Need Help... Please Advise!!

[MyNameMD]

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I have a 3.3 GPA and a 20 MCAT... of course I didn't get in!! But I didn't take it seriously the first time. Didn't even study for the MCAT.

Of course it was stupid!... I know this.

I've taken a few years off to go into business, but realized that I can never be happy in life without getting my M.D.

So I'm wondering, what do YOU recommend as the BEST course of action to take to re-apply?

Should I just re-take the MCAT and re-apply? I doubt I'll do very well on it though... I feel it's impossible for me to get above a 26, honestly.

Should I do a year or post-bac? (If so where?)

Should I get another Bachelors or even a Masters or Ph.D. ...of course busting my butt to get a 4.0 this time?

Should I just quit, and go for Dental or Optometry school? (Granted I admit I would ONLY be doing this for the job security and the money. I want an M.D. or D.O. to be happy in life and am willing to sacrifice money for it)

Should I go overseas and get my M.D. there and come back?

Or is there another path I haven't considered?

PLEASE ADVISE!!

 

[Old Grunt]

I have a 3.38 GPA and a 20 MCAT... of course I didn't get in!! But I didn't take it seriously the first time. Didn't even study for the MCAT.

Of course it was stupid!... I know this.

I've taken a few years off to go into business, but realized that I can never be happy in life without getting my M.D.

So I'm wondering, what do YOU recommend as the BEST course of action to take to re-apply?

Should I do a year or post-bac? (If so where?)

Should I get another Bachelors or even a Masters or Ph.D. ...of course busting my butt to get a 4.0 this time?

Should I just quit, and go for Optometry or Dental school? (Granted I admit I would ONLY be doing this for the job security and the money. I want an M.D. or D.O. to be happy in life and am willing to sacrifice money for it)

Should I go overseas and get my M.D. there and come back?

Or is there another path I haven't considered?

PLEASE ADVISE!!

There is a whole forum for this. It's the one that says "reapplicant" in the title.

You'll probably get a lot more support and help there.

 

[MDRus]

There is a whole forum for this. It's the one that says "reapplicant" in the title.

You'll probably get a lot more support and help there.

no, man, we'll help. what's your situation. do you have the prereqs? gpa looks ok. how many years out?

give us something to work with.

lots of people on this thread are nontrad too.

don't be put off by old grunty.

 

[Aynsl156]

When did you do your prereqs? I'm talking bio, chem, physics, calc (sometimes)? Some schools have a limit about when those classes expire. I think most consider prereqs taken within the last 5 years prior to matriculation valid. I think you'll have to do a post-bac if it's been a while.

 

[MyNameMD]

I've only been out 2 years (and am under the average age of 24 for accepted applicants). I did all my Pre-Req's in college (was Pre-Med then). Got a B in O-Chem.

I don't think I'm non-traditional, just stupid lol. I should've done it right the first time, but no use ... can't change the past now.

What do y'all recommend?

What would YOU do in my case?

 

[MyNameMD]

(double posting)

 

[Cancer Man]

I too had a 3.3 cumulative when I graduated and a 3.5 science. I took the MCAT three times and finally came out with a 25. I also got the lowest possible score on the writing portion. Apparently, I'm a functional illiterate.

I would retake the MCAT. You can take it up to three times. After that, you have to get some sort of special request to take it again.

Take a Kaplan course or something like that. I couldn't afford it but the ones who could did a lot better than I did. The best I could do was a $20 book at the university book store.

The MCAT is sort of a weird one. It's really geared towards biologists. If biology was a sore spot for you, I would take some upper level biology courses.

If you already have a bachelors, go for a masters or a Ph.D. Getting a masters would say a lot about your ability to complete a rigorous course of study.

If you have made some academic mistakes like I did in undergrad, the DO schools are usually a bit more forgiving about it thant the MD ones are. I would evaluate all of your options. Launch several "feelers" in several directions and see what pans out and what doesn't.

Hope that helps.

 

[RxnMan]

I have a 3.3 GPA and a 20 MCAT... of course I didn't get in!! But I didn't take it seriously the first time. Should've studied for the MCAT...Should I just re-take the MCAT and re-apply? I doubt I'll do very well on it though...I feel it's impossible for me to get above a 26, honestly...

With your GPA/MCAT, you will find it nearly impossible to get in anywhere. The MCAT is just an exam, and you can study for it. Saying you can't get above a 26 is tantamount to saying you don't want to get in.

...Should I do a year or post-bac? (If so where?)...Should I get another Bachelors or even a Masters or Ph.D. ...of course busting my butt to get a 4.0 this time?...

