So about that back up plan....

[Excision]

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I have come to the realization that ~3.4 gpa just isn't quite good enough. I majored in Cell and Molecular Biology with a minor in Chemistry.

I am applying to medical school this cycle. In the meantime, I am also applying to a 1 year masters program in Molecular Pathology. The program starts in June 2012 and ends in spring 2013. The curriculum is as follows

Molecular Biology
Molecular Genetics
Applied Molecular Techniques 1 & 2
Research design and statistical analysis
Issues in Molecular Pathology
Pathophysiology
Management of the Molecular Laboratory
Graduate Seminar
Graduate Research
Preceptorship

Total Credit Hours: 42

Basically, I'm wondering if this program is worth it. More specifically, would this program demonstrate to adcoms that I am capable of maintaining a high GPA with a heavy courseload. Also, in your opinion, what is the quality of the curriculum? And would having a high GPA in this program make a difference to adcoms?

Alternatively, I could retake 2 courses I made C's in, in addition to other science classes.

Thanks

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

I would retake what you could and do the masters program. If you do that then apply it will show that you were mature in that you knew what your weaknesses were and you tried to do better and prove yourself. Good luck, but if that doesn't work out then there is always the D.O. option! 🙂

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

I think getting your GPA up to a 3.5 will impact more than a masters.
What's your MCAT?

 

[Excision]

I think getting your GPA up to a 3.5 will impact more than a masters.
What's your MCAT?

I haven't taken the MCAT yet. I will take it in April.

 

[chiapet874]

A masters won't cover for your undergrad GPA, you still need to hit a certain level.

And according to LizzyM, she has never been impressed with a masters.

 

[Jarudy]

A masters won't cover for your undergrad GPA, you still need to hit a certain level.

And according to LizzyM, she has never been impressed with a masters.

Impressing a seasoned adcom member takes something very special.

OP, why are you doubting already? If I remember correctly 2 more points on the MCAT puts your LizzyM score at the same as a 3.6/X-2 (ie 3.4/33 vs 3.6/31). Does anything else stick out on your tentative app that your could sell? Extensive EC's, etc? Market your strengths hard and expect things to turn out well and don't forget about DO

 

[typicalindian]

Your money is probably better spent on a post bacc than a masters

 

[Cambino]

A masters won't cover for your undergrad GPA, you still need to hit a certain level.

And according to LizzyM, she has never been impressed with a masters.

Let's assume that he's applying to mid/low-tier, not top-tier.
Impressing top-tier adcoms isn't his priority with a 3.4

OP - I'd say try to bring up your GPA to 3.5+, and if all else fails, consider D.O.

 

[IlDestriero]

If you're going to invest time and money in a plan B, make it a real plan B. Do you want to go on to a career in research in molecular pathology? If not, you're probably making a mistake. Hopefully you have a couple C grades bringing your GPA down and not semesters full of Bs. If so, consider retaking them and try DO. Kill the MCAT. Don't take it until you can get a 35. You need a high score to overcome your GPA issue. Then you're back on track.
Or, look into a real plan B. I rec drilling for dollars.

 

[johnisles2011]

I wouldn't really think the masters would be that helpful at least to be worth the money. YOu could just retake the classes you did badly in and tack a few more on, just to try to get that GPA to the 3.5 point. I feel like that is a pretty big unspoken cutoff.

 

[TexasPhysician]

Did you apply MD and DO?

 

[Chamahk]

I think getting your GPA up to a 3.5 will impact more than a masters.
What's your MCAT?

😱 GTFO!!! 3.4 and 3.5 what's the BIG difference? 😱

 

[Chamahk]

Let's assume that he's applying to mid/low-tier, not top-tier.
Impressing top-tier adcoms isn't his priority with a 3.4

OP - I'd say try to bring up your GPA to 3.5+, and if all else fails, consider D.O.

that doesn't sound much different from "those pre-meds" who write things like, ".... I guess I gotta settle with neurosurgery instead"

 

[robertch8]

OP, is this where is this 1 year Master's program at? Before anything, you should see how the MCAT goes for you. If you have a great MCAT, don't bother doing a Master's program. But if you don't do so hot, maybe look at a high linkage Master's program if you're going to do a SMP....not a big fan of Master's programs with no tie-in to the med school.

