Planning for the Worst...

[NeuroSpeare]

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Howdy:

I'm having a frustrating cycle. I've only received 2 interview invites (one complete and pending, the other in early March), from the 23 schools I've submitted my application to. I'm beginning to fear that I might have to reapply next cycle.

I'm looking for some advice on how I should proceed. My GPA (especially my BCPM GPA) is clearly very weak. I'd love to think that I might get another interview or two...but I'm having a hard time accepting that on faith considering how quiet things have been. Would it be best if I just bit the bullet and applied for an SMP for 2013? Or are there alternatives that might suit me better?

If, in fact, an SMP is the right thing for me...which would you recommend?


I live in CA and, thus, am interested in the USC MGM. However, it seems that this program isn't a diehard SMP. Would it be better for someone like myself who is really in need of plain ol' GPA recycling to go somewhere else? Gtown? EVMS? Tulane?


Following are my stats and application info - I've tried to keep them slightly unspecific in order to maintain some sense of anonymity. If you have questions of want more info just ask.

-----------------------------------

Primary Submitted: 7/8
Verified: 8/13

MCAT: 37 (12/13/12)

*California resident
*Graduated from UCLA w/ double major - science + humanities

Total GPA:3.51 (185.30 credit hours)
BCPM: 3.16 (92)
AOGPA: 3.86 (93.3)

*my grade trend is upwards, with a dip occuring my sophomore year"

BCPM: 3.35(freshman)-->2.74-->3.06-->3.43-->3.5(post-bacc, 2 courses)

Experiences:

Resident Assistant - 3 years; letter of rec from Director

Clinical Volunteer - 1 year; ~200 hours; minor leadership role

Research Assistant - 1 year; completed honors thesis as part of undergrad coursework; presented poster at uni; letter of rec from PI

Shadowing - ~3 month surgical shadowing program @ a UC campus; ~100 hours of shadowing in OR and clinic; academic component

Substitute Teacher- ~3 months

Letters of Rec:

1 from English prof
1 from RA director
1 from research PI
1 from Science prof (post-bacc class at CSU)

 

[WorldChanger36]

Howdy:

I'm having a frustrating cycle. I've only received 2 interview invites (one complete and pending, the other in early March), from the 23 schools I've submitted my application to. I'm beginning to fear that I might have to reapply next cycle.

I'm looking for some advice on how I should proceed. My GPA (especially my BCPM GPA) is clearly very weak. I'd love to think that I might get another interview or two...but I'm having a hard time accepting that on faith considering how quiet things have been. Would it be best if I just bit the bullet and applied for an SMP for 2013? Or are there alternatives that might suit me better?

If, in fact, an SMP is the right thing for me...which would you recommend?


I live in CA and, thus, am interested in the USC MGM. However, it seems that this program isn't a diehard SMP. Would it be better for someone like myself who is really in need of plain ol' GPA recycling to go somewhere else? Gtown? EVMS? Tulane?


Following are my stats and application info - I've tried to keep them slightly unspecific in order to maintain some sense of anonymity. If you have questions of want more info just ask.

-----------------------------------

Primary Submitted: 7/8
Verified: 8/13

MCAT: 37 (12/13/12)

*California resident
*Graduated from UCLA w/ double major - science + humanities

Total GPA:3.51 (185.30 credit hours)
BCPM: 3.16 (92)
AOGPA: 3.86 (93.3)

*my grade trend is upwards, with a dip occuring my sophomore year"

BCPM: 3.35(freshman)-->2.74-->3.06-->3.43-->3.5(post-bacc, 2 courses)

Experiences:

Resident Assistant - 3 years; letter of rec from Director

Clinical Volunteer - 1 year; ~200 hours; minor leadership role

Research Assistant - 1 year; completed honors thesis as part of undergrad coursework; presented poster at uni; letter of rec from PI

Shadowing - ~3 month surgical shadowing program @ a UC campus; ~100 hours of shadowing in OR and clinic; academic component

Substitute Teacher- ~3 months

Letters of Rec:

1 from English prof
1 from RA director
1 from research PI
1 from Science prof (post-bacc class at CSU)

Meh... your stats don't look all that bad. ( Yeah that MCAT is BOMB) You should contact any of the school that have rejected you and ask how you can improve. If they tell you to do a masters or a post bacc then look into Georgetown, U Cinni or USC's new program or some thing. It just seems like to need something to do if you have to reapply so you maybe interested in standard science masters. Look around into programs that interest you. Cali is a hard home state. It just looks like you had some bad luck this round. I fell you though my cycle has only landed me a few interviews and ZERO acceptances.

 

[NeuroSpeare]

I guess I'm really just wondering if a guy in my position has the USC program as a reliable pathway to medical school vs going to a real SMP, say Georgetown and the like. If a science masters is an option...that definitely changes things.

 

[RegisBioMedMS]

Not to be too forward or anything... but, you would definitely fit into the good range of our applicant pool. Your story sounds like a lot of students who have had success with our MS and then gone on to Med school. Plus, Denver is a mighty nice place to spend a year. I encourage you to look into MS programs as a good option for increasing your GPA.


www.regis.edu/biomedicalsciences