Take my shot at applying this cycle and continue working or do a masters/post-bacc?

[highdesertarcher95]

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I am torn, I have been working on my application and believe that if I get a good MCAT score I might have a shot. I am an URM mexican-american, graduated with BS in Biology in 2018 with a 3.488 cGPA & 3.42 sGPA. I began to work during school my junior and senior year to help fund my way through school and had one bad semester at a 2.86 and followed it with a 3.95.

My original plan was to take my MCAT May 16th and apply early. I was shooting for a 509+. However, when my test date was cancelled I began to apply to masters and post-baccs as back up options. I applied and subsequently have been accepted to Drexel's MSBS, Vanderbilt's MSBS and a masters in anatomy program. I interviewed for Temple's post-bacc as well (waiting for a decision).

I am hesitant to leave my good paying job in a hospital where I get great patient care experience to incur more student loans. I have worked here since I graduated and will be at around 4000 hrs of experience if I decide to attend a program. Will attending and doing well in such programs make me a stronger applicant? Do I need to prove myself academically after a 2 year hiatus from science heavy coursework? I am not quite sure what I should do; however, I also do not want to be stuck at my job because of the comfort it provides...

I would ideally like to matriculate within the next two years and will do whatever it takes to get there. I plan on having my application ready and have it verified before I take my MCAT. So when I get my score back in the middle of august I can submit to my schools and have pre-typed secondaries for my state schools and a few OOS ready. But I also have that 'what if my score is not what I'd like it to be' lingering. I'd hate to decline my acceptances only to not have the score necessary to be a competitive applicant and have to continue working full time while trying to make time for my studies to achieve a higher score for the next application cycle.

Any input would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

 

[Damson]

If direct linkage agreement, take it!

 

[GreenDuck12]

I wouldn’t pursue an SMP without first having an unsuccessful application cycle. You’re still going to need an MCAT score to apply to medical school and it would be unwise to do this during an SMP.

 

[highdesertarcher95]

If direct linkage agreement, take it!

The only one that has linkage is Temple which I have yet to hear back from. Drexel has an interview guarantee and the others are non affiliated.

 

[highdesertarcher95]

I wouldn’t pursue an SMP without first having an unsuccessful application cycle. You’re still going to need an MCAT score to apply to medical school and it would be unwise to do this during an SMP.

So I should focus on the MCAT, apply and see what happens then apply to programs if unsuccessful?

 

[GreenDuck12]

It depends on what your goals are. Your cGPA and sGPA are on the lower end but less so for applicants who identify as latinx. If you’re shooting for MD, you definitely need to take the mcat. If you want to go straight into an SMP then that is a fine choice. For me, I would apply to SMPs after having an mcat score and an unsuccessful cycle both to be a stronger smp applicant and to potentially avoid the added expense if I ended up being accepted. Your gpa is within range for DO if that is an option you are open to pursuing. In terms of taking the mcat, you want to take it when you are scoring within range of your target score. If you have free time now, you could spend the next few months preparing. Whether you are able to take it in time for this application cycle is another matter entirely.

 

[highdesertarcher95]

It depends on what your goals are. Your cGPA and sGPA are on the lower end but less so for applicants who identify as latinx. If you’re shooting for MD, you definitely need to take the mcat. If you want to go straight into an SMP then that is a fine choice. For me, I would apply to SMPs after having an mcat score and an unsuccessful cycle both to be a stronger smp applicant and to potentially avoid the added expense if I ended up being accepted. Your gpa is within range for DO if that is an option you are open to pursuing. In terms of taking the mcat, you want to take it when you are scoring within range of your target score. If you have free time now, you could spend the next few months preparing. Whether you are able to take it in time for this application cycle is another matter entirely.

Thank you, that's my current plan! I guess I'll see how the mcat goes and go from there!

 

[Goro]

I am torn, I have been working on my application and believe that if I get a good MCAT score I might have a shot. I am an URM mexican-american, graduated with BS in Biology in 2018 with a 3.488 cGPA & 3.42 sGPA. I began to work during school my junior and senior year to help fund my way through school and had one bad semester at a 2.86 and followed it with a 3.95.

My original plan was to take my MCAT May 16th and apply early. I was shooting for a 509+. However, when my test date was cancelled I began to apply to masters and post-baccs as back up options. I applied and subsequently have been accepted to Drexel's MSBS, Vanderbilt's MSBS and a masters in anatomy program. I interviewed for Temple's post-bacc as well (waiting for a decision).

I am hesitant to leave my good paying job in a hospital where I get great patient care experience to incur more student loans. I have worked here since I graduated and will be at around 4000 hrs of experience if I decide to attend a program. Will attending and doing well in such programs make me a stronger applicant? Do I need to prove myself academically after a 2 year hiatus from science heavy coursework? I am not quite sure what I should do; however, I also do not want to be stuck at my job because of the comfort it provides...

I would ideally like to matriculate within the next two years and will do whatever it takes to get there. I plan on having my application ready and have it verified before I take my MCAT. So when I get my score back in the middle of august I can submit to my schools and have pre-typed secondaries for my state schools and a few OOS ready. But I also have that 'what if my score is not what I'd like it to be' lingering. I'd hate to decline my acceptances only to not have the score necessary to be a competitive applicant and have to continue working full time while trying to make time for my studies to achieve a higher score for the next application cycle.

Any input would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

I suggest taking the MCAT when you're 100% ready and apply this cycle.

 

[highdesertarcher95]

I suggest taking the MCAT when you're 100% ready and apply this cycle.

Should I apply to certain schools or just my state schools and should I apply to both MD and DO?

 

[Goro]

Should I apply to certain schools or just my state schools and should I apply to both MD and DO?

Ask me that when you have your MCAT score.

 

[Shotapp]

Should I apply to certain schools or just my state schools and should I apply to both MD and DO?

You don't need a SMP or masters. Put all your effort into snagging a strong MCAT score and continue your clinical employment.

 

[highdesertarcher95]

Ask me that when you have your MCAT score.

Sounds good, thank you @Goro

 

[highdesertarcher95]

You don't need a SMP or masters. Put all your effort into snagging a strong MCAT score and continue your clinical employment.

Thank you, I'm trying my best!