If I don't get it... (Admin advice please?)

[Tipp]

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Hello All,

Since the application season is winding down and I haven't gotten any interviews yet, I unfortunately have to start thinking about what to do in the event that I don't get in anywhere. I got a few options:

1) I work in a neurology lab full-time, and I could continue working here next year. I have one publication with a few more in the works... at least one more will be published over the next year, but I have already included my first publication in my updates to most schools this year. I am not sure how much this would improve my application, since I have already included a lot of this info in my current app, but I would at least be making money. I am getting married in May, so that would be a plus.

2) I could do an SMP. I have a 3.43 cGPA and a 3.33 sGPA. So I am definitely on the low end, but I have seen elsewhere that this is not low enough to warrant an SMP and maybe I could do something different to improve my app... Anyway, Toledo has an SMP, and the successful completion of the program guarantees an interview at UT. That is probably my best option for getting in somewhere next year, but its a lot of money to add to my debt and I wouldn't be able to work to make money either.

Any thoughts or insights?

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

What's your current MCAT?

 

[Tipp]

32... I took it once before and scored a 28Q

 

[Catalystik]

Did you include DO med schools on your application list?

 

[Tipp]

Did you include DO med schools on your application list?

No unfortunately not... I am considering adding DO schools if I have to re-apply, but truthfully I haven't explored that field very much.

 

[ThrombinHood]

So things you need to think about:
1) Do you have any red flags? (arrest record, student integrity, Withdraws, etc)
2) Were you able to submit early (June-late July Time frame)
3) How many schools did you apply to? Were they reach heavy?
4) Were secondaries sent in ASAP?
5) Were you lacking in volunteering/shadowing/research?
6) MCAT/Grades.

 

[T3ckFr3s]

I feel that a general rule is that an SMP is warranted if either of your GPAs is less than a 3.2. Otherwise enrolling in higher level science courses at a local university would be a better (and cheaper) option. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Tipp]

So things you need to think about:
1) Do you have any red flags? (arrest record, student integrity, Withdraws, etc)
2) Were you able to submit early (June-late July Time frame)
3) How many schools did you apply to? Were they reach heavy?
4) Were secondaries sent in ASAP?
5) Were you lacking in volunteering/shadowing/research?
6) MCAT/Grades.

1) Not that I know of. (None of those)
2) I submitted pretty early.. Processed by 7/22
3)I applied to 14 schools. Michigan and Case were my only huge reaches. My GPA makes every school a relative reach, but the majority of my choices were pretty reasonable.
4) The great majority of them were sent in within two weeks, and the ones the weren't had longer deadlines.
5) I had approximately 140 hours of volunteering... 40 hours of shadowing but 35 of those were with one doctor. (I saw it more as a mentorship opportunity than feeling out which specialty I wanted to do... I at least spent time in surgeries AND clinic, though.)
6) MCAT and GPAs listed above... I don't think I need to re-take the MCAT but my grades are probably my biggest problem area. I should say too... I went to CC first, and had about a 3.8... then I transferred to Michigan and got about a 3.25. My calculated total between both schools is the 3.43 cGPA above. While I had downward drop after transferring, I DID have a slight upward trend within my time at Michigan (my first semester was a 2.9 and my last was a 3.6)

 

[Tipp]

So things you need to think about:
1) Do you have any red flags? (arrest record, student integrity, Withdraws, etc)
2) Were you able to submit early (June-late July Time frame)
3) How many schools did you apply to? Were they reach heavy?
4) Were secondaries sent in ASAP?
5) Were you lacking in volunteering/shadowing/research?
6) MCAT/Grades.

