The Right Answer....

Started by metalmd06
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metalmd06

metalmd06

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15+ Year Member
Ayit, so most of you folks have an idea about my story. Worked full time as an MA, took three classes... C's in Physics II and Calculus... Yada Yada Yada. I know that they will ask me about my GPA at the interview (at least I think they will) and I want to know what you guys think about how I feel about the situation.

Every time people ask me about why my grades suffered, I always have the same answer. I'd say that I was working full time as a full time student. I'd say that I had tons of work and not a lot of time to study. I'd say that Calculus was over 5 weeks in a summer session and I didn't really have enough time to grasp it. I'd say that I'm sure that it's not a true measure of my academic abilities or intelligence.

I realized that all of these excuses pretty much contradict every challenge I will face in medical school and they suck. I think that the only thing that I can say about my performance, and my experience, is that I'm better for it. Because of the challenge I presented myself (I voluntarily signed up for 3 classes, probably not the smartest idea but ballsy) I now know how to study more efficiently, how to stay organized, and how to prioritize and balance a difficult course load. I think the lesson learned is worth the excuses weight in gold. What do you guys think?
 
I'm in the same situation as you, and been contemplating the same question. So far, all I can really come up with is - be honest and be yourself - hopefully they won't rip you to shreads when they ask you about your GPA. I think a BS answer is so much worse than an uncomfortable honest one - at the end emphasize that you had learned from these experiences. If your talking about a negative trait (GPA) turn it into a postive - like you just said ....

"I now know how to study more efficiently, how to stay organized, and how to prioritize and balance a difficult course load. I think the lesson learned is worth the excuses weight in gold." If after these courses (you mention you took calc in the summer), say for example you did well in the Fall semester, or spring - that could be proof, ya know?

I think you should tell the adcoms exactly what you just said. Just watch the words you use, don't put yourself down.
 
Harvard Pre Medical Studies.... I think you'd would be okay. Is that where you took your Calc and Physics?
 
Omashu said:
Harvard Pre Medical Studies.... I think you'd would be okay. Is that where you took your Calc and Physics?
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I took Calc at Umass Boston and Physics, Orgo and Bio II at Harvard. Physics overall was a nightmare (I:B-, II:C) and orgo and Bio were ok (all B's). I started off real strong at UMB with A's and a B+. When I was taking calc, I was also taking Chem II (the B+). Calc was 4 days a week 8-10:30 and I was working 4pm-1am and then 10pm-7am. Some days I went straight from work to class on almost no sleep. I didn't have the book so I spent lots of time renting it at the library and I went to office hours every week. I had a B average going into the final and must have bombed it because the big fat C was what I ended up with.

The amount of work that we had to to at Harvard was far and beyond the required work at UMB. We had pretty lengthy problem sets due every week for Orgo and Physics (25% of your grade) and the tests were longer and tougher. What I learned is that I didn't prioritize correctly. I spent way too much time on Bio and Orgo in my final semester and I didn't spend nearly enough time on Physics. I was really trying to boost those two grades up and physics got left in the dust. Lecture was pretty useless because I couldn't relate or effectively learn from the professor and I couldn't make any of the discussions or extra help sessions because I worked until right before class.

Regardless, because of my experience, I do think that I am better prepared for the rigors of medical school. It seems to be very important that you study efficiently, effectively and prioritize through the mountain of material you face in med school. By knowing my faults, I think I can correct my mistakes and acheive that.
 
I dunno, as I remember, I wasn't asked anything about my grades at NYCOM (and as you can see from my mdapps, my BCPM is pretty low), and I still got in. My interview was around 45 minutes and we just talked a lot about my research experience, research opportunities during med school and how that translates to residencies. I would definitely have an answer prepared in case they do mention it, but I wouldn't be so sure that they'll bring it up.
 
I am not an adcom, I haven't even applied yet... but you have a good MCAT, your GPA is not perfect but not lousy, The schools that you attended weren't just a walk in the park.... As you've read on these boards sometimes getting into Med school is a crapshoot...

Overall, I think your a well rounded applicant. I think you'd be fine....

O, wait I just reread your MDApps, Why didn't you apply to more schools (only 7) and apply more DO (only 1of 7)?

Is it the location of NYCOM??? How bout Touro-Harlem??? NJ schools - MD & DO??? PCOM - Still in the tri-state?!!?

