I'm new here... do I count? (also... HELP!)

[Rahl22]

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Hi all. I'm not even entirely sure what non-trad means, but I think I might be one.

Here's my deal:

I'm 24 and just graduated with a M.S. in Medical Physics (radiation therapy). I just started a job working as a research assistant in the physics department of the hospital's cancer center and will be doing it for the next three years while I work on my PhD in Biomedical Physics (emphasis in image-guided radiation therapy). I will probably have two or three publications by the time I'm out of there.

My B.S. is in Physics. GPA: 3.14. BCMP GPA: 3.00.
M.S. GPA: 3.67

I'm taking my prereqs (bio2, orgo 1 &2, biochem, genetics, biostats) as a PhD student and, of course, plan to get all As. Even so, my cumulative GPA will be low. Maybe 3.3.

I've also started studying for the MCAT (I plan to take it August of 07 or April 08).

I've started volunteering at a hospice, at the humane society, and some more hospital clinical stuff two hours each, per week. I have teaching experience, tutoring experience.

I will be applying to MD progss the summer of 08, so I'll be 26 then. 27 by matriculation (with luck!).

Will I count as non-trad?

Also, if you have any advice, I'd appreciate it. My weak point (assuming I do well on the MCAT) is my undergrad GPA. Is it surrmountable? And, how do I start deciding on schools, and are there books or something that you used to help you with this whole application process?

Thanks.

 

[Law2Doc]

Hi all. I'm not even entirely sure what non-trad means, but I think I might be one.

Here's my deal:

I'm 24 and just graduated with a M.S. in Medical Physics (radiation therapy). I just started a job working as a research assistant in the physics department of the hospital's cancer center and will be doing it for the next three years while I work on my PhD in Biomedical Physics (emphasis in image-guided radiation therapy). I will probably have two or three publications by the time I'm out of there.

My B.S. is in Physics. GPA: 3.14. BCMP GPA: 3.00.
M.S. GPA: 3.67

I'm taking my prereqs (bio2, orgo 1 &2, biochem, genetics, biostats) as a PhD student and, of course, plan to get all As. Even so, my cumulative GPA will be low. Maybe 3.3.

I've also started studying for the MCAT (I plan to take it August of 07 or April 08).

I've started volunteering at a hospice, at the humane society, and some more hospital clinical stuff two hours each, per week. I have teaching experience, tutoring experience.

I will be applying to MD progss the summer of 08, so I'll be 26 then. 27 by matriculation (with luck!).

Will I count as non-trad?

Also, if you have any advice, I'd appreciate it. My weak point (assuming I do well on the MCAT) is my undergrad GPA. Is it surrmountable? And, how do I start deciding on schools, and are there books or something that you used to help you with this whole application process?

Thanks.

Yes you're a nontrad. Bring your GPA up as high as you can, and do well on the MCAT, and you should have a shot. Just plan on applying to a wide range of places.

 

[relentless11]

Since you already have a graduate degree, you are already considered a non-trad. Traditional applicants are those that do not apply after undergrad.

Yes, your GPA would be a weak point in the grand scheme of things. Be advised that some schools also screen both GPA and MCAT. For the most part, the cut-offs are like 3.0-3.2 for undergrad GPA, and a 24-26 for the MCAT. You do not have a large margin of error in terms of your GPA.

Your PhD, and MS will look good, but may not make up for your less than average undergrad GPA. Your MCAT score and performance in pre-req coursework will be key. I would aim for a 34-36 on the MCAT, if not higher. Lastly, you will need to time your application very well. Some schools may require written proof of when you will finish your PhD. For one of the PhD students in my lab, the med schools requested that our master advisor submit a written statement saying that he would complete his PhD on XXXX. Without it, the med schools refused to grant an interview or secondaries, and ultimately he did not get in.

Personally, i'd just focus on getting straight A's, rather than predicting what you will get. That is never a fruitful endeavor. We all know that we should strive to get as many A's as possible and an MCAT higher than 30. Since your GPA is less than stellar, I would say an MCAT higher than 34 as stated earlier. Good luck!

 

[NonTradMed]

You are definitely a nontrad. Your undergrad GPA is your only sore spot if you do well on your MCAT. I suggest taking a few undergrad coursds to bring it up, and whatever you do, make sure to do well now in your classes.

 

[Truth_seeker]

Here's my deal:

I'm 24 and just graduated with a M.S. in Medical Physics (radiation therapy). I just started a job working as a research assistant in the physics department of the hospital's cancer center and will be doing it for the next three years while I work on my PhD in Biomedical Physics (emphasis in image-guided radiation therapy). I will probably have two or three publications by the time I'm out of there.

My B.S. is in Physics. GPA: 3.14. BCMP GPA: 3.00.
M.S. GPA: 3.67

I'm taking my prereqs (bio2, orgo 1 &2, biochem, genetics, biostats) as a PhD student and, of course, plan to get all As. Even so, my cumulative GPA will be low. Maybe 3.3.

I've also started studying for the MCAT (I plan to take it August of 07 or April 08).

I've started volunteering at a hospice, at the humane society, and some more hospital clinical stuff two hours each, per week. I have teaching experience, tutoring experience.

I will be applying to MD progss the summer of 08, so I'll be 26 then. 27 by matriculation (with luck!).

Will I count as non-trad?

Also, if you have any advice, I'd appreciate it. My weak point (assuming I do well on the MCAT) is my undergrad GPA. Is it surrmountable? And, how do I start deciding on schools, and are there books or something that you used to help you with this whole application process?

Thanks.

Yeah, you're definitely a non-trad in the sense that you're older than a typical undergrad to med school student. I think you will have a very competitive application. As for the GPA, it won't help but I don't think it will hurt you in the end. As for deciding on schools, I'd recommend going to aamc.org and ordering the MSAR. It's a compilation of all allopathic schools in the US and Canada. It's a huge statistic manual with very good info. for pre-med students on how to get in, how to apply, what schools are looking for, etc. I'll be applying in '07 as well. SDN is a good place for supplemental advice. The biggest piece of advice that I've heard is to demonstrate an upward curve in your most recent grades to demonstrate you have a capable understanding and can handle a potential load in med. school. Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[Rahl22]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Now excuse me while I go back to my organic chem.

 

[Sporky]

It's high time someone around here heeded Mark Twain: "It is strange the way the ignorant and inexperienced so often and so undeservedly succeed when the informed and the experienced fail."

You have already done something that 99% of the world's population will never do - achieve a graduate education, and in the sciences at that.

Don't sell yourself short. On the other hand, I wouldn't run around telling everyone how easy becoming a doctor will be, because it is apparently, extremely difficult. I say apparently, because I am only applying this year and have not yet run the gamut.

"Many different variables have been used in an attempt to predict performance in medical school, residency, and practice. The extensive literature on this subject has been reviewed and evaluated. Admission to medical school should not be based solely on grade point average and Medical College Admission Test scores because these offer no measure of extremely important noncognitive attributes. Although performance in the preclinical years is predicted by the grade point average and Medical College Admission Test scores, no such correlation exists for achievements in the clinical years, for postgraduate training, or as physicians."


(Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research. (362):72-77, May 1999.
Reede, Joan Y. MD, MPH, MS )

 

[tdkneo]

for example, what if i have below the standard gpa but excel way above the average for the MCAT, would that actually help out?