I might linger here from now on...

[Reinhard]

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I am waiting to hear from Drexel (had interview two weeks ago) and NYMC (nothing since I sent in the secondary in August). I've been rejected from all the others including my (first-choice) state school, UWash. Since there's a fair chance that I won't be going in med school this fall, I guess I should think of Plan B.

To tell the truth, I never had a Plan B (WTF was I thinking?). I was so convinced that I would be going to med school right after graduating from college. True, my stats aren't great (3.5, 29), but somehow all along I had this conviction that I would be in med school this fall. Now that conviction has somewhat disappeared. 😳

I spoke w/ my pre-med advisor and she suggested some post-bac programs to raise my GPA. I don't mind doing that, but the problem for me is the cost. Can you get fin aid? If not, it's really out of question for me.

I guess I should find a job, too (geez, I am so behind!). I am not really interested in research position b/c I had a real bad experience doing research at Hopkins last summer. Are there any particular types of job that might improve my med school application?

I feel that my community service and clinical experiences (or lack thereof) and the MCAT score did me in this time applying. I only had 6 months of ER volunteer experience, which probably counts as neither community service nor clinical exposure (I mean, all the pre-meds do that). I've been thinking about joining AmeriCorps. But I think I might have to take two years off if I were to do it (b/c I don't think I can apply to med school while doing that), so I might do something else. Any recommendations?

My parents and pre-med advisor want me to retake the MCAT (for the third time!). I got a 27 the first time (VR 8, PS 10, BS 9) and a 29 the second time (VR 10, PS 8 😡, BS 11). I put so much effort the second time studying, so I don't know if I can do better this time around... Should I take it again for the third time?

Sorry for the length of this post, but I was just focused on typing... 😀 Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Kazema]

I've been thinking about joining AmeriCorps. But I think I might have to take two years off if I were to do it (b/c I don't think I can apply to med school while doing that), so I might do something else. Any recommendations?

Sure you can apply while doing AmeriCorps, that's what I did this past year - AmeriCorps is only 1 year unlike Peace Corps which is 2. It's been perfect for me, I'm at a hospital getting clinical experience and doing other community service stuff through AmeriCorps so it's like two birds with one stone. And it gave me a lot to talk about in interviews.

I suspect that a lack of clinical experience and volunteer work probably hurt you more than your MCAT. Your stats are right around average - people with average stats get accepted all the time, that's why they're called average 😉 - and if you don't want to do an SMP or do research that would be what I'd focus on if I were you.

If you've got any questions about AmeriCorps feel free to PM me. Good luck with Drexel in the meantime!

 

[lfesiam]

Hey Reinhard,

Man...my stats is almost similar to yours, your's a bit higher.
3.3 Cum GPA 3.1 Sci from an ivy institution, 28 MCAT (10V, 8P 👎 , 10B) second try (i had a 26 on my first try) I have 4 years of research experiences w/ 3 published papers (1 first author) and about a year of clinical volunteer experience. All I have is one waitlist so far at oklahoma. I've been put on 3 pre-interview holds. Still waiting on NYMC & Albany but chances are close to nil... I plan to do a post-bac program to raise my sci gpa and do more clinical volunteer.

Gluck man.

I am waiting to hear from Drexel (had interview two weeks ago) and NYMC (nothing since I sent in the secondary in August). I've been rejected from all the others including my (first-choice) state school, UWash. Since there's a fair chance that I won't be going in med school this fall, I guess I should think of Plan B.

To tell the truth, I never had a Plan B (WTF was I thinking?). I was so convinced that I would be going to med school right after graduating from college. True, my stats aren't great (3.5, 29), but somehow all along I had this conviction that I would be in med school this fall. Now that conviction has somewhat disappeared. 😳

I spoke w/ my pre-med advisor and she suggested some post-bac programs to raise my GPA. I don't mind doing that, but the problem for me is the cost. Can you get fin aid? If not, it's really out of question for me.

I guess I should find a job, too (geez, I am so behind!). I am not really interested in research position b/c I had a real bad experience doing research at Hopkins last summer. Are there any particular types of job that might improve my med school application?

