Summer Class Before Applying

[Youngm2194]

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I have a few different scenarios for what I can do. Basically I'm in my gap year applying this cycle and due to a full time job I started right after graduation as well as costs of extra classes etc. I was only able to take one post bac class (currently taking now). I will either get an A- or an A and its 4 credits.

I attached my AMCAS GPA chart thing for reference. After this class my sGPA will be a 3.24-3.25 and cGPA a 3.31. As you can see I have a upward trend last two years but not 4.0 level, so not as strong as it could have been.

Before I mention the scenarios I should say my MCAT is 515 with 128/128/131/128, and I took it September 2015 so I have to apply now otherwise it expires. I would rather wait another year but then I would have to retake and then would never have used the 515 which in my opinion I shouldn't do that correct?

Here are my options:

1. Take science (statistics 2) and non-science class, would have grade by July 3, assuming with mailing transcripts etc. it would be complete say July 10. If I get As in both I would have a sGPA 3.27, cGPA 3.34, aoGPA 3.51.
2. Take two science classes and one non science class, get As, but submit them in the secondary or whenever they would ask for updates.
3. Take non science class in May, submit with AMCAS, make cGPA 3.33 and aoGPA 3.51. Take 2 science classes in the summer, add grades with the update in secondaries.

** I was planning on submitting late June regardless due to some EC stuff I have to finish to put on my app, so the scenario 1 would not be that much later than my intended time frame, I just know mid July is the most wait for verification I would think**


Assuming all other things are in order with ECs etc. which option would be the best to pursue? I know these are such small increases to GPA but I feel since mine is low every bit helps. Thank you for the advice I appreciate it. If you would like to know ECs to gauge if this little amount would help please let me know and I can provide more info

 

[efle]

Alright you're in a rough spot. As a non-URM applicant from Connecticut you are looking at some pretty long odds with a 3.2 sGPA 3.3 cGPA, even with a 34 MCAT.

Looking at the current edition of the MSAR (which was for application in Summer 2016), University of Connecticut says it accepts MCATs going back to June 2013. If they kept the same policy that would mean if you held off a year and applied in in Summer 2018, they should be OK with scores from June 2015 and later. Looking at a few other schools, while there are some that would not accept, I see a bunch of others that would (for example Albany is currently Jan 1st 2013, Einstein Jan 1st 2013, Boston U Sept 2012, Case Western Jan 2013, Emory Jan 2013, Florida State May 2013, Hofstra June 2013...you get the picture). Shift everything by two years and that means many places would be fine with a Sept 2015 score for a Summer 2018 application.

Maybe upon the MSAR update release due later this week, look up a bunch of schools you might be interested in applying to, and see if they maintain a policy like this where they accept very old scores (so for example, if you were interested in Albany, look and see if Albany now wants the scores to be no older than January 1st 2014).

If you are finding lots of places consistently accepting very old scores, then maybe go ahead and take another year to do grade repairs and apply Summer 2018. Should still be lots of places your score will be accepted (most importantly U of CT) and getting your GPA up to ~3.4-3.5 would be a big deal. You would need to legit take a few post-bacc classes both semesters though, not just one class, and you need to get straight As.

 

[Youngm2194]

Thanks for the reply, I have a crazy idea but I'm not sure if it would be plausible.

IF, and a big IF, I find like 15 or so schools that allow for the older MCAT as you mentioned, I would wait to apply. I have a full time research job currently so I can wait and save more etc.

There is one specific school I want to apply to that I have a lot of connections to, but the MCAT would expire there if I don't apply now. If I were to apply early decision to this school, would the list of schools I wait to apply to know that I applied here the year before? Essentially if I were to apply ED would I count as a reapplicant at other schools I never applied to? I'm pretty sure I saw somewhere it asks if you applied to med school before

In the next year I would take 4+ courses, in the summer, fall and spring and as you mentioned to bring my sGPA up. I would also have a lot lot more volunteering, and at least 1-2 2nd author pubs in journals with IF >20.

My main concern is if I were to apply ED or apply to only a few this cycle where my MCAT would expire would it create reapplicant status at the schools I didn't apply to and if so how bad would this be especially if I do significant stuff in the extra year?

Thank you I appreciate the advice

 

[efle]

There are easily 15 schools that should accept Sept 2015 in Summer 2018! There are dozens.

What is the ED school of interest? A gap year with 12 more courses and a couple pubs in IF 20 journals would be huge for your app. I think waiting the year is the way to go.

As for reapplicant status, I believe it varies by school. Some places will ask if you have ever applied to medical school before, while others will ask if you've applied specifically to them before. I know I saw the question on a good number of secondaries.

 

[Youngm2194]

I will send a PM now about the school just so I can go into more specifics but thanks for the reply