Masters vs Post-bacc linked to med school

[664628]

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So I'm current sitting on three waitlists (1MD 2DO). In the event I don't get in this cycle I'd like to be prepared. I graduated UG 4/2013, so I've been out of school for 2 years now, working in the medical field.
This was my first cycle applying, but I'm worried that if I need to reapply schools will frown upon such a large educational gap. I may have screwed myself over by applying to top-heavy schools(and less than 10) with average stats: cGPA 3.5 sGPA 3.2 MCAT 29 (9ps,10v,10bs), and all the other boxes checked.

Thoughts? Should I just apply more broadly next time round and hope I do better than 3 waitlists? Or should/do I need to complete some graduate work? (due to low sGPA and or gap)

I've been accepted to a 1yr masters in biology program at a private institution that is tailored for people to improve credentials to go to med/dental/pharm school. They say ~80% placement rate. Nice thing about this is that it's literally up the street from me so to attend I wouldn't need to uproot my life for one year.

I'm worried, however, that this won't be as effective as doing a post-bacc or masters at a med school specifically. I'm from PA so examples are LECOM, PCOM, TCMC, Drexel. I know there isn't guaranteed admission even if you perform well, but do you get brownie points, so to speak?

And even if I attend any sort of graduate program, should I apply again in the summer for this upcoming cycle, simply mentioning that I will be attending grad school? I won't have any grades until December, but I could send in an update then?

Pretty disheartened at this point. Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SOOyC52H1Sof]

I'm just curious, how many schools did you apply to?

 

[Goro]

This sounds like a good program, but really, your stats are fine for any DO school. Your problem might be your interview skills.

Suggest applying more broadly to DO schools next year.

I've been accepted to a 1yr masters in biology program at a private institution that is tailored for people to improve credentials to go to med/dental/pharm school. They say ~80% placement rate. Nice thing about this is that it's literally up the street from me so to attend I wouldn't need to uproot my life for one year.

I'm worried, however, that this won't be as effective as doing a post-bacc or masters at a med school specifically. I'm from PA so examples are LECOM, PCOM, TCMC, Drexel. I know there isn't guaranteed admission even if you perform well, but do you get brownie points, so to speak?

And even if I attend any sort of graduate program, should I apply again in the summer for this upcoming cycle, simply mentioning that I will be attending grad school? I won't have any grades until December, but I could send in an update then?

Pretty disheartened at this point. Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated.[/QUOTE]

 

[664628]

I'm just curious, how many schools did you apply to?

Nine DO programs, two MD (state schools)

Money was a big factor. Living pay check to pay check, hard to just drop a few grand on apps.

 

[664628]

If I understand correctly, you are looking at the following

1 ) a private master in Bio designed to enhance grades that is not associate/linked to any medical school. It is essentially positioning itself as a post-bacc graduate level but with no linkage so not really an SMP. If you go this route, I would complete it before reapplying as you would have improved grades and show the ability to be committed and complete a program. But this would be least direct impact on medical school admissions

2) SMP (ie masters with linkage). While not guaranteed, it would be more directly geared to medical school admissions and would accomplish both grades and commitment as in #1 .

Neither of the above however do a direct impact to uGPA, therefore

3) post-bacc: repeating some of those courses you had less than stellar grades in would allow for grade replacement in a DO app. taking 2 to 4 science course you got a C in and making them A would have huge impact on GPA. This may be the most effective path in time, money and impact. I would consider this before the other two if, for nothing else, cost

I talked to admissions at one of the schools and they said although that would help, they would rather see a full program, showing that I can perform well with a heavy course load. Maybe it's just that school specifically, maybe retaking those classes would be enough, but I wouldn't really want to be in the situation where I do that, it doesn't work, and I'm out of school for yet another year, which would not look good. (I think)

 

[Malcolm X]

Goro said your stats are fine for DO
Just reapply broadly... Find a way to save the $ to make it happen

Why go into debt pursuing degrees that will help you, yes, but you are already strong enough of a candidate

 

[664628]

So you don't think such a large gap is an issue? Also, when schools ask what I've done to improve since I last applied what would I tell them? Yes, I can always volunteer and shadow more, or get clinical experience (though I have ~4000 hours already) but I'm not sure that will be enough, at least for the schools I would be reapplying to.

When it comes to interview skills, I've been reviewed by mock interviewers and gotten good marks, and also complimented at the actual interviews by one or two. But, still, you may be right, and I will certainly work on those skills as well!


Also, thanks to everyone for the responses. I truly appreciate your help.

This sounds like a good program, but really, your stats are fine for any DO school. Your problem might be your interview skills.

Suggest applying more broadly to DO schools next year.

I've been accepted to a 1yr masters in biology program at a private institution that is tailored for people to improve credentials to go to med/dental/pharm school. They say ~80% placement rate. Nice thing about this is that it's literally up the street from me so to attend I wouldn't need to uproot my life for one year.

I'm worried, however, that this won't be as effective as doing a post-bacc or masters at a med school specifically. I'm from PA so examples are LECOM, PCOM, TCMC, Drexel. I know there isn't guaranteed admission even if you perform well, but do you get brownie points, so to speak?

And even if I attend any sort of graduate program, should I apply again in the summer for this upcoming cycle, simply mentioning that I will be attending grad school? I won't have any grades until December, but I could send in an update then?

Pretty disheartened at this point. Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated.

[/QUOTE]