I need Help please!!!!

[Gusgus11]

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I am currently a senior applying to SMP's. I am currently taking an EMT course to get certified, and hopefully work with the liscense as a patient care tech in the ER. However, my adviser is urging me to take a GRE course which falls at the same time with the EMT course. I took the mcat last year and had a total of 19q. He says that my mcat is too low and I need to do the GRE.

Should I take his advise, or go on and take the EMT course. I need a job after I graduate and I think the liscense could help.

I have several volunteer and research hours. I plan to apply to the UMDNJ Schools, PCOM , Touro SOM masters program and The common wealth medical college

 

[DrMidlife]

No, if your MCAT is too low then you need to take the MCAT again and do much better.

In order of priority:
1. Get a competitive MCAT score
2. Pay rent
3. Address low undergrad GPA (such as by doing an SMP)

The GRE makes no sense for you, unless you're targeting some MCAT-bypassing program in the Carib.

SMPs are hard. I suggest that you want to be ready to succeed, which is not the same as getting accepted. I suggest that it is in your best interest to get a competitive MCAT score before you apply to an SMP. I suggest that the reputable SMPs, who will accept a GRE score, do so in lieu of a soon-to-be-taken-and-likely-to-be-competitive-because-GPA-isn't-all-that-low MCAT.

So my advice is to ignore further advice from your current adviser, get set up to have a job (doesn't have to be a medical job if you have other choices, you can always volunteer on the side), and do what you need to do to get a competitive MCAT score. From a 19Q, I would expect that your earliest MCAT date is about a year from now, if you can dedicate a great deal of time to MCAT prep during 2011. Which would set you up to apply to SMPs for Fall 2012.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Isoprop]

Don't take the GRE unless you are applying to a traditional graduate school. Retake your MCAT. EMT course is worthless without doing well on your MCAT. You don't need EMT cert to get good clinical exp.

 

[NJD519]

I'm not sure what SMP's you are looking at, but I agree that you should work on your GPA first by doing some post-baccalaureate work (if necessary), while working and perhaps volunteering once a week. What are your stats now?

Also, I know that the BU MAMS program takes GRE scores in lieu of MCAT. So in theory, if you do well on GRE and your other stats are competitive enough for acceptance to BU, you could take the MCAT while in their program. And having been recently assaulted by the hand of science, your scores should improve.

However, I trust a more methodical approach. I say do as the DrM says: Address your underlying issues such as GPA and EC, while preparing for a solid MCAT.

Personally, rushing things is the worst idea. Look at the Big Dig. You want to establish a solid foundation. So if you can take the EMT course, get an EMT job, address GPA, maybe accumulate some clinical volunteer experience, and hit a decent MCAT score, all at the expense of a year or so, WELL WORTH IT.

 

[Gusgus11]

Thank you for your advice... I will focus on my MCAT definitely. I have shadowed a physician, done community service and research. I have also been working while going to school. I gues I will take some time of this semester to focus on my mcat and school work. As for the emt course, it counts as credit in my school and it's a one time opportunity. I want to work and volunteer with the liscense.

I guess the GRE course is highly unnecessary.

Thank you ISOPROP and NJD519 for your input. 🙂