Second Bachelors Intensity

[Icantplayspades]

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So, I’m doing a second Bachelors at my local university and I have a question: depending upon my metrics, should I complete an entire second Bachelors or just take 30 credits of science and stop?

My cumulative was 3.2 and science was 3.0. Enrolling in a second Bachelors would have some benefits but I just don’t know how long to stay.

 

[DocOrBust2019]

I don't really understand your question.

Do you need loans? If so, you can probably get them by being a degree seeking student. Do you need priority registration? Again, degree seeking. Are you going to have a competitive app after ~30 credit hours? At a 4.0, what will your sGPA look like? What about your cGPA? When are you taking the MCAT? These are the factors to look at. How much benefit will your GPA see if you get a 4.0 in this second bachelor's?

 

[Icantplayspades]

I don't really understand your question.

Do you need loans? If so, you can probably get them by being a degree seeking student. Do you need priority registration? Again, degree seeking. Are you going to have a competitive app after ~30 credit hours? At a 4.0, what will your sGPA look like? What about your cGPA? When are you taking the MCAT? These are the factors to look at. How much benefit will your GPA see if you get a 4.0 in this second bachelor's?

If I finished the ENTIRE Bachelors, I'd be at a 3.4c, 3.3.s (approx) so I'm not really sure if it's worthwhile but I've also heard that trends mater as well?

 

[paradoxic_toxic]

It depends on what your goals are.

3.4 cGPA, 3.3 sGPA makes you a good applicant for DO schools.

 

[DocOrBust2019]

If I finished the ENTIRE Bachelors, I'd be at a 3.4c, 3.3.s (approx) so I'm not really sure if it's worthwhile but I've also heard that trends mater as well?

Trends matter, sure. They matter more to DO schools and a few MD schools. If you do the entire bachelor's and get to those #s, you should be good to go at most/all DO schools and some MD depending on MCAT and state of residence. The sGPA is still low, but with your first bachelor's being heavy in science courses, there's not much you can do.

 

[Icantplayspades]

Trends matter, sure. They matter more to DO schools and a few MD schools. If you do the entire bachelor's and get to those #s, you should be good to go at most/all DO schools and some MD depending on MCAT and state of residence. The sGPA is still low, but with your first bachelor's being heavy in science courses, there's not much you can do.

Thanks! Should I continue to engage in clinical and non-clinical ECs? What MCAT would put me in a good place for MD?

 

[paradoxic_toxic]

General rule of thumb is

in-state MD = 510
OOS MD = 513 or greater

 

[DocOrBust2019]

Thanks! Should I continue to engage in clinical and non-clinical ECs? What MCAT would put me in a good place for MD?

You should probably accept this now: you are MUCH more likely to get into DO school than MD school. Due to your earlier mistakes, you are probably not going to get into an allopathic program. You have a chance, but it's small. Assess whether MD is possible after MCAT, as said 510+ is your target to have a chance at MD school.

Of course you should continue to engage in ECs. Your most important focus needs to be GPA though. You really need to establish yourself as someone capable of the type of work necessary in med school, so do everything you can to get a 4.0 in this second bachelor's. If ECs get in the way of that, then they are doing more harm than good.

As far as MCAT goes: take it when ready. Only. Do not try to take it early and mess yourself up!

 

[Goro]

So, I’m doing a second Bachelors at my local university and I have a question: depending upon my metrics, should I complete an entire second Bachelors or just take 30 credits of science and stop?

My cumulative was 3.2 and science was 3.0. Enrolling in a second Bachelors would have some benefits but I just don’t know how long to stay.

Two semester of a GPA of 3.7+ or higher with 30 credits should be enough (3.5+ for DO). The only benefit to a second degree is for Plan B if Medicine doesn't work out.

You should always continue with service to others and clinical exposure, except shadowing. I assume that you already have enough shadowing. And research is over-rated.

For MCAT shoot for 513+ for MD, 505+ for DO.

Read this:

• Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention

 

[Wisefool]

Two semester of a GPA of 3.7+ or higher with 30 credits should be enough (3.5+ for DO). The only benefit to a second degree is for Plan B if Medicine doesn't work out.