 

[Knocked Up]

I have come to the realization that ~3.4 gpa just isn't quite good enough. I majored in Cell and Molecular Biology with a minor in Chemistry.

I am applying to medical school this cycle. In the meantime, I am also applying to a 1 year masters program in Molecular Pathology. The program starts in June 2012 and ends in spring 2013. The curriculum is as follows

Molecular Biology
Molecular Genetics
Applied Molecular Techniques 1 & 2
Research design and statistical analysis
Issues in Molecular Pathology
Pathophysiology
Management of the Molecular Laboratory
Graduate Seminar
Graduate Research
Preceptorship

Total Credit Hours: 42

Basically, I'm wondering if this program is worth it. More specifically, would this program demonstrate to adcoms that I am capable of maintaining a high GPA with a heavy courseload. Also, in your opinion, what is the quality of the curriculum? And would having a high GPA in this program make a difference to adcoms?

Alternatively, I could retake 2 courses I made C's in, in addition to other science classes.

Thanks

Man, you never know until you take the darn MCAT. I have 0.6 points higher GPA than my friend. He has 6 points on me on the MCAT. I have better ECs than him. Guess who has more acceptances? Him, by a good amount. (although he did apply to many more schools and much more broadly than I did) Bottom line, the MCAT can make up a lot ground.

If you're going to invest time and money in a plan B, make it a real plan B. Do you want to go on to a career in research in molecular pathology? If not, you're probably making a mistake. Hopefully you have a couple C grades bringing your GPA down and not semesters full of Bs. If so, consider retaking them and try DO. Kill the MCAT. Don't take it until you can get a 35. You need a high score to overcome your GPA issue. Then you're back on track.
Or, look into a real plan B. I rec drilling for dollars.

IlDestriero is right. You need to kill the MCAT. The only quibble I have with this is that you really never know with the current MCAT (note, since IIDestriero is so very old, he probably took this test before any of us were born jk/ ). The test is heavily based on reading comprehension and it is really a s***-shot, even in the upper range or scores. You could be averaging a 35 on all the AAMCs (which are significanty easier than the real test now) and get a 30. Conversely you could get a 39. Bottom line, just keep working hard, but there is so much variable change in this process that it really isn't worth stressing about. Try your hardest and have faith that God will allow everything to work out.

 

[varsityblue]

I think doing the master's program and focusing on MCAT prep is a good idea.

 

[romanjetfighter]

i am in the same boat as you

i feel like doing a masters, if you put in the reequired amount of effort you're pretty much guaranteed high scores and somehting to show for it

meanwhile, studying for the mcat, you could take it and get a bad score and now you have nothing to show for it or a mediocre score

i was thinking about a local SMP but so many of these SMPs are really expensive and the way they advertise it it's almost as if they're preying on our desperation and playing on our fears!!!

also many of us have so many units getting As in upper divisions for 1-2 years will only bring up our GPA by like .1 o.o

i really feel your pain and dilemma OP. i wouldn't put too much weigh on what an adcom says about a masters though. you never know what skills/opportunities arise from further education :X

 

[Cambino]

that doesn't sound much different from "those pre-meds" who write things like, ".... I guess I gotta settle with neurosurgery instead"

Stop posting for the +1.
You tend to do it a lot - trying contributing, or don't post at all. No popularity contest here. 👎

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

😱 GTFO!!! 3.4 and 3.5 what's the BIG difference? 😱

In terms of weighing in a masters and 3.4 to a 3.5+.
investing a year of time and classes can get you up to a 3.5+ which can statistically give more advantage than just doing a masters.
All in all, the MCAT should be your biggest priority.
Anyways, OP if you are considering D.O. what are your D.O. sGPA and cGPA? (factor in grade replacement and remove math courses from sGPA)

 

[gmcguitar4]

Doing a masters in something to help your application is a complete waste of time. Considering adcoms put the most weight on uGPA and MCAT, why would you spend a whole year and a lot of money on something that is basically on the same level with an EC? The best thing you can do, as far as taking more classes, is try to raise your uGPA.

