i need advice

[chibrown01]

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I am a junior in undergrad, last min i decided to graduate. I turned in my primary in aug, took aug mcat and submitted secondaries in dec. Didnt do great b/c my mom was diagnosed with cancer around mcat day. So with a 21O, cGPA3.4, sGPA 3.3 i only received 1 interview so far and it will be at the end of march.
What should I do, should I just not graduate in may? or graduate in may and do a smp?
I know my E.C.s and clinical work are great. I kno I will def have to take the mcat again. If i dont graduate and stay in undergrad then my grades will still not be reflected on my new amcas. And my school doesnt have alot of upper level biology in the summer, so i would have to go somewhere else.
By the way I just turned 20. In may would give me 3 complete years of undergrad (lots of post seconday classes).

 

[Trexate]

Sorry to hear about your mom. Hope things go well.

Personally, I'd graduate and do an SMP. Raise your MCAT scores and use the time off to do other app boosting stuff and you'll be in good shape.

 

[natasha77]

Hope your mom gets better.

I agree with trexate that you should try to raise your mcat scores. there are a lot of helpful threads on this website that offer great advice and study strategies designed to help improve your score. Also, SMP sounds like it might be a better way to go if you can afford it. Do you have a premed advisor on campus you could talk to? In addition, I would suggest calling the schools you applied to (but did not get an interview at) and asking what would be a good way to improve your application and to become more competitive. Would you mind posting which school granted you the interview? I have a friend who will have a similar gpa in the next application cycle (but higher mcat of 29) so this information might help him get a better idea of where he should apply.

 

[rbnsafsadgf]

Graduate. Take more science classes in a post-bac (formal or informal). That will raise your uGPA. Enjoy your life, as you are young. Re-take the MCAT, and then reapply.

(A SMP would be counted separately so I don't think it would help you as much; additionally, one needs a high MCAT to get into the SMP.)

 

[TexasPhysician]

Start with retaking the MCAT. A 21 will kill you at most schools.

 

[mvenus929]

Honestly, I think you should not graduate and spend another year in college. Barring that, I think you should graduate, but wait a year to reapply again. Take some time to breathe, get your head together, whatnot. You're only 20. Live some. Trust me, I was in the same situation as you two years ago (except I had the numbers, just not the experience).

And by the way, your grades from your junior year will be included in your new AMCAS application. That's an extra year of classes that weren't on your last application.

You definitely need to do better on the MCAT, and you need to apply earlier. Not doing secondaries until December is probably a big influence on the outcome of your application.