Need Advice - 3rd Round Applicant

[SDP1005]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I am applying to medical school for the third time this year and am wondering how to boost my credentials. I currently employed in Atlanta at the CDC. I know I want to be a doctor so that is not the question. The question is how do I get into a US school? Below I have listed my credentials. Any advice would be appreciated.

Undergrad GPA 3.1
Undergrad Science 3.0
Graduate MPH GPA 3.9
MCAT 31
I have also worked in public health for over five years. I worked as an Americorps volunteer on a reservation and currently work as a fellow in international HIV at CDC-Atlanta (past two years).

I welcome any advice especially now that I have been rejected twice and feeling pretty discouraged.

 

[genswim24]

I was in a very similar boat to you, with a little higher undergrad GPA. You pretty much have two options now if you want to get into medical school. The first is to take more undergraduate classes to boost up that GPA. Although your MPH grades are very good, they don't help very much in the eyes of ADCOM's because it is not a hard science and graduate grades are thought to be inflated. If you are willing to go the DO route, I would retake the classes that you did not do as well in. If you are really set on MD programs, then you will need to take more upper level sciences classes. In either case, you need to get as close to a 4.0 as you can. This process will take a couple of years because it is not easy to raise your GPA once you have graduated.

The other option, the one that I did, was to do a SMP (special masters program). This is normally a one year program where you take the same classes (with same professors) as the first year med students. In this program it is vital you do very well, becuase if you don't your chances of a medical school acceptance are almost zero. It is pretty much a do-or-die program. However, if you do well you are rewarded greatly. I just finished the application cycle after finishing an SMP and I had more interviews/acceptances than I ever could have imagined.

It's not an easy decision and there are benefits to both. It ultimately comes down to which path you feel more comfortable in.

 

[sarahl86]

Unfortunately, you didn't pursue a master's in something more "hard science" and adcoms assume that its generally easier to get a high GPA in graduate programs...had I had your GPA I would have done an SMP or retaken courses to boost the UG GPA. Having an MPH is a definite plus but is hardly enough for adcoms to overlook your grades from undergrad 🙁 You are very strong in research and volunteer/leadership experiences.

With that MCAT score (which is the same as mine), I am entertaining the idea of a re-take but am 95% sure I won't go through with it because I'm not shooting for top-tier schools. My situation is a lot different from yours though because I had a high UG GPA...you may want to consider a retake if you study and consistently score at least 3-4 points higher on practice tests.

A lot of this depends on the schools you applied to as well: if you overshot it or applied late, then that is the reason why you don't have an acceptance. I would think you could easily get into a DO school with your current credentials and would still be a doctor.

 

[fahimaz7]

Did you apply to MCG or Mercer? Did you do EDP? Do you continue to have exposure to patients? Keep applying and make sure you talk about how you have improved, become focused, and matured into a good candidate.

 

[SDP1005]

Thanks for the feeback. I applied to Mercer and MCG but applied in the later part of the fall, so I think that might have hurt me. Do any of know about SMP in GA?

I do have contact with HIV patients overseas but I mostly work in prevention with high risk groups at a population level. Maybe I should focus on that when writing my personal statement.

 

[glamqueen]

Pick either MCG or Mercer (whichever you feel is the best fit for you and you for them) and apply EDP this year. Both schools have track records of taking a good chunk from EDP, and it is often much harder for good candidates to have as equal of a shot in regular. I know it is different from the rest of the country's schools, but this is the way it works in GA. Good luck this next cycle. Get all of your stuff in EARLY and EDP somewhere!

 

[SDP1005]

Do medical schools count my international experience and experience with underserved populations. If so, should I put more focus in my application on that? Should I retake the courses I did poorly in or try for an SMP program? Thanks.

 

[genswim24]

Do medical schools count my international experience and experience with underserved populations. If so, should I put more focus in my application on that? Should I retake the courses I did poorly in or try for an SMP program? Thanks.

Yes to the first question, they will count that as an extra-curricular activity. It's tough to say if you should focus on them, it would depend on how you could talk about those activities in your personal statement.

I would only retake classes if you are going to apply DO, or got a C- or D in some of your classes. You will need higher grades anyways if these are pre-reqs.

If those kinds of grades are not a problem, then i think you should apply to an SMP. They are usually designed for people with a good MCAT score and lower grades. You fit that category pretty well. Although you will probably have a difficult time getting into the Georgetown or Cincinnati SMP at this point, there are other good schools that you will be competitive at.

