But retook many prerequisites and have a 3.2-3.25. So I'm unsure how they will recalculate it. MCAT was 481 but I'm retaking them in May.

 

[ZPakEffect]

I graduated with a 2.8. But retook many prerequisites and have a 3.2-3.25. So I'm unsure how they will recalculate it. MCAT was 481 but I'm retaking them in May.

I hate to say it, but you might not have what it takes to succeed in medical school. You scored worse than 95% of the people who take the MCAT. Less than 50% of applicants get into medical school, and applicants tend to have better numbers as compared to all MCAT takers.

If you totally did not prepare for the MCAT and scored a 481, then you may have some hope. If you studied hard for it and still only managed to score 481, then I think you should explore other career options.

 

[Aspiringdoc813]

Ideally you'd want your cgpa/sgpa to be at or above 3.3 just to be safe from cutoffs. How did you prepare for the MCAT when you took it the first time?
In your next attempt for the MCAT invest in a prep course if you have to for the structure and really make sure your schedule is free so you can solely focus on getting a better score.
More experienced posters than myself will guide you on what path will be best for you.

The first time I studied on my own and didn't do well, but I didn't commit to it at all. The second time I took a Kaplan prep course, but struggled because I was taking Organic Chem II at the same time. I withdrew from the ochem II to focus on my MCAT half way through the semester, but that wasn't enough time to prepare fully for the exam. Now I've been studying for months and keep trying to maintain my confidence so this can be my last time taking this exam.

 

[recycledpaper]

I applied 5 years out of undergrad, and my stats weren't pretty either. I had a 3.15 cumulative, 3.22 science, and 29 MCAT (not sure how this compares to your 481).

I didn't do anything medicine related those 5 years I was out of school. My first year applying, I was only given one interview and it was at LECOM Bradenton. I thought I was going to get in because the interview went so well. I spent a couple days in Florida because I have friends in the area, and by the time I got home, there was already a rejection letter waiting for me. Next year, I applied to only 10 DO schools, and got one interview. Turned out that it was the only one I needed because I got in.

Just to give you an idea, I was a bad student in undergrad. I never went to class because I never cared. I studied the day before exams, pulling all nighters and downing Red Bulls just to get a B. I didn't even know what the MCAT was till I was a senior in college. Bought the BRS books and hardly used them (they looked prettier on my bookshelf, anyway). I spent so much time going out, drinking, playing bball with my friends, Call of Duty for hours and hours.

Now, as an MSII at my current school, I'm ranked top 5% in my class of 250. What changed? My focus skyrocketed because I matured. Simple as that. Nothing else matters to me than being the best physician I can, no matter what specialty I end up going with.

I'm sharing this story with you because yes, it's possible to get into a med school with a poor undergrad resume. And I also think it's possible for you to be an amazing student and physician once you are in. Just don't take it for granted and remember how hard it was for you to finally get in. I know it's something I'll never take for granted. This school took a chance on me, and it has changed my life.

 

[sharpstickie]

Just for a frame of reference, a 481 converts to a 12 on the old MCAT.

 

[mathnerd88]

OP, if you can somehow get your MCAT score to a 505 and retake some classes to get your GPA higher then you'll have a shot.

Your deficiencies are both your MCAT and GPA. Do you have any clinical experience/EC's? Are you a URM? (Underrepresented minority)

 

[Aspiringdoc813]

OP, if you can somehow get your MCAT score to a 505 and retake some classes to get your GPA higher then you'll have a shot.

Your deficiencies are both your MCAT and GPA. Do you have any clinical experience/EC's? Are you a URM? (Underrepresented minority)

I am an african american female. I shadowed about 5 physicians and 3 PAs during the summer of my junior year undergrad. I volunteered with my Division I sport's team for 2 years in undergrad (I was told being/working with student athletes will look good on my app). For the past two years, I've been volunteering with a special needs program once a month at my job (they come in to improve their large spatial awareness once a month)

 

[Shotapp]

Metaphorically speaking your extracurricular activities are just the icing but your gpas and MCAT together form the cake (weighted more heavily). You need to improve both gpas and your MCAT score because they are both low.

 

[samac]

You've taken your MCAT twice? The way you worded it with studying by yourself and then Kaplan leads me to believe so.
If you took a Kaplan course and you came out with a 481 it might be time to find another career. That is a very very low score and I can chalk up you not getting accepted to that MCAT alone because that GPA can be overcame.

If you take the MCAT one more time and score less than a 505 (which is a minimum for you with your GPA) it's not worth trying anymore.

 

[IntheClouds4ever]

as everyone else was saying.. Your current 3.2 GPA isn't horrible, its your MCAT. I was accepted with a 3.2 GPA and 505 MCAT like numerous others here have mentioned. Work on your MCAT and get some real medical experience by getting a job or volunteering at your local hospital. My stats weren't stellar, but good enough to get me an interview.. Killed the interview because I had so much experience to draw upon when talking with the interviewing docs. Grades, MCAT, etc never came up. Just something to remember.