Oh, and I had over a year of research, and I have been doing research full-time this year. I didn't have a publication at the time I applied, but I recently updated the schools that allow updates to tell them about it. And I mentioned on my AMCAS that the research I talked about would be published soon

 

[ThrombinHood]

In all honesty, I have no idea what may have gone wrong. You applied early enough and submitted secondaries as early as you could. The one area that seemed rather weak was your shadowing and volunteering and your GPA seems a little low. Other than that you still seem like a qualified applicant for medical school--im sorry that you haven't heard any good news 🙁

 

[Tipp]

In all honesty, I have no idea what may have gone wrong. You applied early enough and submitted secondaries as early as you could. The one area that seemed rather weak was your shadowing and volunteering and your GPA seems a little low. Other than that you still seem like a qualified applicant for medical school--im sorry that you haven't heard any good news 🙁

Haha thanks, I thought I was going crazy here.... It happens, though, and I just gotta persevere. Just trying to get some advice on how to proceed, and this is a great place for advice. Thanks for the comments.

 

[Tipp]

Basically, I just wanna know 1) Is an SMP necessary of beneficial in my case, 2) will more research help me at this point, 3)what specific activities should I be doing to increase my chances of getting in somewhere next year if I miss out this time... and I guess 4) How much does it help to just reapply to show schools that you are not giving up, even if you haven't done anything groundbreaking since last year.

And then anything that you guys are thinking of that I am totally missing.

 

[Tijou]

I don't think you need to do an SMP, considering your GPA isn't below a 3.2. I also recommend taking a few more upper division science classes, preferably in something that interests you. In addition, I would suggest vamping up your clinical exposure by volunteering and shadowing. Finally, your research seems to be heading in a positive direction especially if you anticipate more publications, and depending on your authorship it will be a strong aspect of your application, so I say keep on doing it. If you are able to do all this, and apply early again, maybe research some DO schools and add them to your list - you will likely have a better cycle than this one. Good luck!

 

[BeancheBlanco]

Your experience reminds me a lot of myself. I applied with a 3.58/32 MCAT to 25 schools and got no interviews. I took two years off just adding a bunch of experiences and improved my MCAT and am about to apply again. Originally I was only going to take one year off but I'm very glad I did two as I feel my application is vastly improved. My best advice is to make sure your application is significantly improved before the next time you apply. Don't just take a couple classes and then apply again. The last thing you want is to re-apply and not get in anywhere again. It's a huge waste of time, money, and will look bad for any future applications.

Honestly, if I were you I would do an SMP. I'm not too familiar with them but I have heard they can make up for low GPAs. Your 3.4/3.3 are pretty darn low for all MD schools and unless you can significantly improve your MCAT (which might not be possible despite hard work), your stats will strongly limit your possibilities. Don't get me wrong, some schools will accept a decent amount of people with a 3.4 but with all the unpredictability of applications, it's not good to rely on a chance for only a couple schools. Also, you're going to need something that makes you stand out from all the other 3.4 people who apply. How is your clinical experience. You might want to take two years and do a significant clinical experience and an SMP. I know it sounds like a lot of work, debt, and time but two years from now you will feel much more confident and you'll probably be ready.

 

[Cinabonchik]

I don't know your complete app, but I'll just through a few ideas how you could possibly strengthen your application, it definitely improved my application.
Research conference/presenting your research; Community work; Increase clinical volunteer hours; I would shadow some more and try to get a good LOR from that doctor; leadership experience.

I would also call a few schools that you were rejected from and ask for their input on your app.

Maybe you are an excellent writer, but if it's not the case I would find a writing specialist to help with your secondaries.From my personal experience, all the secondaries that I sent ASAP I didn't get an II, and the once that I actually took my time to write and went to a writing specialist I got an II.

 

[Tipp]

I don't think you need to do an SMP, considering your GPA isn't below a 3.2. I also recommend taking a few more upper division science classes, preferably in something that interests you. In addition, I would suggest vamping up your clinical exposure by volunteering and shadowing. Finally, your research seems to be heading in a positive direction especially if you anticipate more publications, and depending on your authorship it will be a strong aspect of your application, so I say keep on doing it. If you are able to do all this, and apply early again, maybe research some DO schools and add them to your list - you will likely have a better cycle than this one. Good luck!

