What should I do?

[FutureSurgical]

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Hey everyone, I'm a rising senior and I have a predicament. Also, if this belongs in the WAMC forums, please move it there.

My current GPA is a 3.3. This is coming from an upward trend, where last fall I made a 3.5 with Biochem, Brain and Behavior, another Neuro class, and research on top of that. Last spring, I made a 3.74 GPA with Immunology, Human Genetics, Neuro research, and other upper-level humanities/foreign language classes. I calculated that, if I make a 4.0 these last 2 semesters of college, I will have around a 3.41 cGPA. My sGPA will be a 3.25. I will be taking upper-level bio, chem, psych, and history courses this last year. I will be taking the new MCAT this August, and assuming I make a 509+, what should I do with my gap year after college?

First, I thought of doing an SMP, but I don't think a 3.41 with an upward trend is really necessary and a waste of money.

I really like research and I may apply for the NIH IRTA program. I have no publications as of yet and I don't see any coming this year. I feel as if the NIH program will help me in that area of my application. Would that be a waste of 1-2 years? What really appeals to me is that the program will assist you with getting into a GME school (medical, dental, etc.)

If neither pan out, I would move back home/stay at college and spend a year working and continue volunteering at different hospitals and clinics.

Any other suggestions? My ECs are:

• 150+ hours of clinical volunteering
• 100+ hours of non-clinical volunteering
• Strong leadership roles for the last 2 years, of which all have lasted for a year or more during my tenure
• 75+ hours of shadowing in cardio, ortho, and FP/rural medicine
• MS resident
• Non-URM

 

[WedgeDawg]

Even with an "upward trend", your GPA is still fairly low for MD. If you're applying DO, you're probably going to be fine, but with your interest in research, I'm guessing you're aiming for MD. I think that some form of GPA repair is necessary. Whether postbac or SMP, I'm not sure, as I'm not too sure which is appropriate in what situations. I personally think the IRTA is a great program, but with your sGPA, you're going to need much more than a 509 on the MCAT (think more like at least 518) to 'prove' you have the chops for medical school.

The biggest problem with your app is your GPA. No pubs is not a problem.

 

[FutureSurgical]

Even with an "upward trend", your GPA is still fairly low for MD. If you're applying DO, you're probably going to be fine, but with your interest in research, I'm guessing you're aiming for MD. I think that some form of GPA repair is necessary. Whether postbac or SMP, I'm not sure, as I'm not too sure which is appropriate in what situations. I personally think the IRTA is a great program, but with your sGPA, you're going to need much more than a 509 on the MCAT (think more like at least 518) to 'prove' you have the chops for medical school.

The biggest problem with your app is your GPA. No pubs is not a problem.

Yeah I had severe issues during freshman/sophomore years (2 semesters) of college. Not going to get specific (check my post history if you want to know more) but I had to work on a lot. Not sure what a post-bacc would do for me since I have already aced upper-level bio classes. Both GPAs are pitiful and I only would apply to DO schools that have a lot of connections to hospitals. Just so I don't have to really worry about clinical rotations during 3rd and 4th year.

I don't know. I sound like a snobby premed, but this is my future.

What I'm really leaning towards is taking a few years off to work, get amazing ECs to set myself apart, and apply to non-trad friendly schools (Dartmouth for example.) And maybe take a few more upper-level bio classes (DIY post-bacc perhaps?) to raise my GPA just a little more and to show I'm still competent in an academic setting.

 

[WedgeDawg]

Yeah I had severe issues during freshman/sophomore years (2 semesters) of college. Not going to get specific (check my post history if you want to know more) but I had to work on a lot. Not sure what a post-bacc would do for me since I have already aced upper-level bio classes. Both GPAs are pitiful and I only would apply to DO schools that have a lot of connections to hospitals. Just so I don't have to really worry about clinical rotations during 3rd and 4th year.

I don't know. I sound like a snobby premed, but this is my future.

What I'm really leaning towards is taking a few years off to work, get amazing ECs to set myself apart, and apply to non-trad friendly schools (Dartmouth for example.) And maybe take a few more upper-level bio classes (DIY post-bacc perhaps?) to raise my GPA just a little more and to show I'm still competent in an academic setting.

That sounds like a sound course of action to me, though I would make sure you take the MCAT early enough that the material is still fresh in your mind, but late enough that it doesn't expire by the time you apply. I would think that acing (3.0+) a DIY post-bacc for upper level science classes for a semester or a year would do wonders for you (again, not an expert on this, so definitely talk to someone more in the know).

Nothing wrong with wanting to go MD. As you say, this is your future, no one else's. Just make sure you know what you're getting yourself into (which I think you do).

 

[GrapesofRath]

If you only had a 3.6 last year getting a 4.0 this year isn't particularly realistic. Aim for a 3.75.

Med school admission is still a numbers game. Many applicants ace upper level classes all 4 years of college. There absolutely is a point in doing a DIY post-bacc for a year and acing some more to get your numbers up. EC's are all well and good but the most realistic path to success in admission is improving your GPA to acceptable standards and having a strong MCAT score.

Take the MCAT when you graduate and see where you stand. I would reckon a post-bacc would probably still be a good idea( you can do it in the DIY form and still do research on the side) and try and get that science GPA as close to 3.4 as possible. If you can apply with say a 3.45/3.35 with the equivalent of a 32-33 on the MCAT and an upward trend of 3 years I think you can get some looks at MD schools. But take things one step at a time.

 

[lmn]

I wouldn't bother with heavy research, you're not in range for shooting for the very tip top schools where publications really matter. Your academics are the thing holding you back.

Work extremely hard on the MCAT since a killer score along with a good upward trend can even keep MD doors open to you. But I wouldn't solely bet on that, use this year to up your gpa and if you're considering DO's, utilize grade replacements to give a quick boost to your gpa so you could be applying as early as next cycle.

 

[FutureSurgical]

The bad grades are a few C's... not really worth the retake. Besides, they're from lower-level classes (Genetics and Gen Chem II.) Instead of doing the retakes, I did upper-level courses to show that I can handle harder material (Human Genetics (a grad-level course, made an A) and upper-level chem classes.)

I'm hoping to ace this MCAT this fall. If I don't, then I will take it the following Spring/Summer and apply. The gap year I will take some more classes, let medical schools know of my plans, and hope for the best.