This conversation has been had multiple times over the past month. I don't think there's any need to rekindle the flames. I think gyngyn was tactfully trying to dispel the sense of entitlement that a misguided Ivy League applicant might acquire.
-
CycleTrack and SDN are teaming up to make medical school admissions more transparent and accessible! Read the announcement to learn how we’re supporting the future of CycleTrack’s free application-tracking tools .
Should I apply?
Started by Cogitate
Get help with your application
Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.
This conversation has been had multiple times over the past month. I don't think there's any need to rekindle the flames. I think gyngyn was tactfully trying to dispel the sense of entitlement that a misguided Ivy League applicant might acquire.
Don't apply to the PR med schools. There are 4. 1 is only for PR residents. Another fills 85 % of class with PR residents, leaving only 2. While it appears their MCAT scores are much lower than avg, it is because the folks down there do school mainly in Spanish (with a good amount of English too nonetheless). As such, don't be too surprised to see yourself grouped in with OOS and selected based upon MCAT which they'll expect a comparable score to the typical mainlander here. Besides the fluency (tested in interviews), you have to show service to the hispanic communities which it seems you haven't and they require language pre--reqs. You're currently rushing to find a DO to shadow as I read from other posts trying to quickly get in on the DO cycle so u don't need to add another layer of stress by all of sudden volunteering in El Barrio.
Just like with PR MD, your only problem with DO is adcoms may detect you're applying as backup demonstrated by the late shadowing. One may argue that many applicants do apply DO as a 2nd choice but they make the genuine effort to learn about osteopathic medicine and take charge to shadow for a considerable amount of hours way before they start their app cycle. You got the numbers so whether in this cycle or the next, DO is very possible. I must also add that there are many applicants who apply to MD (and DO) with way more than a year of research.
That said, research is just there as a cherry on a sundae unless you apply to research heavy schools or md/phd. Mcat retake if better would help with MD but you'd be running late into the md admission cycle. Ivy League status helps in certain fields but not so much in medicine, which is why it is so appealing to thousands of students nationwide.
Your best advice here has been posted by wise adcom members from different schools. Be thankful that they all came to give you advice. Really, with their words and all the input from your various threads, I think you have enough information to decide what your next step will be.
Just like with PR MD, your only problem with DO is adcoms may detect you're applying as backup demonstrated by the late shadowing. One may argue that many applicants do apply DO as a 2nd choice but they make the genuine effort to learn about osteopathic medicine and take charge to shadow for a considerable amount of hours way before they start their app cycle. You got the numbers so whether in this cycle or the next, DO is very possible. I must also add that there are many applicants who apply to MD (and DO) with way more than a year of research.
That said, research is just there as a cherry on a sundae unless you apply to research heavy schools or md/phd. Mcat retake if better would help with MD but you'd be running late into the md admission cycle. Ivy League status helps in certain fields but not so much in medicine, which is why it is so appealing to thousands of students nationwide.
Your best advice here has been posted by wise adcom members from different schools. Be thankful that they all came to give you advice. Really, with their words and all the input from your various threads, I think you have enough information to decide what your next step will be.
There is zero question that schools like Harvard, Dartmouth and Brown are inflated. The logic you mention only points to the inflation being justifiable
I wasn't trying to inflame anything wedge. I just have never heard an adcom members view on this, that's all.
You'll be hard pressed to get any real opinions out of Gyngyn. He's always saying he's just here to inform
Very true.
What would you improve with the year? Retake MCAT?
Oh no, I know! I just didn't want others to come in and start that conversation up again.
ECs are pretty weak. He could spend a year building them up
Why? No offense, but I don't understand why ya'll are so sensitive.
Absent father figure. Grew up with a strong mother and 3 lovely sisters.
Yeah it did make me cry a bit :'(
I don't know if your GPA will move enough to make a meaningful difference. See what it comes out to with a years worth of 3.7
If you could improve your MCAT and your ECs in a year you would have a much better shot at MD schools. Currently you aren't really competitive for them; you are competitive for most DO schools, though.
If you are def applying this year, then apply to low-tier/new MD schools along with DO and hope for the best. It's not impossible to get MD, but it is improbable. Your call.
