MD NonTraditional, Lowish Undergrad GPA, Very Lofty Goals

[MostBeautifulRubyRed]

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[Optimist Prime]

I'm definitely not the most educated person on this forum, but after lurking for some time I have a good idea what the more experienced people would say. So far you have a ton of IF's on your application so it really is hard to give you an answer. IF you manage a 4.0 post bacc and a high mcat (31+) you have a chance at MD's especially ones that reward reinvention. However all of this is too early to really say until you've done post bacc, taken the mcat, and gotten more hours of volunteer/shadowing done.

 

[MostBeautifulRubyRed]

I'm definitely not the most educated person on this forum, but after lurking for some time I have a good idea what the more experienced people would say. So far you have a ton of IF's on your application so it really is hard to give you an answer. IF you manage a 4.0 post bacc and a high mcat (31+) you have a chance at MD's especially ones that reward reinvention. However all of this is too early to really say until you've done post bacc, taken the mcat, and gotten more hours of volunteer/shadowing done.

Thanks very much for your reply!

Like I said, I'd rather go into advice with 'ifs' than with 'should haves'! =)

Edit: Also, setting my 'ifs' at some possible point that I could be capable of allows me with at least a baseline. Even in equations we have to assume junk is in a vacuum to get some semblance of order in things. That's all I'm looking for. Obviously no one in the forum will be able to give me anything exact or anywhere near it; however, if I can understand the baseline I can make the necessary adjustments to correct what is needed to achieve a level that I feel is attainable. I'm certainly capable, given the right motivation. Had I made any adjustments in undergrad (instead of becoming depressed with my family's illnesses), I wouldn't need to be worrying about this now.

 

[Goro]

Post-bac programs/SMPs are a dime-a-dozen. The ones I recommend the most are those given at a med school, where they're the back door into that school.

So do your homework, pick one that's not too expensive and in a place you wouldn't mind living in for a year, and apply. You'll need to ace it and MCAT for MD schools. I can't recommend a two-year program because there are plenty of one-year programs out there.

 

[MostBeautifulRubyRed]

Post-bac programs/SMPs are a dime-a-dozen. The ones I recommend the most are those given at a med school, where they're the back door into that school.

So do your homework, pick one that's not too expensive and in a place you wouldn't mind living in for a year, and apply. You'll need to ace it and MCAT for MD schools. I can't recommend a two-year program because there are plenty of one-year programs out there.

I am already in a program, which I believe is quite good.

 

[aesklepi]

Post-bac programs/SMPs are a dime-a-dozen. The ones I recommend the most are those given at a med school, where they're the back door into that school.

So do your homework, pick one that's not too expensive and in a place you wouldn't mind living in for a year, and apply. You'll need to ace it and MCAT for MD schools. I can't recommend a two-year program because there are plenty of one-year programs out there.

Which med schools have a 1 year "back door" program? And, is this a viable option for someone who applied, but didn't get accepted to medical schools?

 

[Akewataru]

Post-bac programs/SMPs are a dime-a-dozen. The ones I recommend the most are those given at a med school, where they're the back door into that school.

Do you mean a linkage program that if you meet this certain criteria in the program you are guaranteed acceptance into their medical school?

I was looking at UNC-Chapel Hill's MED program which is sponsored by the School of Medicine and Dentistry. According to the website, it's a nine week intensive program that mimics the first semester of medical/dental school. It's specifically for disadvantaged students who have lacked opportunities in the past to demonstrate their readiness for professional school. Would you call this a "back door" program if say UNC-Chapel Hill was my dream school?

 

[Goro]

Those are the best. The next best is one that guarantees you an interview. Lastly, even without the previous two, the Faculty teaching in the SMP know you and can vouch for you. That's like getting a very powerful ally.

Do you mean a linkage program that if you meet this certain criteria in the program you are guaranteed acceptance into their medical school?

I was looking at UNC-Chapel Hill's MED program which is sponsored by the School of Medicine and Dentistry. According to the website, it's a nine week intensive program that mimics the first semester of medical/dental school. It's specifically for disadvantaged students who have lacked opportunities in the past to demonstrate their readiness for professional school. Would you call this a "back door" program if say UNC-Chapel Hill was my dream school?

 

[Akewataru]

Those are the best. The next best is one that guarantees you an interview. Lastly, even without the previous two, the Faculty teaching in the SMP know you and can vouch for you. That's like getting a very powerful ally.

Thank you Goro! Hopefully you'll still be lurking about when I write my own "What Are My Chances" post in two years. Hopefully, I will have been accepted to UNC-Chapel Hill's MED program at that point.