Scary Assumtion

[PrometheusWanaB]

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As this application season draws to an end I am struck by an incredible idea. It stems from this: it doesn’t look like I’ll get into my #1 choice (PSU, Hershey). This is important because it is near my mother-in-law’s house, and if my wife and I want to start a family (which we desperately do) we need to live near her.

So here’s my idea: I could buy the house I want near Hershey, reapply to the med-school, and in the mean time get my MPA (Master’s of Public Administration), or at least take the first full year of a two year series. This idea is so good that even if I do get into Hershey I think I should delay a year (but I don’t think that will happen as they didn’t even invite me for an interview). BUT, if I move there, and I don’t get in then I am royally scr***d.

So here’s me at a snapshot:

MCAT: V-11, BS-12, PS-12, W-R; Total- 35R
Science GPA- 3.69
AO GPA- 2.89 (this stems from the early part of college, before I wanted to be a doctor, ouch!)
GPA- 3.20
age-24
AA. in Business Admin.

During one of my interviews a faculty member told me confidentially that if I don’t get in this year that the only thing I should change about my application is my clinical experience (I only had one 6 week pre-med observer, and a few days shadowing), but I think I needed better LoRs (I didn’t have any from doctors). I’ve already taken steps to remedy these areas (volunteering, etc…)

So here’s the issue:
My whole plan will only work if I get into Hershey next year. Even if I apply for the early decision (I think I can do that even though I am reapplying) I will not know until October 1st, but the first day of class for the MPA is in the end of June! I think it would be the perfect future for me (MD/MPA), but I don’t want to ruin my life by moving there and not getting in…please…help…getting…harder…

-Ian in a crisis

PS. I'm also going to post this in the pre-allopathic folder, and I'll read up on both.

 

[mintendo]

It sounds to me like you have received acceptances elsewhere.

If that's the case, then I would take that acceptance and then move to where you want to live after medical school or even residency. Applying to medical school is such a gamble there is no guarantee that you'll get into your top choice even if you get better ECs and LOR.

 

[Wednesday]

During one of my interviews a faculty member told me confidentially that if I don’t get in this year that the only thing I should change about my application is my clinical experience (I only had one 6 week pre-med observer, and a few days shadowing), but I think I needed better LoRs (I didn’t have any from doctors). I’ve already taken steps to remedy these areas (volunteering, etc…)

You can't count on what one faculty interviewer says. Even if you do improve your application, that particular school still may not take you. It's hard enough to get into med school let alone one particular school. Buying a house is a huge gamble and since they didn't even interview you this year, what makes you positive that you will be accepted next year? If you're already in somewhere, go and find a great daycare (they do exist, I found one!) and maybe your mother-in-law will come to stay with you for a few months once the baby is born. Additionally, Penn State might not even consider you if you're only half way through a graduate program (some schools have policies against this). Overall, I think what you're proposing is a pretty bad idea.