Seeking nontrad advice
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Do you mean that you withdrew from physics and chemistry class, and then got C's when you retook them? I know you're probably sick of physics and general chemistry, but I think that retaking those classes yet again and getting A's this time would help your application considerably. Your postbac grades are lackluster, and if you're going to be competitive as a nontrad you will need to demonstrate that you can get good grades in a full schedule of tough classes. If you want to do well on the MCAT you will need a thorough knowledge of general chemistry and physics, so you might as well retake the classes-- if you don't, you'll just have to learn everything on your own anyhow. If it is at all possible, do the retakes at a 4-year college instead of a CC. If a CC is the only option, you will absolutely, positively have to get A's in the classes. The good news is that DO schools will only count the retake grade, which should increase your GPA for them considerably.
In your situation I would advise against taking the MCAT before Ochem II, unless you are getting very good scores on the practice tests. I've seen people here say that Ochem II isn't really tested on the MCAT, but when I took the MCAT in April there were a few problems from Ochem II, including one that we had covered in class just two days before. Your GPA isn't too bad, but it is bad enough that you will want a good MCAT score (30+) to make up for it.
Your friend is right about the difficulty Caribbean students face when trying to find residencies in the US. Do a search on the topic for more information, but basically if you go to a Caribbean school you stand an excellent chance of failing medical college or graduating and being unable to get into a residency. The lucky ones that do get residencies almost always end up in undesirable locations and noncompetitive fields. Caribbean schools should be your last resort after you have tried and failed to get into a US MD or DO school for two or more application cycles.
In your situation I would advise against taking the MCAT before Ochem II, unless you are getting very good scores on the practice tests. I've seen people here say that Ochem II isn't really tested on the MCAT, but when I took the MCAT in April there were a few problems from Ochem II, including one that we had covered in class just two days before. Your GPA isn't too bad, but it is bad enough that you will want a good MCAT score (30+) to make up for it.
Your friend is right about the difficulty Caribbean students face when trying to find residencies in the US. Do a search on the topic for more information, but basically if you go to a Caribbean school you stand an excellent chance of failing medical college or graduating and being unable to get into a residency. The lucky ones that do get residencies almost always end up in undesirable locations and noncompetitive fields. Caribbean schools should be your last resort after you have tried and failed to get into a US MD or DO school for two or more application cycles.
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Thank you for your advice. Yes, the C's were after I withdrew from both Physics I and Chem I. I'm thankful for my B in second semester Physics though! It's good to know that I could retake them. DO schools are my main desire/focus so the grade replacement sounds great. I will however have to stick to the community college at this point. My parter, although supportive, has been very stressed out with this like me. Do you think I should consider some type of a masters in biomedical science? There is a program nearby but it's $40k for the year! Eek. I also have an urgency to start med school (why I'm considering caribbean) due to taking care of a family member situation. Thanks!!!
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1. Pre-med advisors don't know ANYTHING, they have never been to med school
2. Forget the Masters, you don't need it. Waste of time and money
3. You need to retake the core classes that you have C's in: the physics and chemistry.
I was in the same boat in undergrad and took all the chem, orgo, and physics at least 4 times each. Just do well and move forward.
4. Get a decent score on the MCAT, most folks say 30+, I don't think that is realistic, I would say that if you can get at least a 26 you should still apply DO as long as your pre-req grades are fixed. Remember, if you don't apply, you never know if you will get looked at. Be sure to apply the first day the cycle opens to maximize your chances.
5.Shadow a DO to get a good letter, be sure you understand what it is to be a doc.
6.The other are correct that is is super difficult to get a residency as a Caribbean grad because there just aren't enough slots. You will end up doing IM and then some branch of that no one really wants to do like endocrine or nephrology. Really limits your residency options.
7. Don't be in too much of a hurry to start especially if you cannot focus your whole effort to medical school. The first semester is 35 credits and you don't have the luxury of dropping anything if it gets hard. The subsequent semesters are more credit hours with the final one being about 52. Stay steady, do the basics and apply when your application is solid.
