What Are My Chances and Other General Questions

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btw..kentucky is a cool place...it has some excitement..u have to know where to go...🙂
 
Well, either way 40 schools seems a tad bit ridiculous.

It's too early to be freaking out like that.

Here:
chill-pill.jpg
🙂
 
true that..i will be out of the country for a while. so i want some idea

one of the reasons I want to apply to so many schools is i might get good money at one of them...+ i just realize how competitivet this thing is!
 
Why dont you purchase or reference an MSAR book. I think it would be helpful in comparing med schools curriculum among other things and find schools that you would truly be interested in that would be the best fit for you.


Good luck. 🙂
 
ganesha123 said:
I am thinking of applying to around 40+ schools..i have posted elsewhere but didn't get super critical info...any help would be awesome! please be critical on my choices of school..and me!
Here is my info

UC Berkeley graduate
3.96 GPA
33 MCAT (11 across the board)..best cumulative mcat is 35
President of a Pre-Medical organization
Helped run a youth mentoring program
for the past year have worked as a high school teacher
lot of hospital, shadowing volunteering experience,
3 summer research things...no papers



I need some help deciding what schools to apply to..my GPA puts me in a top range and MCAT is decent!
Here are my schools for this upcoming cycle (tentative) can you guys please give me input...either way..on these schools (i.e. waste of money...possible chance.....etc...add any schools you think I have a chance at..) I would rather spend more money applying to more schools than regretting not getting in a year from now......at the same time...I am not a good judge of how I am compared to the rest of the people out there so I thought you guys could offer some critical suggestions/advice and save me money! Thanks


UCSF*
UCLA*
UCSD*
UC Irvine*
UC Davis*
USC
Emory University
Cornell
Mount Sinai
Einstein College of Medicine (New York, NY)
Northwestern
University of Chicago
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
Yale
University of Michigan
Boston University
Tufts
JHU
Case Western
George Washington
Georgetown
Vanderbilt*
North Carolina
Duke
Loyola *
Rosalind Franklin
NYMC
Temple University (Philadelphia, PA)
Drexel University – (Philadelphia, PA)
Jefferson School of Medicine (Philadelphia, PA)
Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC) 3.6, 30*
Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, Virginia) 3.6, 30*
Saint Louis University
University of Rochester (Rochester, NY) 3.7, 33
University of Vermont (Burlington, VT) 3.5, 30
Albany Medical College (Albany, NY) 3.5, 30
Creighton University (oma yee-haw, NE)
Tulane University (New Orleans, LA) 3.5, 31
Mayo (is this school even worhth it)

Are there any I should add, remove...etc....I don't mind applying to this many schools, but if I can obviously save money then i won't apply to as many!)
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You're gonna go broke before you go on interviews. You seem like a competitive applicant. I think you can afford to be a little picky as long as you have a diverse set of schools. Otherwise, I would suggest applying really early and tiering your schools and their secondaries. That way you can turn down secondaries or interviews if things are working out in the beginning.
 
thanks for the info guys...i'll start weeding out some schools...i know i want to live in a city...so i guess albany, vermont, rochester, mayo, vcu, creighton and wake are out...

1 question though....the thing is if financially these schools offer some incentive to go.....like half tuition etc...i would go there over my other city schools...but in all likelihood would this happen/// ie. do schools even really offer what i am talking about...


?
 
I graduated from a UC with biology in 2007.

overall GPA: 3.67
AMCAS GPA is probably around 3.5

I got a couple of F's in important classes, but I have valid reasons to justify them. They're not medical reasons though. You know, personal hard times. But I don't want to bore anyone with sad tales.

I decided to pursue medicine pretty late, but so far I have 3 months of research experience. I'm probably not going to have a publication or anything. I also have 3 months of doctor shadowing and will continue it. I just recently started volunteering at a local hospital and at a local homeless shelter. Most likely going to work as an EMT right after I take my MCAT in May. Expecting (hoping too) at least a 30-32, judging from my practice tests.

The question is: can I still apply this year (2008) even though I currently have limited extracurricular and clinical experience? I'll probably have about 80 hours of shadowing, 150 hours of research, 50 hours of hospital volunteering, and 50 hours of homeless shelter volunteering by the time I turn in my application at the end of June. I'll probably also be working as an EMT when I turn it in.