Your experience reminds me a lot of myself. I applied with a 3.58/32 MCAT to 25 schools and got no interviews. I took two years off just adding a bunch of experiences and improved my MCAT and am about to apply again. Originally I was only going to take one year off but I'm very glad I did two as I feel my application is vastly improved. My best advice is to make sure your application is significantly improved before the next time you apply. Don't just take a couple classes and then apply again. The last thing you want is to re-apply and not get in anywhere again. It's a huge waste of time, money, and will look bad for any future applications.

Honestly, if I were you I would do an SMP. I'm not too familiar with them but I have heard they can make up for low GPAs. Your 3.4/3.3 are pretty darn low for all MD schools and unless you can significantly improve your MCAT (which might not be possible despite hard work), your stats will strongly limit your possibilities. Don't get me wrong, some schools will accept a decent amount of people with a 3.4 but with all the unpredictability of applications, it's not good to rely on a chance for only a couple schools. Also, you're going to need something that makes you stand out from all the other 3.4 people who apply. How is your clinical experience. You might want to take two years and do a significant clinical experience and an SMP. I know it sounds like a lot of work, debt, and time but two years from now you will feel much more confident and you'll probably be ready.

I guess I should mention, I also have clinical experience working in a hospital... I had to quit when I transferred schools, so it was around 7 months.

 

[BeancheBlanco]

I guess I should mention, I also have clinical experience working in a hospital... I had to quit when I transferred schools, so it was around 7 months.

Might not be enough. Was it just a once a week standard volunteering thing? Also, do you have any shadowing? You want to have at least a little. My point here is that you need to make up for that GPA. You won't be able to get by with standard ECs.

 

[Tipp]

I don't know your complete app, but I'll just through a few ideas how you could possibly strengthen your application, it definitely improved my application.
Research conference/presenting your research; Community work; Increase clinical volunteer hours; I would shadow some more and try to get a good LOR from that doctor; leadership experience.

I would also call a few schools that you were rejected from and ask for their input on your app.

Maybe you are an excellent writer, but if it's not the case I would find a writing specialist to help with your secondaries.From my personal experience, all the secondaries that I sent ASAP I didn't get an II, and the once that I actually took my time to write and went to a writing specialist I got an II.

I presented a poster at a symposium and included that in my updates, and I got a great LOR from the doctor I mentioned... As far as leadership, I was a writing tutor, a group facilitator for a church program, and I trained some pastors to teach a bible study-type course. I could probably do some more community work and shadowing.

All good ideas.. Thanks. I am just responding so that people can see what my app looks like, to help weigh in.

 

[Tipp]

Might not be enough. Was it just a once a week standard volunteering thing? Also, do you have any shadowing? You want to have at least a little. My point here is that you need to make up for that GPA. You won't be able to get by with standard ECs.

No it was paid work.. I was a transporter. About 20 hours a week during school and more during the summer. I have 40 hours of shadowing... 5 hours of it was a one-time thing with one of the docs I worked with at the hospital, and the rest was with a surgeon that became a mentor of sorts and wrote me a good letter.

 

[Tipp]

I have been so specific about my app, there is zero hope of anonymity now haha but that's alright. I need the insights...

 

[BeancheBlanco]

No it was paid work.. I was a transporter. About 20 hours a week during school and more during the summer. I have 40 hours of shadowing... 5 hours of it was a one-time thing with one of the docs I worked with at the hospital, and the rest was with a surgeon that became a mentor of sorts and wrote me a good letter.

Ok that's good. But remember, all pre-med applicants have some clinical experience in that range. Like I said, you need something that really stands out and makes up for the GPA. By that I mean like a full year, full-time job in a clinical setting or publications in research or long-term commitment to something. Even then, you might have to do something about that GPA. I'm telling you this out of personal experience. That's what my adviser and a school told me after I was rejected with a 3.58/32.

