Research-Focused SOM or COM

[whatageek]

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A little background: I'm a 29 year old non-trad. I spent my early 20s getting a Ph.D. in Pharmacology & Toxicology (breast cancer research). My uGPA and gGPA are good (3.64 GPA, 3.54 BCPM GPA), but not spectacular. I have a good publication record, history of funding (both training grants and a grant I wrote myself), and lots of awards/scholarships. I have a good bit of patient contact through a clinical study, and I'm working on bulking up my shadowing hours. My MCAT score, however, is a big fat failure (27M) and my state residency situation is complicated at best. I'm planning on applying to both DO and MD schools this summer. My current list includes:

-University of Alabama at Birmingham (graduate alumni)
-Emory University
-Vanderbilt University
-University of South Alabama
-PCOM-GA
-LMU-DCOM

Can anyone recommend other schools that I should be looking at? My goal is to combine clinical care and research. Any suggestions for schools that may forgive a less than great MCAT score in favor of a solid research track?

 

[hopefuldoc97239]

You have to be realistic, and I think realistically your MCAT scores will prevent you from getting into schools like Vanderbilt or Emory. A 27 is average for PCOM-GA, but for Emory and Vanderbilt you'd be an extreme outlier.

You won't have much time to do research in medical school. If you already have a PhD then the amount/kind of research you can do in medical school is not going to amount to substantially more experience. Therefore, I recommend you focus on getting into ANY medical school, keeping in mind that you can do research as a resident/fellow or beyond.

This opens up lots more possibilities.

Strategies for you:

1. You said your residence situation is complicated... straighten that out. You won't have a clear understanding of your chances until you know precisely which schools will consider you to be one of their chosen people.
2. Consider re-taking the MCAT, but only if you're willing to work to correct your previous inadequacies. Many people benefit from prep courses.
3. In addition to shadowing, also consider doing some volunteer work (even if it's outside the gaze of any physicians).

Good luck!

 

[catswym]

You have to be realistic, and I think realistically your MCAT scores will prevent you from getting into schools like Vanderbilt or Emory. A 27 is average for PCOM-GA, but for Emory and Vanderbilt you'd be an extreme outlier.

You won't have much time to do research in medical school. If you already have a PhD then the amount/kind of research you can do in medical school is not going to amount to substantially more experience. Therefore, I recommend you focus on getting into ANY medical school, keeping in mind that you can do research as a resident/fellow or beyond.

This opens up lots more possibilities.

Strategies for you:

1. You said your residence situation is complicated... straighten that out. You won't have a clear understanding of your chances until you know precisely which schools will consider you to be one of their chosen people.
2. Consider re-taking the MCAT, but only if you're willing to work to correct your previous inadequacies. Many people benefit from prep courses.
3. In addition to shadowing, also consider doing some volunteer work (even if it's outside the gaze of any physicians).

Good luck!

I think this is excellent advice and just wanted to second it.

What were you getting on practice tests for the MCAT? Bringing up that 27 is crucial if you want an MD school, esp combined with only an average GPA. A PhD and years of research will not make up for subpar numbers. And definitely add some more volunteer experience in the next few months.

 

[whatageek]

I appreciate the advice. I have a meeting with the woman who directs UAB's premed committee. Hopefully she'll be able to give me information about my residency status. I grew up in Georgia, but I graduated from UAB and am working as a postdoc there. The problem is that UAB isn't sure whether they consider a postdoc position to be a transient resident only in the state for educational purposes or not. Like I said, hopefully this will be resolved by the end of this week.

I forgot to mention I do have volunteer work. I did the occasional volunteer gig during undergraduate, and I'm currently volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House.


Taking the MCAT is impossible at this point. Unfortunately I just don't have the time to do it with working long hours while still getting in an adequate number of clinical and volunteer hours.

As far as Emory and Vandy being long shots at best, I agree. That's why I'm asking for school recommendations. I really want to add some more schools where I have at least a fighting chance. I've looked at the numbers for most schools via MSAR, but that doesn't always tell the complete picture.

Thanks!

 

[Quik]

Really, I don't think Emory and Vandy are longshots at all considering your credentials, outside of your MCAT score. That's clearly the biggest shortcoming in your application, and it would really serve you well to improve that. Otherwise, with your PHd in a science field related to medicine and the associated published research, you have a big advantage over a lot of non-trads and virtually all trads in that regard.

Since you have plenty of time before the start of the next application cycle, why not buckle down and improve it? I think this should be your priority right now, with trying to fill in volunteer and shadowing hours BETWEEN study/work time. Prioritize improving your MCAT. There's really no risk to it, since at this point your options realistically only include DO schools w/ a 27. Improve your score, and you'll be set (IMO).

 

[hopefuldoc97239]

The problem is that UAB isn't sure whether they consider a postdoc position to be a transient resident only in the state for educational purposes or not.

...

Taking the MCAT is impossible at this point. Unfortunately I just don't have the time to do it with working long hours...

Quit your post doc job. It will solve both of these problems.

If the admissions committee sees that you didn't try to improve your MCAT score they're going to say "This guy would rather keep his job than get into medical school. Okay, that's his decision, we'll let him keep his job."

Strategies:

1. Go into debt. Tough decision, but you'd better get used it if if you want to go to medical school!
2. Lean on your support system: family, significant other, etc.
3. If leaning on your significant other for financial help doesn't work, consider breaking up with them. It's cheaper being single and you'll have more time to study.
4. Part time jobs: Yes, they're out there, even for someone with a PhD. Teach part time at a university or community college. Find work as an adult caregiver (great extra curricular activity). Work a fast food job. Work at Starbucks.
5. If you absolutely refuse to work part time, then at least find a job where you're working a normal 40-hour week, not a 60 hour week.
6. Downsize your lifestyle:

• Get roommates.
• Live in a smaller apartment.
• Live in a less-desirable neighborhood.
• Live in a less-desirable city.
• Sell your car and get an older car.
• Sell your car and travel everywhere by bike.
• Walk everywhere and use the time to study your flash cards.
• Ride the bus and read while you're in transit.
• Find a job tutoring subjects that you need to study yourself.

In short: If you prioritize your post doc job over med school, don't be surprised if you don't get into med school!

 

[loik22]

3. If leaning on your significant other for financial help doesn't work, consider breaking up with them. It's cheaper being single and you'll have more time to study.

👎 I am not sure what relationships you have with your significant other, but I certainly would not trade mine for any medical career and she knows it. Furthermore, family and significant other are not cash cows. Geez.

Back to the OP: if you want to go to med school, retake the MCAT. If it is important to you, you can prioritize your time accordingly, working 2-3 hours a day is feasible. Turn off facebook, the TV or the internet surfing, reading what's on the box of cheerios....
I also suggest you put on hold your volunteering/shadowing while studying for the MCAT, you can always resume these activities while you wait for getting your scores back or polish up your application.

 

[hopefuldoc97239]

👎 I am not sure what relationships you have with your significant other, but I certainly would not trade mine for any medical career and she knows it. Furthermore, family and significant other are not cash cows. Geez.

Geez yourself... Learn to take a joke!

Anyone who would trade their wife for a medical career obviously doesn't deserve to have either.

But I do stand by the principle of what I said. This is the "Nontraditional" forum, and nontraditional applicants need to consider whether their family can offer them help (financial, living situation, etc.). Not everyone will have this luxury (I don't). But it's worth considering.

Also, the significant others of ALL applicants and medical students need to understand that relationship time will sometimes take second-priority after med school obligations.