Do I have a chance at low-tier allopathic schools?

Should I focus on osteopathic schools instead?

Also, should I start working as an EMT now? I'm trying to delay it because I'm trying to dedicate more time to the MCAT.

Anyways, thanks for reading. An even bigger thanks if anyone replies.
 
Hello every one,
I graduated Last December in Biology, and taking some post bac classes right now, here will be my stats at end of this post bac:
Acum GPA: 3.39
BCPM: 3.35
MCAT: 33Q(10VR,10BIO, 13PS)

Do I have a chance to any of the MD school? Or I need to apply to DO schools. Any advice will be appreciated?
 
skssexy said:
I graduated from a UC with biology in 2007.

overall GPA: 3.67
AMCAS GPA is probably around 3.5

I got a couple of F's in important classes, but I have valid reasons to justify them. They're not medical reasons though. You know, personal hard times. But I don't want to bore anyone with sad tales.

I decided to pursue medicine pretty late, but so far I have 3 months of research experience. I'm probably not going to have a publication or anything. I also have 3 months of doctor shadowing and will continue it. I just recently started volunteering at a local hospital and at a local homeless shelter. Most likely going to work as an EMT right after I take my MCAT in May. Expecting (hoping too) at least a 30-32, judging from my practice tests.

The question is: can I still apply this year (2008) even though I currently have limited extracurricular and clinical experience? I'll probably have about 80 hours of shadowing, 150 hours of research, 50 hours of hospital volunteering, and 50 hours of homeless shelter volunteering by the time I turn in my application at the end of June. I'll probably also be working as an EMT when I turn it in.

Do I have a chance at low-tier allopathic schools?

Should I focus on osteopathic schools instead?

Also, should I start working as an EMT now? I'm trying to delay it because I'm trying to dedicate more time to the MCAT.

Anyways, thanks for reading. An even bigger thanks if anyone replies.
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What do you mean by AMCAS GPA? AMCAS reports three uGPA's, your BCPM(biology, chemistry, physics, math), AO (all others), and overall (AO and BCPM). All three are further broken down by year. Without knowing your specific situation regarding F's, just be sure to explain what happened. F's are a serious black mark and you will need an explanation. Just be honest and sincere, and explain how you grew from the problem.

Anyways, without an MCAT score it is tough to evaluate anyone's candidacy. Right now, for you that is the #1 priority, focus on scoring as high as you can. If that means putting off EMT courses, that I would say "so be it." As far as applying this year (for entering in 2009), I don't see why not. Fill out the AMCAS early, and as soon as your test scores come back then submit. If your MCAT doesn't work out for you this time, than you don't have to submit. You can take the year off, beef up your resume, and retake the test. If you do apply, apply broadly. And if you have no problem going osteopathic I would apply to DO schools as well.
 
BearsDoc said:
Hello every one,
I graduated from Berkeley Last December in Biology in 7 semesters, and taking some post bac classes right now, here will be my stats at end of this post bac:
Acum GPA: 3.39
BCPM: 3.35
MCAT: 33Q(10VR,10BIO, 13PS)
I nave upward trend at Berkeley except BCPM in sophomore year
3.09
3.13
3.42
3.85

BCPM
2.96
2.81
3.39
3.82

Post bac (10 units) 4.0 (I volunteer 30+ hours at a Free Clinic)

2 summers of research (1 of them medical), no pub
1 summer intern in medical device company
2 semesters of volunteering at University medical center
6 months of free clinic physician assistance at the time of application this year and ongoing. Total clinical hours will be around 500+ hours at the time of application
1 semester volunteering none medical related 2 hours a week

no awards
no leadership positions

Do I have a chance to any of the MD school? Or I need to apply to DO schools. Any advice will be appreciated?
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I wouldn't rule out allo school. Although your GPA is below average, you have a nice MCAT score. Plus, your GPA has a good upward trajectory, something looked upon favorably by an adcom. Just make sure to apply broadly and early. Your state schools in Cali are notoriously hard to get into, so I would apply to a lot of the more forgiving allo privies out of state. And if you have no problem going DO, than I would consider that route as well.
 
Well, I am currently an applicant to 13 schools and I only got invited for 3 interviews. They were UMDNJ-NJMS (Jan. 7 interview), Creighton (Feb.1 interview, waitlisted on Feb. 19), and UMDNJ-RWJMS (Feb. 21 interview). I have the following profile characteristics:

Biology and Psychology Double Major from Fairfield University in CT
Overall Cumulative GPA: 3.90
Cumulative BCPM GPA: 3.93

MCAT (1st time): 9 PS, 8 VR, 11 BS, P on WR for a 28P
MCAT (2nd time): 12 PS, 9 VR, 8 BS, R on WR for a 29R

Extracurriculars/Awards/Experiences:
Academic Dean's List at my undergraduate institution for every semester
eligible
Alpha Epsilon Delta (Pre-Med National Honor Society)
Alpha Sigma Nu (Jesuit National Honor Society)
Emergency Department Clinical Research Associate at St. Vincent's Medical
Center on Prostate Cancer Screening
Academic Recognition Reception for AHANA (Multicultural) Students
First Year Experience (FYE) Program Facilitator for Freshmen at my
undergraduate institution
Chemistry Tutor at my undergrad
Student Internship in a Cardiothoracic Surgery Dept at a heart and lung
center
Student Government (served as a general committee member, director of
publicity, and as Secretary of Academics on the Executive Board)
Tour Guide for undergraduate admissions office
Nursing Home Dietary Aide
Knight of Columbus for my home Catholic parish
Psi Chi (Psychology National Honor Society)
Phi Beta Kappa (considered the most prestigious National Honor Society)

Questions that I have are what are my chances to get accepted into the other two UMDNJ schools as a NJ applicant? How do the three schools mentioned handle multiple MCAT scores? Are my interview dates too late in the process (Jan and Feb interviews) to merit an acceptance, despite the fact that especially at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, there is a applicant backlog of interviews still? I welcome all thoughts!!
 
I've posted my stats above, and I'm curious as to what schools comprise the low-tier, middle-tier, and top-tier.

And do I have a chance at a Cali allo school?

Thanks.
 
skssexy said:
I've posted my stats above, and I'm curious as to what schools comprise the low-tier, middle-tier, and top-tier.

And do I have a chance at a Cali allo school?

Thanks.
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there technically are no tiers but i guess you could divide it up by placement on US News Rankings. The top-tiers are your Harvards and Yales and typically have higher average entry stats (GPA, MCAT) and have "name value".

The lower tiers are usually state schools and privates with lower statistics. This is not to say that you wouldn't get a good education at these or that all state schools fall into the "low" tier. However, all schools will teach you the same things. It's the opportunities available to students as in research and clinical exposure that may vary.

As for the cali schools, I'm not really familiar with what's required to get in, but I do know that there are a lot more instate applicants than there are places, thus making for some stiff competition. i would check your stats against average stats for cali schools in the msar.
 
Hi,

If I'm thinking of applying this year, what should I do first? Second? Third? When should I start writing my PS?

What are secondaries, and when do I get them?

Ahh, stress.

Life is good though.

Thanks for reading.
 
skssexy said:
Hi,

If I'm thinking of applying this year, what should I do first? Second? Third? When should I start writing my PS?

What are secondaries, and when do I get them?

Ahh, stress.

Life is good though.

Thanks for reading.
Click to expand...

read this for a general overview of the process and come back with more questions.

p.s. don't worry about the five tiers.

p.p.s. ideally primary should be submitted in june and all secondaries in by august.
 
Hi,

I've always been attracted to business and medical school. I spent my last two summers in business internships and I just signed on for a two year stint at a consulting firm. I'm still not certain about medicine... but if I do decide to go to medical school do you think that these will harm me?
 
Hey everybody the name is Jeffrey or Jeff as i am frequently called. I'm a freshman at CUNY brooklyn college in nyc. Last semester I had to withdraw late and take a NP or NC (no credit) for both general chemistry and calculus because of a few personal issues. now im taking them over and doing very well. most of my friends are going to complete general chem and finish their 2nd semester of calculus while im busy completing the first parts of them this semester. most of them plan to either take no summer courses or just a few summer courses that go towards the schools General education requirements. I'm thinking about taking both the 2nd second semester of chemistry and calculus this summer and taking organic chemistry with them in the fall. Is this a good idea or shud i just continue to take it slow and do the 2nd parts of them during the fall? Right now I'm leaning towards taking chemistry along with the lab during one of the 2 summer sessions and taking calculus during the 2nd summer session since my school has 2 summer sessions. and in the fall i planned to take orgo and bio along with their labs and also an english class. So what do u guys think?
 