As someone who did a MS, I'll tell you they don't help much. Neither do PhDs. Admissions committees just want to see 30 MCAT / 3.6 undergrad GPA. That's it. However you get there, it doesn't matter. NOTE - graduate classes don't help with the undergrad GPA.

You'll read elsewhere on these boards that MS and PhDs aren't always a "rigorous course of study." In fact, they are very variable in quality, subject matter covered, and difficulty across the US. That's the reason why grad degrees are not a good use of your time.

...Should I just quit, and go for Dental or Optometry school? (Granted I admit I would ONLY be doing this for the job security and the money. I want an M.D. or D.O. to be happy in life and am willing to sacrifice money for it)...

These other fields are professional ones and they have many people who want to be a part of them for what they are, not as a 2nd prize for a MD. If you want security, money, and on a short timeline, go for a RN. You'll get $$$ and jobs anywhere you want them, with tons of benefits. And for less time/wk, too.

...Should I go overseas and get my M.D. there and come back?...

There are disadvantages to this. Some residency programs, and some specialities in general will take US MDs before foreign ones.

If you're serious about it, study for the MCAT and get above a 30. With the MCAT now being computer-based, you can take it anywhere and at anytime. A 30/3.3 won't be easy, but you can get in places if you apply widely and are willing to reapply. Adding some ugrad classes - upper-level bio - will help the GPA too.

 

[DrBubbles]

I agree with the above-poster. You're GPA doesn't need work right now--it's already good enough to get you into a D.O. school. The only thing you need to master is the MCAT--and you can get it over with in three months if you wanted to. You say you've been in the business sector--this tells me you may have the ability to afford an MCAT review class. Do it, if you're able. If you can get above a 30, then you can definitely get in D.O. If you are exceptional in other areas, you might get in M.D. But at least you'll know you're capable of it, and if you really wanted to, you could take some upper-level undergraduate bio classes to raise you GPA, or else then you could think about an SMP. Regardless, I encourage you to focus on the MCAT, since that seems to be more likely due to a mental block than lack of ability, and once you plough through that, you can apply to med school. Best of luck!

 

[MyNameMD]

(double posting)

 

[MyNameMD]

Forgot to mention, I took the MCAT twice, both times a 20. So this would be my last chance to re-take it. And I've had the Princeton, the Kaplan, AND the ExamKrackers courses. I do well in Verbal Reasoning (which I've heard is the hardest section to improve), but then I fail all the science portions... I just don't understand chemistry! (which is in both the Physical & Biological Sciences portions). Also, I didn't take it seriously either times. I psyched myself out, seeing all these people with their 33's on the practice tests without even studying, and I could barely get a 24 with all my review courses, so I got really bummed, felt stupid, and lost motivation.

Also, my science GPA is pretty low, I think like a 3.1

And I have one F on my transcript, in a math class. (The rest are all decent grades though. And B's in both O-Chem's.)

So, for now, should I maybe take some upper-level bio classes and some math classes at the local college? Adcoms won't frown on this? Won't they think I'm trying to make up for my mistakes in college, that I wasn't mature enough the first time, and they don't want me? I mean, esp. when they have kids that DID do things right the first time?

And ok, sounds like grad school is a bad idea, so that's out. But what's an SMP?

And from the recommendations so far, the consensus seems to be to re-take the MCAT for the third time... this time busting my butt studying. But in case, I do bad on it, then what? What's should my plan B be? (If I do bad again, I'll already have take some more upper-level bio and math classes at a community college at this point, and have maxed out my 3 times to take the MCAT. So from there...?)

So just in case I do bad... Post-bac?

Or should I just quit? :-(

I mean I've heard of people with 2.5 GPA's with F's on their transcripts that take a year or more off, pull it all together, and get in. Hopefullly I can be one of those cases?? *crosses fingers*

I don't wanna be an RN (long story). But I have been considering becoming an "Anesthesiology Assistant" because their starting salary is $90,000. (hit Ctrl+F, and type in "salary" on this site... http://www.anesthesiaassistant.com/AnesthesiologistAssistantEducation.html

It's a two-year program, with one year of classes/labs, and the second of rotations. Bad thing is you have to keep updating your license every two years forever. But for that kinda pay, it's worth it.

So if med school falls through, you think this could be a good option? It's a very new program, and I worry of the reluctance of anesthesiologists to hire AA's 'cuz they cost so much. And the program's so new (it's only offered at 4 schools in America), that they don't have much info on this new "profession."

Still, does this seem promising? Or like a good Plan B?

 

[RxnMan]

I don't use chemistry every day as a med student, but it is is a fundamental part of the theory the classes build on, and you will have to understand it for the curriculum to make sense. Congratulations on the jump to the 26, but if you are unable to fake it until you make it, then being a MD is not for you. A 20 won't get you into a school with your GPA. Taking more classes will help your GPA, but you will also have to bring up the MCAT to get admitted. You will need a MCAT of 30 or better to get into SMPs.

