Need some realistic advice

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First off, let me say that I am one of those students that does well in classes that I don't feel pressured in, and tend to do only average (compared to the students in the class) in classes that I do feel pressured. Sadly, because pre-med classes are so competitive, I constantly feel the pressure of out-competing everyone else and it hinders my performance on the tests. I'm the epitome of that kid who will work really really hard and know all the material that will be tested, but then end up doing poorly on the exam because I get so much anxiety about the consequences of not doing well. However I feel that once I am in med school, I won't feel as much pressure as I do now because I will at least feel that I accomplished getting in. So I feel I can do about average once I am in.

Well with that aside, let me give you my stats. I am currently a senior that will be graduating in May 09. My single desire is to go to an MD school here in the US.

I attend a FL 4-yr university and I am a dual degree student so once I graduate in May I will have the following:

B.S. with bio major and chem minor
B.A. with psych major and religious studies minor

cGPA: ~3.4 (currently, should be 3.45-3.5 at end)
sGPA: ~3.15 (also currently, should be 3.2-3.25)
Total Credits: ~160 upon grad
MCAT: April 09

-3+ yrs of neuroscience research
-2nd author on two publications, 4th author on two others, and a couple acknowledgments
-Some awards for neuroscience talks and poster presentations etc.
-all the typical campus involvement stuff and some extra (premed clubs, exec positions, AMSA, campus leadership positions, etc.)
-LOR: 2 bio, 1 religion, 1 research, 1 psych, 1 from pres. of school
-Volunteering: Hospice for a little while, typical hospital volunteering, shadowed a doctor for a little, Habitat, and campus stuff

So as you can see I have already decided to take a year off since I am a senior and not applying right now. I am not really interested in DO schools and I understand that my MCAT score will be a huge determining factor and because of this, I am EXTREMELY worried about not doing well enough, nonetheless, I will try my best and if I had to estimate, I would say 25-29 range (hopefully better but I am giving my most realistic range).

What should I do with my year off that will give me the greatest boost in getting accepted. I don't have the option of post-bac since I already have soooo many credits and therefore it wouldn't do much. Is SMP a good idea? if not what else?

Thanks for all the help.

 

[sling787]

I really don't think an MD is possible. I completely understand where you're coming from, but the only way to guage how well you learn the material is by being examed and school grades.

I think that if you trully want an American M.D, then you need to bust your balls studying for the MCAT, aim for a 37+ and if you get interviews explain to them that you are better than what your grades show.

Awesome extracurriculars though. And if you really want to be a doctor you can take the Carribean route, or retake classes and get into American D.O.

 

[Mobius1985]

I do think acceptance to an MD school is possible, considering you live in Florida where there are lots of med schools, if you can get an MCAT score of 32-33. This is more likely if you have a recent upward trend in your sciences, as that BCPM GPA is very low. Other ameliorating factors might be an interest in rural medicine (supported by shadowing/experience in a rural area), URM status, first one in the family to go to college. Your strong research background will likely help you, as would a substantive leadership experience. I hope your cumulative community service is also on the meaty side.

Getting an SMP is an idea, but you need a good MCAT score to get into one.

**Heads up** If you think there will be no pressure in med school, you're fooling yourself. I go to a school with pass/fail grades, and there is still pressure. If you have test-taking anxiety, consider meeting with a mental health professional to discuss ways of managing this problem. Adcomms won't want to take a chance on someone using this excuse as they are invested in accepting folks with a high chance of successfully completing the program, which includes standardized tests.

 

[Siverhideo1985]

I would guess that if you don't do well in classes where you constantly feel pressured, an SMP will not do you any good. These programs are supposed to mimic the first year of medical school and from my personal experience, the classes are very tough (of course this depends on the SMP you go to, but in general) (they are also doable!).

On the other hand you might be able to get some training/counseling (from your current school at the career center or student affairs office) how to handle stress/pressure in classes and get some tips about how to do well in standardized tests.

I know you said that you want MD but give DO a second thought as well. The programs are just as good and except for a few (very selective) specialties you will enjoy the same priviliges (and respect) as an MD

I think your stats are low, but I still think on paper that you look like a great candidate. Especially since you have extensive research (publications and all), and you majored & minored in 4 different areas.

Kick ass on the MCAT, think about SMPs really hard, apply early (next round for MD and DO) and consider DO (if for nothing else but safety/backup schools).

Best of luck!

P.S.: PM me if you have more specific Qs about SMP, I did mine at Loyola Chicago.

 

[NPEMTIV]

I think the two posts above are dead on. An SMP is a good option especially considering with two degrees your credit hours are going to be way too many for any additional undergraduate work to help. If you can knock down a solid MCAT then you have a shot. If you can get past the initial what's the gpa? what's the MCAT? screening then things become a little more of a crap shoot. I know some people who did a SMP and did well, but as mentioned above SMPs are no joke and you'd need to get the pressure management under control before you went.

As for DO schools I love it and I would urge you not to discredit our programs. If you want to be a Plastic Surgeon you might have trouble getting into that residency (there aren't any ACOGME PS Residencies), but for most all other fields you can get it either through ACGME or ACOGME post-graduate training. It's up to you in the end and if MD is what fits for you then I'd say look SMP. It's a long road, but you'll get there. Just stay the course. Good luck.

 

[slider888]

Thanks for some of the input.

I'm really determined to do well on the April mcat since I know that it will be the only thing that can really save my app.

I am going to send out a few SMP applications just to see if any of them accept me first and then decided weather or not it is a good choice for me. If I don't end up doing the SMP (partially due to choice and partially due to my financial situation), I will most likely end up taking a full time lab tech job at my research facility and do some more clinical volunteering on the weekends, and if absolutely needed, retake the mcat.

I will be applying this year to mostly low tier MD schools and some DO schools that fall into my range depending on my mcat score. But since I am really determined on an MD school, even if I don't get in this app cycle, I may take yet another year off to boost my app some more and really reallllly consider taking the SMP since it would be my only saving grace.

In the end, I don't mind if it takes 3-4 years for me to get into an MD school because that is how bad I want it. The only problem is that I have to fully support myself financially. So going to school without working (which is what SMP would force me to do) while taking out loans will increase my debt before I even get into med school. So if I could somehow boost my app while still being able to have some form of income, it would be best.

Anyone else who has some more input please post it to let me know. Thanks.

 

[slider888]

anymore input guys?

 

[virusgirl]

I guess I would just reiterate what's already been said. Your biggest problem, in the sense that it will continue to hinder you even once you get in, is your tendency to panic on difficult exams and not perform well. Siver was absolutely right -- you need to meet with someone who will help you to work through your anxiety so that you can perform well, because unfortunately, undergrad classes are not the end of your testing adventures! You have the MCAT, med school exams, the boards, etc... The good news is that excessive nerves is absolutely something that you can rectify!

Also, really, really, really consider DO schools. I totally get where you're coming from in terms of your preference to do MD -- I applied to both, have only gotten into DO so far, and I'm already tired of explaining to people that yes, I'll be a real doctor and no, it's not the same as a chiropractor. BUT, once you're actually IN med school, you will no longer be in an environment where you need to explain yourself. Truly, once you're a doctor in a residency, no one cares that you're a DO! So please reconsider, because if you have to choose between being a DO and being no doctor at all, wouldn't you rather be a DO?