I think that was inordinately confusing.
 
Iamnumber24 said:
Hey everybody the name is Jeffrey or Jeff as i am frequently called. I'm a freshman at CUNY brooklyn college in nyc. Last semester I had to withdraw late and take a NP or NC (no credit) for both general chemistry and calculus because of a few personal issues. now im taking them over and doing very well. most of my friends are going to complete general chem and finish their 2nd semester of calculus while im busy completing the first parts of them this semester. most of them plan to either take no summer courses or just a few summer courses that go towards the schools General education requirements. I'm thinking about taking both the 2nd second semester of chemistry and calculus this summer and taking organic chemistry with them in the fall. Is this a good idea or shud i just continue to take it slow and do the 2nd parts of them during the fall? Right now I'm leaning towards taking chemistry along with the lab during one of the 2 summer sessions and taking calculus during the 2nd summer session since my school has 2 summer sessions. and in the fall i planned to take orgo and bio along with their labs and also an english class. So what do u guys think?
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What your friends are taking doesn't matter. You should talk to your advisor and formulate a degree plan that ensures a timely graduation.
 
Jolie South said:
read this for a general overview of the process and come back with more questions.

p.s. don't worry about the five tiers.

p.p.s. ideally primary should be submitted in june and all secondaries in by august.
Click to expand...

Haha, you hve to be a complete computer science geek to get this one, but the title 'The Not So Short Introduction To Getting Into Medical School' is based on the title 'The Not So Short Introduction to LaTeX'. LaTeX is a programming/markup language that was used to typeset both of these books. Good to see more CS ppl getting into medicne (no pun...).
 
mdmarty said:
Haha, you hve to be a complete computer science geek to get this one, but the title 'The Not So Short Introduction To Getting Into Medical School' is based on the title 'The Not So Short Introduction to LaTeX'. LaTeX is a programming/markup language that was used to typeset both of these books. Good to see more CS ppl getting into medicne (no pun...).
Click to expand...

dajlkjdalfkjljlgjoaejpoeiwjadvjadsiognjrewioavewioagneiw.

that's how what you said sounds to me. :laugh:

computers are not my thing. 🙂
 
I never realized that AMCAS computes three different GPAs (BCPM, All Other (AO), and Overall). I always thought that only BCPM and overall were reported.

My question: I took mainly BCPM classes and so I only have ~12 letter grade AO classes (I took many GE reqs P/NP). From these, I got two low grades (B- and C+) in writing, and my AO GPA is 3.55 compared to 3.83 overall.

No one ever talks about their AO GPA here on SDN. Is such a low AO GPA a deal breaker for higher tier schools?
 
Hi there...I have a sort of unique situation (I think) that I've landed myself into and I was wondering if anyone has any advice to get out of this one alive:
Here's my stats:
Science - 3.49
GPA - 3.59
MCAT - 8P, 9B, 10V = 27Q
EC include: Tutoring(2 years), Hospital internal medicine work (1 year), Shadowing and a recent trip to third world country to work on a hospitals plans for public health education for patients (happened this December so not part of original application), Research at Texas Medical school.

So here's the situation: I applied to Texas medical schools (all of them) and a few out of state medical schools. I did not get any interviews in Texas or out of state (because by then, I didn't finish the secondaries for out of state because I only applied to high tier schools out of state and I knew there was no chance if I couldn't make it in Texas as a Texas resident). I did however check TCOM as a choice on TMDSAS and I have been accepted into TCOM (DO school).

However, I did not (as I should have) give much importance to TCOM while applying and now since its my only acceptance, I am forced to think seriously about going there. I am skeptical about becoming a DO and taking that on as a career path because I don't want to be limited in my career choices later on (hospital administration, chief of medicine etc etc).

I want to be a doctor so badly (an MD doctor) and so I have been thinking about giving up my acceptance to TCOM and reapplying for entry in 2009.

Some mistakes that I made in my application cycle were applying later and not applying broadly enough OOS.

