What Should I DO?!?!

[hopefool]

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I am currently a post-bac student taking my pre-reqs. I graduated spring '06 from Cornell with a ~2.5 gpa, basically was interested in everything but school until I came to some realizations. I am looking at getting a 4.0 or very close to it but even with that my gpa will still be low, probably lower than a 3.0. I had planned on taking undergrad courses until I can get my gpa over 3.0 and then taking the MCAT (expecting to get at least a 30). I have EMT experience, emergency room hospital experience, physical therapy research experience and am always expanding my resume.

My questions are whether or not I should just forget about US med schools and apply to the Caribbean now to get on with my life or possibly try for an SMP after I finish my pre-reqs in a year and a half and hope that I do well in there then apply to US allopathic schools. I hear SMP's are very expensive too 😱

Another idea I had was to apply to one of the 10-15 schools that offer international masters programs in public health. These programs allow you to go abroad with the Peace Corps and get your MPH after completing around a year of courses on their campus. Problem is with my stats Im not sure if Id even be eligible for that (I think maybe I might after taking my pre-reqs).

Would anyone be able to offer me some advice?

 

[drizzt3117]

I am currently a post-bac student taking my pre-reqs. I graduated spring '06 from Cornell with a ~2.5 gpa, basically was interested in everything but school until I came to some realizations. I am looking at getting a 4.0 or very close to it but even with that my gpa will still be low, probably lower than a 3.0. I had planned on taking undergrad courses until I can get my gpa over 3.0 and then taking the MCAT (expecting to get at least a 30). I have EMT experience, emergency room hospital experience, physical therapy research experience and am always expanding my resume.

My questions are whether or not I should just forget about US med schools and apply to the Caribbean now to get on with my life or possibly try for an SMP after I finish my pre-reqs in a year and a half and hope that I do well in there then apply to US allopathic schools. I hear SMP's are very expensive too 😱

Another idea I had was to apply to one of the 10-15 schools that offer international masters programs in public health. These programs allow you to go abroad with the Peace Corps and get your MPH after completing around a year of courses on their campus. Problem is with my stats Im not sure if Id even be eligible for that (I think maybe I might after taking my pre-reqs).

Would anyone be able to offer me some advice?

I've commented on this a few times... get your grades up, do a SMP, ace the MCAT, done. Do not go to the Caribbean. US DO/MD is the way to go.

 

[hopefool]

Yes Drizzt, I remember your posts.

I guess I am just getting antcy. I mean, I am not in a good position and even with stellar marks and all I still stand a pretty good chance of not getting into a US MD school, would you agree?

I hear things that arent so bad about the Caribbean, obviously Id rather go to a US MD school but if its not in the cards...?

I've commented on this a few times... get your grades up, do a SMP, ace the MCAT, done. Do not go to the Caribbean. US DO/MD is the way to go.

 

[drizzt3117]

Yes Drizzt, I remember your posts.

I guess I am just getting antcy. I mean, I am not in a good position and even with stellar marks and all I still stand a pretty good chance of not getting into a US MD school, would you agree?

I hear things that arent so bad about the Caribbean, obviously Id rather go to a US MD school but if its not in the cards...?

You need to take the MCAT before you can make any decisions.

 

[gotmeds?]

Yes Drizzt, I remember your posts.

I guess I am just getting antcy. I mean, I am not in a good position and even with stellar marks and all I still stand a pretty good chance of not getting into a US MD school, would you agree?

I hear things that arent so bad about the Caribbean, obviously Id rather go to a US MD school but if its not in the cards...?

A 3.0/30+ would put you in good shape for a DO program. I also know 3 people who've gotten into US MD programs with GPAs right around 3.0 (and MCAT scores of 35+). The Caribbean may seem like a quick and easy way to get into med school (which it is) but it'll make life significantly more difficult down the road. Be patient. This is a long road. Bring that GPA up above 3.0, get some good volunteer and clinical experience, and then study your butt off for the MCAT.

 

[queenbee]

i do agree that first and foremost that MD/DO schools are the way to go, but i don't think that you should necessarily rule out caribbean schools.

it's not the best route, but there's nothing wrong with having it as an absolute, last resort. it's what you make of the experience and i know plenty of people that were able to transition back to a good residency in the states. i don't want to go far away from my family and friends, but if that's the only route open to me, then i'm not shutting it out completely.

there's a forum dedicated to carib schools, you should take a look there.

 

[JayJayEPT]

A 3.0/30+ would put you in good shape for a DO program. I also know 3 people who've gotten into US MD programs with GPAs right around 3.0 (and MCAT scores of 35+). The Caribbean may seem like a quick and easy way to get into med school (which it is) but it'll make life significantly more difficult down the road. Be patient. This is a long road. Bring that GPA up above 3.0, get some good volunteer and clinical experience, and then study your butt off for the MCAT.