I also agree with what the other's said about the EDP though. It wouldn't be a bad idea to apply to either MCG or Mercer while improving your application in the ways that have been mentioned. If you don't get in you wouldn't have wasted too much time/money b/c it was only one school.

 

[fahimaz7]

Do medical schools count my international experience and experience with underserved populations. If so, should I put more focus in my application on that? Should I retake the courses I did poorly in or try for an SMP program? Thanks.

I think you have a better chance of getting in to MCG than you do at Mercer. The reason behind my logic is your "international experience" might not fit with their mission to keep doctors from Georgia, in Georgia, with no exceptions.

Personally, I would not retake classes that you did in undergrad. What I would do is get a job at MCG and use their "tuition assistance program" to take a few graduate level science classes on campus. By doing this, you won't have to pay for your education, you'll show commitment to the school, as well as a continuation of your education to show your desire to "learn".

I would also set up a meeting with Dr. Young to see what the problem might be.

PS. Did you get an interview at either GA school? Is DO an option for you?

 

[SDP1005]

I am looking into the PCOM-GA Biomed cert program. Is this helpful for getting into MD programs or DO programs. The reason I like this is because I still work full-time at a great job and they have evening classes.

 

[dragonfly99]

Your undergrad GPA is the problem. Take steps to raise it. Alternatively, just go to a DO school or one of the top 2-3 in the Caribbean, or somewhere like Ireland. I am pretty sure you could get in now.

 

[fahimaz7]

Bio-Med certification? Either work on your GPA or take steps to get you in at a school. Also, not applying EDP killed you last year.

 

[SDP1005]

I am definitely going to apply EDP this year, but I need advice on raising my GPA. I am getting mixed advice, 1) that I should retake classes I did poorly in; 2) I enter a SMP program.

What I have planned:
I am retaking two of the classes I did poorly in as an undegrad this summer.
I was also wondering if doing the PCOM SMP program would also help raise my GPA as well. I can't quiet my job to take classes full-time but was hoping to enter the PCOM SMP program because it is offered in the evenings. Also no other GA school offers and SMP program that I know of.

Thanks for all the great feedback.

 

[gman33]

I am definitely going to apply EDP this year, but I need advice on raising my GPA. I am getting mixed advice, 1) that I should retake classes I did poorly in; 2) I enter a SMP program.

What I have planned:
I am retaking two of the classes I did poorly in as an undegrad this summer.
I was also wondering if doing the PCOM SMP program would also help raise my GPA as well. I can't quiet my job to take classes full-time but was hoping to enter the PCOM SMP program because it is offered in the evenings. Also no other GA school offers and SMP program that I know of.

Thanks for all the great feedback.

Where are you applying EDP? With your UG numbers, you have very little chance at an EDP acceptance. These programs are for outstanding students who just want to commit to one school. They are not a way around poor stats.

In my opinion, you have a ton of work to do before MD schools would be a realistic option. I'd say 1-2 years UG work + a SMP.
With that in mind I'd focus on DO schools. Retake your lowest grades first and boost that GPA. Do this for 1 year and reapply. If it's still not good enough, do it for another year and reapply.
I think 1 year of retakes should put you in good shape.

My feeling is that MD/DO makes little difference. A poor UG gpa is very hard to overcome for allo schools. Getting from 3.0 -> 3.5 will take a whole other degree at 4.0. The problem in 3.5 is still below average.

 

[rkaz]

Your undergrad GPA is the problem. Take steps to raise it. Alternatively, just go to a DO school or one of the top 2-3 in the Caribbean, or somewhere like Ireland. I am pretty sure you could get in now.

If the OP applies broadly to DO schools, there may be a chance of an acceptance. However, don't assume that the OP's GPA would be sufficient for DO schools. Current average stats are about 3.5 overall GPA, 3.3-3.4 science GPA, and about 26-27 MCAT (then there are schools like UMDNJ who have reportedly taken students this year with an average 3.6 GPA, 30 MCAT). Some schools may still have averages of 3.3-3.4 GPA and 24-25 MCAT but the statistics are on the rise. I just wanted to say this, because I don't want applicants to wrongly assume they are a shoo-in for DO schools with a 3.0 GPA. People like that who have gotten in are the exceptions. Although the OP has a solid MCAT score, it would be presumptious to expect to automatically be accepted to a DO school with a near 3.0 GPA. It's definitely NOT a given.