A few questions:
1. Would it be completely inadvisable for me to give up an acceptance at a DO school to go to an MD school?

2. Do I have any chance of making it to an MD school if I reapply?

3. Is it advisable to reapply for entry in 2009 or is that too early?

4. Would not wanting to do DO to not be limited in career choices be a good enough explanation for Adcom to reapply or you think it would be perceived as complete BS?

Let me know what you guys think. I am desperately searching for answers so any thoughts would be very helpful. I am in the process of restudying for my MCATs right now just in case I decide I want to take them in time for the 2009 application cycle.
 
1) IMO yes, I wouldnt do it. Why did you apply in the first place?
2) Of course it is possible, probably not with that MCAT though
3) Not too early if you can increase your MCAT by then
4) Complete BS. Being a DO will not really severely inhibit you from becoming chief of ... or whatever. It is entirely up to you. I advise you to take the DO acceptance and be happy.
 
mdmarty said:
I never realized that AMCAS computes three different GPAs (BCPM, All Other (AO), and Overall). I always thought that only BCPM and overall were reported.

My question: I took mainly BCPM classes and so I only have ~12 letter grade AO classes (I took many GE reqs P/NP). From these, I got two low grades (B- and C+) in writing, and my AO GPA is 3.55 compared to 3.83 overall.

No one ever talks about their AO GPA here on SDN. Is such a low AO GPA a deal breaker for higher tier schools?
Click to expand...


:laugh:
 
heres my situation

im about to graduate this may with a bs in biology.

3.3 gpa (probable)
28 mcat ( i know i have to retake)
i didn't do so well with my prerequistits

what can i do to raise my gpa?

also im considering doing a masters program but dont want to go into too much debt since medschool is expensive enough. im considering sweden for a masters program since they offer free tution.

is that a good idea?
 
Well, you can't really do anything now to raise your GPA. Your bed is already made.

Focus on raising your MCAT score. It will have to be above average (for matriculants, >32) to make up for your below average (for matriculants, 3.6ish) GPA.

Don't go to Sweden for a graduate program. Masters degrees do not do much for admissions committees anyway. Special masters programs do, but those are different, and wouldn't be very applicable to your situation. There's a subforum for it here though.
 
Want to save money? Go DO. Don't delay the process just to go MD, it's not worth it.

Also getting a normal masters degree will NOT make up for the low GPA. It does make you a slightly stronger applicant, but not by much. Get an SMP if you want to prove you can handle the curriculum.
 
there must be a way to improve my gpa. what if i get a minor or take sum summer courses
 
Edenbook85 said:
there must be a way to improve my gpa. what if i get a minor or take sum summer courses
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You better not be graduating in May then.

Unless you want to take classes after you get your degree.
 
Edenbook85 said:
there must be a way to improve my gpa. what if i get a minor or take sum summer courses
Click to expand...
A post-bacc or delaying your graduation to take more undergrad classes are your only solutions to increase your GPA. Grades from all grad classes, say for a Masters, will not be included in the GPA that AMCAS calculates for schools to see. I don't know what kind of numbers DO schools admit, but I think you should check them out as an option for when you apply.
 
lamocha901 said:
Hi there...I have a sort of unique situation (I think) that I've landed myself into and I was wondering if anyone has any advice to get out of this one alive:
Here's my stats:
Science - 3.49
GPA - 3.59
MCAT - 8P, 9B, 10V = 27Q
EC include: Tutoring(2 years), Hospital internal medicine work (1 year), Shadowing and a recent trip to third world country to work on a hospitals plans for public health education for patients (happened this December so not part of original application), Research at Texas Medical school.

So here's the situation: I applied to Texas medical schools (all of them) and a few out of state medical schools. I did not get any interviews in Texas or out of state (because by then, I didn't finish the secondaries for out of state because I only applied to high tier schools out of state and I knew there was no chance if I couldn't make it in Texas as a Texas resident). I did however check TCOM as a choice on TMDSAS and I have been accepted into TCOM (DO school).

However, I did not (as I should have) give much importance to TCOM while applying and now since its my only acceptance, I am forced to think seriously about going there. I am skeptical about becoming a DO and taking that on as a career path because I don't want to be limited in my career choices later on (hospital administration, chief of medicine etc etc).