Sometimes people often do a masters and THEN realize they don't want to go into that field and pursue a career in medicine. This case is completely understandable. But pursuing another degree just to help get into med school doesn't make too much sense.

 

[Music MD]

Crush MCAT and don't do the masters. 3.3cum, 3.5sci, 32 MCAT here. Admitted to two MD schools and 7 DO schools. Apply very broadly, ie 20+ schools anywhere you'd be willing to live for 4 years. Also forget the applications to the big name institutions.. be realistic when choosing your schools. Consider applying DO also.

 

[tantacles]

Doing a masters in something to help your application is a complete waste of time. Considering adcoms put the most weight on uGPA and MCAT, why would you spend a whole year and a lot of money on something that is basically on the same level with an EC? The best thing you can do, as far as taking more classes, is try to raise your uGPA.

Sometimes people often do a masters and THEN realize they don't want to go into that field and pursue a career in medicine. This case is completely understandable. But pursuing another degree just to help get into med school doesn't make too much sense.

Yes. Don't touch the master's degree. Get a job if at all possible, even if it's completely unrelated to health care. If you can't find a research or health care related position, volunteer significantly on the side and shadow substantially after you finish your MCAT prep.

There is absolutely no reason to do a Master's degree unless you are incredibly interested in working in the field that your degree will be in OR unless it's related to your future career as a doctor and you plan to use it there (MPH, for example). A master's degree will not prove anything to an admissions committee; medical school is a completely different ball game when compared to research degrees.

tl;dr: Save your money. Get a job. Volunteer.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Crush MCAT and don't do the masters. 3.3cum, 3.5sci, 32 MCAT here. Admitted to two MD schools and 7 DO schools. Apply very broadly, ie 20+ schools anywhere you'd be willing to live for 4 years. Also forget the applications to the big name institutions.. be realistic when choosing your schools. Consider applying DO also.

Oh hi I'm inspired by you now. I have a similar sGPA and a little bit higher cGPA but I still got 2 more years to go!

 

[DeterminedDoc]

A 3.4 is plenty good enough. While it is certainly not an "ideal" GPA, it could still be competitive deepending on the rest of your application. There are those of us who will never have a 3.4 GPA. Quit your bitchin

 

[Excision]

Impressing a seasoned adcom member takes something very special.

OP, why are you doubting already? If I remember correctly 2 more points on the MCAT puts your LizzyM score at the same as a 3.6/X-2 (ie 3.4/33 vs 3.6/31). Does anything else stick out on your tentative app that your could sell? Extensive EC's, etc? Market your strengths hard and expect things to turn out well and don't forget about DO

I transferred from community college to Texas Tech my junior year. I had no intentions of going to medical school at this time. I had no motivation or direction. I can bring my cGPA to over 3.5 if I retake both C's I've made in my sciences. The trouble comes when I factor in my GPA from community college. I was mistaken in my first post, and it's actually worse, my gpa will be ~3.35. I'm beginning to think I'm SOL.

Anyway, I am now thinking it will be better to apply next cycle so I have time to build on my EC's and retake classes. I should have at least 200 hours of volunteering and 200 shadowing by that time.

I have also worked in a pharmacy as a technician for the past 4 years. I feel that this is significant because a majority of the beds that we take care of are in the neonatal ICU and pediatric ICU. We also service a fully functioning ER and a non critical floor. I have had the privilege to attend numerous trauma's and code's, and in a few cases I have been asked to draw up emergency doses at the bedside (under a pharmacist's supervision, of course).

