Med School Chance

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Hong Ji

Hong Ji

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I am currently a pharmacy resident at a hospital and planning to re-apply to medical school. During my undergraduate studies, I had a 3.47 overall GPA and later achieved a 3.9 GPA in pharmacy school. I've been involved in several research projects, resulting in one publication, and I have extensive experience and volunteer hours in the healthcare field. In undergrad, I earned A’s in general and organic chemistry, physics, general biology, and English courses. However, due to financial hardships during COVID, I received a few B’s and C’s in courses like anatomy, genetics, microbiology, and biochemistry, which affected my GPA. I plan to study for the MCAT soon, but I’m concerned that my undergraduate GPA might hinder my chances of being accepted into medical school, despite my background and pharmacy experience. Can anybody give me some advice or have any thoughts on this?
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Your undergraduate GPA is fine for all DO schools and some MD schools. Your MCAT score will determine which schools you can apply to. 500+ will be adequate for some DO schools and 508+ for some MD schools.
 
Faha said:
Your undergraduate GPA is fine for all DO schools and some MD schools. Your MCAT score will determine which schools you can apply to. 500+ will be adequate for some DO schools and 508+ for some MD schools.
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This encourages me a lot. Thank you!
 
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Hong Ji said:
I am currently a pharmacy resident at a hospital and planning to re-apply to medical school. During my undergraduate studies, I had a 3.47 overall GPA and later achieved a 3.9 GPA in pharmacy school. I've been involved in several research projects, resulting in one publication, and I have extensive experience and volunteer hours in the healthcare field. In undergrad, I earned A’s in general and organic chemistry, physics, general biology, and English courses. However, due to financial hardships during COVID, I received a few B’s and C’s in courses like anatomy, genetics, microbiology, and biochemistry, which affected my GPA. I plan to study for the MCAT soon, but I’m concerned that my undergraduate GPA might hinder my chances of being accepted into medical school, despite my background and pharmacy experience. Can anybody give me some advice or have any thoughts on this?
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You should be ok for DO with your GPA, but you should aim for an MCAT of 502+.

Chances for MD will be low given you bad grades in upper science courses, but an MCAT score 512+ will put you in the running.
 
Hong Ji said:
During my undergraduate studies, I had a 3.47 overall GPA and later achieved a 3.9 GPA in pharmacy school.
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DO schools average your graduate grades when considering academic prowess.
Generally, MD schools do not.
 
Hong Ji said:
I am currently a pharmacy resident at a hospital and planning to re-apply to medical school. During my undergraduate studies, I had a 3.47 overall GPA and later achieved a 3.9 GPA in pharmacy school. I've been involved in several research projects, resulting in one publication, and I have extensive experience and volunteer hours in the healthcare field. In undergrad, I earned A’s in general and organic chemistry, physics, general biology, and English courses. However, due to financial hardships during COVID, I received a few B’s and C’s in courses like anatomy, genetics, microbiology, and biochemistry, which affected my GPA. I plan to study for the MCAT soon, but I’m concerned that my undergraduate GPA might hinder my chances of being accepted into medical school, despite my background and pharmacy experience. Can anybody give me some advice or have any thoughts on this?
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Impossible to answer without an MCAT score.

Why do you want to leave Pharmacy?
 
Goro said:
Impossible to answer without an MCAT score.

Why do you want to leave Pharmacy?
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Pharmacy is a great career except retail pharmacy, and I’ve gained valuable experience from it so far. However, after some time, I realized that I wanted to take on a more comprehensive role in patient care—one where I can diagnose and treat a wider variety of conditions, rather than focusing solely on medication therapy. I’m looking for more hands-on involvement with patients, rather than spending most of my day behind a computer. While pharmacy has given me expertise in managing medications, medicine would allow me to engage more deeply in areas like diagnostics, physical exams, and making broader treatment decisions. On top of that, I’ve thought a lot about the impact I could have in healthcare leadership. Physicians often have more opportunities to step into leadership roles and influence healthcare decisions on a larger scale, which is something I’m passionate about pursuing. On a personal level, I just feel like it’s the right move for me. While pharmacy has given me a strong foundation, I think medicine aligns more with my long-term aspirations and the kind of fulfillment I’m seeking.
 
Hi @Goro , Thank you for all the valuable information you have posted. I want to check my school list with you. I have 3.54 cgpa and 3.42 sgpa from undergrad and 3.79 from postbacc. My MCAT is 500. Planning to apply to below DO schools. I am Pennsylvania native. Please let me know your thoughts.

Alabama college of Osteopathic Medicine

Arkansan college of Osteopathic Medicine

Lake Erie college of Osteopathic Medicine

Nova Southeastern college of Osteopathic Medicine

University Pikeville-Kentucky college of Osteopathic Medicine

University of New England college of Osteopathic Medicine

University of Incarnate college of Osteopathic Medicine

Pacific Northwest University college of Osteopathic Medicine

West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Edward Via college of Osteopathic Medicine

New York Instituate of Technology college of Osteopathic Medicine

A.I. Still college of Osteopathic Medicine

Arizona college of Osteopathic Medicine

California Health Sciences University college of Osteopathic Medicine

Rocky Vista college of Osteopathic Medicine

Morehouse college of Medicine

Philadelphia college of Osteopathic Medicine

Rowan university college of Osteopathic Medicine

Touro college of Osteopathic Medicine
 
Goro said:
Unless you're african-american, delete morehouse.

Delete Pacific northwest, because they like people from that area.

Add all VCOMS, CUSOM, MUCOM, NYITCOM.AR
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Thank you so much !! Do you think I can add MD school to the list, I know it is a long shot
 
MCAT is 500 and state of residency is Pennsylvania and ORM.
 
I agree with everyone, but remember your pharmacy GPA stated as 3.9 is helpful but not going to supplant the question: why are you switching from pharmacy? Have you talked to your residency director about a letter of recommendation about being a physician instead of a pharmacist? (I see your post describing why, so is this thinking supported by your RD?)

Have you investigated medical affairs or being a MSL? Many medical students and doctors try to jump into that space along with so many other pharmacists who feel similarly to you. The difference is that the med students and doctors seem frustrated that they can't do what you claim they can do: step into leadership roles and influence healthcare decisions on a larger scale. In fact, pharmacists are leaders in medical affairs too.
 
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