I want to be a doctor so badly (an MD doctor) and so I have been thinking about giving up my acceptance to TCOM and reapplying for entry in 2009.

Some mistakes that I made in my application cycle were applying later and not applying broadly enough OOS.

A few questions:
1. Would it be completely inadvisable for me to give up an acceptance at a DO school to go to an MD school?

Yes. The only real difference between DO and MD is treatment philosophy. You shouldn't have applied there if you weren't sure you would go. DO schools usually require a letter of rec from a DO practitioner - did you ever shadow with one? If not, find one and ask the questions you need. Get excited!

2. Do I have any chance of making it to an MD school if I reapply?

Probably, but dropping a DO offer for a shot at an MD program is sure to come up in an interview. It's a lot like reapplying to MD programs after refusing an offer at another MD program. It suggests that you have some unrealistic impressions about the field or that you aren't serious about medicine.

3. Is it advisable to reapply for entry in 2009 or is that too early?

You shouldn't reapply unless you've made some substantial improvements to your application. Depending on the school, adcoms will go back and review your previous application post-interview when deciding to accept you. Your GPAs, both sci and cum, are somewhat low, but not terrible. Your MCAT is a 27 - that is definitely a liability with your GPA. If you can, get it above a 29/30 to prove that you can do well on your boards. This is doable before TMDSAS applications open in May - get cracking. Also, keep up your extracurriculars during the application year. Stale applications are a no-no.
4. Would not wanting to do DO to not be limited in career choices be a good enough explanation for Adcom to reapply or you think it would be perceived as complete BS?

That is not a good enough reason. The main factors under consideration for residency are USMLE scores, intern evaluations, med school grades and research. DO vs MD shouldn't be a major consideration, but I'd imagine that it would probably depend on the program. It is true that DOs tend to go for more primary care specialties - internal, peds, emergency, and *now* ob/gyn. But again, it probably depends on the program.

Let me know what you guys think. I am desperately searching for answers so any thoughts would be very helpful. I am in the process of restudying for my MCATs right now just in case I decide I want to take them in time for the 2009 application cycle.
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Good luck with your decision. Hopefully, you'll find that you won't really have to make one.
 
I just want to try this one more time. I barely got any response last time, but I didn't have my scores back.

Here are the numbers:

mCAT: 9vr, 13ps, 12bs, M (yikes!!! with the poor verbal) (34M)

BCMP:3.62 (I am including an upper level nutrition course and anatomy, but am not sure if they should be in there)

Overall:3.8

I have a ton of clinical exposure. I have worked as phleb at a trauma level 1 hospital for 3 years. I have special training and work in the NICU drawing blood from the premies and other sick babies. I do arterial blood draws as well as venous. As a phleb, I also respond to all codes and traumas. This summer I will be doing research for the state concerning the utilization of programs by pregnant women on medicaid. I have been a TA for uPhysics for a year. I also have some other non-medical ECs that are interesting, but I won't list them.

The downside:

Finishing up my fifth year in school (I work three jobs total) and won't have a degree until after 5.5 years (next fall) because I got caught up in the whole major changing game. The really bad news is that I failed a class (physiology) because I missed the final. I have no good excuse, it just a mistake on my end with my own scheduling. Other than this I have one 2.5 in a class. My BCPM factors in the 0.0 at 3 credits and the retake 4.0 at 3 credits. What should I do from here. Do I try to cram in some summer courses to boost the GPA a little or should I relax and milk my strong clinical experiences as much as I can. I don’t want to go to a Harvard, or a Yale. Uniformed Services is my # 1 choice. Any advice will be appreciated.
 
Hey everyone! I'm new to the forum. My name's Katie.

I go to the University of Maryland for undergraduate. This year, my freshman year, I realized that I wanted to do pre-med. But I love my major, Music Education, despite its unforgiving and horrendous credit load. I play cello and got a scholarship to UMD for cello.

As I mentioned, my major is crazy, and our credit load per semester is 19-20 credits every time. So, I will have to take most of my pre-med requirements over the summer at UMD. Will this cause me to not get into med school or highly detract from my application? I also plan to work or volunteer at a hospital this summer.

