I need some serious guidance

[waspahh33]

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Hey boys and girls,

Here is my situation.....I graduated a year and a half ago in business management. I had no direction and floundered academically for my undergraduate career up until my final 30 hours. I made all A's and B's those last hours. When I graduated, I began taking all my premed requirements. Gen Chem 1&2- A&A, Bio 1&2-B&B, Organic 1-A, Physics 1-B, I'm in organic 2 and physics 2. I'm retaking a couple of old classes I made c's in and I'll be making A's in those. I have a 23 MCAT and plan to retake in May.

Total GPA right now~2.9
MCAT as of now-23 (retake in May)

I'm totally thrown as to whether I need to stick around here and perhaps finish another major like chemistry or to move and attend PCOM's biomed masters program in hopes to slide into the D.O. program...

pretty good E.C.'s, shadowing, worked in ER, letter of rec from DO, and a pretty decent story

I appreciate everyones advice but I could seriously use some from someone with experience here...PLEASE HELP!

 

[jslo85]

1. Do a GPA calculation of your predicted GPA with retakes (be realistic)
2. Go find a notepad and start listing the pros/cons of each of the two paths.
3. Do some research in the programs you really wish to attend and see whether your file with retakes and with a realistic projected MCAT score will be competitive.

Your MCAT is low for most if no all D.O. schools if you're applying at the minute. Your GPA is about .3 below the average matriculant of a mid to low tier DO program. If your GPA can get above a 3.2 and you get a 30 MCAT, you have a decent shot at interviews at osteopathic schools. If you have financial issues, time commitments, can't really relocate for a period of time (1-2 years, maybe 3 with glide) then an SMP is probably out of the question. For a formal academic enchancer post-bacc, it would most likely be a year and the cost range can cost between 13-24K depending on which program you apply to, tuition alone.

I personally would look into enrolling at a local university and retaking 2 of those year long pre-reqs during the summer. Put on your AACOMAS that you are going to retake the rest during the rest of the year updating them with the grades but at least you'll have 2 years worth of retakes during the summer to demonstrate your upward trend so they have something to work off of. If you do this, just realize that after verification, AACOMAS will at the earliest release your application to schools at around mid september and this will be LATE. You need to apply as early as possible with lower stats to have the best chance but in your circumstance that might not be possible. Apply to other SMP programs as well during this time. I'd post this question in the post-bacc section of SDN for better advice. Good luck.