Need advice what I should be doing...

[ephemeralsun]

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Here are my stats:
3.11 cGPA
3.15 sGPA
36Q MCAT

My ECs:
1yr Biopharmaceutical Sales
3yrs tutor
I have 1 year of research
Multiple years of heavy volunteering
Almost 1.5 years volunteering and shadowing in the ER (around 200hrs)
0.5 years as health educator and volunteer coordinator

Currently I have interviewed and am waitlisted at one school. If accepted I will definitely go. However, just in case I need to reapply I want to do everything I can to prepare for the next cycle... but I am uncertain what to do.

I think my greatest weakness is my GPA, so I'm considering an SMP... post bacc is out of the question as it would take multiple years to even make a dent in my GPA (I have too many credits already). I am unsure if I have enough clinical experience as the latter EC's are all I have (though I only applied with 0.5 years of clinical experience in the ER). I also realized that my personal statement, though well written (as said by my prof. and peers), was inconsistent with my experiences and my motivation for medicine... and that caused a schism between who I was through my activities and who I was in my statement.

I have a clearer picture of who I am now and why medicine, but I am not sure about going to an SMP, or volunteering, or working, and would very much appreciate any advice... on a personal note, I am also a nontraditional applicant who is also disadvantaged but "not" URM. So, please... help?

 

[dragonfly99]

You need to do something to fix the academics. The 36 MCAT doesn't entirely make up for the crappy GPA. The GPA is pretty lousy, to be honest. It makes it look like you either lucked out on the MCAT, or you weren't serious about your classes as an undergrad, or that you lack the capacity to focus and buckle down and work (higher MCAT suggests you can think but the low grades make the adcom worry that you won't be able to stomach the work in med school).

I'm honestly not sure about all these special programs. I think if you are going to shell out the money, at least go somewhere where they almost guarantee you a spot in med school if you do well. Otherwise, try just taking classes on your own for a year (start this summer term with 1 or 2, then 1 or 2 per semester next year) and try reapplying to med school before the MCAT expires (either this summer or in 1 year).

 

[ephemeralsun]

Yea, I was thinking the same thing about the grades. I'm not sure how to handle them and I was thinking an SMP would be good for "getting to the point" per se, presuming I perform well. I want to mention that I have already taken 8 classes this past year and I received all A's, which led me to the conclusion that a post-bacc would not really help.

Thanks for the quick advice! Is there anything else I should consider?

 

[drizzt3117]

I'd apply to SMPs now, and go if you don't get in this cycle. The one Id do would be Tulane, which guarantees you a spot in their next class if you beat the med student mean. It's also inexpensive and only eligible to students who have had been waitlisted at med schools.