If you're going to invest time and money in a plan B, make it a real plan B. Do you want to go on to a career in research in molecular pathology? If not, you're probably making a mistake. Hopefully you have a couple C grades bringing your GPA down and not semesters full of Bs. If so, consider retaking them and try DO. Kill the MCAT. Don't take it until you can get a 35. You need a high score to overcome your GPA issue. Then you're back on track.
Or, look into a real plan B. I rec drilling for dollars.

Thanks. I really have no desire to work in a molecular lab for the rest of my life. I will be meeting with some program advisers over the next week to weigh my options, but as of right now this specific program is not appealing.

As of now, I plan on retaking a couple of classes to average them to a B. I will be focusing on the MCAT during late spring/early summer of 2012, and knocking it out of the park.

Should I need something else, another masters program possibility is one offered by my university that specifically states:

The Pre-Medical Sciences track is designed for students whose eventual goal is towards a teaching career in the anatomical sciences or for those students who desire to improve their academic credentials in preparation for medical school. Students in the Pre-Medical Sciences track will take courses in the anatomical sciences, and will participate in the teaching mission of the TTUHSC School of Medicine as teaching assistants.

However, I'm turned off by the idea of a 2 year program. But if this would get me in after everything else, then perhaps it's worth considering.

Did you apply MD and DO?

I have only recently considered DO.

OP, is this where is this 1 year Master's program at? Before anything, you should see how the MCAT goes for you. If you have a great MCAT, don't bother doing a Master's program. But if you don't do so hot, maybe look at a high linkage Master's program if you're going to do a SMP....not a big fan of Master's programs with no tie-in to the med school.

It's at Texas Tech University. For now, my main goals are retaking two classes and knocking the MCAT out of the park.

 

[Excision]

Crush MCAT and don't do the masters. 3.3cum, 3.5sci, 32 MCAT here. Admitted to two MD schools and 7 DO schools. Apply very broadly, ie 20+ schools anywhere you'd be willing to live for 4 years. Also forget the applications to the big name institutions.. be realistic when choosing your schools. Consider applying DO also.

Awesome. Thanks, and congrats. Hopefully I can pull similar results as I believe my stats will finish similarly. Hopefully I'll be able to do better than a 32, no offense.

Not ALL hope is lost.

Yes. Don't touch the master's degree. Get a job if at all possible, even if it's completely unrelated to health care. If you can't find a research or health care related position, volunteer significantly on the side and shadow substantially after you finish your MCAT prep.

There is absolutely no reason to do a Master's degree unless you are incredibly interested in working in the field that your degree will be in OR unless it's related to your future career as a doctor and you plan to use it there (MPH, for example). A master's degree will not prove anything to an admissions committee; medical school is a completely different ball game when compared to research degrees.

tl;dr: Save your money. Get a job. Volunteer.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Excision]

Quit your bitchin

👍

 

[Hotshy]

Post-Bac would probably be cheaper, unless you come from a well-off family, that is the best option. Get straight A's and pull 34/35+ on the MCAT and I think you will be fine if you apply wisely, this is of course assuming your ECs are in order.

Edit: Trend is important here even if that year or two of straight A's doesn't help your GPA that much, the trend will be noticed be admissions committees.

 

[varsityblue]

I wouldn't bother retaking anything. Just do a master's degree in a sciency subject at get as close to a 4.0 as possible.

 

[MT Headed]

I wouldn't bother retaking anything. Just do a master's degree in a sciency subject at get as close to a 4.0 as possible.

This advice is borderline malevolent.

Getting in to medical school is about demonstrating your ability to utterly dominate the undergrad basic sciences, not become an expert in one. A masters in a sciency subject is would have the same effect as a masters in the culinary arts. They would both make the transition to life as an MS1 a little easier, and neither would affect the undergrad cGpa and sGpa so necessary to get accepted in the first place.