I need advice i am about to have a stress attack

[Manbearpig11]

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Ok here is my story. I have always wanted to do either research or medicine because I love biology and chemistry courses. During undergraduate I didn't do well. I came out with a 2.95 and 2.93 BCPM. I took the MCAT back and Jan. and scored 12P 9V 10B and I still dont know if there is anything I can do to be competitive. I have one mission trip to Haiti and 2 months of 8 hour work shadowing and assisting a surgeon and I have just recently started volunteering. My question is should I take an SMP? or first focus on getting more ECs and volunteer work and maybe undergrad classes then try to apply for an SMP? I really dont want to delay my career more because I am already a 5 year student and currently in Gap year.

 

[mcm628]

You need to increase your GPA and work on the other aspects of your application. Your MCAT is OK for many DO and MD schools. It really does not matter in which order you improve your GPA and EC's, as long as you do it before applying to med school. I wish you the best for all of your future aspirations and endeavors 🙂


OH and inb4themovetowhataremychances.

 

[rHinO1]

Honestly, after taking 5 years of classes it will be difficult to raise your GPA to become competitive for MD schools. Also, your MCAT is ok, but it is not enough to make up for a sub 3.0 GPA. Nor are your ECs strong enough to make up for it either.

I think if you want to be a doctor, your best bet would be re-taking your lowest grades and applying to DO schools. If you are not aware, DO schools practice grade replacement when calculating your GPA. Good luck.

 

[MCAT guy]

Honestly, after taking 5 years of classes it will be difficult to raise your GPA to become competitive for MD schools. Also, your MCAT is ok, but it is not enough to make up for a sub 3.0 GPA. Nor are your ECs strong enough to make up for it either.

I think if you want to be a doctor, your best bet would be re-taking your lowest grades and applying to DO schools. If you are not aware, DO schools practice grade replacement when calculating your GPA. Good luck.

Agreed. Just do a DO if you want to be a doctor.

Done and done.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Repeat classes, apply DO.

 

[Manbearpig11]

Thanks guys that is about what I figured. Only one thing I didn't mention is that I am from Louisiana and our state medical schools are WELLL below the average for entrance requirements. I think 27 MCAT is average here but GPA is high. I guess my question could be refined to "am I competitive for any SMPs out there with these statistics?" How much emphasis will they put on not having a lot of ECs and a 2.95 GPA. I really just decided that I wanted to take the MD route last year so it hasn't been a 5 year goal of mine.

 

[lindsayb]

Beer.

 

[gl0baltrader]

Ok here is my story. I have always wanted to do either research or medicine because I love biology and chemistry courses. During undergraduate I didn't do well. I came out with a 2.95 and 2.93 BCPM. I took the MCAT back and Jan. and scored 12P 9V 10B and I still dont know if there is anything I can do to be competitive. I have one mission trip to Haiti and 2 months of 8 hour work shadowing and assisting a surgeon and I have just recently started volunteering. My question is should I take an SMP? or first focus on getting more ECs and volunteer work and maybe undergrad classes then try to apply for an SMP? I really dont want to delay my career more because I am already a 5 year student and currently in Gap year.

Dear ManBearPig11,

First things you want to address is your low undergrad GPA. You should understand why you did poorly in undergrad ? Is it because you work full-time (like me) or is it due to health/family issue? or is it because of other reason.

Like you, I was deciding between a MSP, a graduate program in science, or a post-bac program. I chose to do a post-bac in one of the best school in the country and completed the program with a 4.0. I also addressed why i did poorly in undergrad in my amcas apps this year and surprisingly did well this cycle. I also learned that EC is important but also know that your application will not be looked at if you do not make the GPA cut-off that many med schools have.

Result: I was offered 8++ MD interviews (5 of them are ranked in top 25 in research and primary care), went to 6 interviews and received multiple acceptances. So the take away point is that you have a chance to go to med school and become a physician but you really need to convince the med school that you can do well and are willing to work hard for it.

Hope this help.

Class of 2015 🙂