If you are def applying this year, then apply to low-tier/new MD schools along with DO and hope for the best. It's not impossible to get MD, but it is improbable. Your call.
I was thinking of just doing a psych major (30 credits, 2 semesters). So I would get all As which would help a lot.
Your 1 year of research is just fine unless you're looking at research heavy schools. I don't see the GPA moving up much. But EC's must take first priority...then MCAT if MD is a must for you.
If you really want to become a physician take as long as it takes to become a competitive applicant. Take a year or two if necessary. Increase your exposure to non clinical and clinical service. Continue research of you are passionate about it. Extensively study for the new MCAT and ace it. Hopefully you will develop both the skills, stats, and humility I have no doubt ADCOMS appreciate.
Ughhh idk. How bad would a previous rejection be? I'm thinking if just applying to all my state schools...
I disagree. I don't think AdComs will care if you ace a light psych course load.
Typically, as a post-bacc, you'd be expected to take upper level science courses (or a healthy mix of sci and non-sci if cgpa is also lacking)even if you take neuroscience classes thru psych dept they may not be added to your science gpa
Postbacc would be better you think?
Only if you can handle it.
There is no need for a post-bacc, a 3.6 is a fine GPA. Increasing it with psych courses will still count, they aren't going to simply discredit it.
This is nonsense - tell that to the psych majors who get accepted. Rigor matters but 30 credits isn't a light load.
Postbacc is just a term given to anyone who takes undergrad classes after getting their bachelors. Whether taking psych classes or doing sciencce you are doing post bacc work. If you mean, a SMP, then that is different. Not advisable since you're willling to do DO and you got the numbers for it (and can get the stats for MD too)
No extra major needed. Just work on EC's (and MCAT for MD)
No INTELLIGENT MD resident is going to make fun of a DO (def not in 30 years). If the letters behind your name bother you and your drive to become a physician can't override that feeling, then don't do DO.
I was about to say a higher MCAT score would help the most. But there's no reason for him to think he will magically get a better score just because he retakes the exam.
If his GPA is considered inflated (and I have no idea if it is), and he really needs to raise it, he needs to do so with hard science courses. AdCom members are not stupid, they know grade padding when they see it. But I don't really think his GPA is the big problem here.
The psych majors Aced everything the first time around. Nobody does GPA redemption with humanities or social sciences courses. Nobody should anyway.
I personally would retake with a 7 in any subject, even verbal.
A 7 paired with 2 10's doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. An 8 paired with 2 13+'s and I'll throw you a bone.
Another year=/= getting an MD.
Another year= possibly increasing your chances of getting an MD, or possibly being right back where you started. Only you can decide if it is worth the risk.
I'm under the assumption he still has 1 year of undergrad left. If he has already taken a bunch of upper levels and gotten a 3.6, good grades in psych courses aren't going to raise eyebrows. It can only be a positive.
I thought he graduated. In that case, he can add a psych minor if he wants. I still think AdComs won't really care. Acing a years worth of upper div science courses would be infinitely more impressive.
mrh125!
He's morphed into an Ivy grad.
Last edited by a moderator:
Wait really?
Think about it.
Claimed to be part Native American.
Almost identical stats.
Takes offense where none is intended.
Last edited by a moderator:
You could be in medical school in a year, instead of two years. How badly do you want to be a doctor?
Your problem is the MCAT, not your GOA. If you're boning for the MD, then retake the MCAT and this time, ace it. Use the gap year to add to your ECs.
Your problem is the MCAT, not your GOA. If you're boning for the MD, then retake the MCAT and this time, ace it. Use the gap year to add to your ECs.
As soon as you point this out OP gets probationary status. Hmmm, I think youre on to something.
I won't deny that. The Leonardo dicaprio avatar should give it away.
Anyways, thank you all very much for all the comments and suggestions. I really do appreciate it. For now I'm off to submit AMCAS to my state schools and low tier MD schools. I may apply to a few DO schools too. I'll return in a few months to let y'all know how it turned out. Thanks again guys!
We are trying to give you honest advice that you solicited from us. We're not the ones being salty.
So wait, are you mrh?
Oh yea! That "genius" had a Leo avatar too. Good times. My hat goes off to his trolling abilities.
Last edited:
