- Joined
- Apr 24, 2014
- Messages
- 40
- Reaction score
- 39
So I'm currently confronted with quite a dilemma, primarily due to the fact that I'm a very nontraditional med school applicant. I am am very anxious about my future and eager to move forward with my schooling, but I am not sure how competitive I am as an applicant in the US. Although I have already taken my MCAT (score 32) and I plan to apply for US schools in the fall, the possibility of starting earlier with my medical studies (in fall 2015, rather than summer 2016) has led me to consider applying for medical school in Europe (resp. Jagiellonian, Semmelweis, possibly German med schools).
Now, I know a 32 is generally satisfactory for many DO programs, and indeed many MD programs, however my background does not lend itself well to easy evaluation, and this has infected me with self-doubt.
Basically, I did my Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance (cGPA 3.69), graduating in 2013, and ever since I've been working in various medical fields (first as an opthalmic technician, now as a phlebotomist). However, (and this is where the convoluted part begins), I obtained my premed requirements at 4 different universities, and I'm only just now finishing my final premed classes (2nd semester Gen.Chem and 1st semester Biology). As you can see, I did everything out of order, mostly because my music requirements precluded me from taking science classes during the normal academic year. Thus I did many of my premeds during the summer at different universities.
In any case, my sGPA, although difficult to calculate precisely, is/will be somewhere around 3.70. I do have five "withdrawals" on my record, which is also a cause for concern.
To my advantage, I have a comparative wealth of medical experience, (EMT, COA, and Phlebotomist) and I'm a resident of a rural state with a decent med school. The in-state tuition is quite reasonable, and I have quite a few medical connections around the state. I would also be open to attending a DO school, should it come to that.
At this point, I'm really biting at the bit to move forward. I've been out of school for two years, and I don't relish the prospect of spending another year living at home and working a low-level medical job, especially if it doesn't "pay off". Basically, I'm looking for some advice from people who have more experience with the application process. What do you think? Would studying in Europe be completely crazy? The price is certainly hard to beat, and feel like I could still apply for US med schools and break off my studies pending an acceptance. Maybe that's delusional...
Anyway, thank you all in advance for any advice!
Now, I know a 32 is generally satisfactory for many DO programs, and indeed many MD programs, however my background does not lend itself well to easy evaluation, and this has infected me with self-doubt.
Basically, I did my Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance (cGPA 3.69), graduating in 2013, and ever since I've been working in various medical fields (first as an opthalmic technician, now as a phlebotomist). However, (and this is where the convoluted part begins), I obtained my premed requirements at 4 different universities, and I'm only just now finishing my final premed classes (2nd semester Gen.Chem and 1st semester Biology). As you can see, I did everything out of order, mostly because my music requirements precluded me from taking science classes during the normal academic year. Thus I did many of my premeds during the summer at different universities.
In any case, my sGPA, although difficult to calculate precisely, is/will be somewhere around 3.70. I do have five "withdrawals" on my record, which is also a cause for concern.
To my advantage, I have a comparative wealth of medical experience, (EMT, COA, and Phlebotomist) and I'm a resident of a rural state with a decent med school. The in-state tuition is quite reasonable, and I have quite a few medical connections around the state. I would also be open to attending a DO school, should it come to that.
At this point, I'm really biting at the bit to move forward. I've been out of school for two years, and I don't relish the prospect of spending another year living at home and working a low-level medical job, especially if it doesn't "pay off". Basically, I'm looking for some advice from people who have more experience with the application process. What do you think? Would studying in Europe be completely crazy? The price is certainly hard to beat, and feel like I could still apply for US med schools and break off my studies pending an acceptance. Maybe that's delusional...
Anyway, thank you all in advance for any advice!