I need advice. Help me plan my future!

[DoubleDoctorate]

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First post here.

I've been a long time viewer of SDN, and I think it's finally time I ask for some advice.

I am a 6th year PharmD student, graduating in 30 or so weeks. Finding a job for me will not be an issue, I already have 3 separate offers.

The problem is I feel like being a PharmD isn't enough for me, and that I want to do more for patients (not essentially earn more).

I have filled out AMCAS, submitted to about 11 schools and I already have an acceptance from RUSM.

My stats aren't impressive at all. That PharmD curriculum made it difficult for me to study for the MCAT (I had 2 weeks to study). I have a 3.2GPA and a 20 MCAT and I'm taking it again on August 5th. I've been scoring around 503ish with lots of work left to do.

My question is....

Statistically speaking I might not get into any U.S. schools and I have a limp midgets chance of getting into the two Canadian schools that don't require the MCAT (I'm a dual US/Canadian citizen). I have a lot of clinical experience, for gods sake I see patients now as an intern pharmacist for 40 hours a week and I make therapeutic decisions all day long.

But do you think it's worth the risk for me go to RUSM and risk potentially not finding a residency?
What happened to all those souls that never matched?

 

[WedgeDawg]

Don't go to Ross. You already have a potentially very successful career. Don't give that up for 250k+ in debt and only a 50% chance of matching. If you really want to become a physician, your best bet with that gpa is DO (provided your mcat improved significantly), but really ask yourself if you want to give up another 7 years of your life to do this.

 

[DoubleDoctorate]

Don't go to Ross. You already have a potentially very successful career. Don't give that up for 250k+ in debt and only a 50% chance of matching. If you really want to become a physician, your best bet with that gpa is DO (provided your mcat improved significantly), but really ask yourself if you want to give up another 7 years of your life to do this.

Unfortunately D.O. isn't an option for me. I can't practice as a DO (?) in Canada and ultimately I want to work there.

 

[WedgeDawg]

Unfortunately D.O. isn't an option for me. I can't practice as a DO (?) in Canada and ultimately I want to work there.

I did a quick search and it appears that DOs can indeed practice in Canada. You may have to take another test or two, but it's definitely doable.

 

[Lawpy]

What happened to all those souls that never matched?

They write blog posts saying why it was a bad idea to go to Caribbean... only to be overshadowed by the lucky few that matched back into the US.

 

[DoubleDoctorate]

I did a quick search and it appears that DOs can indeed practice in Canada. You may have to take another test or two, but it's definitely doable.

I did a search a few months ago and it said something like there are only 7 D.O. in Canada. I could very much be wrong but If D.O. is an option I would consider it.

 

[gyngyn]

I did a search a few months ago and it said something like there are only 7 D.O. in Canada. I could very much be wrong but If D.O. is an option I would consider it.

There are now about 20 DO schools that accept internationals.
This will inevitably be associated with an increase in the number that return to Canada.

 

[DoubleDoctorate]

There are now about 20 DO schools that accept internationals.
This will inevitably be associated with an increase in the number that return to Canada.

If I up my mcat to a 503-505 do you think I have a shot at DO schools?

 

[gyngyn]

If I up my mcat to a 503-505 do you think I have a shot at DO schools?

yes.

 

[DoubleDoctorate]

yes.

I won't try and sugar coat things.

I had a very troubled college career during my PharmD. Trying to find who I really am and all that jazz. But one thing I've always wanted was to help people and I have a great CV in terms of leadership/Clinical experience (AmCare Clinics, Emergency rooms, County Public health and all were direct patient care none were shadowing). I'm hoping my experiences and maybe having a slight advantage with a PharmD will help cover up my not so great grades.

But seeing that you frequent these forms a lot makes me feel like you know a thing or two. So thanks for that bit of motivation.

 

[Jloyay]

First post here.

I've been a long time viewer of SDN, and I think it's finally time I ask for some advice.

I am a 6th year PharmD student, graduating in 30 or so weeks. Finding a job for me will not be an issue, I already have 3 separate offers.

The problem is I feel like being a PharmD isn't enough for me, and that I want to do more for patients (not essentially earn more).

I have filled out AMCAS, submitted to about 11 schools and I already have an acceptance from RUSM.

