I need advice!

[krazykyleman]

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Here's my background:
I'm currently a senior neuroscience major at a competitive liberal arts college in PA. My cumulative GPA is 3.36. My science GPA with only core bio, chem, physics, and math prerequisites is 2.83. My science GPA with all bio, chem, physics, and math courses is 2.92. My MCAT score was a 27 (with 11 in verbal, 8 in biological sciences, and 8 in physical sciences) and my writing score was an O. I plan to retake the MCAT in January in an effort to boost my science scores. I have extensive shadowing and volunteer experiences in hospital, clinical, and nonprofit settings.

Here are my questions:
How should I plan my future career in medicine? The earliest I could enter medical school would be Fall 2009, leaving me at least one unplanned year following my undergraduate graduation. Should I be investigating postbac or SMP options with my current GPA and MCAT scores? Should I consider applying to osteopathic medical schools during this coming application cycle? Do I even have a chance at getting into allopathic medical schools?

HELP - Any and all advice will be highly appreciated!

 

[PlAnEjaNe]

Here's my background:
I'm currently a senior neuroscience major at a competitive liberal arts college in PA. My cumulative GPA is 3.36. My science GPA with only core bio, chem, physics, and math prerequisites is 2.83. My science GPA with all bio, chem, physics, and math courses is 2.92. My MCAT score was a 27 (with 11 in verbal, 8 in biological sciences, and 8 in physical sciences) and my writing score was an O. I plan to retake the MCAT in January in an effort to boost my science scores. I have extensive shadowing and volunteer experiences in hospital, clinical, and nonprofit settings.

Here are my questions:
How should I plan my future career in medicine? The earliest I could enter medical school would be Fall 2009, leaving me at least one unplanned year following my undergraduate graduation. Should I be investigating postbac or SMP options with my current GPA and MCAT scores? Should I consider applying to osteopathic medical schools during this coming application cycle? Do I even have a chance at getting into allopathic medical schools?

HELP - Any and all advice will be highly appreciated!

You have cross-posted...a big sdn no-no. Aside from that I will still answer your post: I would suggest a special masters program if you are looking to enter allopathic programs only, if you are open to the DO thing then I would re-take some of those classes that you got a C in to raise your science gpa to at least a 3.0. Your MCAT is competitve for DO schools but might be a little too low for m.d. schools, especially with the low gpa. The smp will help you in both allopathic and osteopathic admissions but if you want only allopathic you will also have to raise that MCAT a few points (at least a 30 I would think). Research a few of the smp programs (there is a sticky about them in this forum) and see what route you want to go.

PlAnEjaNe

 

[Instatewaiter]

Here's my background:
I'm currently a senior neuroscience major at a competitive liberal arts college in PA. My cumulative GPA is 3.36. My science GPA with only core bio, chem, physics, and math prerequisites is 2.83. My science GPA with all bio, chem, physics, and math courses is 2.92. My MCAT score was a 27 (with 11 in verbal, 8 in biological sciences, and 8 in physical sciences) and my writing score was an O. I plan to retake the MCAT in January in an effort to boost my science scores. I have extensive shadowing and volunteer experiences in hospital, clinical, and nonprofit settings.

Here are my questions:
How should I plan my future career in medicine? The earliest I could enter medical school would be Fall 2009, leaving me at least one unplanned year following my undergraduate graduation. Should I be investigating postbac or SMP options with my current GPA and MCAT scores? Should I consider applying to osteopathic medical schools during this coming application cycle? Do I even have a chance at getting into allopathic medical schools?

HELP - Any and all advice will be highly appreciated!

As it stands now, the MCAT is really a bit low for MD schools. If MD schools are what you are shooting for, retake the MCAT as you plan and in the 'glide year' you should enter an SMP or a post-bac. SMPs have the advantage of actually being in the medical school and actually being w/ the medical students. These give you a lot of bang for your buck but do carry significant risk. If you do poorly in the SMP you can kiss your chances at US MD goodbye. If you do well you are almost guaranteed admission.

Post-bacs or undergrad courses generally take longer to raise your stats but in the end are very good at getting people into school. Some post-bacs have linkages w/ schools but these are generally reserved for those people who havent taken the pre-recs.

Good luck

 

[halekulani]

you can get into an SMP with a 27 (i was accepted to BU and MAMS)

as for your score...VR is your strength obviously. so if you do get accepted into an SMP, i would schedule the retake after you graduate from the SMP. why? you'll be SO much stronger in sciences by the time you finish and if you can cough up a few more bucks and couple that SMP to an MCAT review course, i'm pretty sure you'll do solid on the MCAT, which should be the final touch to your app.

 

[Perrotfish]

You have excellent scores for an SMP program. You have low, but not out of the question, scores for admission to MD, and about average scores for admission to DO schools. You should definitely be looking into SMPs, maybe be considering an outright application to medical school.