Post-bac/Applying for the next cycle

[ponies2015]

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Hi! I'm going to be a senior next semester and I was thinking of applying to med-school this cycle. However, because of my low GPA (3.4), I was thinking about doing a post-bacc master's program after I graduate to strengthen my application for the next cycle. I just realized that when I apply for the next cycle only my undergraduate gpa will be available since I would not have started the master's program yet.

So my question is would I have to wait another 2 cycles to apply to med school so they can see my masters gpa? Or will just the fact that I'm doing a post-bacc program help my application even though I haven't taken classes yet?

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

Hi, Ponies!
So there are a few maddening intricacies of the medical application period that are actually working against you:
1. Master's GPA is not factored into your combined GPA.
2. Master's degrees aren't particularly beloved by admissions committees, particularly in health fields (I believe they are seen as application band-aids which, given how they are often used, is understandable)
3. If you started a program this fall, and applied for this cycle, you would have NO grades to report
4. If you applied next cycle (June 2015), you would have at least one semester if not both semesters of grades in your application (so you'd only be waiting one cycle, not 2)

If you want to do GPA repair, you would have to do either a formal or informal post-bacc without enrolling in a master's program. Since you've already completed the pre-reqs, it will most likely have to be an informal one. This means you won't be enrolled in anything according to your application, and medical schools will not know you're intending to do GPA repair when they send out secondaries/interview invites.
So...my advice? Find an informal post-bacc, take a few classes to boost GPA + show you're a tough cookie, spend the summer helping those less fortunate than you, get a job to take concurrently with the classes and apply next year.

EDIT: I realized I don't know things like MCAT + EC. It sounds like there are parts of the process you may need to be coached through (application timing, letters sent, transcripts submitted, etc) so I made this as barebones as possible. Please, please PM me if you want any help!

 

[ponies2015]

Hi, Ponies!
So there are a few maddening intricacies of the medical application period that are actually working against you:
1. Master's GPA is not factored into your combined GPA.
2. Master's degrees aren't particularly beloved by admissions committees, particularly in health fields (I believe they are seen as application band-aids which, given how they are often used, is understandable)
3. If you started a program this fall, and applied for this cycle, you would have NO grades to report
4. If you applied next cycle (June 2015), you would have at least one semester if not both semesters of grades in your application (so you'd only be waiting one cycle, not 2)

If you want to do GPA repair, you would have to do either a formal or informal post-bacc without enrolling in a master's program. Since you've already completed the pre-reqs, it will most likely have to be an informal one. This means you won't be enrolled in anything according to your application, and medical schools will not know you're intending to do GPA repair when they send out secondaries/interview invites.
So...my advice? Find an informal post-bacc, take a few classes to boost GPA + show you're a tough cookie, spend the summer helping those less fortunate than you, get a job to take concurrently with the classes and apply next year.

EDIT: I realized I don't know things like MCAT + EC. It sounds like there are parts of the process you may need to be coached through (application timing, letters sent, transcripts submitted, etc) so I made this as barebones as possible. Please, please PM me if you want any help!

Okay that's what I thought...so I guess it's best if I just take some more advanced science classes informally so they can actually show up on my transcript and help my gpa.

I already have my rec letters in and I'm taking my MCAT July 2nd

As for my ECs,
I'm going to be a TA for my anatomy and physiology class in the fall
I'm a RA in a psych lab (3 years and ongoing)
I've been a pharm tech for 2 years (ongoing)
I've volunteered at a hospital and the ronald mcdonald house since high school ongoing)
I've been a Habitat for Humanity volunteer for 3 years
I tutored bio and chem during my freshman year
I've shadowed a physician (MD and DO)
I'm in the processes of shadowing a radiologist and anesthesiologist


Given my gpa and ECs and assuming I do well on the MCAT, do you think I have a shot this cycle?

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

Your ECs seem perfectly sufficient. If you're applying DO and get above a 26 or so, I'd bet dollars to doughnuts you get accepted.

MD is a little trickier...
July 2 MCAT (which would need to be >32), means schools get it August 5th or so, which is fairly late, particularly for an applicant with a lowish GPA. You have a shot, it'd be a lower chance of getting in, and even if you do get in it may not be to as good a school if you applied early next cycle.
Again, I'd recommend taking a gap year, but I understand the draw of "now"

 

[ponies2015]

Your ECs seem perfectly sufficient. If you're applying DO and get above a 26 or so, I'd bet dollars to doughnuts you get accepted.

MD is a little trickier...
July 2 MCAT (which would need to be >32), means schools get it August 5th or so, which is fairly late, particularly for an applicant with a lowish GPA. You have a shot, it'd be a lower chance of getting in, and even if you do get in it may not be to as good a school if you applied early next cycle.
Again, I'd recommend taking a gap year, but I understand the draw of "now"

would that also be a disadvantage to DO schools since they also won't get my MCAT until august?
Also, is there a disadvantage to going to a DO school? In terms of applying to a residency program and drawing getting patients?

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

would that also be a disadvantage to DO schools since they also won't get my MCAT until august?
Also, is there a disadvantage to going to a DO school? In terms of applying to a residency program and drawing getting patients?

I am less familiar about the DO timeline and, unfortunately, writing the bolded is the equivalent of throwing a live grenade into SDN. I do believe that with your stats and the stated MCAT score, you would be well within their acceptance bracket, and wouldn't need to worry so much about application timing. Basically, you wouldn't be downgraded because of your GPA.

I personally believe that--assuming you aren't looking at the most competitive specialty + location combo, there is no palpable disadvantage of going DO. Then again, I am not a physician nor have I gone through residency. I would use the search function on the website (not to mention google) to see if you would be happy going that route.

 

[Beth_W737]

There is a merger for DO and MD residencies and even before this over 50% of DO students do allo (MD ) residencies. The timeline is a bit longer for DO applications. Unless you want an extremely competitive residency, you will be fine going DO. And those competitive spots are not easy for MD either, just a bit easier. However do NOT apply to DO, get accepted then turn down to reapply for MD. That is very frowned upon so if you apply withdraw before you get interviewed or accepted if you change your mind. DOs have cared for the President, been Surgeon General, worked with NASA etc.

 

[ponies2015]

There is a merger for DO and MD residencies and even before this over 50% of DO students do allo (MD ) residencies. The timeline is a bit longer for DO applications. Unless you want an extremely competitive residency, you will be fine going DO. And those competitive spots are not easy for MD either, just a bit easier. However do NOT apply to DO, get accepted then turn down to reapply for MD. That is very frowned upon so if you apply withdraw before you get interviewed or accepted if you change your mind. DOs have cared for the President, been Surgeon General, worked with NASA etc.

Thanks for your input! I'm not too concerned with the title, I just really want to be a doctor but also graduate from a school where I know I'll have the same opportunities as an MD.
Also, what is considered a competitive residency? I'm interested in radiology, anesthesiology, pediatrics, and sports medicine.

 

[Beth_W737]

You can get into radiology, anesthesia, peds with no issues as a DO, we have some great matches in those fields. Ortho can be tough unless you apply to a DO focused residency ( one run by DO school). Opthomology, Derm, Radiation- Oncology, Urology are all tough to get as a DO (and even for avg MD - not all MD schools are viewed equal either). PM me with any questions

 

[Beth_W737]

What state are you in?

 

[ponies2015]

What state are you in?

I'm a TX resident!

 

[Beth_W737]

I'd definitely try for your state DO school, but also apply broadly. PCOM PA and GA, LECOM Eerie or Bradenton, Rowan, Western, LMU- DCOM, CCOM, Michigan State, KCUMB, etc