Not sure what to do...

[bajohns2]

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Hi folks,

I am a recent graduate with my MS in Biology.

I have been wanting to become a doctor pretty much my entire life, but I've had a lot of ridiculous, traumatic, and absurd obstacles thrown in my path that have lead me to where I am now (not that where I am is bad), but the economy sucks so much I can't find a job. I've been searching for 3 months and can't manage to find a technician job that pays more than $10 an hour....freaking ridiculous. I feel like I have a useless degree.

I had become really burnt out of school after graduating in August. I wished to re-take my MCAT after BOMBING it last year, but I just didn't have the heart, soul and time to prepare for it.

So here I am feeling like a loser- I live in Orlando,FL - and UCF is opening up their med school with free tuition for 4 years for the class of 2009. This is an opportunity of a lifetime and I feel like I've just pooped it all away. I feel like a great advocate for their med school, I know a lot about the progress of it and I really would like to be a member of that charter class (even if the tuition was not free).

So my question is - Should I apply?

Problems are:
Late in the cycle (really late)
No good MCAT score - will retake in January and submit it

Cons:
Lots of shadowing and volunteer experience
Lots of extracurricular activities
Amazing recommendations
4.0 Graduate GPA
Published thesis work in Journal of Biology

Or should I wait until next cycle, get a bomb MCAT score but rack up more student loans....ugh🙁

 

[DrMidlife]

I wouldn't apply now. Don't "should" on yourself, this just wasn't meant to be. Florida obviously is a vibrant state for public medical schools, but you might want to think about moving to another state that has a better job market and also has good public med schools.

Your grad GPA is terrific, but unfortunately you'll be evaluated on your unstated-therefore-assumed-unimpressive undergrad numbers, and on your MCAT.

The application year is emotionally excruciating, unless you truly have all your ducks in a row.

To get your ducks in a row, in priority order:
1. Do whatever you can to improve your undergrad GPA. Get a 2nd bachelors, or just take more classes, or do a structured program if you are eligible. When you've maxed out your undergrad GPA, then you can think about a medical masters program. My metric for minimum GPAs are 3.4 for MD, 3.0 for DO, assuming a redemptive MCAT score.
2. Undergrad GPA, see above.
3. Undergrad GPA, see above.
4. Undergrad GPA, see above.
5. Undergrad GPA, see above.
6. Get a 30+ MCAT score.
7. Other than a long-term volunteer gig, don't even consider other ECs until all of the above are in the bag.
8. Have every app asset in hand by May of your application year. This means LORs on the way, impressive ECs, professionally reviewed PS and mock interviews, transcripts ready to order.
9. Apply on the first day the app opens.

I recommend all of the above whether you're looking at MD or DO.

Best of luck to you.

 

[bajohns2]

Undergrad GPA 3.2. Science GPA 3.8.

I know.....but there is a reason for it, as I'm sure everyone has a reason.

There is no question in my mind I will make a 30+ on the MCAT. I have been studying since mid-september and plan on continuing to do so until I am certain that another $200 does not go down the toilet.

I think Orlando is a good place for jobs in the future. Right now they are transitioning - especially with this med school going into effect, and I think a ton of research positions will open with its establishment. Problem is...I'm broke, student loan repayments suck, and I'm going crazy thinking about having to go back to BARTENDING to make more than I am able to make with a Master's degree. I have been offered a position at a college as an instructor but it doesn't start 'till january...forgive me I am ****ing frustrated.

I would not mind going back and doing a post-bac, problem being, I am broke. Anymore loans beyond what I am going to have to rack up for med school is just going to be unbelievably absurd. Going to a very expensive private school for undergrad might have been a mistake. Don't get me wrong, Tulane was a blast, but man.....UF would have me about 30K less out of debt.

What do you think about that undergrad GPA - still go back to school?

 

[DrMidlife]

3.2/3.8 is a totally different animal; sorry I underestimated you. You're in the ballpark with the 3.2, the 3.8 is great insurance, and the higher your MCAT score the closer you'll get to golden.

So make sure to round out your package: get great clinical experience (teaching is also a great EC), start working NOW on LORs from science and non-science faculty, and buy the MSAR in April.

Hopefully UCF will get funded for another year of scholarships...

 

[bajohns2]

I see you are in FL as well. Going to NOVA?

Heard its a great DO program. Did you think about applying to UCF?

You know what REALLY gets me - I kept my FL residency while I was in school at UNC so that I could have an upper hand at applying to UCF this year. It just kills me that I am not going to be applying...could have saved me like 10 grand. *vomit*

Just another bump in the road I suppose. Its beginning to get really long and unnecessarily bumpy though.

 

[French MD]

You got great stats, get your mcat in the decent range and you will get into a DO or MD. If its what you want then nothing else in life will do.

 

[DrMidlife]

You know what REALLY gets me - I kept my FL residency while I was in school at UNC so that I could have an upper hand at applying to UCF this year. It just kills me that I am not going to be applying...could have saved me like 10 grand. *vomit*

Gotta let it go. One thing to consider is that the obstacles presented to any first-ever class, on scholarship or not, are HUGE. Let folks break the school in for you.

 

[bajohns2]

You're right. I had to deal with challenges like that in my grad program - it being fairly new, and they are even more frustrating than not getting a job.

Perhaps the fiery anger I have towards the job market will be perfect ammunition for pursing medical school full force 😀