I totally agree with gotmeds. I'm in the same boat you are. I graduated with a 2.7 from Trinity Univ. and am currently working on an MPH with UT Houston. I now have a 3.75 and have a very medicore score of 27 for the MCAT (at least compared to everyone else on this site). What I do have to make up for my undergrad GPA is a lot of research, volunteer and clinical experience. I think being well rounded helps a great deal when you're weak in one area like your GPA. This is my second year applying and have had a total different experience from last year. I got way more secondaries and actually have 2 interviews. I also applied to 27 schools.😀 My advice is to not give up hope and to keep working at it especially in the areas that you might be lacking. If your passionate about becoming a doctor, it will show and someone out there (hopefully someone on a committee) will definitely notice. Take it from someone who's been in your shoes. Good Luck!

 

[DNARNAPROTEIN]

In regard to DO vs Caribbean, what are the hindrances that someone would run into "down the road" with a Caribbean school? I have heard about problems getting a good residency, lack of research opps, less networking with people in the states...however I also know people who have gone that route and are happily practicing MDs. I know the answer to this has to be somewhere on this forum, if you just want to post a link, I'd appreciate that too!

 

[hopefool]

JayJay, I like the route that you have taken and will probably be going a similar way. I want to complete my pre-reqs, (about half done) and then take some upper level science courses (biochem, genetics, molecular bio etc) I hear this is also a good way to prepare for the MCATS. Ill take the MCAT and then Id love to apply for a masters program with one of the schools that offers the international masters with the peace corps. You have to apply to both the school and the peace corps separately, Id assume the school would be tougher to get into than the peace corps. My worry has been that I would be unable to even pursue this route because of low gpa but my grades from the post-bac should show schools that I am for real.

How was the application process to UT MPH? How is the program itself and how far along are you?

Godspeed to you my friend

I totally agree with gotmeds. I'm in the same boat you are. I graduated with a 2.7 from Trinity Univ. and am currently working on an MPH with UT Houston. I now have a 3.75 and have a very medicore score of 27 for the MCAT (at least compared to everyone else on this site). What I do have to make up for my undergrad GPA is a lot of research, volunteer and clinical experience. I think being well rounded helps a great deal when you're weak in one area like your GPA. This is my second year applying and have had a total different experience from last year. I got way more secondaries and actually have 2 interviews. I also applied to 27 schools.😀 My advice is to not give up hope and to keep working at it especially in the areas that you might be lacking. If your passionate about becoming a doctor, it will show and someone out there (hopefully someone on a committee) will definitely notice. Take it from someone who's been in your shoes. Good Luck!

 

[JayJayEPT]

The application process for UT Houston wasn't too strenuous. I started taking classes as a non degree seeking student which from what I understand anyone can do. All they required was for me to actually be a degree seeking student was to take the GRE.

The program itself is awesome. They have many regional campuses all over Texas which is good if you don't want to move to Houston (too humid for me). I'm from El Paso so I go to the El Paso regional campus. We don't have as many professors here but that doesn't limit us to only those guys. Many of our classes are broadcasted over ITV from Houston and from other regional campuses. The focus of this program is to give you a broad perspective about health, disease and healthcare. Also, my classes were full of M.D.'s and D.O.'s. This is for a reason. Many medical schools are now offering an M.D. with an MPH because it brings together many disciplines (Biostatistics, Environmental/Occupational health, Health care policy, Behaviorial sciences, and Epidemiology) into one field. Your understanding in these areas will be very helpful once you become a doc especially if you want to get into family medicine or academics/research. I've gotten most of my research and clinical experience through my MPH program in grants that deal with border health disparities.

Find the program that fits you best and go for it. If it's the peace corps you want to get into while at the same time going to school, do it. If your a non traditional applicant medical schools want to see that you've been a productive member of society and that you are interested in expanding upon your potential academically. I think you're on the right track, hopefool, by going to either grad school or getting into those upper division science courses. You have to show these schools that you are capable of achieving good grades at that level.

As everybody else has told you getting into medicine is a long process, especially for non traditional students with subpar GPAs😳. My advice is not to rush it. Do it right. Get the grades you need, get that life experience of traveling the world with the peace corps (a very unique experience that college graduates don't have) and study hard for that MCAT. You do that and there's no doubt in my mind that you'll get in. Good luck amigo!

 

[JayJayEPT]

Oh and I forgot to tell you that I'm finishing up my thesis right now. I'll be done with the program early spring of 08. It took me 2 1/2 years but it was well worth it.

 

[Law2Doc]

In regard to DO vs Caribbean, what are the hindrances that someone would run into "down the road" with a Caribbean school? I have heard about problems getting a good residency, lack of research opps, less networking with people in the states...however I also know people who have gone that route and are happily practicing MDs. I know the answer to this has to be somewhere on this forum, if you just want to post a link, I'd appreciate that too!