I feel that my community service and clinical experiences (or lack thereof) and the MCAT score did me in this time applying. I only had 6 months of ER volunteer experience, which probably counts as neither community service nor clinical exposure (I mean, all the pre-meds do that). I've been thinking about joining AmeriCorps. But I think I might have to take two years off if I were to do it (b/c I don't think I can apply to med school while doing that), so I might do something else. Any recommendations?

My parents and pre-med advisor want me to retake the MCAT (for the third time!). I got a 27 the first time (VR 8, PS 10, BS 9) and a 29 the second time (VR 10, PS 8 😡, BS 11). I put so much effort the second time studying, so I don't know if I can do better this time around... Should I take it again for the third time?

Sorry for the length of this post, but I was just focused on typing... 😀 Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[peetey]

I am in the same boat...............but my question is...is a post bac or is a masters preferable, before I reapply??????????

 

[ruwan]

I've got similar stats to you (3.68, 32Q), and also am waiting to hear back from Drexel/NYMC. I too, made the mistake of not doing very much this year, expecting to get in. So, I will be starting volunteering at a clinic later this month (my pre-med advisor and I think that clinical is my weakness), and am currently looking for 1-year research/clinical research jobs through my university.

I am of course dreading writing another/revising my PS so that it's ready to submit in the beginning of June... (AMCAS opens next week I think). Also get your LOR updated, I hear.

 

[drslc134]

ruwan, what else did you have on your app? Those stats are solid...school rep, maybe?

 

[Lindyhopper]

Not claiming to be an expert & I don't know how what appeals to you, but last summer I took a 120 hour EMT certification. Maybe you could begin EMT training as soon as possible. You could then work as an EMT and perhaps continue taking upper level or grad courses as you reapply (early). Although somewhat common, working &/or volunteering as an EMT is definately good experience, gives you something to talk about in interviews, & bring in a little cash.

 

[Celiac Plexus]

from an admissions standpoint, a post-bac is better. the grades will be averaged into your undergrad gpa, and thereby strengthen your app. also, some post-bacs have agreements with medical schools that enhance your chances for admission at these schools. columbia post-bac is one that has such a relationship with medical schools.

the master's program is better for your career if you do not gain admission to medical school. successfully completing a post-bac program does not guarantee admission, and if you don't get in, all you have to show for your effort is a post-bac certificate. a master's degree will provide you with a plan b that you might wind up needing.

one option for those whom have already taken the courses in undergrad that a post-bac offers, is to take upper level science classes as an undergrad.

best of luck.

 

[vaik]

I am graduating this may, i have a gpa of 2.9 and a mcat score of 32. I did 1 yr research. Is there still time to apply for a smp program, and does any body get in with this gpa. name some schools. please ,vaik

 

[Superflyjsc]

from an admissions standpoint, a post-bac is better. the grades will be averaged into your undergrad gpa, and thereby strengthen your app. also, some post-bacs have agreements with medical schools that enhance your chances for admission at these schools. columbia post-bac is one that has such a relationship with medical schools.

the master's program is better for your career if you do not gain admission to medical school. successfully completing a post-bac program does not guarantee admission, and if you don't get in, all you have to show for your effort is a post-bac certificate. a master's degree will provide you with a plan b that you might wind up needing.

one option for those whom have already taken the courses in undergrad that a post-bac offers, is to take upper level science classes as an undergrad.

best of luck.

thats a very good explanation i think for those debating between those 2 routes 👍

 

[dontstuddy]

I succesfully reaplied last year. I had a 3.1 science and 3.4 overall and a 31 (11,10,10) on the MCAT. I took post-bac courses at a local university to raise my science GPA. I was able to pack in 40 credits of classes over the summer and through the following year with a 4.0. I took every biology and chemistry course that I didn't already have on my transcript that I could. Those grades didn't make it onto my AMCAS but some schools whould look at them as each semester ended. I ended up getting into the school I liked the best of my 4 interviews. I liked this route because it saved money over an expensive masters or specifically designed post-bac program. It is important to find out what schools will look at your new GPA as you work on classes, many of the ones I applied to wouldn't, so I basically wasted time and money applying there.