Post-Rejection: EMT or Research

[dd1548]

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Hi all!

As the title suggests, I recently received my last rejection letter for this application cycle and am working on an action plan for reapplying. For background, the major flaws were GPA and a late application (complete December/January, for a variety of reasons). My current plan is to reapply next May, giving over a year until that cycle and two years until (fingers crossed!) matriculation. I have a few options:

1.) Post-Bacc/Masters - With a GPA of 3.13, I was on the lower spectrum. Obviously I am being extremely selective with my school list. MCAT of 507 ( 30/31 old score) with minimal preparation has room for improvement.

2.) Research - I currently live close to a top research university w/ urban medical system and have a chance to work in a lab or at the hospital. I have ~400 hours of research experience already, and the chance to publish or gain experience in a medical lab is enticing.

3.) EMT - My fiancé recently got a job in a rural town 3 hrs away from where I currently live, so I started looking into job prospects in the area. After calling a friend from the area, it seems likely I would be able to find an EMT position at the local hospital. I would complete my certification over the summer and move early Fall.

My initial reaction is to pass on post-bacc for now. While it would fix the main flaw in my application, the financial and emotional investment of a filler-degree aren't currently appealing. With my biochemistry degree and lab monkey experience, I feel like I would excel in a lab position. With that said, research isn't something I have a passion for and I would enjoy EMT work more.

The main question for readers is:
Research or EMT, or ???

I am learning towards EMT, due to paid clinical experience that I would enjoy (and to live with my fiancé!). With the initial depression of rejection still fresh, I'm second guessing myself. I have many good options on how to continue the journey to becoming a physician, and my next application will be significantly better. Any advice would be much appreciated!

 

[KinesiologyNerd]

With a GPA of 3.13

If you want to go to medical school a post-bacc is your only option.

 

[bananafish94]

Knowing nothing else about the rest of your application, it seems to me that the major problem is your GPA and, to a lesser extent, the MCAT. Before you worry about clinical experience or anything like that, you have to fix your stats. Good luck!

 

[Moko]

With a GPA of 3.13, I was on the lower spectrum. Obviously I am being extremely selective with my school list

A GPA of 3.1 is simply not competitive for any medical school admissions.. No amount of selectivity would have helped your chances unless you included the Caribbean schools (but please don't!).

A "grade enhancement" post-bacc (that will count towards your undergrad GPA and not a masters GPA) or a SMP are your only two viable options. I would retake any classes in which you did poorly in (any F's, D's or C's) and take advantage of the grade replacement policy at DO schools. Research and EMT experience, while nice, should not be your main concern. Best of luck!