How come you only applied to one DO school? If it was me, and I wanted to get in ...I'd apply to more schools - and DO?
 
Omashu said:
I am not an adcom, I haven't even applied yet... but you have a good MCAT, your GPA is not perfect but not lousy, The schools that you attended weren't just a walk in the park.... As you've read on these boards sometimes getting into Med school is a crapshoot...

Overall, I think your a well rounded applicant. I think you'd be fine....

O, wait I just reread your MDApps, Why didn't you apply to more schools (only 7) and apply more DO (only 1of 7)?

Is it the location of NYCOM??? How bout Touro-Harlem??? NJ schools - MD & DO??? PCOM - Still in the tri-state?!!?

How come you only applied to one DO school? If it was me, and I wanted to get in ...I'd apply to more schools - and DO?
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I didn't apply to more schools because I'm poor. I didn't have the available funds to do so. As far as DO schools are concerned, I wish I would have applied to more of them (especially LECOM, PCOM, Touro and even NECOM). The univers has only recently (since december) pointed me in the DO direction. My goal was to apply broadly to DO schools next cycle, but it seemed everyone in my world was telling me to apply to NYCOM. The DO I began working for (NYCOM Alum), the NYCOM student I met, and the recent NYCOM grad my Aunt put me in contact with. NYCOM was really all I knew starting out and after I did some research, I decided that NYCOM was the best fit for me amongst the DO schools. I decided I had nothing to lose and I chose to apply towards the end of this cycle. It certainly seems like I made the right decision this year, as I was offered an interview less than 2 months after I applied.

I know I made a lot of mistakes this application cycle. I wish my advising was stronger. Had it been, I would have applied to many more schools, including a complement of DO schools to give myself the best chance. NYCOM is my last shot this cycle and I want to make the most of it. Thanks for your insight!
 
metalmd06 said:
I didn't apply to more schools because I'm poor. I didn't have the available funds to do so. As far as DO schools are concerned, I wish I would have applied to more of them (especially LECOM, PCOM, Touro and even NECOM). The univers has only recently (since december) pointed me in the DO direction. My goal was to apply broadly to DO schools next cycle, but it seemed everyone in my world was telling me to apply to NYCOM. The DO I began working for (NYCOM Alum), the NYCOM student I met, and the recent NYCOM grad my Aunt put me in contact with. NYCOM was really all I knew starting out and after I did some research, I decided that NYCOM was the best fit for me amongst the DO schools. I decided I had nothing to lose and I chose to apply towards the end of this cycle. It certainly seems like I made the right decision this year, as I was offered an interview less than 2 months after I applied.

I know I made a lot of mistakes this application cycle. I wish my advising was stronger. Had it been, I would have applied to many more schools, including a complement of DO schools to give myself the best chance. NYCOM is my last shot this cycle and I want to make the most of it. Thanks for your insight!
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I know what you mean about being poor, I'm taking a loan out for the application Process. I'm applying to 24 out of the 27 Osteopathic schools this cycle if I get my MCAT practice scores high enough for the real thing. If I'm not scoring high enough, I'm postponing to apply until next year.

Looks like you've got your **** together, your just worried and you'll do fine.

You may not make it in this cycle but next cycle if you apply to more DO schools, you'll get in...I really thinks so.

:luck::luck:Goodluck:luck::luck:
 
Thanks for the encouragement and good luck to you as well! I understand that I do have to be realistic this year, but the fact I have an interview, I feel is very positive, even though it is late. I think there are some seats still left, so I'm optimistic. Do you think I have a good chance. You got me a little worried here lol.
 
Thanks for the encouragement and good luck to you as well! I understand that I do have to be realistic this year, but the fact I have an interview, I feel is very positive, even though it is late. I think there are some seats still left, so I'm optimistic. Do you think I have a good chance. You got me a little worried here lol.
 
I didn't realize right away that you had an interview!!! Well that means you still have a chance!!! Stay calm, breathe... GO to that interview, and rock it!

When is it? Start practicing, go over your personal statement...Look under the SDN NYCOM's interview feedback....see what kind of questions they may ask you... Just prepare yourself as much as you can....

Get a haircut, plan out what your gonna wear!!??!! Go find a lucky tie!!!

Tell your church, cynagogue (I can't spell), mosqe....to pray for you!!!

Get rid of all negative thougts, probably stay off sdn (this site can make you crazy) - continue to believe you can do this!!!