My GPA is a 3.6 (only one semester), but I was really sick - shingles, kidney infection, crazy stuff going on. So hopefully that will improve.

Do I stand a chance for med school?

I appreciate any replies. Thank you so much!
 
kdwhite525 said:
Hey everyone! I'm new to the forum. My name's Katie.

I go to the University of Maryland for undergraduate. This year, my freshman year, I realized that I wanted to do pre-med. But I love my major, Music Education, despite its unforgiving and horrendous credit load. I play cello and got a scholarship to UMD for cello.

As I mentioned, my major is crazy, and our credit load per semester is 19-20 credits every time. So, I will have to take most of my pre-med requirements over the summer at UMD. Will this cause me to not get into med school or highly detract from my application? I also plan to work or volunteer at a hospital this summer.

My GPA is a 3.6 (only one semester), but I was really sick - shingles, kidney infection, crazy stuff going on. So hopefully that will improve.

Do I stand a chance for med school?

I appreciate any replies. Thank you so much!
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Of course you have a chance. Keep your grades up. Stick with your EC's, both medically related and non-medically related. I think schools will most likely ask about your taking pre-med requirements over the summer, but you have a valid reason. I took a few classes over the summer during college. When I was asked about it, I gave my explanation. If anything, I think your major will only help, by letting you stand out from the pre-med biology major clones.
 
Thanks for the response! =) I feel relieved to hear your response. Are you pre-med or are you in med school?
 
whtlight2121 said:
I just want to try this one more time. I barely got any response last time, but I didn't have my scores back.

Here are the numbers:

mCAT: 9vr, 13ps, 12bs, M (yikes!!! with the poor verbal) (34M)

BCMP:3.62 (I am including an upper level nutrition course and anatomy, but am not sure if they should be in there)

Overall:3.8

I have a ton of clinical exposure. I have worked as phleb at a trauma level 1 hospital for 3 years. I have special training and work in the NICU drawing blood from the premies and other sick babies. I do arterial blood draws as well as venous. As a phleb, I also respond to all codes and traumas. This summer I will be doing research for the state concerning the utilization of programs by pregnant women on medicaid. I have been a TA for uPhysics for a year. I also have some other non-medical ECs that are interesting, but I won't list them.

The downside:

Finishing up my fifth year in school (I work three jobs total) and won't have a degree until after 5.5 years (next fall) because I got caught up in the whole major changing game. The really bad news is that I failed a class (physiology) because I missed the final. I have no good excuse, it just a mistake on my end with my own scheduling. Other than this I have one 2.5 in a class. My BCPM factors in the 0.0 at 3 credits and the retake 4.0 at 3 credits. What should I do from here. Do I try to cram in some summer courses to boost the GPA a little or should I relax and milk my strong clinical experiences as much as I can. I don’t want to go to a Harvard, or a Yale. Uniformed Services is my # 1 choice. Any advice will be appreciated.
Click to expand...

I would relax a 34 and a 3.8 with your ECS will get you into plenty of schools and I am sure Uniformed would love to have you.
 
whtlight2121 said:
I just want to try this one more time. I barely got any response last time, but I didn't have my scores back.

Here are the numbers:

mCAT: 9vr, 13ps, 12bs, M (yikes!!! with the poor verbal) (34M)

BCMP:3.62 (I am including an upper level nutrition course and anatomy, but am not sure if they should be in there)

Overall:3.8

I have a ton of clinical exposure. I have worked as phleb at a trauma level 1 hospital for 3 years. I have special training and work in the NICU drawing blood from the premies and other sick babies. I do arterial blood draws as well as venous. As a phleb, I also respond to all codes and traumas. This summer I will be doing research for the state concerning the utilization of programs by pregnant women on medicaid. I have been a TA for uPhysics for a year. I also have some other non-medical ECs that are interesting, but I won't list them.

