Just getting started - Need Advice

[Reptar26]

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Hi All - Like most on here, I'm looking for some advice.

Here's my sob story: I am a 26 year old that graduated college in 2011 with a BS in Biology/minor in Chemistry. I finished school with a 3.1 GPA. My grades were poor my freshman year but slowly improved into my senior year. I had gone the pre-med route, but never really took it seriously. My dream has always been to attend medical school. However, my low GPA and lack of MCAT studying, I never even bothered following through.

After graduating college, I went on to pursue a MS in Biology. It did not go well. Personal issues along with no direction and stress from amounting debt from a private school that would give me a degree I had no idea what I would do with caused me to withdraw from several classes over my two semesters and eventually take a leave of absence from school at the end of the first year. I think it is important to note that even though my GPA was below a 3.0, I took a leave of absence and was not kicked out of the program.

After 5 months of no school and unemployment, I landed a full-time job in a lab. I was able to return to graduate school on the company's dime and pursue an MS in Chemistry form a decent private university. I am 3 classes/9 credits in to a program that requires 33 credits for the degree. I have a 4.0 graduate GPA. I have also developed a passion for Chemistry and love learning about it and applying it.

The only problem is, it's not what I want. I started college with the intention of becoming an MD. I want to fulfill that dream. Is this dumb? After I blew it in graduate school the first time around, I had given up all hope. Even now I look back 3 years later and think I'll never get in. But I would like to at least know I tried. I am willing to give up a promising career to complete this goal.

My plan is this: Study for the MCAT and shoot for one of the April exams. Maybe push it out a little if I am not ready/do poorly on practices. I have a strong background in Chemistry which can only be helpful. I believe I can get strong recommendations. I work with some PhDs that I can ask and I'm sure one or two of the professors from my current graduate program would be willing to write one.

Another issue is clinical experience. I had completed an EMT-B course in 2010 and was very briefly volunteering. It was painfully boring and at a poorly ran volunteer ambulance company that consistently cancelled its tours. I was forced to give it up as the unreliability of the schedule and time commitment got in the way of my senior year at school. I have a few doctor connections I could explore, but should I maybe wait for the summer when grad school will be on break and the MCAT will hopefully be out of the way? Please keep in mind that I am also working full time through all of this.

I have a feeling some responses will come through saying finish grad school and revisit this. I will not complete my degree for a while yet due to factors I cannot control. Is it frowned upon to apply as a continuing graduate student? Do I have a shot of applying to the upcoming application cycle or would waiting until next year be beneficial? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[DrMikeP]

Do some serious reading on SDN!!!! I've seen 100's post very similar questions about stats. Not sure of your science/BCPM gpa, but I'm guessing it isn't great and lower than your overall.

MD schools like high gpas and don't accept retakes. DO schools will accept retakes. Many DO schools want a science gpa higher than 3.2'ish and many MD schools often won't even look at you without a 3.5+ on first try. So figure out what you want to be and if you'd be happy as a DO (which is similar to an MD but different and depending on who you talk to better/worse/the same). IMO a DO is better, but I'm biased.

That said, Yes, it would be possible with a high enough/near perfect MCAT, as there is always that 3 in 50,000 exception. However, there are also ~60% of applicants who don't make it in that are not the exception. Many have similar or better stats but don't get in. So do some research and figure out what you need/want to make your dream come true. The biggest mistake I've seen is, nontraditional people go "is it possible?" yet don't do what it takes to make themselves competitive and consider med school application like a hail Mary pass. Don't apply until you are competitive, don't rush into applying, and don't think that taking another year or two to improve your chances will hurt you, or you likely just add one more hurdle of a failed med school application. Finishing grad school might actually be the best path, but just be aware that grad school gpa might not do a thing for your core science classes with poor grades.

Best of Luck

 

[GreenDuck12]

DrMikeP gave a really good summary above. It sounds as though you are looking to apply to medical schools in the near future as your are planning on sitting for MCAT in the Spring/Summer. This is problematic as there are many aspects of your application that are not yet ready for the gauntlet of medical school admissions councils. First and foremost, a 3.1 GPA is far below the low end for allopathic and below the low end of osteopathic medical schools. Additionally, the lack of recent volunteer work/clinical/shadowing experience won't get you very far. Applicants with average to above average stats have trouble matriculating without this component. Medical school admissions are extremely competitive (and also expensive). It is in your best interest to apply when you have the strongest application possible. Research osteopathic medicine and grade replacement policies. Search the forums for low GPA recovery.

 

[futuremdforme]

If you apply this year, I think it will come off as a last minute effort, versus a well thought out, deliberate decision. Your GPA is too low, and you don't have the activities showing that you understand what working with sick people will be like. You can look at the stats for GPA/MCAT acceptances, then consider that basically everyone accepted also has volunteering and clinical experience too... then gauge how competitive you will be regardless of your MCAT.

To clarify on MD schools not counting, they consider every grade, so an A in a class you previously got a C in is worth the same as an A in a brand new class. There are lots of previous posts about this that will be useful for you too. 🙂