what should i do??

[ohwhat2do]

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So, I just graduated last December...and after 4 years of planning to do public health, i decided that medicine was actually what i wanted to pursue. I was a double major in biology and public health, and ended up getting the crappiest GPA of a 2.9. I'm currently studying for the April MCATs and things in that area look a little more promising. So far I pretty consistently come up with scores of 31+. Hopefully that's how I actually perform on the real test.

Anyways I'm kind of lost in this whole world of crazy pre-med folk. I never did research in college. However, I did work in three solid Pub Health internships (that were more oriented towards health promotion and preventive care). I know i need to get some clinical exposure...so I've arranged to shadow 4 different doctors (one of which is a D.O.) after my MCAT.

Other than that I don't know what I'm supposed to do this next year. Does it even matter what i do, if i apply in June. More importantly-- Do I even have a shot at a D.O. school for the Fall of 2007? Is my GPA too crappy? From what I can tell, I can't even get into Post-Bacc Programs because my GPA is so low--so how can i bring the GPA up?? SHould i retake all the pre-med classes at a JC? local university? I know there's no set formula...but what can i do to give me the best shot at getting in??

 

[HunterGatherer]

read the FAQ about retaking classes. If you score well on the MCAT it should make up for your GPA. if you apply broadly with a solid MCAT and your current GPA you have a shot. You should try to get the GPA above 3.0 since you don't know how you will fare on the MCAT. No need for research. Try to get LORs early, especially from the DO.

No need to retake all of your premed classes though.

Try to do something now whether it is school or work. Personally I would go with school if you could afford it.

 

[DD214_DOC]

Try to do something now whether it is school or work. Personally I would go with school if you could afford it.

I second this, because the 8-5 grind really sucks. Luckily I'm financially secure enough to not need to work before moving -- I left my job at the beginning of the month -- but I'm still doing some freelance contract work to get some, "oh crap" money before moving.

Being self-employed is great.

 

[Munchkin6245]

I believe that med schools would wonder why your GPA and MCAT do not correlate. It's like you could study for and pass one big test, but in the long run you didn't fare too well when taking full on courses. One of the major things that schools look at especially when they interview you, is if you can handle the amount of coursework you will have when in med school. It will be a slap in the face, or better: you will feel like you are drowing and can't reach the surface, if you can't handle the amount of material you will be taught. My recommendation would be to take some advanced courses to try to bring your GPA up above a 3.0 at least, b/c that could be the cut off for some admissions offices. You do not have to enter into a post-Bacc program. You might think about a Master's before investing time and money into a Post-Bacc too. Example: I applied 4 years after getting my BS, took Physics and Physiology a year before I applied and got in with a low-scale GPA and average MCAT. You can always do your residency in public health if you are still interested in that after you get through med school. Good luck to you!

 

[xTinaBna]

So, I just graduated last December...and after 4 years of planning to do public health, i decided that medicine was actually what i wanted to pursue. I was a double major in biology and public health, and ended up getting the crappiest GPA of a 2.9. I'm currently studying for the April MCATs and things in that area look a little more promising. So far I pretty consistently come up with scores of 31+. Hopefully that's how I actually perform on the real test.

Anyways I'm kind of lost in this whole world of crazy pre-med folk. I never did research in college. However, I did work in three solid Pub Health internships (that were more oriented towards health promotion and preventive care). I know i need to get some clinical exposure...so I've arranged to shadow 4 different doctors (one of which is a D.O.) after my MCAT.

Other than that I don't know what I'm supposed to do this next year. Does it even matter what i do, if i apply in June. More importantly-- Do I even have a shot at a D.O. school for the Fall of 2007? Is my GPA too crappy? From what I can tell, I can't even get into Post-Bacc Programs because my GPA is so low--so how can i bring the GPA up?? SHould i retake all the pre-med classes at a JC? local university? I know there's no set formula...but what can i do to give me the best shot at getting in??

Hi!
I absolutely think you have a shot at a d.o. school. I graduated in December '04 with a 2.8 gpa (and even a 2.4 science gpa..i had a rough year). I attended this post bacc program and basically re-took all my science classes. my cumulative undergraduate gpa is now a 3.2 and i now have a 3.0 science gpa. i got a low mcat score and even applied late, but i still luckily got an interview at Touro-MI (wish me luck!) its funny that you were planning public health because i am also considering public health if medical school doesn't work out =) anyways, you seem like you know what you are doing on the mcat..just make sure you can articulate why specifically osteopathic medicine is right for you in essays. As far as research goes, you can always volunteer your time to assist a researcher in your area...any time spent in the medical arena is time well invested. i guess your best shot is to apply early, gain as much osteopathic experience as you can, and do well on the mcats which i know you will. If you are not able to attend a post bacc program, you can also sign up to just take courses as a non-degree student through a university close to you. Best of luck and i know that you will reach your goals =)