What should I do, apply 2013, or 2014

[advair250]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey all,

First off, feel free to move this to WAMC if it fits more into that.

I'm just wanting to seek opinions of people who did extensive retakes, or applied twice before matriculation on what I should do.

EDIT for stats: Year 1: 2.1 Year 2: 3.3 Year 3: 3.5 Year 4: 3.8 Year 5: Potentially 3.7-4.0

Scenario 1. Apply May/June 2013, with a 3.0 sgpa and 3.23 cgpa. MCAT taken late april/early May. Full load spring semester while studying for MCAT. I would be retaking orgo and physics over the summer, to be completed in July/August. This would boost my sGPA to 3.4 and my cGPA to 3.38.

Scenario 2. Wait until August to apply, once I receive my updated grades, that way my primary would have the proper GPA's.

Scenario 3. Postpone MCAT to August, giving it the proper attention while not juggling it with my spring semester courses. Nail summer term retakes, then take 3 other retakes during the year and apply June 2014.


The only hesitations I have about applying this June, is that my retakes that significantly increase my GPA's won't be seen until September. Also in the light that this delay causes me to be ignored, i'd be considered a "reapplicant".

I'd rather not have a 2 year gap between undergrad(5 years this April at a Canadian University), which would be the case postponing to June 2014.

Let me know your feedback, in particular updating grades and as well reapp status.

Advair

 

[488677]

Hey all,

First off, feel free to move this to WAMC if it fits more into that.

I'm just wanting to seek opinions of people who did extensive retakes, or applied twice before matriculation on what I should do.


Scenario 1. Apply May/June 2013, with a 3.0 sgpa and 3.23 cgpa. MCAT taken late april/early May. Full load spring semester while studying for MCAT. I would be retaking orgo and physics over the summer, to be completed in July/August. This would boost my sGPA to 3.4 and my cGPA to 3.38.

Scenario 2. Wait until August to apply, once I receive my updated grades, that way my primary would have the proper GPA's.

Scenario 3. Postpone MCAT to August, giving it the proper attention while not juggling it with my spring semester courses. Nail summer term retakes, then take 3 other retakes during the year and apply June 2014.


The only hesitations I have about applying this June, is that my retakes that significantly increase my GPA's won't be seen until September. Also in the light that this delay causes me to be ignored, i'd be considered a "reapplicant".

I'd rather not have a 2 year gap between undergrad(5 years this April at a Canadian University), which would be the case postponing to June 2014.

Let me know your feedback, in particular updating grades and as well reapp status.

Advair

Scenario 3...under the circumstances you get your GPA up to >3.3.

Note that since you are not applying until June 2014 with this scenario, you do not have to take your MCAT in August 2013. I would aim to take it in January of 2014 so you can have plenty of time to study, and if you do poorly, you still have time to take it prior to May.

 

[Moosepig]

scenario 3.

 

[advair250]

So essentially, the midway option of applying in September is just too late? I believe there's about 10-12 Canadian friendly schools.

I guess the crux is, that if I have my app complete in June 2013, if they would update my GPA in september, and consider me then or not.

 

[abolt18]

I'd say it depends on what your goals are and how important that "lost" year is to you. For me I had a full load (plus a pregnant wife on bed rest) while studying for the MCAT and working full time. I wasn't worried because I was getting 29-30 on practice tests so I felt prepared and I planned on applying only DO. My GPA is similar to what yours will be after your two summer retakes and I got a 28. I was happy with that and knew I could get in with it considering I have reasonable EC's. I was NOT wanting to wait another year considering my MCAT would end up maybe a few points higher and my GPA would not increase much.

So would you rather wait an extra year? Or get into wherever you can.

 

[488677]

So essentially, the midway option of applying in September is just too late? I believe there's about 10-12 Canadian friendly schools.

I guess the crux is, that if I have my app complete in June 2013, if they would update my GPA in september, and consider me then or not.

It's not too late, but it's also not ideal. You can submit your AACOMAS on June 1st. Every day that you delay your submission, you are straying away from your application's maximum potential.

With that being said, many students still get into medical school by submitting their application in September; it will just be up to you to determine if your application is strong enough.

 

[advair250]

Well technically it would be 2 gap years, maybe I'd only apply to one school for the 2013 cycle, that way I wouldn't be considered a reapplicant for all the rest?

 

[phikapdoctor]

Do whatever you want an don't complain because you at least don't have to take the 2015!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile app please excuse punctuation and spelling
Mod=1015- 2015

 

[advair250]

I'm not complaining.. I'm just seeing what other people have done, and perhaps seeing if people have suggestions 🙂

What's hindering you from taking it before 2015? That's 2.5-3 years..

 

[phikapdoctor]

I'm not complaining.. I'm just seeing what other people have done, and perhaps seeing if people have suggestions 🙂

What's hindering you from taking it before 2015? That's 2.5-3 years..

I know just giving you a hard time.
And a mixture of things, I'll cross that bridge next year.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile app please excuse punctuation and spelling

 

[advair250]

No worries!

 

[advair250]

Edited original post to show what I think is an upward trend. Many pre-reqs found in year 1

 

[abolt18]

Edited original post to show what I think is an upward trend. Many pre-reqs found in year 1

I just want to reiterate, for me, it was a matter of getting in ASAP and not wasting a year making <$15 and lose a year that I could be making >$150K. The way I see it, the sooner you start making 6 figures and continuing with your life and career. Why delay your dream when you could still get in with what you've got?

P.S. My GPA is similar to yours in that it was
Year 1, 2.19
Year 2, 3.58
Year 3, 3.64
Year 4, 3.56 so far (one semester left)

I would have HATED waiting an extra year just to study better for the MCAT. What would that have gotten me? A 30+ and a couple more interviews and acceptances? All I care is I'm in at a good school and don't have to keep doing a monkey dance to try to make myself into a good applicant for med school. Now I get to worry about dancing like a monkey for residencies in a few years!

 

[advair250]

@abolt18, may I ask what your sGPA and cGPA worked out to be at the time of submission?

 

[abolt18]

@abolt18, may I ask what your sGPA and cGPA worked out to be at the time of submission?

cGPA 3.34 I believe
sGPA 3.28

I think I only did 2 retakes from the first year so I've still got a few bad ones dragging me down. If I retook them I'd probably be up to a solid 3.5

 

[advair250]

Yeah, pretty much identical to me after I do 2 retakes my sGPA's up to a 3.24.

Thanks for your insights!