:luck:
 
Omashu said:
I didn't realize right away that you had an interview!!! Well that means you still have a chance!!! Stay calm, breathe... GO to that interview, and rock it!

When is it? Start practicing, go over your personal statement...Look under the SDN NYCOM's interview feedback....see what kind of questions they may ask you... Just prepare yourself as much as you can....

Get a haircut, plan out what your gonna wear!!??!! Go find a lucky tie!!!

Tell your church, cynagogue (I can't spell), mosqe....to pray for you!!!

Get rid of all negative thougts, probably stay off sdn (this site can make you crazy) - continue to believe you can do this!!!


:luck:
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where can I find that? I'd be very interested in seeing it.
 
just a word to the wise, if you do the primary for the school and pay for it, make sure you have time to do the secondary. 24 schools is a lot. what are your stats that you're applying to that many?
 
3.1 GPA, 3.0 Sci - good ecs,volunteer, research, shadowed doctors, etc

Stats not that great, I've only heard how much work it is to apply to 24 schools. But I want in and I'll do what it takes. I'll just have to stay organized. I'll do it because I feel that I have to.

Just started studying for the MCAT 3 weeks ago - practice scores not up to par - if I'm not getting the scores I want around 5/27 (MCAT), I don't think I'll be applying this year....I want the absolute best score I can get. Everyone keeps on telling me take the test in June or July and then apply but.....I don't know - I want to give it my best shot once, applying is expensive.

I'm starting to think its better to postpone a year, I don't want to kill myself with a full course load and a full time job.

I've got my personal statement (almost) done, I've got my LOR's in place....

I wanted to apply this cycle, but i've got to be realistic - not ready
 
You got the interview they know your numbers and are still interested. I was in a similar boat. Poor GPA 2.99 (before last semester) and ok MCAT 27. I worked full time (52hrs/wk) and school full time. When I looked back at some of the low grades I realized they coincided with a lot of stressful times ie losing a grandparent my bio dad and my foster father along with getting married and having a daughter.
I brought up these intangibles when I was at my interview and made sure to let them know that while in med school I plan on redistributing a majority of the time I worked to studying. Show that you are mature and have learned from your "mistakes" sounds like you know what has been keeping you from being your best now tell them your plan to eliminate that obstacle and a plan for success. Good Luck.

Oh and to get to the Interview Feedback section cause I didn't see anyone post how to: Go to the top tabs click on databases medical school under the interview feedback section then us medical schools and find your school there.

Libo
 
Omashu said:
3.1 GPA, 3.0 Sci - good ecs,volunteer, research, shadowed doctors, etc

Stats not that great, I've only heard how much work it is to apply to 24 schools. But I want in and I'll do what it takes. I'll just have to stay organized. I'll do it because I feel that I have to.

Just started studying for the MCAT 3 weeks ago - practice scores not up to par - if I'm not getting the scores I want around 5/27 (MCAT), I don't think I'll be applying this year....I want the absolute best score I can get. Everyone keeps on telling me take the test in June or July and then apply but.....I don't know - I want to give it my best shot once, applying is expensive.

I'm starting to think its better to postpone a year, I don't want to kill myself with a full course load and a full time job.

I've got my personal statement (almost) done, I've got my LOR's in place....

I wanted to apply this cycle, but i've got to be realistic - not ready
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What are your practice scores like? I wouldn't get too discouraged about your practice score this early into your studying. I had 2 months to study for the MCAT (end may-end july). Spend the majority of your time this first month nailing down the concepts. I didn't actually take a practice test until the last weekend in june (aside from the diagnostic, which was pretty horrid by the way {18}). Then I took six more in July, which is the most important thing. After you've taken the time to strengthen up your weak areas and review everything else, TAKE AS MANY PRACTICE TESTS AS YOU CAN. That's really the key because you start to recognize trends and you develop efficient ways to answer the questions correctly. On the real thing I scored a 30, with limited time to study and mixed results on my practice tests (36, 30, 30, 34, 30, 32, 33). Also, if you have any questions go to the KAPLAN website message boards for the MCAT. Lots of smart, helpful fellow MCATers on that site. Overall, I would say follow your gut. Don't rush into taking the test if you don't think you're ready. But if you keep at it and follow a plan, you might be more prepared than you think. GOOD LUCK :luck:.

And, LIBO, thanks for the directions! 👍😀
 
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