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[Icantplayspades]

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I am a Florida resident. My GPAs (cumulative and science) are between 3.0-3.4, my MCAT (2017) was 500 and I have a wealth of ECs and experiences as relayed to me by an ADcom member. Which SMPs should I look into for this year? I plan on retaking the MCAT this Summer and I'm eager to start an SMP in 2021. I'm in my late 20s and I just want to get on one path and works towards what I actually want to do so I have some level of satisfaction in my professional life.

 

[Icantplayspades]

What are your exact GPAs? You may not need an SMP.

I'm not sure of exact numbers but I know they're between 3.0-3.4. I know they're below the medians for D.O. and M.D. In addition, I applied back in 2017 so I was thinking doing well in an SMP would be a great update before a reapplication.

 

[Icantplayspades]

I highly recommend that you figure out your exact sGPA. If it's >3.2 then you're a solid candidate for DO with a 505+ MCAT retake and you wouldn't need to spend $50k doing an SMP. There's also the possibility that you do poorly in your SMP (<3.4) would essentially negate its benefits (happened to many of my SMP classmates)

What if one GPA is higher than the other? If both GPA are 3.2+ would allopathic schools be off the table with a high enough MCAT? When I retake this summer, I'm positive I'll do far better; I literally studied for 3 weeks the first time I sat for it.

 

[Icantplayspades]

Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention | Student Doctor Network

You want to shoot for a 3.7+ in a respected SMP (1-year) to show that you can handle the rigors of medical school. I had classmates who came in with 3.4/505 because "DO is icky" only to flunk out or finish the SMP with <3.2 and ruin any chance they had.

Personally I'd go the DIY route and focus on DO unless you get a 508+ and take the SMP seriously. The discipline needed for a 508 will translate into a strong performance in the SMP... and if you finish the SMP with a 3.7 but you have a ****ty MCAT then you won't open any doors to MD. Yes there are people who go MD with 505-508 MCAT and good SMP ( I had 2 classmates out of 120+) but don't think you'll be that lucky.

So, essentially, if I get a high score next summer, I should shoot for D.O.? Would it make sense to move my MCAT up and just apply D.O. next year?

 

[Icantplayspades]

If the material is already fresh in your mind then I'd just study your ass off now ~300-400 hours (3-4 months) and get it over with. That way you have your score earlier and can strategically apply.

Thank you! I should try to retake by what month?

 

[Icantplayspades]

Starting my MCAT schedule in a few days. One last question : if I reapply this year and get accepted, would I be allowed to matriculate to medical school given that I'm in Pharmacy school?

 

[ewax]

Starting my MCAT schedule in a few days. One last question : if I reapply this year and get accepted, would I be allowed to matriculate to medical school given that I'm in Pharmacy school?

As a pharmacist who went to med school, this is possible but frowned upon by most med school adcoms. They don't like people who leave professional programs before finishing (essentially they are concerned you might "jump ship" during medical school as well).

You're not a superstar applicant so your chances of getting accepted mid-way through pharmacy school are quite poor. I would strongly recommend taking the MCAT as planned but finishing your pharmd before applying/doing an SMP.

 

[Icantplayspades]

Responses from schools have been mixed. I'm going to sit for the MCAT, reapply and roll the dice. Pharmacy seems to just be scratching the surface. I want to learn more anatomy and physiology and clinical reasoning. I'm so unfulfilled right now.

 

[Icantplayspades]

I'm still confused: is the consnesus that it would be best to finish my PharmD before an application? It's not that I dislike Pharmacy but we "scratch the surface" of things which are really interesting with no emphasis on clinical intervention or respect for anatomy. Thanks for the input everyone. If I reapply in P4, could I still sit for the MCAT this Summer?

 

[Icantplayspades]

You said it yourself, responses from schools are mixed. If you apply unsuccessfully then you'll have to explain how you've improved the following cycle. It will be extremely difficult to balance pharm school and the MCAT, primary, secondary, essays, and LORs. If you quit, some med schools may think "why would we want someone who can't make up their mind"?
Again, this is somewhat speculative. Also, think about how much debt you're willing to bear. With your stats you'll likely end up at a lower-tier DO school which can be 60-80k tuition + 15-25k for living expenses per year. So consider if its worth 350-500k in debt + your current debt and no real paycheck until 10 years from now as an attending.

My Pharmacy school is cheap and I'm doing well. I can easily take the MCAT this Summer. Why would I be limited to "low-tier" DO schools?

 

[Icantplayspades]

You said your sGPA is ~3-3.4. Let's assume it's 3.2 and assuming an MCAT of 502 (most retakers only go up or down 1-2 points). Even if you had a 6 point jump you'd still be on the lower end of competitiveness. DO school has gotten much more competitive than in 2017.

Understand you're using objective data but you're wrong. I literally didn't study for my first MCAT so I know I'll do better. In addition, I'm killing Pharmacy school right now and I'm involved in many ECs. I don't think I'll just be limited to "low tier" D.O. schools.

Not trying to be a jerk but just wanted to clarify.

Additionally, I was aiming for HBCUs due to personal preference. Would I have a shot with these schools?