Should I even bother with MD?

[EnergyDrink]

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I've made a thread before explaining my circumstances. I'm a M.S. (Micro and Immuno) student at a MD school with a well-regarded SMP. I'm not in the SMP, but I take the same courses, but mostly focus on research. I have a low uGPA because of immaturity and poor academic habits. I turned my game around after family crisis.

uGPA: 2.91
Last 3 semesters of undergrad: >3.5
gGPA: 3.92
MCAT: 32N (12P, 10V, 10B), Thinking about retaking (My AAMC average was 36, normally scored 12-14 on Bio)

LORs:
1) My PI (Medical school block director)
2) Medical school professor (Ph.D)
3) Undergrad professor who knows my situation and saw my turn-around
4) A few other options, not sure yet

ECs:
Volunteer forum administrator (Top 20 forum) - 9 years
--Created staff training program (web-based)
Volunteer firefighter/EMT/rescuer/administrator - 7 years
--Current lieutenant, many honors/awards, 500 hours in formal training
Director for fire company
--Board of Directors, annual budget of 600K (this year was 1.8 million due to capital projects)
--Chair of Fire Prevention, Chair of Banquet Hall
Volunteer EMT (For ALS squad, different organization) - 6 months
Math/Science Tutor - 2 years
--Lead tutor on weekends
Shadowing - 50 hours
Publications - Should have 2nd author and 1st offer by end of summer
Conferences - Did one last October for the medical school, may do one in September after my M.S.
Research
--Undergraduate for 2 semesters
--Graduate thesis for 2 years
American Society for Microbiology
-Undergraduate and graduate (may not put this on, just a member)
Artistic Endeavors
-Guitar for 5+ years, web design, woodworking
Work Experience
Other than what was listed, I worked for my family's garden center since high school. I have a few job options, either as a research scientist in industry (small biotech) or doing medical market research. I'm also considering becoming a scribe at a local hospital (even though I have strong pre-hospital care experience, more time in the hospital would help).

Just a note: Neither my dad nor older brother finished high school. I was told this should be worked into my personal statement.

Should I even bother applying to MD schools because of my low undergraduate GPA? Should I apply to in-state schools that I have a decent shot at (such as my uni), and apply broadly at DO schools? Caribbean is not an option. Unfortunately I need to start making an income. I can take classes at night at a local CC to boost my uGPA over the summer, but with 150 undergrad credits, it is difficult to bring up at all.

Edit: I understand that my uGPA makes me a reach for all US schools, so I know my chances for DO are low too.

Thanks,

 

[dbizzy]

I've made a thread before explaining my circumstances. I'm a M.S. (Micro and Immuno) student at a MD school with a well-regarded SMP. I'm not in the SMP, but I take the same courses, but mostly focus on research. I have a low uGPA because of immaturity and poor academic habits. I turned my game around after family crisis.

uGPA: 2.91
Last 3 semesters of undergrad: >3.5
gGPA: 3.92
MCAT: 32N (12P, 10V, 10B), Thinking about retaking (My AAMC average was 36, normally scored 12-14 on Bio)

LORs:
1) My PI (Medical school block director)
2) Medical school professor (Ph.D)
3) Undergrad professor who knows my situation and saw my turn-around
4) A few other options, not sure yet

ECs:
Volunteer forum administrator (Top 15 forum) - 9 years
--Created staff training program (web-based)
Volunteer firefighter/EMT/rescuer/administrator - 7 years
--Current lieutenant, many honors/awards, 500 hours in formal training
Director for fire company
--Board of Directors, annual budget of 600K (this year was 1.8 million due to capital projects)
--Chair of Fire Prevention, Chair of Banquet Hall
Volunteer EMT (For ALS squad, different organization) - 6 months
Math/Science Tutor - 2 years
--Lead tutor on weekends
Shadowing - 50 hours
Publications - Should have 2nd author and 1st offer by end of summer
Conferences - Did one last October for the medical school, may do one in September after my M.S.
Research
--Undergraduate for 2 semesters
--Graduate thesis for 2 years
American Society for Microbiology
-Undergraduate and graduate (may not put this on, just a member)
Artistic Endeavors
-Guitar for 5+ years, web design, woodworking
Work Experience
Other than what was listed, I worked for my family's garden center since high school. I have a few job options, either as a research scientist in industry (small biotech) or doing medical market research. I'm also considering becoming a scribe at a local hospital (even though I have strong pre-hospital care experience, more time in the hospital would help).

Just a note: Neither my dad nor older brother finished high school. I was told this should be worked into my personal statement.

Should I even bother applying to MD schools because of my low undergraduate GPA? Should I apply to in-state schools that I have a decent shot at (such as my uni), then apply broadly at DO schools? Caribbean is not an option. Unfortunately I need to start making an income. I can take classes at night at a local CC to boost my uGPA over the summer, but with 150 undergrad credits, it is difficult to bring up at all.

Thanks,

Can you take another semester of ugrad courses to get yourself past that 3.0 hump? That 0.9 can mean the difference between a supplemental app and an autoscreen.

 

[Catalystik]

Of the MD schools that do consider a masters GPA, has your research found that you exceed the automatic cutoffs for any of them?

 

[EnergyDrink]

Thanks for the advice.

I've considered it, and the auto-screen does scare me (since I can't find any specific auto-screen cutoff information). I plan on applying early June (asap). I could take a few credits over the summer and subsequent fall to prepare for the next cycle, if I don't get in. I think I would need 15 credits @ 4.0.

 

[EnergyDrink]

Of the MD schools that do consider a masters GPA, has your research found that you exceed the automatic cutoffs for any of them?

Thanks for the reply Cat,
You directed me to the graduate GPA thread last time I posted here. I check it fairly regularly, but I haven't found any information relating to specific GPA cutoffs.

 

[Catalystik]

Consider reviewing websites and calling admissions offices if you don't find the information clearly stated.

 

[EnergyDrink]

Just for future reference, this link was posted by Cat in another thread:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=7199902#post7199902

GPA cutoffs for DO schools.