Seeking advice

[Halligan]

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Hi, all. My name is Kyle - new here, but have been searching through the forums and watching the posts quite a bit. I'm 21 years old, first-gen college in my fam, and I've got a semester left to complete my degree in Public Safety from Grand Canyon University (a private school in Phoenix - transferred from ASU). I know to some of you that degree probably means nothing, but to me, it's been fulfilling. Anyway, finallly joined...here's my dilemma. I've talked to a few docs about it so far, and got their input - now I want yours.

In a nut shell - my science GPA is low, overall GPA OK. Lots of good extracurriculars, and plenty of options for letters of recc (see below). I'm looking at DO schools primarily - but am concerned that with a science GPA like mine I'm going to keep getting "dear john" letters in the mail. What am I looking at to score on the MCAT to be competitive? What's everyone's take on applying to a master's program as opposed to doing a post bacc if rejection comes my way? What do you think admissions are going to think about my degree, working in the fire service, and a paramedic certication? Will that count against me, help me, or not do a thing? Be honest, blunt, whatever you need to say, throw it down on the table. I'm used to it lol.

If you've got a second to read the rest, please do - not necessary to answer the post - basically copied it from a rough-draft of a resume:

Science GPA: 2.98 <-- everyone has their excuses, and I hate to be a complainer. Last year was a rough year for me - 3 jobs and trying to juggle Chem II (fall) and Orgo I (spring) obviously was a boo-boo on my part. Worked to help support family, very sick grandma which placed a huge financial burden at home (which is why I left ASU, to come back home this year). I still have O-chem II left to take.

Overall GPA: 3.67

Extracurriculars:
Two years in a neuroimmunology lab (mostly volunteer, paid in the summertime);
Started paramedic school - should be done around a year from now
NREMT-B cert
I'm an Arizona certified firefighter - currently volunteer on a department in my hometown - 24-48 hrs/month
Work as an ER tech full-time (currently) at local hospital
Lifeguard instructor (2004-2006); Aquatics Manager at Local waterpark (2004-2006)
Resident Assistant at ASU (last year)
Started a non-profit with my dad back in 2003 (went for year, ran out of resources) - provided kids with sporting equip in underserved areas
AMSA
I mentor kids in for a military high school here in Arizona as well.
I've got a lot of other small volunteer stuff through the fire dept, etc.

I've always been passionate about healthcare, helping others, and a good old adrenaline rush...which is why I chose the fire service as a backup. I'm sure everyone here is on the same boat - medicine has always been #1 second to some other career choice.

If you got through this beast of a post without losing your mind - congrats, and thanks for reading. Again, any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and Happy New Year!

PS I read all of the stuff at the top of the forum about "what are my chances" etc - I'm looking for opinions on my situation. I already know chances are up in the air, variable, and depend on how the the school I'm applying to wakes up in the morning.

 

[DoctorMom78]

What am I looking at to score on the MCAT to be competitive? What's everyone's take on applying to a master's program as opposed to doing a post bacc if rejection comes my way? What do you think admissions are going to think about my degree, working in the fire service, and a paramedic certication? Will that count against me, help me, or not do a thing? Be honest, blunt, whatever you need to say, throw it down on the table. I'm used to it lol.

When are you going to apply? When are you taking the MCAT? Don't worry about your degree. I don't think that will matter. Your ECs are GREAT, overall GPA is GREAT, and science needs to be brought up to at least a 3.0. I would take/retake some of your science classes to bring that up. Generally speaking a MCAT of 25+ is competetive, but those ECs will go a long way to help your chances at a DO school. Check out my stats and I have had three interviews, two acceptances, and withdrew post-interview after the third. You never know how they will view your application. I think you have an excellent chance of getting accepted. Make sure you have a strong PS that talks about your experience of being a first-generation college student and your ECs. APPLY EARLY!!!! I wouldn't even stress out about the post-bach or masters thing yet, because I think you will get accepted if you do ok on the MCAT and bring the science GPA up a little bit. GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[Halligan]

When are you going to apply? When are you taking the MCAT? Don't worry about your degree. I don't think that will matter. Your ECs are GREAT, overall GPA is GREAT, and science needs to be brought up to at least a 3.0. I would take/retake some of your science classes to bring that up. Generally speaking a MCAT of 25+ is competetive, but those ECs will go a long way to help your chances at a DO school. Check out my stats and I have had three interviews, two acceptances, and withdrew post-interview after the third. You never know how they will view your application. I think you have an excellent chance of getting accepted. Make sure you have a strong PS that talks about your experience of being a first-generation college student and your ECs. APPLY EARLY!!!! I wouldn't even stress out about the post-bach or masters thing yet, because I think you will get accepted if you do ok on the MCAT and bring the science GPA up a little bit. GOOD LUCK!!!

