- I have cGPA: 2.67 and sGPA: 2.52, clearly, my grades/MCATs are nowhere near good enough for US MD Schools. My first two years were horrifically bad for a multitude of reasons. I ended up transferring to another university and more than doubled my science & overall GPA (overall at first school: ~1.2 vs. overall at second school: ~3.3), but obviously those first two years have an effect. My first MCAT I had 29R; on a retake 9 months later my VR went up a point (11 to 12), BS went down (10 to 9), PS went down (8 to 6), and writing went up (R to S).
- As for the rest, I have loads of significant clinical experiences (volunteering in ER, working in busy specialist's practice, shadowing doctors of five different specialties, etc) and my personal statement is in the top 0.01% of personal statements according to every physician/adviser/admissions counselor who has ever read it. I have no research experience. My recommendations/rec packet are/is top notch, from multiple science professors, an English professor, the head of the top practice in my area for a certain specialty (who also happens to be a member of the faculty at my dream school), and a highly placed staff member at a very well-known hospital. All of my recommenders have known me for 3+ years and have worked with me personally for a significant amount of time.
- Financially, my Dad is willing to pay for 100% of my education...provided I get into a med school within the next 18 months. Otherwise I'm 100% on my own.
- With all of my healthcare experiences, I'm 98% certain I want to do Surgery...I'm less certain if I want to do general surgery or a subspecialty. The 2% uncertainty is mainly in case I do clinical rotations and somehow end up loving something else. With a Carib school (SGU/Ross/AUC specifically), will general surgery even be possible? Everything I've read on SDN seems pretty conflicting about my chances of getting into a decent Gen Surg residency. Also, I don't mind studying/clinical rotations in a rural area for a short time, but it's really not where I want to practice throughout my future career, can I realistically get into above-average Urban/Suburban Gen Surgery residencies from Ross/SGU/AUC?
- I have applied once to US MD schools (for EY2010) and was completely unsurprised when after I sent in my secondaries, I got zero interview calls. I've applied to SGU/AUC/Ross (EY2010) in the Carib and I'm still on the waitlist for Georgetown's SMP (they've said they'll let me know their final decision by August - I'm not hopeful.). Another state school has a pretty decent SMP program that I've applied to but according to the admissions office they are still undecided, but I'm guessing it's pretty unlikely I'll get into either one.
- Assuming I don't get into either SMP...what are the chances I get accepted into the Carib schools? Also, is this a good option? Should I be applying to more SMP/Post-Bac programs in the EY2011 cycle instead? I've just finished my undergraduate degree in Spring 2010. Should I be reapplying to US MD Schools in this upcoming app cycle (for EY2011 students)?
- What about DO Schools? - the three things holding me back from applying to DO schools: 1) do I even have a realistic chance of getting in considering I have no DO experiences and with my bad grades/mcats? 2) my financial deadline...can I get in within the next 18 months? 3) my father's not a big fan. Even though DO doesn't have the same stigma it did 10/15 years ago...he's still got the old-fashioned mind-set. Once again, with him paying for everything, his opinion (unfortunately) matters.
- If I do apply to DO...it would have to be for EY2011, correct? No chance of applying for EY2010?
- One last little side-note...part of the reason for my bad grades/mcats has been some significant medical issues (explained in my personal statement/additional information section). Medical issues that might, MIGHT require me to have surgery within the next month and a half. If I do need to do the surgery (recovery time of probably six to eight weeks at an optimistic minimum)...does that completely ruin my chances of getting into SMP/US MD/Carib MD/US DO within the next 18 months?
- Sorry for any TMI and thanks for the help in advance.
Unique/odd situation, any and all advice would be appreciated...
- Thread starter SC1983
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Well I can't answer all your questions but I can offer a little advice from someone in a similar situation who is applying now...
The biggest question all the medical schools are going to ask themselves when looking at your application is, "Can this student handle the work load at our school?" From talking to a few addcom persons about my situation, they all suggested that the committee would overlook SOME of my poor coursework if I could demonstrate that I was actually capable of succeeding in school. Specifically, they mentioned doing very well on the MCAT and/or a year to two years of outstanding grades in a post-bacc or masters program.
That being said, in your situation you do have an upward trend, but sadly a 3.3 is still not what a medical school would want to see. I would say you need another year of 3.6+ (preferably 4.0) work to really get the point across that you've got what it takes. Ideally you would do this at an SMP, but if thats not an option I would run to the nearest 4yr university that will take you. In addition, you need to mention that no matter what, your health is completely under control (hopefully it is?). Say it in your essay, say it in your secondaries. Sad but true, they are less likely to take you if they think you will need to leave their program right after entering it, even if it is for legitimate health reasons.
Now if your ok with going DO you could spend the next year retaking anything that would raise your overall GPA, while reapplying. DO i believe would be your best shot as your MCAT is still a little on the low side for normal US MD and they seem to be more friendly to us "life experience" -ers. However, I'm fairly certain you want some sort of D.O. shadowing or experience to talk about if you do apply. You seem to have a good amount of connections, just try to find someone with a D.O. degree that you can at least have lunch with to talk about osteopathic medicine.
As far as Carib. schools go... I personally wouldn't unless you really want to avoid the DO stigma (and yes it does still exist to some degree). Your stats (the last two years) seem to be decent for Carib standards though so you have an outside shot at them. Surgery seems to be a little rough for people coming out of the Caribs, but you can always check the individual school's match list to see exactly how many people get into surgery and where they ended up (i.e http://www.rossu.edu/medical-school/residencyappointments.cfm ).
A US MD IMO is still a little out of your reach, but I would still apply to some of the lower ranked ones and update them as often as you can with your new and improved post-bacc GPA. You might get lucky with at least half a years worth of grades. Also, I would try to concurrently raise your MCAT to at least the golden 31 standard. Low science grades plus below average PS and BIO section scores will be a red flag (inspite of amazing verbal/essay skills). You need to leave NO DOUBT that why you failed before was because of your health and that what you are doing now will be what you bring to medical school.
Finally it may not seem like it now but you are actually at a huge advantage if you ever get to the fabled interview stage. Being able to deftly weave the story of your sickness into your motivation for medicine will really make you standout in their minds. Goodluck!