If the OP is sincere about wanting to apply to DO programs, the best way to do that would be to get that science GPA up either by doing an SMP or by just retaking a few classes with C's or below.

The Caribbean is definitely an option, but from everyone I've talked to on this issue, I think it would be worth waiting to see if the OP couldn't get into a DO school first. (I also very recently had acceptances at both Caribbean MD and USDO schools, and was strongly encouraged by both DO and Caribbean students to take the DO route.)

 

[glamqueen]

As a fellow Georgian - for those who aren't from our state - EDP here works a little differently than it does in other places in the country. You can get in EDP with a bit lower stats. The two schools that do EDP both have this consideration in place. The OP should still consider EDP to either one of our schools that do the program. If you want MD - it's definitely your best shot over regular. In fact, those with higher stats are usually turned away during regular as opposed to EDP. For those responding to the OP from out-of-state - I realize this doesn't make sense, and it probably doesn't work like this in other states - but GA is weird. For MD - the other GA posters and I stand firm in our advice to EDP. It's the OP's best shot unless they want to go DO, which obviously doesn't have EDP.

 

[beckhunter116]

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I have a quick question about EDP in GA. Can you apply EDP at MCG even if you are taking classes this summer? Thanks.

 

[gman33]

I'll admit I have no specific knowledge of EDP at the GA schools.
The best advice I can give regarding EDP in any state is to contact the school before you apply EDP. Usually they will give you a pretty good idea of what they are looking for. I applied EDP and my school was very helpful in the process.

If you get some specifics from the school please post the info.

 

[fahimaz7]

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I have a quick question about EDP in GA. Can you apply EDP at MCG even if you are taking classes this summer? Thanks.

You can apply EDP even if you don't graduate until the July before matriculation.

 

[SDP1005]

Thanks. I know I have to get my GPA up and the Biomed Cert at PCOM is the only SMP I could find in Georgia. The classes are with DO students. I am planning on retaking some of the classes I did poorly in as well. If you all have any other suggestions on raising my GPA please let me know.

 

[glamqueen]

I would definitely consider just taking additional undergrad classes at Ga State or somewhere like that. The SMP isn't going to raise your undergrad GPA - it's going to be a graduate GPA, which doesn't count on your average that AMCAS calculates. Forget doing a formal program. Just sign up for additional science classes in the upper levels at a local university and apply EDP to one of the two schools that do it. I will be attending Mercer in the fall, so feel free to PM me if you have questions about that program. There are MCG students who come on this board also - so feel free to post there, or come on your GA thread that hangs out in pre-allo and ask your questions there. A SMP is a waste at this point for you (in my opinion). You just need to flood your GPA with more undergrad A's this summer, which will look great to adcoms when you apply this summer.

 

[rkaz]

I also feel a SMP is not necessary. I have a future classmate with nearly identical stats as you (31 MCAT/3.1 science GPA/3.3 overall GPA). He applied to US MD schools, DO schools, and 2 foreign schools (SGU and Ross). He didn't get accepted to any of the US MD schools nor SGU - but got accepted to 2 DO schools and Ross. He decided that DO schools were a much safer bet than going foreign and is matriculating at a DO school (AZCOM) this year.

I'd say apply early this year, like in June. Apply WIDELY to as many DO schools as possible. (Contrary to the ideas posted on this thread, your stats are not at all high for DO schools, so it's important to apply widely to maximize chances of an acceptance. I say this as someone who applied to both MD and DO schools this last cycle.) You may also want to add in a couple of MD schools just in case (such as your in-state MD programs). I don't think foreign MD schools are a great idea, but you may want to throw 1-2 foreign schools into the mix just in case (like SGU, and perhaps Ross). When you get secondaries, submit them immediately.

After sending your applications out, spend fall semester taking upper level science courses as a university (not community college, if it can be avoided). (Also if you have any science grades of 'C' or lower from your undergraduate courses, it is important to re-take those classes, as DO schools will take the newer grade.) You may have an acceptance before the end of the fall semester, but if not, after your fall grades come out (hopefully they are all A's or as close to that as possible), update your grades with the schools that you applied to and are still waiting to hear back from.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[SDP1005]

Thanks everyone for the great insight. I have already enrolled in classes for the summer session both upper level courses and retakes of courses I did poorly in. Thanks.