What are my chances?

[Hopefilled]

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I graduated with a molecular and cell bio bachelors from UC Berkeley in 2006. Both my major and overall gpa are below 3.0. Yes, I slacked off a lot in college. I had never planned on being a premed so I wasn't really motivated, but a lot has changed since then. I have been working since then as a research tech. I got a 31M on the mcat. I have volunteering experiences, but no shadowing experiences. I am dead set on applying to med schools this yr for 2009. Do I have any chance of getting in?

 

[DrMidlife]

In short, no, your chances are not good. This is a period of record numbers of applicants to MD and DO schools. 60% don't get admitted. That 60% is almost entirely made up of great applicants. Unless you are URM or truly fascinating, you are kidding yourself with a sub-3.0.

Look in the postbac forum for information about SMPs. Look at mdapps to see how well sub-3.0 applicants do.

Best of luck to you, regardless.

 

[puchi]

I have two options for you: Carib MD... with those stats you will likely get into one of the Big 4. Or like the previous poster said, try a SMP or post-bacc. You will most likely not get into a US school with just those stats. Taking a few UG classes will surely boost your stats.

Good luck!

 

[gman33]

What is your gpa?
If it is above 2.8, I think you would have a shot at some SMPs.
Below that, and you need to work on your UG gpa first.
Carib schools are really a last resort, so I wouldn't look at them until you try to fix your problems and apply to some US schools.

DO schools are a good option as you can retake some of the UG classes and significantly boost your GPA. If you do well, you may be ready to apply in a year or two.

 

[Perrotfish]

Many non URM students get into medical school with a sub 3.0 GPA. However they need to do an SMP first. An SMP is a program that allows you to take classes with, and be graded against, medical students. The logic is that if you do well you prove that your MCAT score, rather than your Ugrad GPA, is the best indicator of your ability to do well in medical school. SMP programs last about a year, and details of specific programs can be found in the postbac forum

If you scramble you may be able to get an applicatoin in for the 2008 SMP classes (like medical schools, plan on applying to all of them to get into one). You have about 2 weeks. If you get into one, and do VERY well, you may have a shot a med school 2009, though more likely med school 2010, when they can look at all the grades from your SMP year. If you don´t get both an SMP (and also shadowing, which isn´t at all optional) on your application, you are wasting your money.

BTW, shadow both an MD and a DO. You need a DO shadowing letter to apply to DO schools, and even with the SMP DO schools are going to be your best shot at being a physician.

 

[Blade28]

You need to either pursue post-bac classes to bring up your GPA, consider retaking classes (helps for MD schools, REALLY helps for DO schools), or think about an SMP program. You've got a ways to go, since the average GPA for matriculants tends to hover around a 3.6.

Best of luck.

 

[Deanis]

What's an SMP?

 

[Perrotfish]

What's an SMP?

Read the entire thread. SMP = Special Masters Program, BTW

An SMP is a program that allows you to take classes with, and be graded against, medical students. The logic is that if you do well you prove that your MCAT score, rather than your Ugrad GPA, is the best indicator of your ability to do well in medical school. SMP programs last about a year, and details of specific programs can be found in the postbac forum

 

[Deanis]

I did read the entire thread, but the description seemed vauge (and still does - I don't know if we have them here in Canada). What is the content of a SMP and how is it different from a regular masters program? How are you graded against medical students?

 

[DrMidlife]

I did read the entire thread, but the description seemed vauge (and still does - I don't know if we have them here in Canada). What is the content of a SMP and how is it different from a regular masters program? How are you graded against medical students?

Varies by program. There are 30 SMPs in the US, at last loose count. See the postbac forum for more info: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=71

 

[parrotsmuggler]

Deanis, as far as I'm aware we don't have SMPs in Canada. Perhaps you could put together your own program of science courses with guidance from an admissions counsellor. However, to be perfectly honest, anyone aiming for Canadian med school who feels the need to complete a post-bac in order to secure admission should probably be looking at schools in the US and/or the Caribbean. As you're undoubtedly aware, it's damn hard to get in even with a 3.9 GPA and a 30+ MCAT.

 

[Deanis]

I know. My UGPA sits at around 3.7 (writing the MCAT this July) and I'm thinking I will (probably have to) try to apply to the US, but wonder what sort of chance I have given I'd be an international student (which I hear automatically ups the expectations).

Canada is cool in some ways, but their medical school system is not one of them.