Suggestion Needed

[gl0baltrader]

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Hi SDN members,

I am in need of an advice as to whether or not to re-apply to medical school for the 2010 cycle. I have a 3.3 / 30N and I received one interview from UCLA that resulted in an unranked waitlist.

In the year in between I end up working full time at a pharma company and taking classes part time, taking about 24 Quarter Units. I've also applied to SMP's and Post Bac and received acceptance to BU MAMS, waitlisted at EVMS, and a coming interview at UCSF Post Bac.

Now the question is whether or not i should apply again for this cycle while doing my post-bac/SMP or should I wait until the 2011 cylce to apply to medical school ?

Any information from personal experience would be greatly appreciated.

 

[urrugby]

I would wait until you've completed your postbac. Your MCAT is within a reasonable range, but you need to bring up your GPA by at least 0.2 points. Reapplicants need to show significant improvement from prior applications, and that takes time. If you decide to apply for this cycle, here is what will happen:

Let's say you take 2 semesters over the summer. 8-10 credits won't impact your GPA significantly, but you have to send in your application by September (or earlier), so that's the only update schools see from your previous application. Also, you'll probably want to work on your ECs before reapplying, and that will take time away from your summer coursework, which tends to require more time and focus than during the normal school year. Fastforward to December/January, when you are able to submit new grades from the Fall. The problem is, by that time, your applications have already been reviewed by admissions committees, so the potential GPA boost won't have as great of an impact. And, on top of improving your GPA and EC's, you need to spend time on applications, so that takes away from your time to improve your app.

Focus on classwork and building up ECs; there's no need to rush. Good luck!