My stats aren't impressive at all. That PharmD curriculum made it difficult for me to study for the MCAT (I had 2 weeks to study). I have a 3.2GPA and a 20 MCAT and I'm taking it again on August 5th. I've been scoring around 503ish with lots of work left to do.

My question is....

Statistically speaking I might not get into any U.S. schools and I have a limp midgets chance of getting into the two Canadian schools that don't require the MCAT (I'm a dual US/Canadian citizen). I have a lot of clinical experience, for gods sake I see patients now as an intern pharmacist for 40 hours a week and I make therapeutic decisions all day long.

But do you think it's worth the risk for me go to RUSM and risk potentially not finding a residency?
What happened to all those souls that never matched?

If you don't mind me asking where did you do your PharmD? 6 years?

Unless you really want to become a physician and only discovered that during pharmacy school, I would just take a job offer. You have a stable career and if I were you I wouldn't risk it and waste 4-5 more years of your life unless you feel like medicine is truly your calling.

 

[LizzyM]

I have a 3.2GPA and a 20 MCAT

I will be blunt: you are very high risk for medical school. Take your beautiful job offers and run with them. Climb the ladder with increasing responsibility and clinical involvement. Make the most of pharmacy because medicine is not likely to be your calling.

 

[Catalystik]

I did a search a few months ago and it said something like there are only 7 D.O. in Canada. I could very much be wrong but If D.O. is an option I would consider it.

For further information and advice, you might like to access the Canadian Osteopathic Association at http://www.osteopathic.ca/
And COMSA, the official site for the Canadian Osteopathic Medical Student Association at http://www.studentdo.ca/drupal_beta/

 

[DoubleDoctorate]

I will be blunt: you are very high risk for medical school. Take your beautiful job offers and run with them. Climb the ladder with increasing responsibility and clinical involvement. Make the most of pharmacy because medicine is not likely to be your calling.

A one time test with only 14 days to study doesn't amount to much at least not in my books. Especially when I am now scoring into the 500s on the new test.

And yes I do have a lower GPA than most applicants because I am applying with a PharmD (which is more difficult.), not your garden variety bachelors.

 

[WedgeDawg]

A one time test with only 14 days to study doesn't amount to much at least not in my books. Especially when I am now scoring into the 500s on the new test.

And yes I do have a lower GPA than most applicants because I am applying with a PharmD (which is more difficult.), not your garden variety bachelors.

I understand that, but 1) taking a test when you're not prepared for it gives may make others perceive you as having poor or risky decision-making skills and 2) I don't think med schools will really care too much about the PharmD, and if they do, it probably won't be enough to offset a 3.2 gpa.

 

[Goro]

Concur; we need to see evidence that you can handle med school.

I understand that, but 1) taking a test when you're not prepared for it gives may make others perceive you as having poor or risky decision-making skills and 2) I don't think med schools will really care too much about the PharmD, and if they do, it probably won't be enough to offset a 3.2 gpa.

 

[GrapesofRath]

A one time test with only 14 days to study doesn't amount to much at least not in my books. Especially when I am now scoring into the 500s on the new test.

And yes I do have a lower GPA than most applicants because I am applying with a PharmD (which is more difficult.), not your garden variety bachelors.

Then partake in some good old fashioned "garden variety bachelors work" and do well. Having a GPA that isn't up to Med school standards under the excuse the classes are way harder is not gonna do anything for you. Nobody converts a 3.2 pharm GPA to a higher undergrad GPA for you because it is harder(and yes it is harder and it is possible you would do far better in undergrad particularly if you had a good GPA your first 2 years of college).

IF you don't listen to anyone on this site and go to Ross you get what you deserve; loads of debt and unemployment.

I do tend to side with @LizzyM here. Your best bet sounds like it might be just to take those job offers run and enjoy a successful career. It's a long path to perhaps even get to med school then another decade on top of that. Even if you truly do prefer a career in medicine than pharmacy for well thought out and valid reasons the road it will take to become a physician vs the opportunity you have now makes me very inclined to say stay the path you are on right now. Your lack of research and understanding of DO's and their role in Canada alone is kind of a strong sign that you should really look more into this before rushing to any decision.

 

[DoubleDoctorate]

IF you don't listen to anyone on this site and go to Ross you get what you deserve; loads of debt and unemployment.

This made my day.