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So...
In 1998, I matriculated as a freshman at Penn State University, all eager to do my pre-med courses and go to medical school. (Wanted to be an ER doc.. and no, not because of the show.) Apparently, I was a little overwhelmed by my newfound independence and didn't got to class much, did homework even less. The only exception were the EMT/EMS related classes I took there for credit - got an A in each one. After two semesters there, I wound up with an eye-popping 1.68 cumulative GPA. Surprisingly, I was not put on academic probation or warning. I chose to take a (again -- voluntary) leave of absence to figure out what the hell my problem was before I did more irreparable damage to my transcript.
Coming home, I took a smaller course load at the local community college, getting A's in Biology and Chemistry (which I failed or got D's in before) and completed paramedic school all while working part time in a grocery store. In 2001, I was working as a Network Engineer for a law firm and decided I needed to complete a degree in -something-. I enrolled at Loyola University Chicago and graduated in 2004 magna cum laude with a B.S. in Criminal Justice (cum. 3.76) and all the lovely honors that go with it. Clearly, maturity was the only obstacle to getting excellent grades.
Thinking Criminology was what I was supposed to do, I enrolled in an M.A. program at U of Illinois-Chicago. I completed the program in three semesters with a 3.7 GPA and the highest grade on the comprehensive exam they've seen in 5 years. The entire time I was in graduate school, I was working two jobs (Teaching Assistant during the day, paramedic at night). Working as a medic/EMS Instructor really reminded me what I loved about medicine, and I decided that I really needed to give an M.D. another shot.
After graduation, I signed up for Loyola's post-bac pre-health program. I'm about to complete it (having worked 48 hours each week at night throughout) with a 3.63 science GPA and 3.73 overall. I'm the president of the Post-Bac Organization and have great LORs, and tons of clinical/volunteer experiences.
I know my PSU and comm. college grades will affect my AMCAS GPA, but what do you think my chances are? My MCAT practice tests have been 31-34 pretty consistently, and I'm waiting for results from the April 7th test. Assuming that goes well, do I have a shot at some allopathic schools?
My goal, in the end, is to practice medicine one way or another. As such, I will definitely apply broadly and to DO schools as well. ...but I'm looking for your gut feelings on my allo chances.
Thanks,
-z
In 1998, I matriculated as a freshman at Penn State University, all eager to do my pre-med courses and go to medical school. (Wanted to be an ER doc.. and no, not because of the show.) Apparently, I was a little overwhelmed by my newfound independence and didn't got to class much, did homework even less. The only exception were the EMT/EMS related classes I took there for credit - got an A in each one. After two semesters there, I wound up with an eye-popping 1.68 cumulative GPA. Surprisingly, I was not put on academic probation or warning. I chose to take a (again -- voluntary) leave of absence to figure out what the hell my problem was before I did more irreparable damage to my transcript.
Coming home, I took a smaller course load at the local community college, getting A's in Biology and Chemistry (which I failed or got D's in before) and completed paramedic school all while working part time in a grocery store. In 2001, I was working as a Network Engineer for a law firm and decided I needed to complete a degree in -something-. I enrolled at Loyola University Chicago and graduated in 2004 magna cum laude with a B.S. in Criminal Justice (cum. 3.76) and all the lovely honors that go with it. Clearly, maturity was the only obstacle to getting excellent grades.
Thinking Criminology was what I was supposed to do, I enrolled in an M.A. program at U of Illinois-Chicago. I completed the program in three semesters with a 3.7 GPA and the highest grade on the comprehensive exam they've seen in 5 years. The entire time I was in graduate school, I was working two jobs (Teaching Assistant during the day, paramedic at night). Working as a medic/EMS Instructor really reminded me what I loved about medicine, and I decided that I really needed to give an M.D. another shot.
After graduation, I signed up for Loyola's post-bac pre-health program. I'm about to complete it (having worked 48 hours each week at night throughout) with a 3.63 science GPA and 3.73 overall. I'm the president of the Post-Bac Organization and have great LORs, and tons of clinical/volunteer experiences.
I know my PSU and comm. college grades will affect my AMCAS GPA, but what do you think my chances are? My MCAT practice tests have been 31-34 pretty consistently, and I'm waiting for results from the April 7th test. Assuming that goes well, do I have a shot at some allopathic schools?
My goal, in the end, is to practice medicine one way or another. As such, I will definitely apply broadly and to DO schools as well. ...but I'm looking for your gut feelings on my allo chances.
Thanks,
-z
