Waitlisted this year - Post bac or not?

[PNPCook]

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Hi guys,
Some of you might have read my situation before, but now I have a specific question:

I'm a Canadian student, and I applied to US medical schools this year (Nov 5th, 2010... sort of late). And I have been on the waiting list for most schools I have applied to. My undergraduate GPA is 3.31 and my science GPA is 3.9. I have done a masters in Computer science (GPA 4.00) and I have also done 6 months volunteer work in a hospital abroad (3rd world country). I have a year worth of research experience in clinical anatomy, in addition to the research I have done in computer science. My MCAT is 32S (9 V, 12 P, 11 B). I was wait-listed on many schools and didn't get accepted this year.

Now I have to be doing something next year while applying. I have acceptance from couple of post bacs: RFU-BMS and Drexel IMS, and Master program in SFU Canada. Of course, MS in Canada would be easier, but I wouldn't learn much of the materials in medical school. RFU-BMS is very good because I learn much of the material I need for medical school and also get ready to have an easier 1st year (at least that's what I think).

If you had to choose between the three, and you were in my shoes, what would you do?

 

[n3xa]

Obligatory ask the adcoms where you were waitlisted and ask what you can do to improve your application for next year.

I'm not sure how your competitiveness stands as a Canadian, but your scores seem just fine from a US standpoint.

I do have some former classmates in the RFU-BMS program (who also happen to be of the Canadian variety), but they're there because their numbers are much, much lower than yours (3.0ish < gpas / mid 20s mcat). Your gpa - especially science - is higher than that.

Personally, I would think very carefully about the RFU-BMS program. It's a $40k pricetag last time I checked and I'm not sure how helpful it would be for your situation.

Good luck.

 

[LegendaryPunk]

I do not envy your situation, as I will be trying my best to avoid similar circumstances when I apply. My GPA will be high enough (hopefully!) for SMP qualification, but still on the low end of med-school acceptance.

My thoughts are that if I do not get in during my first cycle, I will not enroll in an SMP. I will use that extra year to take some additional higher level science courses (such as a Masters program), boost my GPA, and fill in any gaps around my EC's, shadowing, volunteering etc. From what I understand, SMP post-bacc programs are extremely intense - like med school, there is not much time for extra-curricular activities. They are also extremely expensive.

If I fail to get in during my second cycle, I will likely apply to post-bacc SMP programs.

Your stats are decent; I honestly think the main reason you did not get accepted is because you applied so late, so I don't know how helpful a SMP would be for you.

 

[catswym]

Hi guys,
Some of you might have read my situation before, but now I have a specific question:

I'm a Canadian student, and I applied to US medical schools this year (Nov 5th, 2010... sort of late). And I have been on the waiting list for most schools I have applied to. My undergraduate GPA is 3.31 and my science GPA is 3.9. I have done a masters in Computer science (GPA 4.00) and I have also done 6 months volunteer work in a hospital abroad (3rd world country). I have a year worth of research experience in clinical anatomy, in addition to the research I have done in computer science. My MCAT is 32S (9 V, 12 P, 11 B). I was wait-listed on many schools and didn't get accepted this year.

Now I have to be doing something next year while applying. I have acceptance from couple of post bacs: RFU-BMS and Drexel IMS, and Master program in SFU Canada. Of course, MS in Canada would be easier, but I wouldn't learn much of the materials in medical school. RFU-BMS is very good because I learn much of the material I need for medical school and also get ready to have an easier 1st year (at least that's what I think).

If you had to choose between the three, and you were in my shoes, what would you do?

First of all, you do not need to do a post-bac. Your numbers are high enough to get in without it and it would just be a waste of money.

Secondly, if you are on waitlists that means there is still a shot that you'll get in somewhere? I would be aggressive about expressing your interest to those schools that you are on the waitlist at.

Lastly, if you do need to apply again, apply june 1. November is SOOOO late. I think if you apply early you should have no problem getting in somewhere. And better to just work in the meantime and enjoy another year of school-less existence.