Should I apply for 2009?

[piernas]

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I know, I know, not another one of these types of questions. But, I have been debating about applying for 2009, and have been wavering so much that I thought I would ask. Here are my stats:

- Graduated in 2004 with a 3.4 GPA. I know this is a bit low...
- I have been working in clinical research for the last 2 years. The job offers a ton of patient interaction (vitals, blood draws...).
- Volunteered at a hospital from May-Nov of last year, currently looking for a new position .
- I have a couple of LOR's from college profs. in Interfolio.
- Course-wise I still need to take Organic 2 and Biochem
- Haven't taken the MCAT yet. I took a practice exam and got low 20's, with a 9 in verbal, so at least I wouldn't have to prep too much on verbal.

What do you guys think? Should I start MCAT studying in hopes of taking it in June? Or should I wait another year, continue taking classes, finish the pre-reqs, and hopefully boost the GPA?

Thanks!

 

[sunny1]

I think you should start studying for MCAT now with plans to take it in the summer. If you think you can make yourself stick to a schedule and self study, that's great. Otherwise if you are full-time now, there are prep classes with meeting times only in the evening, so this would work for you as well. Look at the Kaplan or Princeton Review website to see what they are offering soon near you.

Since you've been at your current job for 2 years (I assume full-time), you should consider asking them if they'd let you go part-time for the summer and then back to full-time in the fall. If your supervisor is understanding and supportive, hopefully they'll let you do it. I was able to do this last year. This way, you can take Org Chem 2 over the summer and study hard to ensure an A. You can also spend some of the extra time filling out applications. Then you can take Biochem in the fall and continue FT.

What's your BCPM gpa? Do you have multiple in-state school options? Right now the most you can do is prepare fully for the best score possible on MCAT, get As in your remaining classes, and apply early and broadly. It certainly seems feasible that you could apply this year for 2009 matriculation.

The only reasons to wait would be 1) if you want to take more science classes to increase your GPA above what you have left; and 2) you don't think you can fully prepare yourself for the MCAT between now and early June. But I think you're certainly in the position to aim for applying this year.

 

[Law2Doc]

I know, I know, not another one of these types of questions. But, I have been debating about applying for 2009, and have been wavering so much that I thought I would ask. Here are my stats:

- Graduated in 2004 with a 3.4 GPA. I know this is a bit low...
- I have been working in clinical research for the last 2 years. The job offers a ton of patient interaction (vitals, blood draws...).
- Volunteered at a hospital from May-Nov of last year, currently looking for a new position .
- I have a couple of LOR's from college profs. in Interfolio.
- Course-wise I still need to take Organic 2 and Biochem
- Haven't taken the MCAT yet. I took a practice exam and got low 20's, with a 9 in verbal, so at least I wouldn't have to prep too much on verbal.

What do you guys think? Should I start MCAT studying in hopes of taking it in June? Or should I wait another year, continue taking classes, finish the pre-reqs, and hopefully boost the GPA?

Thanks!

I would finish orgo 2 (there is some coverage of this on the MCAT) and then start a prep course for the MCAT. But don't put a June deadline on yourself -- until you are scoring in the competitive range on multiple full length practice tests, you are not ready to take the MCAT, let alone apply, even if that pushes you to 2010 etc. If you got low 20s on the real thing you would not get in anywhere, so you are not at the starting gate yet. Nothing ends more people's dreams than rushing.

 

[thoffen]

With a low GPA, you're going to need a very good MCAT score to balance it out (if you're shooting for allopathic). By your own statements, you have got work to do on the MCAT. Don't apply until you've nailed that beast. You have time to prepare if you start now, but try not to get discouraged if you get burned in the prep. Just be honest and take an extra year if you need it. It would look worse if you hastily applied with a poor MCAT score or let your current grades slip.

One thing is that I wouldn't submit my primary any later than Aug 1 with all of your LORs in interfolio and ready. Most schools require 3 letters. Some 4 or more. I had 5 and sent as many as I could. Don't procrastinate on your personal statement, and get it reviewed by someone. Then, don't procrastinate on your secondaries.

If you're not ready or behind the date, just simply don't apply yet. This is not a process to be rushed. I rushed it a little, and I'm fortunate to come out ahead.

 

[Weoh]

With regard to your practice test, even though you had a good first go with the verbal, don't think that you can let that go to the wayside-- that's probably the easiest section to bomb if you don't have enough practice/preparation going into the exam. You can't really study for it, but there's a whole lot that you can do ahead of time to help you keep it together if you end up getting a few "oh ****" passages.

I took Orgo 2 while taking a Princeton review course (I've been out of undergrad for almost 10 yrs) and found there to be a lot of overlap--which I found to be very helpful. Some of my orgo classes covered material that came later in PR course, and some of the material from the PR course I saw later in my orgo class.

If you decide to apply in the upcoming cycle keep in mind that biochem is not required for admission to all med schools-- be sure that you check their website or thumb thru' the MSAR to find out.

As long as your app is well rounded and solid, I don't think a 3.4 on it's own is going to keep you out whether or not you apply 2008 or 2009. Begin ironing down a strong personal statement and beat up the MCAT. With your gpa, just be sure to apply EARLY and broadly-- sure, have a couple of reach schools and a bunch where you're pretty competitive with regard to numbers, but don't neglect those "third tier" schools-- which, in my opinion, have some really excellent programs that just might surprise you.