 

[theseeker4]

1) Not that I know of. (None of those)
2) I submitted pretty early.. Processed by 7/22
3)I applied to 14 schools. Michigan and Case were my only huge reaches. My GPA makes every school a relative reach, but the majority of my choices were pretty reasonable.
4) The great majority of them were sent in within two weeks, and the ones the weren't had longer deadlines.
5) I had approximately 140 hours of volunteering... 40 hours of shadowing but 35 of those were with one doctor. (I saw it more as a mentorship opportunity than feeling out which specialty I wanted to do... I at least spent time in surgeries AND clinic, though.)
6) MCAT and GPAs listed above... I don't think I need to re-take the MCAT but my grades are probably my biggest problem area. I should say too... I went to CC first, and had about a 3.8... then I transferred to Michigan and got about a 3.25. My calculated total between both schools is the 3.43 cGPA above. While I had downward drop after transferring, I DID have a slight upward trend within my time at Michigan (my first semester was a 2.9 and my last was a 3.6)

With that GPA, 14 schools simply isn't enough. Especially if two of them were Michigan and Case, reaches even for people with above-average stats. If you threw in some DO schools, you would probably have been accepted, and probably will be this next cycle. There is little point in doing an SMP with your GPA, and a huge downside if you have an adjustment period like you did when you started at U of M...if that happens to you in an SMP pretty much no one will touch you, while your overall GPA and MCAT are sufficient for some lower-tiered schools to take a chance on you.

Make sure you get some primary care shadowing in as well, since it sounds like your 35 hours of shadowing was with a surgeon.

Do you have any section of the MCAT with a score under 8? If so, it MIGHT be worth re-taking, though most likely not...a 7 in something would be a tough call.

What have you been doing since the beginning of the application cycle? If your application hasn't improved between now and then, you might consider taking another year off to improve your GPA by taking undergraduate-level science courses. I would definitely do this instead of an SMP in your position.

Next cycle, apply early again, to as many low-tier and new MD schools as you can afford to and are willing to attend, and apply to at least a handful of DO schools as well. If you are a Michigan resident, apply to all the state schools other than U of M as well (applying there is just burning your money, unfortunately). With that mix, you shouldn't have any problem gaining an acceptance.

 

[Tipp]

Ok that's good. But remember, all pre-med applicants have some clinical experience in that range. Like I said, you need something that really stands out and makes up for the GPA. By that I mean like a full year, full-time job in a clinical setting or publications in research or long-term commitment to something. Even then, you might have to do something about that GPA. I'm telling you this out of personal experience. That's what my adviser and a school told me after I was rejected with a 3.58/32.

Yea I feel ya.. I have a full-time job now in research but not clinic... I also have a publication and more coming. I have long-term commitments to my church, but the specific activities have varied over time.

 

[Catalystik]

Honestly, if I were you I would do an SMP. I'm not too familiar with them but I have heard they can make up for low GPAs. Your 3.4/3.3 are pretty darn low for all MD schools and unless you can significantly improve your MCAT (which might not be possible despite hard work), your stats will strongly limit your possibilities. Don't get me wrong, some schools will accept a decent amount of people with a 3.4 but with all the unpredictability of applications, it's not good to rely on a chance for only a couple schools. Also, you're going to need something that makes you stand out from all the other 3.4 people who apply. How is your clinical experience. You might want to take two years and do a significant clinical experience and an SMP. I know it sounds like a lot of work, debt, and time but two years from now you will feel much more confident and you'll probably be ready.

SMPs are a faster though more expensive fix for subpar GPAs, but considering that their successful implementation may require GPAs of at least 3.7 in the program, and that the OP has yet to demonstrate that high a GPA in any recent term, an SMP might be a colossal waste of money right now. Starting with some unofficial postbac work in upper-level Bio might be a better way to start on GPA resuscitation, in order to gauge the ability to crank out As.

I guess I should mention, I also have clinical experience working in a hospital... I had to quit when I transferred schools, so it was around 7 months.

About 1.5 years is the average listed for interactive clinical experience, so this area needs some work, too.

Make sure you get some primary care shadowing in as well, since it sounds like your 35 hours of shadowing was with a surgeon.

I agree with this, as well.

