Research as backup?

[brdmadgrl82]

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Hello, I was wondering if anyone considered research as a backup plan for not getting admitted to medical school? Can you share your experience?

I am currently in a post-bac but had some difficulty with gpa (because of summer classes). I am at about 3.4 and while I really want to go to medical school (and cannot imagine doing anything else) I feel I need to have a plan B just in case my gpa damage control plan doesn't work out (and I fall short of the 3.6).

If my undergrad is in psych, and I will only have the minimum pre-requisite requirements for medical school, what type of research program can I apply to?

I noticed many require a BS in some type of science (e.g. pharmacology wants a ton more classes). Do post-bacs have a shot getting into a research program?

I definitely plan to apply to medical school after the MS or PhD, hopefully with a better gpa.

Can anyone recommend any schools in Illinois, or Wisconsin area that would take a post-bac student with minimum pre-reqs?

Thank you in advance!

 

[mspeedwagon]

First, a 3.4 is definitely good enough to get into med school. Apply broadly, do well on the MCAT and you'll be fine. I've had friends get into MD programs with GPAs closer to a 3.0. If you throw DO programs in you should have an excellent shot.

As for research, clinical research pays more than almost any other research opportunities out there. And the good news, to do clinical research, you don't even need an MS/PhD. Just some flexibility to travel. If you look up jobs for "clincial research associate" or "clinical research monitor" the pay is likely more than what bench reseach pays.

I believe UIC and MCW both accept pretty close to the bare minimum requirements and are both excellent schools.

 

[familyaerospace]

I did research before medical school was even on the horizon. I started off at the bottom doing data entry and worked my way up. It was almost impossible for me to get anything with just a BS, then things opened up slightly when I was working on my MS. Then it slammed shut on me because I needed an MD or PhD (MD preferred) to continue being a researcher.

If I could give you one piece of advice, don't do research because it is a backup, do research because you enjoy doing research. Otherwise, you will never be happy.

 

[vc7777]

...If I could give you one piece of advice, don't do research because it is a backup, do research because you enjoy doing research. Otherwise, you will never be happy.

+1 👍

 

[brdmadgrl82]

Thank you everyone!

I do hope to apply broadly to both MD and DO schools. Would it be better to do a masters or phd program, or are Carribean medical schools something I should look into first?

I think I would be interested in immunology or microbiology (however, I do not have any experience in research- again med school is my ultimate goal). It is good to know at least clinical research might be an option as well.

 

[mspeedwagon]

Definitely apply straight to med school since it is your ultimate goal and your stats are fine. With a 3.4/27 you are at the average for DO schools.

Don't bother with the Caribbean or a master/phd. It won't help your case for med school much (the exception of course being acing an SMP... though, if you don't ace it you have a major setback).

Thank you everyone!

I do hope to apply broadly to both MD and DO schools. Would it be better to do a masters or phd program, or are Carribean medical schools something I should look into first?

I think I would be interested in immunology or microbiology (however, I do not have any experience in research- again med school is my ultimate goal). It is good to know at least clinical research might be an option as well.

 

[brdmadgrl82]

Thanks! I will try my best to bump up my gpa (extra class or two). Hopefully this will help me with gpa and getting in the first time.

I would still love to hear more stories of those who went the research route as a backup plan and then re-applied to med school?

always thinking ahead...😀