2. Forget the Masters, you don't need it. Waste of time and money
3. You need to retake the core classes that you have C's in: the physics and chemistry.
I was in the same boat in undergrad and took all the chem, orgo, and physics at least 4 times each. Just do well and move forward.
4. Get a decent score on the MCAT, most folks say 30+, I don't think that is realistic, I would say that if you can get at least a 26 you should still apply DO as long as your pre-req grades are fixed. Remember, if you don't apply, you never know if you will get looked at. Be sure to apply the first day the cycle opens to maximize your chances.
5.Shadow a DO to get a good letter, be sure you understand what it is to be a doc.
6.The other are correct that is is super difficult to get a residency as a Caribbean grad because there just aren't enough slots. You will end up doing IM and then some branch of that no one really wants to do like endocrine or nephrology. Really limits your residency options.
7. Don't be in too much of a hurry to start especially if you cannot focus your whole effort to medical school. The first semester is 35 credits and you don't have the luxury of dropping anything if it gets hard. The subsequent semesters are more credit hours with the final one being about 52. Stay steady, do the basics and apply when your application is solid.
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Thank you for your advice, and suggestions. I will look into retaking the C courses at a Community College, since it is all I can afford at this point. I wonder if I can avoid re-taking General Chemistry I since I will have Gen Chem II and Orgo I and II (assuming that I do much better of course)?
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Although the DO application only calculates the re-takes in your GPA, schools will look at your transcripts. They will want to see and upward trend. My recommendation is to take the O chem series and do well, then you have the option of re-taking physics, or taking additional pre-recs that are not required, but recommended, and do well on those. You will also need to do pretty well on the MCAT. As for Carib. schools, I would look at them as a last resort. Remember, if you are struggling with the info in the pre-recs, you may struggle with the med school curriculum, so you want to go to a school that offers student support, and a better chance at success (especially where residencies are concerned).
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Retaking both chem 1 and 2 will be a great help in demonstrating that you can do well in tough classes. The retake will also give a substantial boost to your GPA. If it seems like a waste of time and effort to three-peat chem 1, just look on it as study time for the MCAT. Again, you absolutely, positively have to get A's this time around. Anything less will be a giant step back, since adcoms will have to question why you were unable to learn the material on your third try. Study until your eyeballs bleed if you have to. Do whatever it takes to get perfect grades, because anything else is going to be unacceptable.
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Thanks again, I shall do just that! I will try to finish strong (and think about retaking the C classes as well). My partner is finally on board about me going out of state so I will apply broadly and hope for the best.
My plan will be to take the MCAT next spring after the orgo series.
When do I start applying? Do I begin my applications and getting letters this fall already? What's the best guide/thread on SDN that could guide me? I see multiple. Thanks so much!!
My plan will be to take the MCAT next spring after the orgo series.
When do I start applying? Do I begin my applications and getting letters this fall already? What's the best guide/thread on SDN that could guide me? I see multiple. Thanks so much!!
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Applications open in May/June. You can start entering info ~May 1st, and submit June 1st. Since you have a fair amount of stuff to repeat, this year is out, and possibly next year as well. Additionally, you HAVE to buckle down, adcoms don't accept excuses for grades short of "I almost died from cancer" or similar. Dealing with family issues is a lifelong thing, and many people have them and still get decent grades... You have to want it so bad you can taste it, and apply that determination to your school work.
CB, thanks for making me reterrified to start in July... 35cr... UGH... Also, since when don't people want to go into Endo? If I felt like doing a fellowship after residency it would likely be my hands down choice... granted, I have Graves and my dad is diabetic...
CB, thanks for making me reterrified to start in July... 35cr... UGH... Also, since when don't people want to go into Endo? If I felt like doing a fellowship after residency it would likely be my hands down choice... granted, I have Graves and my dad is diabetic...
