Need Assistance please

[qwerty4550]

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First of all, let me tell you a little bit about my situation. I made the mistake of applying to medical school this past September. I have a 3.0 sGPA and a 3.2 cGPA with a 24M MCAT score. Horrible I know. I am currently studying for the MCAT again and have gotten into a couple post-baccalaureate programs at CSU East Bay, SFSU, and the M.A. in BMS program at Midwestern University in AZ. I am still waiting to hear from other schools, but I may jump on the opportunity to attend Midwestern. My deposit is due in less than 2 weeks 😱.

My question for you guys has to do with the fact that I do not want another gap year since the programs I have applied to are 1 year programs. I know that I need to reapply this coming cycle for medical school. However, none of my stats have changed other than additional medical experience. I am planning on submitting my AMCAS and AACOMAS applications as soon as they open and having my MCAT and future grades pending on the application. Do you think that admissions officers from medical schools will even look at my application being that my MCAT score will not be updated until August or September?

In a perfect world allowing for another gap year would be ideal, however, as of right now that is not in the equation. Does anybody have any thoughts, opinions, advice on what I should do? Would an increased MCAT score and pending grades give me a better shot at acceptance? Thank you!

 

[OBGG27]

I think you need the gap year. I was in nearly the exact same boat. I almost applied the year of doing my post-bacc, but I got advice from adcoms to wait until I was done and had grades. It definitely made all the difference for me (see mdapps). And it's not so bad waiting another year. Plus, when you do get ready to apply early, everything else will also be available to the schools (MCAT, new post-bacc GPA, etc.) I think your new scores and grades getting to the schools late is essentially the same as sending a complete application at that same time. Hope it helps...good luck!

 

[qwerty4550]

I think you need the gap year. I was in nearly the exact same boat. I almost applied the year of doing my post-bacc, but I got advice from adcoms to wait until I was done and had grades. It definitely made all the difference for me (see mdapps). And it's not so bad waiting another year. Plus, when you do get ready to apply early, everything else will also be available to the schools (MCAT, new post-bacc GPA, etc.) I think your new scores and grades getting to the schools late is essentially the same as sending a complete application at that same time. Hope it helps...good luck!

Thank you for the response OBGG27! I feel that a gap year would be beneficial to me in that respect, however, I really do not want another year of trying to find a medically related position. I need to make the time to contact the admissions offices of schools I was rejected from and ask for their opinion as well.

So with my current GPA and a 30+ on the MCAT, with my app being complete once the MCAT is scored (August), would I still not stand a chance in getting in? The current cycle I applied to about 15 MD and DO programs and have been an alternate at a few schools, but rejected at others. I want to make sure I am looked at more seriously the next cycle I decide to apply.

Does anybody else want to chime in and give me their input? It would be much appreciated.

 

[D Boon]

contact the admissions offices of schools I was rejected from and ask for their opinion as well.

I had a similar GPA and MCAT after undergrad. I decided to do a 1 yr master's and retook the MCAT the summer before I started and got a ~30. I was accepted to an allopathic school while I was in the program, so what you are thinking about doing can be done without a gap year.

That being said, they wanted to see my fall semester grades first. I've also heard that some schools only accept masters students after a full year of grades, so that's something to keep in mind.

 

[qwerty4550]

I had a similar GPA and MCAT after undergrad. I decided to do a 1 yr master's and retook the MCAT the summer before I started and got a ~30. I was accepted to an allopathic school while I was in the program, so what you are thinking about doing can be done without a gap year.

That being said, they wanted to see my fall semester grades first. I've also heard that some schools only accept masters students after a full year of grades, so that's something to keep in mind.

Awesome. Congrats on getting into medical school! It is nice to know that other's are in the same shoes that I am in. What month did you take your MCAT the summer before the master's program? I am planning on re-taking the test in the middle of July so I can have my official scores in the middle of August.

If you don't mind me asking, what master's program did you get into Boon?

 

[qwerty4550]

Also, am I correct in thinking that the earlier I take the MCAT the better? Obviously I will not take in until I am ready, but I am pushing for a July testing date so my application does not look pretty much identical to last year's cycle for too long other than ECs and lab work. Is this the right mindset to have? Thanks!

 

[lpmarcus010]

First of all, let me tell you a little bit about my situation. I made the mistake of applying to medical school this past September. I have a 3.0 sGPA and a 3.2 cGPA with a 24M MCAT score. Horrible I know. I am currently studying for the MCAT again and have gotten into a couple post-baccalaureate programs at CSU East Bay, SFSU, and the M.A. in BMS program at Midwestern University in AZ. I am still waiting to hear from other schools, but I may jump on the opportunity to attend Midwestern. My deposit is due in less than 2 weeks 😱.

My question for you guys has to do with the fact that I do not want another gap year since the programs I have applied to are 1 year programs. I know that I need to reapply this coming cycle for medical school. However, none of my stats have changed other than additional medical experience. I am planning on submitting my AMCAS and AACOMAS applications as soon as they open and having my MCAT and future grades pending on the application. Do you think that admissions officers from medical schools will even look at my application being that my MCAT score will not be updated until August or September?

In a perfect world allowing for another gap year would be ideal, however, as of right now that is not in the equation. Does anybody have any thoughts, opinions, advice on what I should do? Would an increased MCAT score and pending grades give me a better shot at acceptance? Thank you!

My advice is: do not be so hard on yourself. Those stats are better than most people could ever hope to attain, so just keep on trudging towards your goal. You can easily improve your MCAT with lots of practice and repetition, and you can improve your academic record by doing a one-year program. If your goal is to become a physician, then you will take any path necessary to get there (MD, DO, Foreign School). In the end, you will still be in the same career as those with 4.0's and 40+ on the MCAT.

 

[qwerty4550]

My advice is: do not be so hard on yourself. Those stats are better than most people could ever hope to attain, so just keep on trudging towards your goal. You can easily improve your MCAT with lots of practice and repetition, and you can improve your academic record by doing a one-year program. If your goal is to become a physician, then you will take any path necessary to get there (MD, DO, Foreign School). In the end, you will still be in the same career as those with 4.0's and 40+ on the MCAT.

Thank you for the encouraging words. We all learn from our mistakes. I now know what I must do in order to become a physician and realize that it is not a race to see how fast one can get through. I want to take my time and make sure I do things right, which is why I am leaning towards applying next cycle after I have a year of post-bacc or Masters grades under my belt as well as an improved MCAT score.

I am currently working full-time as a microbiologist and have been trying to study for the MCAT as well, but find it hard to devote the time needed to studying. Which is why I feel it may be beneficial to push an MCAT retake to next cycle. Any thoughts on this?