Not sure where I fit in...

[greenerd]

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Hi,

I applied to med school (MD) this year with no success, and am interested in pursuing post-bacc options. I graduated from a small liberal arts school in NY with my BA in Chemistry in '04 with a ~3.5GPA, 3.2 science. I got a 26 on my MCAT with an outlying low (6) in physical sciences. I have a limited background in bio, only having taken one semester of general biology (no lab) and one semester of "topics in bio". I have the occasional B- and even one or two C's on my undergrad transcript.

I currently have extensive clinical volunteer experience, bench research, and employment in a clinical setting as a research assistant. I know that I need to boost my GPA and MCAT's in order to have a competitive application, but am not sure the best route to go about it.

I have heard from a couple of post-bacc programs, including Bennington and Georgetown SMP, stating that I do not qualify (the former for having taken too many pre-req's, the latter for a poor MCAT score). I was accepted into Montana State's post-bacc program, whose website states that it is flexible and provides linkages, but I never hear their name on the "radar". I am also considering applying to UPenn, but I know this program is extremely competitive, and I am not sure if I qualify or would stand out in the program.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

 

[greenerd]

Also, has anyone attended the Montana State program? There is a seemingly dissatisfied post in the archives, and I would like to hear more feedback regarding the program.

Thanks!
ps- i'm new to SDN, so not sure of the proper "threading etiquette"...

 

[Perrotfish]

I think where you fit in is the MCAT forum. Your GPA is on the low side of competitve for MD schools and very competitive for DO schools. Your MCAT sucks. Spend next semester taking a formal MCAT review course (I like The Princeton Review but Exam Krackers also gets great reviews) and maybe also ace a couble of bio courses to bring up that science GPA. Also shadow a DO so you can get a letter of recommendation to apply to DO schools. Then apply EARLY (as in the first possible day) and very broadly. You'll be fine, you don't need an SMP, and you'll start medical school in fall 2009.