Thanks for your advice. I'm planning on Fall 2008 - I spoke with an admissions assistant director at AZCOM and she explained to apply early for the best shot. Would it be worth my while to even apply without having O-chem II yet?? My GPA will remain at the 2.98, and that's what they'll see if I apply early. 2.75 is there bare minimum to get a secondary application. It's probably less than that if they're not going to count two B+ that I have. I start a Kaplan course on the 27th of this month, it ends the 5th of May. So I'm shooting for the 11th or the 16th of May to take the MCAT. When should I register for that - now?
The trouble is that the two C's that I have that are killing my GPA, my school will not let me retake. Somehow I'm going to have to pull off an A in O-Chem, and possibly take another science class. Do you happen to know if Anatomy/Physiology is calculated into the "hard" sciences? What other courses are a possibility to take to boost that GPA - biochem, I assume would be a good one.
Again, thank you a ton.

 

[DoctorMom78]

Thanks for your advice. I'm planning on Fall 2008 - I spoke with an admissions assistant director at AZCOM and she explained to apply early for the best shot. Would it be worth my while to even apply without having O-chem II yet?? My GPA will remain at the 2.98, and that's what they'll see if I apply early. 2.75 is there bare minimum to get a secondary application. It's probably less than that if they're not going to count two B+ that I have. I start a Kaplan course on the 27th of this month, it ends the 5th of May. So I'm shooting for the 11th or the 16th of May to take the MCAT. When should I register for that - now?
The trouble is that the two C's that I have that are killing my GPA, my school will not let me retake. Somehow I'm going to have to pull off an A in O-Chem, and possibly take another science class. Do you happen to know if Anatomy/Physiology is calculated into the "hard" sciences? What other courses are a possibility to take to boost that GPA - biochem, I assume would be a good one.
Again, thank you a ton.

Why won't they let you retake the classes? What are you taking this semester? Can you do anything this semester to help your science GPA? I don't know when you can register for the May MCAT. Check on the website for registration dates. You can apply without organic 2. I applied and took the MCAT without organic 1 or organic 2 (bad idea on the MCAT though). My acceptances are contingent upon completion of organic 1 and organic 2. Why wouldn't they count your B+? You have to check with the individual schools to see what the requirements are for supplemental applications. You may be okay because your overall is high if you do really well on the MCAT, but honestly I don't know. I think you probably need to get it up to a 3.0. I wouldn't try to raise your science GPA by taking really hard science classes. The best way is to retake, but if not, then I would take something not as demanding as biochemistry. Of course, you never know what will happen until you apply. I have found that there is little rhyme or reason to this whole process. There are people with really high GPAs and MCATs who still get rejected.

 

[Halligan]

Why won't they let you retake the classes? What are you taking this semester? Can you do anything this semester to help your science GPA? I don't know when you can register for the May MCAT. Check on the website for registration dates. You can apply without organic 2. I applied and took the MCAT without organic 1 or organic 2 (bad idea on the MCAT though). My acceptances are contingent upon completion of organic 1 and organic 2. Why wouldn't they count your B+? You have to check with the individual schools to see what the requirements are for supplemental applications. You may be okay because your overall is high if you do really well on the MCAT, but honestly I don't know. I think you probably need to get it up to a 3.0. I wouldn't try to raise your science GPA by taking really hard science classes. The best way is to retake, but if not, then I would take something not as demanding as biochemistry. Of course, you never know what will happen until you apply. I have found that there is little rhyme or reason to this whole process. There are people with really high GPAs and MCATs who still get rejected.

OK- Cool. Thank you...that clairifies a lot. Maybe I'll try and retake them, then. I'm at least going to finish up O-chem, and see where that takes me. I'd really like to just get by with what I have, but after I graduate maybe I'll retake some sciences through another college. Apparently, they don't let you retake courses if you have a C - only D, F, or W. This semester is paramedic school, Kaplan prep course, and finishing up a couple classses to graduate. Once the summer roles around, I'll have a lot more free time. Worst case scenario is I'll have to re-apply for Fall 2009. 500 hrs in clinical rotations for a medic program limit how much class I can attend ...but I suppose it's well worth it.
I was concerned that they wouldnt count the + in the B+ which is why I asked. I know schools get kind of weird about that -