Need some cold-hearted guidance

[Darth_Savage]

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Hello SDN, I've always just been a lurker but since I've decided it was time to start trying to get into medical school again, I figured I'd look for some insight here.

Here is basically where I stand:

I have a 3.529 cGPA with a 3.208 sGPA.
I took the MCAT over 2 years ago and got a 496.
I have over 200 hours of clinical volunteering
I have over 200 hours of non-clinical volunteering
I have over 1,000 hours of research experience
I've got over 300 clinical shadowing experiences (including multiple specialties).
I was a leader in 1 of my organizations, I was involved in 3 total (Pre-med, a leadership organization, and a volunteering organization)

My GPA has had an interesting journey. I started with a 3.2 and climbed all the way to a 3.7ish. Unfortunately, I had some stuff going back home (Mexico) that really set my family and I back. This took a toll on my grades, and I plummeted down to a 3.529.

My MCAT is disgraceful. I'm ashamed of it, but it is what it is. My junior year I tried to squeeze it in to be able to apply that year, and obviously back fired on me pretty harshly. Then, the whole family stuff occurred and I haven't retaken it. I plan to get much better prepared for it and hopefully achieve a 510+.

Here is my dilemma.

Things have finally cooled off, and I am ready to get back into attempting to get myself into medical school. I know it is April, but is it feasible to squeeze in an application this year? Hear me out

When I tried to apply for my junior year, I had everything ready. I had my PS, my LORS, resume, etc etc. I basically have everything that I could possibly need except my MCAT score. My LORS writers have all accepted to resend the letters should I need them this year, and my resume has been updated. The only problem is that I would have to take my MCAT on June 16th. This means that my application will be completed at earliest July 16th.

So tell me, should I attempt to get my application through for this incoming cycle, or should I take another gap year?

 

[bananafish94]

I would recommend taking another gap year. As you said, you need to do much better on the MCAT, and you want to make sure you are giving yourself enough time to do so. You don't want to rush your application; it will only hurt you!

 

[curbsideconsult]

I agree with bananafish; another gap year can only help you. However, you may be able to apply this year and get a few IIs depending on a couple of things.

What is your non-clinical volunteering? Have you kept up with volunteering in general?

What was your senior year GPA?

 

[Darth_Savage]

My Non-clinical volunteering involves a humane society shelter that I volunteered throughout the years for. It also includes ESL tutoring of elementary kids, and volunteering at a nursing home. I haven't been able to keep up with volunteering because of the problems that have arisen back home. I have done some here and there, but not so much.

My senior GPA was a 3.2... I definitely could have done better but I was quite depressed/anxious because of the things happening back home.

 

[curbsideconsult]

In that case, I gotta side with bananafish completely. You don't want a bell-shaped curve for your GPA. During your gap year (or two) you probably need to take a few upper level science courses and do very well in them to show that you can do the work.

You also need to re-up your volunteering hours.

Additionally, are you sure the problems back home have subsided? If those problems were making undergrad difficult for you, they will make med school even more difficult for you.

 

[Darth_Savage]

What courses should I take? Should they be classes I made C's on, or just any upper level science will suffice? Also, in your honest opinion, do you think I still have a chance at an MD/DO school? I'd apply in Texas if that helps any.

I can definitely work on the volunteering hours as things have died down so I have more free time.

They've subsided as far as I can tell. There'll always be difficulties but the last couple years have been pretty rough. It's died down substantially and I can finally go back to my own life.

 

[Ribonucleic Acid]

If you get your MCAT up you'd have a good chance at DO schools, in my opinion.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[curbsideconsult]

No need to bother with retaking classes you got C's and above in. Any upper level in bio/chem/phys/etc. will do. And you probably need to take a few.

Unfortunately, I can't really guide you regarding chances, those are best reserved for Faha or Goro when you get your MCAT score. But based on what I've read through SDN, I don't think you have a good shot at any med school in TX even if you're instate.

 

[Alejandro]

To me, when you described something about 'fitting it in' barely and things going not to plan, to me that doesn't sound like the mindset of a good doctor. That's what you do when something is crashing in front of you and you have to do whatever you can. Applying to medical school isn't that. People take year(s) off. You study for the MCAT. You volunteer more. You get more life experiences. To me, when I interview applicants and discuss with the admissions committee, those are one of the easiest ways that I can convince an adcom to not accept someone. You have SDN, the MSAR, other premeds who are going in straight ahead to learn from, and to optimize your application. I wouldn't want my doctor rushing my non-urgent case in the operating room...would you let a surgeon do that to your parents? (Besides, your GPA isn't like a 3.9 and the ONLY thing holding you back is your MCAT)...the GPA is not a rule out but is on the lower end of the accepted spectrum.

All in all, take your time. If you had LIFE happen to you, take care of those problems. Med school isn't going anywhere. It will always be there when you're ready. Since you haven't been to med school yet, I can tell you that I've had classmates who are 30+ years old, some even having kids. I think you at LEAST havea few years to sort out whatever you need, and to optimize your application from here on forwrad. I did the same thing that you described and fell flat on my face. And it was just more work at the end of the day with more wasted time.

Lastly, agree with @bananafish94 and @curbsideconsult : they have put down good advice. go with upper div classes, and do well on them. I wouldn't retake.

 

[Nedsson]

Many great thoughts on this thread! I agree completely that you need to prove yourself with some additional work. I'd think in your case you need more than just a couple courses to show that you are over past difficulties. If you are willing to do the work, I think you'd be a good fit for a special masters program at a medical school. You'd be demonstrating aptitude, working on content that would help in med school, and could prep to retake MCAT.