 

[Tipp]

With that GPA, 14 schools simply isn't enough. Especially if two of them were Michigan and Case, reaches even for people with above-average stats. If you threw in some DO schools, you would probably have been accepted, and probably will be this next cycle. There is little point in doing an SMP with your GPA, and a huge downside if you have an adjustment period like you did when you started at U of M...if that happens to you in an SMP pretty much no one will touch you, while your overall GPA and MCAT are sufficient for some lower-tiered schools to take a chance on you.

Make sure you get some primary care shadowing in as well, since it sounds like your 35 hours of shadowing was with a surgeon.

Do you have any section of the MCAT with a score under 8? If so, it MIGHT be worth re-taking, though most likely not...a 7 in something would be a tough call.

What have you been doing since the beginning of the application cycle? If your application hasn't improved between now and then, you might consider taking another year off to improve your GPA by taking undergraduate-level science courses. I would definitely do this instead of an SMP in your position.

Next cycle, apply early again, to as many low-tier and new MD schools as you can afford to and are willing to attend, and apply to at least a handful of DO schools as well. If you are a Michigan resident, apply to all the state schools other than U of M as well (applying there is just burning your money, unfortunately). With that mix, you shouldn't have any problem gaining an acceptance.

Yea, I definitely would have liked to apply more broadly, but I couldn't afford it. That's another thing, is that I will have even less financial resources to put into applications this year...

I would like to do some PCP shadowing. Good point.

My MCAT is balanced. The first time I took it I had a 7 in verbal, so I retook it and got a 10.

I have been working full-time in the lab this cycle and working side jobs like landscaping and security over the summer and now as a waitor to make extra money... I have fit in a few ECs, though, like volunteering at church with my fiance leading children's church, I had a poster presentation, I gave a lecture at a group for dementia patients, explaining my research and the state of alzheimer's research in general... stuff like that.

 

[Tipp]

SMPs are a faster though more expensive fix for subpar GPAs, but considering that their successful implementation may require GPAs of at least 3.7 in the program, and that the OP has yet to demonstrate that high a GPA in any recent term, an SMP might be a colossal waste of money right now. Starting with some unofficial postbac work in upper-level Bio might be a better way to start on GPA resuscitation, in order to gauge the ability to crank out As.

About 1.5 years is the average listed for interactive clinical experience, so this area needs some work, too.

Thanks for the feedback. Does anybody have any ideas for ways to get more interactive clinical experience? All of the 140 hours of volunteering I listed before was clinical, though not all interactive.

 

[Catalystik]

Does anybody have any ideas for ways to get more interactive clinical experience? All of the 140 hours of volunteering I listed before was clinical, though not all interactive.

What did you do during the hospital volunteering?

 

[theseeker4]

Yea, I definitely would have liked to apply more broadly, but I couldn't afford it. That's another thing, is that I will have even less financial resources to put into applications this year...

I would like to do some PCP shadowing. Good point.

My MCAT is balanced. The first time I took it I had a 7 in verbal, so I retook it and got a 10.

I have been working full-time in the lab this cycle and working side jobs like landscaping and security over the summer and now as a waitor to make extra money... I have fit in a few ECs, though, like volunteering at church with my fiance leading children's church, I had a poster presentation, I gave a lecture at a group for dementia patients, explaining my research and the state of alzheimer's research in general... stuff like that.

In that case, definitely do NOT apply to anything that could be called a "huge reach." Apply to a good number of DO schools, and fill in as many MDs as you have the money for, sticking with low tier and new schools. Shadow a family medicine DO, and you get your primary care shadowing and a contact for your DO LOR at the same time. Good luck!

 

[Tipp]

What did you do during the hospital volunteering?

I started volunteering at a hospital in patient registration, so I escorted patients to their rooms upon admission, and spent my down time putting patient health information into a computer. Then I switched to the ICU, stocking supplies. That was 100 hours total..

Then I volunteered in a senior living center, transporting patients to and from physical therapy or the beauty shop.