 

[bbos]

OP, you need to get a higher MCAT score, that is the major draw back of your application.

Take at least 3 months off and focus solely on studying for that test.

 

[memory tcells]

Since you mentioned that you plan to start EMT in the summer, you probably wouldn't have enough hours logged in by the time you submit your primary this coming cycle. I would recommend taking the 2016-2017 application cycle off to gain experience as an EMT as well as giving yourself ample time to study for the MCAT. Applying too soon can be detrimental because as a re-applicant, you want to make great strides in improving (whether it be more clinical experiences, improving GPA, scoring better on the MCAT, or all of the above) to show adcoms that you worked on your weaknesses and are proactive in becoming a better applicant. The more times you apply and don't get in, the less desirable your application appears to schools. Especially after two failed cycles, they start to wonder why you didn't get in in previous cycles and would require even greater improvement in your application to be considered competitive for admission.

 

[TUVIX]

100% your MCAT led to this result. I also agree that if you can't improve the MCAT by a significant amount then medical school will probably not treat you very kindly.


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[Aspiringdoc813]

I was emailed by one of the post bac program that my undergrad GPA was low and even though I've taken additional and retaken science courses, it only boosted me to a 2.9 cGPA and they need at least a 3.0 for my sGPA and cGPA. But i thought your undergrad GPA stands once you graduate...unless im incorrect. But she advised me on improving my GPA, but I don't see how I can do it without taking a lot more classes because I think they are combining my post grad and undergrad GPA. Did anyone else have this problem? If so what did you do? Because its easy for a GPA to drop, but its hell to go through to get it back up

 

[bbos]

I was emailed by one of the post bac program that my undergrad GPA was low and even though I've taken additional and retaken science courses, it only boosted me to a 2.9 cGPA and they need at least a 3.0 for my sGPA and cGPA. But i thought your undergrad GPA stands once you graduate...unless im incorrect. But she advised me on improving my GPA, but I don't see how I can do it without taking a lot more classes because I think they are combining my post grad and undergrad GPA. Did anyone else have this problem? If so what did you do? Because its easy for a GPA to drop, but its hell to go through to get it back up

use grade replacement in the AACOM.

Retake courses that you got C+ or below in, you can even take them in community college(I should have done that to save money) once you graduate. Just make sure your retakes' credit infrastructure matches your older courses. This is the fastest way to increase your GPA (for DO application and perhaps DO school master programs). MD be damned.

Make sure you're getting only As from today onwards

 

[GypsyHummus]

481 isn't even on podiatry school level. OP, get that mcat up.

If not, try your hand at the DAT or OAT. I've heard they are much easier tests.

 

[IslandStyle808]

I was emailed by one of the post bac program that my undergrad GPA was low and even though I've taken additional and retaken science courses, it only boosted me to a 2.9 cGPA and they need at least a 3.0 for my sGPA and cGPA. But i thought your undergrad GPA stands once you graduate...unless im incorrect. But she advised me on improving my GPA, but I don't see how I can do it without taking a lot more classes because I think they are combining my post grad and undergrad GPA. Did anyone else have this problem? If so what did you do? Because its easy for a GPA to drop, but its hell to go through to get it back up

Cumulative undergrad GPA can still be improved after graduation, just retake your classes. Your largest problem is the MCAT by far, that definitely needs to be redone.

 

[Aspiringdoc813]

use grade replacement in the AACOM.

Retake courses that you got C+ or below in, you can even take them in community college(I should have done that to save money) once you graduate. Just make sure your retakes' credit infrastructure matches your older courses. This is the fastest way to increase your GPA (for DO application and perhaps DO school master programs). MD be damned.

Make sure you're getting only As from today onwards

I retook all courses that I received a C or below in at the local community college. I need to retake genetics and I'm currently taking OChem II. Most of my courses were B's or B+'s and a few A-'s after redoing them. I ordered the professional transcript entry in AACOM and they replaced the grades but I am missing a few additional upper level science courses and a nutrition course. Will med programs factor in the additional upper science courses then?

 

[Jinxapotato]

481 isn't even on podiatry school level. OP, get that mcat up.

If not, try your hand at the DAT or OAT. I've heard they are much easier tests.

Are they? I heard the DAT had a manual dexterity portion that is brutal. My friend spent a Summer carving soap bars lol. Or maybe that's just the Canadian version.

As for OP, your MCAT is the issue. I got a 3.3 or 3.4 GPA in undergrad and a 31 MCAT on the old test, got 2 MD interviews and 1 DO interview as an international student. Spend a Summer on your MCAT, take classes if you need to, and find a study buddy. Kill it and apply again. If it still doesn't work out, I heard 3 tries on the MCAT is kinda the soft limit, some programs will start to think that you are not made for medicine if you keep on trying and not improving.