You should always continue with service to others and clinical exposure, except shadowing. I assume that you already have enough shadowing. And research is over-rated.

For MCAT shoot for 513+ for MD, 505+ for DO.

Read this:

• Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention

I am in the same boat. My stats are cGPA3.24 and sGPA3.4, MCAT 505. I will be retaking the MCAT next year and aim for 510+. @DocOrBust2019 mentioned chances of allopathic programs are slim with those stats for OP. I personally don't care for the title of DO/MD. I was going to earn a second bachelors but decided to go for a SMP at PCOM. They have conditional acceptance but due to late interviews in the first year, many get waitlisted. My question is with an improved MCAT score and doing well in the SMP make me a good/competitive candidate for med schools?

 

[Goro]

I am in the same boat. My stats are cGPA3.24 and sGPA3.4, MCAT 505. I will be retaking the MCAT next year and aim for 510+. @DocOrBust2019 mentioned chances of allopathic programs are slim with those stats for OP. I personally don't care for the title of DO/MD. I was going to earn a second bachelors but decided to go for a SMP at PCOM. They have conditional acceptance but due to late interviews in the first year, many get waitlisted. My question is with an improved MCAT score and doing well in the SMP make me a good/competitive candidate for med schools?

Yes, very much so

 

[Icantplayspades]

Quick question:

My friend is considering doing the same thing I’m doing (i.e. second Bachelors and reapply) but they went to a Caribbean med school for like a semester. Is my friend making a reasonable choice?

 

[Cornfed101]

Quick question:

My friend is considering doing the same thing I’m doing (i.e. second Bachelors and reapply) but they went to a Caribbean med school for like a semester. Is my friend making a reasonable choice?

No

edit: just no

 

[Icantplayspades]

No

edit: just no

Ok, so they should pursue something else? They would literally have no chance? What if they're grades and scroes were good and they worked on reinvention? I'm trying to counsel them and they seem to be in a pretty bad place.

 

[Cornfed101]

Ok, so they should pursue something else? They would literally have no chance? What if they're grades and scroes were good and they worked on reinvention? I'm trying to counsel them and they seem to be in a pretty bad place.

Caribbean is too high risk. You should do multiple cycles of MD and DO in the states before considering Caribbean (even then, I would probably do podiatry before going to a Caribbean MD). Also, don't expect to be able to transfer from a Caribbean med school to a med school in the states.

 

[Icantplayspades]

I have an additional question: because I have extensive research experience, should I forgo research for more clinical/non-clinical volunteering?

My thought is that I should essentially focus on grades, MCAT score and volunteering so I’m not spread too thin. If I were aiming for a local med school, how could I improve my chances?

 

[Cornfed101]

I have an additional question: because I have extensive research experience, should I forgo research for more clinical/non-clinical volunteering?

My thought is that I should essentially focus on grades, MCAT score and volunteering so I’m not spread too thin. If I were aiming for a local med school, how could I improve my chances?

Yes, forgo research for clinical/non-clinical volunteering

 

[Icantplayspades]

Yes, forgo research for clinical/non-clinical volunteering

I know it’s not possible to pinpoint the med school where you eventually matriculate but what if you have a local preference?
Does anyone have any advice for tailoring an application to a regional medical school?

 

[Cornfed101]

I know it’s not possible to pinpoint the med school where you eventually matriculate but what if you have a local preference?
Does anyone have any advice for tailoring an application to a regional medical school?

Every medical school values volunteering. Only the most competitive highly value research. In your situation, volunteering is absolutely more valuable regardless of your location.

 

[Icantplayspades]

So, I have a quick update:

I’ve gotten involved with an organization at my local university which aids in getting students into the associated medical school. The organization has requisite volunteering (clinical and non-clinical) and application prep. A good percentage of students in this org gain entry to the local med school.

All of the previous information in mind, should I just pursue a second bachelors at this school? I’m just concerned that a second bachelors is a lateral move but then I feel as though I’m just self-sabotaging.