 

[Tipp]

In that case, definitely do NOT apply to anything that could be called a "huge reach." Apply to a good number of DO schools, and fill in as many MDs as you have the money for, sticking with low tier and new schools. Shadow a family medicine DO, and you get your primary care shadowing and a contact for your DO LOR at the same time. Good luck!

Good point. I will try to do that. I might know one in my hometown, actually.

 

[Catalystik]

I started volunteering at a hospital in patient registration, so I escorted patients to their rooms upon admission, and spent my down time putting patient health information into a computer. Then I switched to the ICU, stocking supplies. That was 100 hours total..

Then I volunteered in a senior living center, transporting patients to and from physical therapy or the beauty shop.

Patient escort is a good source of patient interaction. Computer work and room stocking, not so much (but it still qualifies as nonmedical community service).

In your new location, look for employment or volunteering at a free, family-planning, or private clinic, surgicenter, hospice, hospital, VA, residential home, rehabilitation facility, nursing home, among others.

Clinical patient experience is not always gained in a medical environment, eg EMT, battle field medic, home hospice care, physical therapy aide, or special camp environments.

 

[solitarius]

I think you have a couple of options.

1. Improve app further. Take some more post-bac courses to raise GPA, improve ECs. Reapply to DO. If applying to MD, target MD schools lower than your current list (if possible).

2. Do SMP. It's really expensive. You also need to find with a strong linkage as some are better than others. And as others mentioned, you need to execute with a high GPA. That maybe tough given your profile.

 

[Catalystik]

2. Do SMP. It's really expensive. You also need to find with a strong linkage as some are better than others.

Toledo's promise to give you an interview isn't saying much. What per cent of those in the program do they accept, and what GPAs did the acceptees earn in the SMP?

 

[Tipp]

Toledo's promise to give you an interview isn't saying much. What per cent of those in the program do they accept, and what GPAs did the acceptees earn in the SMP?

They have accepted about 65% historically... In 2011/12, 41 of 50 students who completed the program (82%) were accepted to the med school.

 

[Tipp]

Toledo's promise to give you an interview isn't saying much. What per cent of those in the program do they accept, and what GPAs did the acceptees earn in the SMP?

I'm not sure what the GPAs were, though...

 

[Catalystik]

I'm not sure what the GPAs were, though...

A call to one of the admissions advisors might easily answer that question. The stats you give above seem reassuring if they mean accepted to Toledo, as opposed to meaning accepted to "a" med school (which would include DO).

 

[Tipp]

A call to one of the admissions advisors might easily answer that question. The stats you give above seem reassuring if they mean accepted to Toledo, as opposed to meaning accepted to "a" med school (which would include DO).

That is only for UT.. they don't report on whether their students got into other schools.

 

[Tipp]

I think you have a couple of options.

1. Improve app further. Take some more post-bac courses to raise GPA, improve ECs. Reapply to DO. If applying to MD, target MD schools lower than your current list (if possible).

2. Do SMP. It's really expensive. You also need to find with a strong linkage as some are better than others. And as others mentioned, you need to execute with a high GPA. That maybe tough given your profile.

Thanks for the advice... Adding some DO schools will definitely be a wise choice. I just feel like I am close enough to fitting the MD profile, it is hard to give up haha

It sounds like a lot of people are saying that doing some sort of unoffical post-bacc work would be good. I get the rationale, but I gotta admit, I am kinda turned off by that idea. If I do the Toledo SMP, I have a clear benefit in mind (an interview at UT), even if it is expensive. I am hesitant to risk buying credits that don't go towards any sort of degree or concrete advantage in next years' cycle...

 

[solitarius]

Thanks for the advice... Adding some DO schools will definitely be a wise choice. I just feel like I am close enough to fitting the MD profile, it is hard to give up haha

It sounds like a lot of people are saying that doing some sort of unoffical post-bacc work would be good. I get the rationale, but I gotta admit, I am kinda turned off by that idea. If I do the Toledo SMP, I have a clear benefit in mind (an interview at UT), even if it is expensive. I am hesitant to risk buying credits that don't go towards any sort of degree or concrete advantage in next years' cycle...

