What are my chances of getting into medical school?

[TurboMed]

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I'm a recent graduate with two B.S. degrees, one in Biology and the other in Nueroscience. I experienced personal health issues that caused an indelible mark on my past academic image. However, I have completely recovered. I can succeed academically and I have extensive life experiences that are highly desired in the medical profession.

My stats:

Overall GPA: 2.97
Graduation Year: 2004
Age: 36
Seeking: MD or DO track


What should I do to greatly improve the chances of med school admissions?

Should I complete an associates or something along those lines?

Please be candid as I am aware of the reality of the situation. thank you for your input.

 

[911 Turbo]

I believe that it will take a number of years to bring that average up if you want MD. There is also the option of a "post bacc".


However, DO schools allow you to replace older, worse grades with better grades by retaking the class. So it will take considerably less time to achieve a presentable GPA if you apply to a DO school.

You also want to do very well on the MCAT in order to increase your chances.


But I do believe that your life experiences give you a greater edge over other applicants. Good luck! I am sure others will follow this post with a lot more advice.

 

[PreMedOrDead]

Retake the courses that tanked your GPA, take the MCAT and do well, then apply as a strong DO applicant.

Best of luck, good sir.

 

[TurboMed]

I just did some research on Post Bacc programs and the minimum QPA is 3.0. I'm not sure if I would be able to be accepted into any of those programs, but I might be mistaken. I will probably have to repeat the courses. Should I repeat the courses at the same institution and should I only repeat the science courses that affected my GPA?

Is there way to take courses along side medical students in order to improve the chances of admissions?

thanks.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Moving to wamc

 

[Moosepig]

Retake the courses that tanked your GPA, take the MCAT and do well, then apply as a strong DO applicant.

Best of luck, good sir.

This. As for needing a 3.0 for post bac, you can just informally retake your Cs until you break 3.0

 

[TurboMed]

Why go through the added costs and time of completing a post bacc when I could retake just those courses needed to improve the GPA and apply to DO schools as suggested by PreMedOrDead?

But, D.O. schools are less demanding in terms of MCAT scores and given the fact that I am capable of scoring high, there is an issue of undue returns. However, it may be an acceptable trade off. I'm not certain.

Also, it's my understanding that most schools only accept online applications and applying with anything below the 3.0 cut off automatically removes your application from their systems such that it never reaches the admissions committee. Correct me if I'm wrong though.

Thank You for the input.

 

[phant0m0o0o]

I would just retake all your low grades wherever cheapest and available mixed in with 1-2 new classes, preferably upper level. By retaking classes you are gearing up for DO grade replacement and also increasing your GPA for the MD route at the same time if you are getting A's. What is your state of residence? Since you graduated in 2004 have you thought about moving to Texas to apply for Texas Academic Fresh start(must live there 1 year to become resident)? This would remove all grades and credits from 10 years prior and to use that GPA for TMDSAS.

 

[TurboMed]

Thanks for your reply.

I live in Pennsylvania.

I would have to wait at least 2 years before I can begin the fresh start program since I graduated in 2004 (i.e. grades need to be at least 10 years back and 1 year residency in Texas.) Also, I would have to commit 4 years to the undergrad degree. I will definitely consider it though.

Will med schools frown upon my application if I take the repeat courses at a community college, even if I get A's?

 

[phant0m0o0o]

Just a side note, you do not need to apply to fresh start until you are ready. That means you can start retaking classes as soon as you move at a CC to establish residency then when the time comes apply for fresh start. I doubt many medical schools will frown at repeated courses at community college. Also waiting 2 years would remove all your undergraduate work, however if you did it now only the last 2 years would count toward your GPA but the earlier 2 years would be removed.

 

[TurboMed]

OK, I will definitely consider the fresh start program.

Will medical schools in Texas give normal priority to my fresh start based application compared to non fresh start applicants?

Also, I read on the website that I don't necessarily have to earn a Bachelors degree in order to apply to med schools that accept the fresh start program. It says I only need at least 90 credits. Is this a wise move?

Thanks.

 

[phant0m0o0o]

As far as I know there is no distinction between fresh start and non-fresh start so they aren't compared. They are equal applicants as far as I understand. Also you have already obtained a bachelor's and you retain that even after you apply fresh start. So you just need to take 90 credits if you wiped your whole college career or if you do fresh start earlier however many add up to 90.

Both this and retaking classes for DO replacement will take some time. It will really come down to your preference as one will give you a higher chance of gaining an admission from an MD school but limits your school choice to 8 vs being able to apply to all DO schools.

 

[TurboMed]

As far as I know there is no distinction between fresh start and non-fresh start so they aren't compared. They are equal applicants as far as I understand. Also you have already obtained a bachelor's and you retain that even after you apply fresh start. So you just need to take 90 credits if you wiped your whole college career or if you do fresh start earlier however many add up to 90.

But, those med schools will obviously think that the fresh start program applicants performed poorly in their wiped out college careers. So, wouldn't that give first preference to non-fresh start applicants even if I scored high on the MCAT and had a very high GPA?

Thanks.

 

[phant0m0o0o]

I can really only say that two of the schools I talked to said it will not factor in as the scores are 10 years old and will most likely be coupled with multiple credits of hopefully 4.0 that is recent. I did not ask the other schools but assume they have the same philosophy. I doubt that applications get close enough for them to even compare as I see that most texas schools get applied to by ~3000 applicants, interview around ~700 applicants. since there are 8 schools and most of the 3000 applied to all 8 chances are you won't be fighting too many people if you do extremely well in the 3.7/30+ range. I personally have an interview with a very low GPA and have talked to others on interview day with similar low GPA's. If you take a look at the 2012-2013 texas school application threads you will see several students in the 3.2-3.4 gpa range getting interviews. Sorry I am very bad at writing so excuse my tangents.