 

[bbos]

I retook all courses that I received a C or below in at the local community college. I need to retake genetics and I'm currently taking OChem II. Most of my courses were B's or B+'s and a few A-'s after redoing them. I ordered the professional transcript entry in AACOM and they replaced the grades but I am missing a few additional upper level science courses and a nutrition course. Will med programs factor in the additional upper science courses then?

there are certain upper science courses that are looked favorably or even required by med schools. This includes Biochemistry, Anatomy&Physiology.
Yes if you take more upper level science courses and get As in them, this will greatly improve your application.

However in your situation, you still need to conquer the MCAT. that should be one of your top 2 priorities.

 

[Weirdy]

Are they? I heard the DAT had a manual dexterity portion that is brutal. My friend spent a Summer carving soap bars lol. Or maybe that's just the Canadian version.

As for OP, your MCAT is the issue. I got a 3.3 or 3.4 GPA in undergrad and a 31 MCAT on the old test, got 2 MD interviews and 1 DO interview as an international student. Spend a Summer on your MCAT, take classes if you need to, and find a study buddy. Kill it and apply again. If it still doesn't work out, I heard 3 tries on the MCAT is kinda the soft limit, some programs will start to think that you are not made for medicine if you keep on trying and not improving.

U.S. DAT does NOT have a manual dexterity portion. They do have 3-D perception tests drawn in 2-D.

OAT is almost identical to DAT except it does not have the 3-D perception tests.

Raised my eyebrows at the carving soap part. That's pretty cool but nuts at the same time haha

 

[j4pac]

OP...the good news is that there is lots of room for improvement. Your GPA and MCAT are both uncompetitive...even for an African American. If you are unable to improve your scores, you have no business going to medical school...you would flunk out and you would have a life's worth of debt to stress out over. You are the type of person that Caribbean feasts over. They will take your money...and you will be left on the forum of tears a year from now. DO NOT GO CARIBBEAN. With a sub 3.0, USMD is off the table, even as an African American.

I would focus on improving your MCAT first and foremost. Why? Because that is the one thing that you can do quicker than improving your GPA. If you can get a 505+ on the MCAT...at least then you know that it is worth it to TRY to improve your GPA with grade forgiveness. Until that time, don't bother. You are wasting your time and money.

Also...don't go the grad school route. They will also likely take your money without much of a reward.

Good luck!

 

[IslandStyle808]

@j4pac probably best to rephrase that last sentence. I think the point you are making is that a traditional masters doesn't lead to OPs goal and does waste time. However, if one were to do mediocre in both. Not only is the SMP more expensive, it a far more useless degree in the job market. A person can do a TAships and RAship in a traditional masters, and come out with zero debt for a degree that can net many jobs (depends on the masters).

 

[j4pac]

@j4pac probably best to rephrase that last sentence. I think the point you are making is that a traditional masters doesn't lead to OPs goal and does waste time. However, if one were to do mediocre in both. Not only is the SMP more expensive, it a far more useless degree in the job market. A person can do a TAships and RAship in a traditional masters, and come out with zero debt for a degree that can net many jobs (depends on the masters).

Yes. I think that a SMP can help particular people...but not the OP in his/her current state. Medical school is more than a dream...it's also a financial decision. I'm very skeptical that someone who tops out at a 12 equivalent MCAT can handle the tests of med school and the boards. The OP has to improve his/her score...not only because he/she going to med school is reliant upon it, but also to prove that he/she won't be a med school attrition, or even worse, someone who can't match.

 

[Labrat07]

OP,
I think you have to be realistic here. If I was you, I'd sit down and study for the MCAT hard. If I do well on MCAT, I'd continue taking classes and get As. If MCAT retake don't go so well with my really BEST efforts, I'd look into myself and really ask " Am I really capable continuing in this path with so many tests ahead of me?." Right now, you don't want to hear "rainbow" and "unicorn". You need to hear what you don't want to hear. I think deepdown inside you know what your next step is. You just need confirmation.

 

[Futuredoc2323]

Are they? I heard the DAT had a manual dexterity portion that is brutal. My friend spent a Summer carving soap bars lol. Or maybe that's just the Canadian version.

As for OP, your MCAT is the issue. I got a 3.3 or 3.4 GPA in undergrad and a 31 MCAT on the old test, got 2 MD interviews and 1 DO interview as an international student. Spend a Summer on your MCAT, take classes if you need to, and find a study buddy. Kill it and apply again. If it still doesn't work out, I heard 3 tries on the MCAT is kinda the soft limit, some programs will start to think that you are not made for medicine if you keep on trying and not improving.

Are you Canadian? Which MD schools were the ones that interviewed you? I am a fellow Canadian with around the same GPA!

 

[twospadz]

OP medical school is not for you. You will flunk out. Honestly, you will not even get into a MD school. If you think these words are harsh, then good because the reality of going to medical school and failing out is much more worse. You should get your gpa up and try for physical therapy or PA. Medical school really is out of the question.