You can take the MCAT more than three times. You have to provide an explanation, which is mostly to confirm that you are not working for Kaplan Test Prep. Given a good reason, you can take it more than 3 times. But you shouldn't worry about that until you get to that point.

From your posts, it seems that you are more after salary than anything else. Check out the PA, PT, and AA forums here on SDN. Read their FAQs for an introduction and see if one of those will fit you better.

 

[Blade28]

I don't wanna be an RN (long story). But I have been considering becoming an "Anesthesiology Assistant" because their starting salary is $90,000. (hit Ctrl+F, and type in "salary" on this site... http://www.anesthesiaassistant.com/AnesthesiologistAssistantEducation.html

It's a two-year program, with one year of classes/labs, and the second of rotations. Bad thing is you have to keep updating your license every two years forever. But for that kinda pay, it's worth it.

(1) Is salary that important to you?

(2) Renewal every two years doesn't sound that bad.

 

[almostMD08]

Ok maybe I can be encouraging.

I took the MCAT three times- 21, 24, 30.

First go I took Kaplan, 2nd go nothing, 3rd go Princeton Review. I'm not the best test taker and definitely didn't get the best grades. Can't tell you what my GPA was exactly (it's been a few years) but I want to say my cum was around a 3.3, science GPA maybe a 3.0. I got a few bad grades- hardly ever any A's in the sciences and even a C in genetics.

I applied to MD/DO schools the first round and ended up with one interview at a DO school which I bombed (a good thing in retrospect). I ended up applying to the UPenn PostBacc Special Science program. Did that for one year and applied for the linkage program and actually got in! All in all I was only 1 year off and now this year I am applying to residencies.

I didn't have any research experience, but did have clinical work. My one suggestion to you is that if what you really want is to go to an MD school, then you must get the MCAT up. Without that they won't even look at you unless you discovered the cure for cancer of something. Also, I think the schools want to see dedication, hard work, persistence (all qualities you'll need to survive the 4 years of medical school). Keep trying your hardest. It's a tough test-trust me I know! But in the end all that hard work will pay off.

 

[rwessinger23]

I applied 3 times before I got in.. My GPA was a 3.9, but my MCAT was a 23. The 2nd time I applied, i didn't retake the MCAT, i just got more experience, but still not good enough. So i took it again, and like you, mynamemd, didn't think i coudl make above a 26. I even took the kaplan course. I made a 25..but the IMPROVEMENT oftentimes shows more than the score. It shows you care and persevered.. keep trying, 3rd time was a charm for me.

 

[Phoenix.]

Moving to the Re-Applicants Forum. Thanks.

 

[RxnMan]

Merging similar threads by the same OP...

 

[ina1220]

Bad thing is you have to keep updating your license every two years forever. But for that kinda pay, it's worth it.

ummm...I hate to break it to you, but.... physicians have to get re-certified every seven years. Even an MD/DO can't get you out of a lifetime of exams.

it sounds like salary is pretty important to you. If this is the case, then I would seriously reconsider a career in medicine (or at least reflect on your reasoning). Yes, you'll get the reward of a high salary....but will that be enough to carry you through the rigors of med school, residency, and then establishing practice? food for thought...

best of luck in all you do!

 

[vpgraham]

[sic] but realized that I can never be happy in life without getting my M.D.

Maybe you should reflect on why you want to become an MD.
Is it because of patient care? There are other professions that involve patient care...without the hassle of MCAT's and GPA's.
Is it because of the salary and the prestige/respect that come along with it? There are other respectable professions that yield high salaries.

Should I just re-take the MCAT and re-apply? I doubt I'll do very well on it though... I feel it's impossible for me to get above a 26, honestly.

If you truly know that MD is the right path, then by all means, go for it.

Should I get another Bachelors or even a Masters or Ph.D. ...of course busting my butt to get a 4.0 this time?

Why?? What for? It seems like you're trying to shoot a moving target. Figure out what you really want to do. Getting another degree will require investment in time, effort, and money. Remember, you have to be careful about your resources, especially student loans.

Should I just quit, and go for Dental or Optometry school?

I'm sorry, but I'm getting a different impression here. You said you really want to become an MD, and yet you're already thinking about quiting? .....I don't know, maybe I'm wrong.

Or is there another path I haven't considered?

YES!!! As mentioned before, consider the AA profession, Anesthesiologist Assistant. They require pre-med courses and either MCAT or GRE. If you don't do well on MCAT, then maybe you'll do well on the GRE.

You can also take the PA route, dentistry, etc. Good luck.