SMP seems like a high-risk do-or-die scenario for you. I don't like those odds for anyone.

If you're willing to wait a couple of years, then take some post-bac courses to raise the GPAs > 3.5. Then, you'll have the chance to retake the MCAT since your old score will expire.

People on here fail to realize that it's not when you get in, it's if you get in at all.

 

[wades]

Sorry that this application season hasn't gone well for you so far. If it were just any SMP I would agree that it could be a waste of money. But UTs program is pretty nice IMO. I have several friends who have done it and been accepted. It is a lot of work! They take some M1 classes, so there is a lot of pressure to do well. However, come first year, it leaves a lot of free time during fall and spring blocks since the students who completed the program don't retake those courses.

You probably already know someone there, but if not, PM me if you want the contact info of a few past/current program students for more information...Or, you can probably find former students on the program's thread here on sdn. But best of luck in whatever you choose!

 

[Tipp]

SMP seems like a high-risk do-or-die scenario for you. I don't like those odds for anyone.

If you're willing to wait a couple of years, then take some post-bac courses to raise the GPAs > 3.5. Then, you'll have the chance to retake the MCAT since your old score will expire.

People on here fail to realize that it's not when you get in, it's if you get in at all.

That makes sense... At the same time, I think I could do well in the SMP cuz my fiancée graduated and works as a nurse now, so I might not have to work as much as a did in undergrad while going to school. Burnout was a big factor in my grades being a little subpar in some instances. By senior year, I was able to do pretty well despite working near full time, but I think I will do much better if I can work less. Is that just wishful thinking? Does anybody have a similar experience?

 

[Tipp]

SMP seems like a high-risk do-or-die scenario for you. I don't like those odds for anyone.

If you're willing to wait a couple of years, then take some post-bac courses to raise the GPAs > 3.5. Then, you'll have the chance to retake the MCAT since your old score will expire.

People on here fail to realize that it's not when you get in, it's if you get in at all.

That makes sense... At the same time, I think I could do well in the SMP cuz my fiancée graduated and works as a nurse now, so I might not have to work as much as a did in undergrad while going to school. Burnout was a big factor in my grades being a little subpar in some instances. By senior year, I was able to do pretty well despite working near full time, but I think I will do much better if I can work less. Is that just wishful thinking? Does anybody have a similar experience?

 

[theseeker4]

That makes sense... At the same time, I think I could do well in the SMP cuz my fiancée graduated and works as a nurse now, so I might not have to work as much as a did in undergrad while going to school. Burnout was a big factor in my grades being a little subpar in some instances. By senior year, I was able to do pretty well despite working near full time, but I think I will do much better if I can work less. Is that just wishful thinking? Does anybody have a similar experience?

The problem is, if you are wrong and you do have a rough start, you basically kill your chances of getting into any MD school, period, and significantly hurt your DO chances at the same time. That is a big, and expensive, risk to take. It is also a risk not needed considering your GPA is not so low that you can't get in anywhere. Ask yourself if you really want to be a physician.....if the answer is yes, apply MD and DO, and if you get in somewhere, congratulations! you will be a doctor!

Post bach classes are classes toward something...they are classes toward getting into med school. If it makes you feel better about it, take classes toward another degree, and simply don't complete that degree if you get into med school.

 

[Tipp]

The problem is, if you are wrong and you do have a rough start, you basically kill your chances of getting into any MD school, period, and significantly hurt your DO chances at the same time. That is a big, and expensive, risk to take. It is also a risk not needed considering your GPA is not so low that you can't get in anywhere. Ask yourself if you really want to be a physician.....if the answer is yes, apply MD and DO, and if you get in somewhere, congratulations! you will be a doctor!

Post bach classes are classes toward something...they are classes toward getting into med school. If it makes you feel better about it, take classes toward another degree, and simply don't complete that degree if you get into med school.

Good points. I gotta think about this one lol