I'm a bit late to the game.. what can I do?

[batmanlight]

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So I come from Hunter college in NY and my cumulative GPA is a 3.6 and my science GPA will be around 3.2 by the time I finish with the pre reqs. I decided pretty late in the game that I want to go to medical school and the reason for such a poor GPA in the sciences is because of a C in calc in my freshman year, and a B- in chem, the rest are B+'s and A's. I know this is HORRIBLY low and when I went to my advisor, she didn't even want to look at me, let alone give me any advice- she told me I would be a waste of an applicant and dont bother, and if I really wanted, to maybe try an SMP. So my question is as follows- if I finish my science pre reqs (which are just physics 2 and both orgos) by the end of spring '14, 1) when should I be taking the MCATs and 2) will an SMP help that much to boost my GPA up into a competitive range? is it worth it? which SMPs are good around the NY area and will I even get into them?? Has anyone ever gone through something similar and have any advice? I took a PreMCAT already and received a 29 without taking physics 2 and orgo.

 

[goodkarma]

So I come from Hunter college in NY and my cumulative GPA is a 3.6 and my science GPA will be around 3.2 by the time I finish with the pre reqs. I decided pretty late in the game that I want to go to medical school and the reason for such a poor GPA in the sciences is because of a C in calc in my freshman year, and a B- in chem, the rest are B+'s and A's. I know this is HORRIBLY low and when I went to my advisor, she didn't even want to look at me, let alone give me any advice- she told me I would be a waste of an applicant and dont bother, and if I really wanted, to maybe try an SMP. So my question is as follows- if I finish my science pre reqs (which are just physics 2 and both orgos) by the end of spring '14, 1) when should I be taking the MCATs and 2) will an SMP help that much to boost my GPA up into a competitive range? is it worth it? which SMPs are good around the NY area and will I even get into them?? Has anyone ever gone through something similar and have any advice? I took a PreMCAT already and received a 29 without taking physics 2 and orgo.

I can't speak to SMPs, but I can speak to awful pre-health advisors. I have a similar story, decided late in undergraduate to commit to medicine (MD/PhD actually), relatively low GPA. All throughout undergraduate, my pre-health advisor told me I had 0 chance of acceptance. It wasn't until senior year when I actually had to start meeting with her to make sure my composite letter was sent that I actually started advocating for myself. It's common for pre-health advisors to actually encourage less competitive applicants to drop pre-med so that they have less people to help along their way (Kaplan actually states this in their resource "Get Into Med School").

Anyways, every time I spoke to her, I (nicely) reminded her of all of my ECs, research experience, fellowships, etc. I became strong in my commitment to pursue my path and wouldn't allow her to convince me otherwise. She told me straight up that she had no idea why I was applying to MD/PhD's, and that I probably had no chance at MD, let alone those super competitive programs. However, the pre-health committee as a whole gave me a score of "very competitive". Go figure.

Your GPA is not bad, though your science GPA could use some work. Mine is actually lower and I've had 3 MD/PhD and 1 MD interview so far. Don't let anyone burst your bubble if this is what you want. Also, respectfully advocate for yourself to your pre-health advisor.

EDIT: Forgot to address MCAT. I'd say have at least Orgo 1 under your belt when you take it. Maybe Physics II depending on your physics curriculum. It really depends when you want to apply to med school. If you're applying Fall '14, then Summer '14 is an acceptable time to take the test. If you want to make yourself more competitive, a gap year doing something health or research related will help you (that's what I'm doing).

 

[aspiring20]

ignore your premed adviser. you overall GPA is good, you haven't taken the MCAT yet, and i assume that there are still years left in your undergrad to raise your science GPA?

 

[aspiring20]

I can't speak to SMPs, but I can speak to awful pre-health advisors. I have a similar story, decided late in undergraduate to commit to medicine (MD/PhD actually), relatively low GPA. All throughout undergraduate, my pre-health advisor told me I had 0 chance of acceptance. It wasn't until senior year when I actually had to start meeting with her to make sure my composite letter was sent that I actually started advocating for myself. It's common for pre-health advisors to actually encourage less competitive applicants to drop pre-med so that they have less people to help along their way (Kaplan actually states this in their resource "Get Into Med School").

Anyways, every time I spoke to her, I (nicely) reminded her of all of my ECs, research experience, fellowships, etc. I became strong in my commitment to pursue my path and wouldn't allow her to convince me otherwise. She told me straight up that she had no idea why I was applying to MD/PhD's, and that I probably had no chance at MD, let alone those super competitive programs. However, the pre-health committee as a whole gave me a score of "very competitive". Go figure.

Your GPA is not bad, though your science GPA could use some work. Mine is actually lower and I've had 3 MD/PhD and 1 MD interview so far. Don't let anyone burst your bubble if this is what you want. Also, respectfully advocate for yourself to your pre-health advisor.

EDIT: Forgot to address MCAT. I'd say have at least Orgo 1 under your belt when you take it. Maybe Physics II depending on your physics curriculum. It really depends when you want to apply to med school. If you're applying Fall '14, then Summer '14 is an acceptable time to take the test. If you want to make yourself more competitive, a gap year doing something health or research related will help you (that's what I'm doing).

^this

 

[RegisBioMedMS]

You sound like a good potential post-bacc candidate to me. One year of really intensive science courses would prove your dedication and give you the confidence to get beyond that underdog feeling. You wouldn't accept one doctor's opinion as conclusive, or only get one contractor's estimate to paint your house, why would you only take one advisor's opinion about your career potential?