School list/chances?

[ursoccergod101]

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Hi all!

So I have to admit I'm rather new to MD research and I haven't done all of my homework yet, so I apologize if I throw something stupid on here.

I've recently gained a much stronger interest in becoming a doctor with a large research focus (particularly in chronic disease and public health oriented issues.) I would not be competitive for an MD/Ph.D program, so I'm wondering from you guys if you think I could become competitive for a strong MD in a reasonable time frame or if I should pursue other research oriented options.

My credentials:

I go to a tier one research university in the Midwest. Low cGPA because I was not focused in school at all (I think roughly 2.5 now). I left school and worked for two years. I'm now back - I switched into a Biochemistry major (from financial mathematics.) Since switching, my GPA has been a 3.7 and my sGPA is 3.7. I'm now one year from graduating. I've found I'm very talented in Chemistry and my research advisor has pushed me to go for a Ph.D. My school offers a 1 year research focused Master's program which I would likely do to prepare to apply for Ph.D (also my preliminary research says this would be helpful to clarify the GPA issue if applying to MD)

My research experience thus far has been excellent in a top lab - generally synthetic oriented to create protein-protein interaction disrupting molecules. This fall I will move to testing them in cells and hopefully will have something publish-worthy, though of course you never know. If I did the Master's program here I would almost certainly have something published by the end of it (it's expected as a part of the program.)

I have yet to take the MCAT, but after preliminary studying it doesn't seem like anything an absurd number of hours studying couldn't conquer (I am generally an extremely strong test taker.) Many of the sections I already feel quite comfortable with and my reading skills are excellent.

I have started shadowing, and over the course of the next two years could put in a good number of those kinds of volunteer hours and get some direct patient contact. I also ran a non-profit that coordinates work abroad for students for two years.

I have a strong passion for medicine, but as I am successful in the chemistry realm I could also easily pursue a Ph.D in Medchem or a related field, though it seems grant money in public health type ventures is much easier to come by as an MD.

So - 1) Could I become a competitive MD applicant in the next 2 years? If so, what would you advise I do to get there? 2) Are the assumptions I have put into the above correct? 3) Reflections on becoming a researching physician?

Thanks!! Sorry for the long post.

 

[gyngyn]

You will need to calculate your undergraduate gpa.
You will find a link here:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/please-read-before-posting.901670/

 

[GrapesofRath]

Do everything you can to get the GPA above 3.4. Aim for 80+ percentile on the MCAT at the bare minimum then come back.

 

[ursoccergod101]

So calculating the AMCAS way my sGPA is 3.01/4.0 and cGPA is 2.49. Though like I said, extremely stark contrast between before/after and I only took 19 hours of science/math etc. prior to leaving school (in which I did insanely poorly in courses that are not prerequisites for medical school.)

I'm mostly looking for opinions regarding whether or not the Master's degree in chemistry would provide comeback potential given my situation. If it does not, I would probably be better off devoting all of my time to research and become a chemist rather than waste time shadowing/volunteering in clinics etc - so while I appreciate the response from GrapesofRath it doesn't help me make a decision

 

[GrapesofRath]

So calculating the AMCAS way my sGPA is 3.01/4.0 and cGPA is 2.49. Though like I said, extremely stark contrast between before/after and I only took 19 hours of science/math etc. prior to leaving school (in which I did insanely poorly in courses that are not prerequisites for medical school.)

I'm mostly looking for opinions regarding whether or not the Master's degree in chemistry would provide comeback potential given my situation. If it does not, I would probably be better off devoting all of my time to research and become a chemist rather than waste time shadowing/volunteering in clinics etc - so while I appreciate the response from GrapesofRath it doesn't help me make a decision

Masters GPA won't do much at all for you You have to increase your GPA via undergrad classes/post-bacc or doing an SMP(and you would have do a lot of it). Sounds like your best interest is to focus in research.

 

[gyngyn]

So calculating the AMCAS way my sGPA is 3.01/4.0 and cGPA is 2.49. Though like I said, extremely stark contrast between before/after and I only took 19 hours of science/math etc. prior to leaving school (in which I did insanely poorly in courses that are not prerequisites for medical school.)

I'm mostly looking for opinions regarding whether or not the Master's degree in chemistry would provide comeback potential given my situation. If it does not, I would probably be better off devoting all of my time to research and become a chemist rather than waste time shadowing/volunteering in clinics etc - so while I appreciate the response from GrapesofRath it doesn't help me make a decision

A master's degree will have little, if any, effect on the strength of an MD application.
Everyone is expected to get A's in these programs and the grades are not averaged into undergrad gpa's.
Your gpa is so low that even a strong MCAT would not dramitically increase odds of success at most MD programs.
With grade replacement you could become a DO candidate much more efficiently.

 

[gyngyn]

Masters GPA won't do much at all for you You have to increase your GPA via undergrad classes/post-bacc or doing an SMP(and you would have do a lot of it). Sounds like your best interest is to focus in research.

You sure type fast.

 

[ursoccergod101]

I guess I'm not sure how grade replacement could help me? I have all A- and higher in required courses for MD. The low grades are solely in outside coursework (i.e. I got a C in 20th century physics prior to coming back, but once I returned I got an A in both mechanics and E&M.)

 

[gyngyn]

I guess I'm not sure how grade replacement could help me? I have all A- and higher in required courses for MD. The low grades are solely in outside coursework (i.e. I got a C in 20th century physics prior to coming back, but once I returned I got an A in both mechanics and E&M.)

In which courses did you acquire the grades that bought down your gpa?
It really doesn't matter if they are not pre-requisites.
Heck, many schools don't even have pre-req's anymore.

 

[Goro]

I recommend a SMP, preferably one given at a medical school. Ace this, and the MCAT and you'll find plenty of MD schools (and all DO) that reward reinvention.