Improving Chances/Year Off

[amplyprovidedfo]

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Hey guys,

I'm going to be senior this fall. Just trying to figure out what I'm doing with my life.
I am definitely taking a year off. I just need a little help figuring out what I should do during that time to increase my chances. I am just wondering what you guys recommend to increase my chances for both MD/DO schools. I will be applying next round.
Right now, I have a 3.0 cGPA and 2.9 sGPA. I'm going to try to get those a bit higher by the end of senior year. But if I do end up doing well, the best outcome would be around 3.29 cGPA and 3.2 sGPA. I go to UC Berkeley and have extracurriculars/research/job.

I'm taking the MCAT in August. Any advice there would also be appreciated.

I am looking into one year master's programs. I'm thinking either that or a MPH somewhere I can finish in 1 year. Any other recommendations? Any help will be super appreciated. Thanks!

Cheers.

 

[RSum]

Hey guys,

I'm going to be senior this fall. Just trying to figure out what I'm doing with my life.
I am definitely taking a year off. I just need a little help figuring out what I should do during that time to increase my chances. I am just wondering what you guys recommend to increase my chances for both MD/DO schools. I will be applying next round.
Right now, I have a 3.0 cGPA and 2.9 sGPA. I'm going to try to get those a bit higher by the end of senior year. But if I do end up doing well, the best outcome would be around 3.29 cGPA and 3.2 sGPA. I go to UC Berkeley and have extracurriculars/research/job.

I'm taking the MCAT in August. Any advice there would also be appreciated.

I am looking into one year master's programs. I'm thinking either that or a MPH somewhere I can finish in 1 year. Any other recommendations? Any help will be super appreciated. Thanks!

Cheers.

I got some questions. How has your gpa been in the past couple semesters because admission committees like to see that upward trend, for example, starting off poorly but finishing the past two years with solid 3.6+ semesters, if that makes sense?

Still, the GPA is rather low for MD schools but who knows, I don't know how extensive your extracurriculars, etc were or if you have strong connections with some schools (trust me, that helps A LOT). If not, maybe you should work a little bit or take a 1 year Master's to strengthen your experience and GROW AS A PERSON not just a student. I emphasize this because I know some people who are so damn antsy to get into med school, I don't think they really stopped and appreciated other areas in life such as working, volunteering or doing absolutely anything you're passionate for (for me it's sports, teaching and dancing, yes an interesting mix) and at the same time, figure out WHY YOU REALLY WANT TO BE A DOCTOR. This will be your fuel to your fire to do all the hard time consuming things you may need to get into medical school and while in medical school of course.

I don't really know if I answered your question but hopefully you somewhat understand my insight. This is a grueling sacrifice but with amazing rewards. Sometimes the most important part is just figuring out, why the hell you want to do something like this. 🙂 Also, try to send in your primary beforehand so you don't have too late of an application

 

[amplyprovidedfo]

I got some questions. How has your gpa been in the past couple semesters because admission committees like to see that upward trend, for example, starting off poorly but finishing the past two years with solid 3.6+ semesters, if that makes sense?

Still, the GPA is rather low for MD schools but who knows, I don't know how extensive your extracurriculars, etc were or if you have strong connections with some schools (trust me, that helps A LOT). If not, maybe you should work a little bit or take a 1 year Master's to strengthen your experience and GROW AS A PERSON not just a student. I emphasize this because I know some people who are so damn antsy to get into med school, I don't think they really stopped and appreciated other areas in life such as working, volunteering or doing absolutely anything you're passionate for (for me it's sports, teaching and dancing, yes an interesting mix) and at the same time, figure out WHY YOU REALLY WANT TO BE A DOCTOR. This will be your fuel to your fire to do all the hard time consuming things you may need to get into medical school and while in medical school of course.

I don't really know if I answered your question but hopefully you somewhat understand my insight. This is a grueling sacrifice but with amazing rewards. Sometimes the most important part is just figuring out, why the hell you want to do something like this. 🙂 Also, try to send in your primary beforehand so you don't have too late of an application

To answer your questions:
GPA, it's been pretty consistent, not trending upwards :/ hopefully that will change after my senior year, however. It's going to have to.
Thanks a loooooooooooooot for the help and the thoughtful answer. I really appreciate it. I'm just afraid now that I'm going to have to take two years off. I know you said to take all the time I can to grow but I was hoping on applying next round. I don't know how I can up my stats by that time. Should I take the two years off? I don't mind going to a MD or DO. Would my stats be okay for a DO? Should I just apply next cycle and hope for a DO or take my time?
If you or anyone else has any recommendations, please feel free to respond.

Thanks!

 

[Jamie561]

You need to do an SMP. No other graduate degree will salvage your GPA

Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using Tapatalk

 

[amplyprovidedfo]

You need to do an SMP. No other graduate degree will salvage your GPA

Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using Tapatalk

SPM or post bacc? Thanks!

 

[411309]

are you interested in DO?

 

[amplyprovidedfo]

are you interested in DO?

So here's the thing. I don't mind. I don't know what I want at the moment. Either I can graduate next Spring and apply/go to Caribbean Schools starting next Fall. Or wait and apply in a year and hope for a US MD/DO.
I don't know how to decide what I want to do. Do I want to jump in immediately and attend Caribb. Schools? Is it worth it? Or do I wait, improve my app, and apply to DO/MD programs?
I'm soooooooooooo confused because I know in the end I want to be a doctor. But I don't know how I want to get there.

tl;dr: Yes lol