The downside:

Finishing up my fifth year in school (I work three jobs total) and won't have a degree until after 5.5 years (next fall) because I got caught up in the whole major changing game. The really bad news is that I failed a class (physiology) because I missed the final. I have no good excuse, it just a mistake on my end with my own scheduling. Other than this I have one 2.5 in a class. My BCPM factors in the 0.0 at 3 credits and the retake 4.0 at 3 credits. What should I do from here. Do I try to cram in some summer courses to boost the GPA a little or should I relax and milk my strong clinical experiences as much as I can. I don’t want to go to a Harvard, or a Yale. Uniformed Services is my # 1 choice. Any advice will be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Your MCAT score is good. The role the writing section plays is minimal, as long as you didn't get a J. Also, your GPA is competitive. No need to panic. If I were you, I'd save some money and opt out of taking summer classes. With five and a half years of classes, the increase in GPA from acing your summer classes will be small, if not negligible. Apply early and broadly.

Do you have any ROTC or relevant background? I think that would certainly boost your chances at USUHS.
 
kdwhite525 said:
Thanks for the response! =) I feel relieved to hear your response. Are you pre-med or are you in med school?
Click to expand...
I'll be in med school come August. Good luck to you.
 
Hello future doctors of america 🙂.

Okay, I sort of need some advice/opinions.

Im a sophmore, and I just very very recently decided to "go pre-med" if you will. My grades arent up to par, and thats only because I had NO INTEREST in school, and I was planning on taking over my mother's spa and just living life simply..doing whatever comes next.

I've been volunteering at a hospital for almost 1 year and a half now (because i truly love helping the sick). And after that, I decided that I actually do want to become a doctor one day, and hopefully a cardiologist. I've been volunteering at an advanced heart failure clinic ever since I started college. So i have a lot of experience when it comes to the cardiology field (volunteering wise).

SO basically, my gpa is barelllllyyyyy a 2.5

Should I give up? Or Is there actually a chance of redemption in my academic career?
 
qmnmd said:
Hello future doctors of america 🙂.

Okay, I sort of need some advice/opinions.

Im a sophmore, and I just very very recently decided to "go pre-med" if you will. My grades arent up to par, and thats only because I had NO INTEREST in school, and I was planning on taking over my mother's spa and just living life simply..doing whatever comes next.

I've been volunteering at a hospital for almost 1 year and a half now (because i truly love helping the sick). And after that, I decided that I actually do want to become a doctor one day, and hopefully a cardiologist. I've been volunteering at an advanced heart failure clinic ever since I started college. So i have a lot of experience when it comes to the cardiology field (volunteering wise).

SO basically, my gpa is barelllllyyyyy a 2.5

Should I give up? Or Is there actually a chance of redemption in my academic career?
Click to expand...

Dont give up if you are 100% sure this is what you want to do.

If you are a sophomore or freshman you can definitely bring that GPA up above 3.0 by graduation time, and if you are a junior or senior you might have to take some post bac classes. If you can get it above a 3.0 you can probably get into a DO school with a 30+ on the MCAT, if you dont score that high you can always find another route. SGU or ROSS.

Just ask yourself if you are truly capable of performing well in the prereqs for medical school, if yes then go for it.
 
Hi, with a 3.7 at a state school and 34 MCAT, and the same extra-curriculars everyone else has, am I competitive in top 20 schools? top 50?
 
Olaleye said:
Hi,

I've always been attracted to business and medical school. I spent my last two summers in business internships and I just signed on for a two year stint at a consulting firm. I'm still not certain about medicine... but if I do decide to go to medical school do you think that these will harm me?
Click to expand...

I don't think these internships will hurt you as long as you can explain why it is that you now want to go into medicine and have demonstrated participation in medically related things, like volunteering in the hospital, physician shadowing etc.
 
You're a freshman. You have another three years to beef up your admissions penis.

Seems like you're on the right track.

Take more credits next year.
 
i would tread lightly with the summer classes, there is no hurry to get through college. that will free up time for research this summer. you need to have at least a little research experience, you dont have to get involved right away if you don't want, but still physics and orgo during the summer seems excessive. this is the kinda stuff i find premed advisers very helpful with. otherwise u seem golden and in 4 years maybe you'll be in Harvard and ill be jealous.
 
You're fine.

Maybe up the credits a little bit, but 12 is OK. Don't worry about taking summer classes so long as they're taken at a 4-year school (and not a junior college). Starting to volunteer at the ned of your Freshman is not late at all. Look for opportunities for some research later on, like in your Junior/Senior years (if you have the interest and time), but don't worry about it right now.

Also: It's okay to take some classes just because you enjoy the subjects. You don't have to take all science, all the time.
 
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