That you know some people who did fine doesn't really tell you how many of their classmates fared. There are absolutely some people who go to offshore schools, do well, and line up decent residencies at the end. So it's not a bad "second chance" if other things don't pan out. Some people are definitely able to get to their goal from there.

But you have to realize that attrition in the caribbean is huge -- lots of people drop out, fail out, or forever get stuck repeating years. Even at some of the better regarded schools the total enrollment is a lot bigger than 4 times the number who graduate each year, which should tell you that either folks will be dropping/failing out, or they get stuck somewhere between matriculation and graduation.

And not all of the caribbean schools are equal -- there are many that will take anybody, and their success rates are not as good. Board pass rates of the caribbean are lower. Matching percentage is a lot lower. And most people coming out of the caribbean end up in a smaller handful of primary care residencies, suggesting that competitive options aren't really on the table, and frequently in the less desirable locations/programs. So keep this as your last resort. If you have to, you can make it work for you. But wait until you have to. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Yourmother]

try a search for BLEE. He has the same stats at the same school!

Send him a PM

 

[montessori2md]

Agree w/ drizzt.

"The solution to pollution is dilution" Thus the extra coursework, good MCAT, clinical exp, etc etc.

Freaking out is good. That doesn't necessarily =island school.

Remember that some school will look at your recent improvement, and it's different from Joe College w/ a <3.0 straight out of college.

I think a good fit post-bacc is worth it if: 1) you need the structure, 2) it could make you employable as a "back-up plan" or 3) it has linkages with med schools.

I think I would rather go US P.A. program than carrib. MD program. But don't want to start the whole PA vs MD thread either, and haven't the foggiest notion of your competitiveness for PA admissions.

 

[Yourmother]

Agree w/ drizzt.
and it's different from Joe College

acutally with all the grade inflation at the ivy schools, I don't think adcoms place too much weight on institution. They're prob. more interested in the intensity of the program...its still up for debate.

 

[drizzt3117]

acutally with all the grade inflation at the ivy schools, I don't think adcoms place too much weight on institution. They're prob. more interested in the intensity of the program...its still up for debate.

Cornell isn't known for grade inflation. It's in the highest tier of difficulty as rated by some adcoms.

 

[njbmd]

I am currently a post-bac student taking my pre-reqs. I graduated spring '06 from Cornell with a ~2.5 gpa, basically was interested in everything but school until I came to some realizations. I am looking at getting a 4.0 or very close to it but even with that my gpa will still be low, probably lower than a 3.0. I had planned on taking undergrad courses until I can get my gpa over 3.0 and then taking the MCAT (expecting to get at least a 30). I have EMT experience, emergency room hospital experience, physical therapy research experience and am always expanding my resume.

My questions are whether or not I should just forget about US med schools and apply to the Caribbean now to get on with my life or possibly try for an SMP after I finish my pre-reqs in a year and a half and hope that I do well in there then apply to US allopathic schools. I hear SMP's are very expensive too 😱

Another idea I had was to apply to one of the 10-15 schools that offer international masters programs in public health. These programs allow you to go abroad with the Peace Corps and get your MPH after completing around a year of courses on their campus. Problem is with my stats Im not sure if Id even be eligible for that (I think maybe I might after taking my pre-reqs).

Would anyone be able to offer me some advice?

The first thing that you need to do is sit down and figure out what the highest undergrad GPA will be once you are done with your pre-reqs. After you have that number because you need to know exactly where you stand (not estimated or hoped for in terms of GPA), you have a couple of options.

• Look at Special Masters Programs (grade enhancement ones).
• Look into applying to osteopathic medical schools and some allopathic schools especially the ones with a large variation in undergraduate GPA.

A Masters of Public Health (even an international one) is not going to enhance your what you need at this point. Your best shot is to find a good SM where you can prove you are able to handle a medical curriculum. Needless to say, you will be working your rear end off.

There are many SMs out there that have linkage such as Goucher College. Yes, they are expensive but so is medical school offshore or in the United States. Either way, you are likely to incur some substantial debt if you wish to pursue medicine.

Should you decide to go offshore (this should be your very last resort after you have exhausted every other option), be sure that you know exactly what you are paying for. Not all offshore medical schools are created equal and there are no guarantees that you can get back into this country to practice medicine no matter what their websites say.

 

[FireMed]

This last cycle year I went through 7 rejections. 3 Canadian, 4 Irish.

It sucked big time. I'm now looking into the DO route. So far, from what I've read, they seem less competitive and a lot closer to MD training than I previously thought.

I have considered the Caribean route, would really like to keep things here in N.America (family and all).

I have some pretty good life experience:
- Army Reserve as Infantry then transferred to Medic
- I'm heading to Afghanistan in Feb for 7 mo. as an evac medic on the base in Kandahar (where I'll be getting a tonne of clinical and emerg. experience)
- I am a civilian Fire Fighter/EMT (full-time Fire, Casual EMT)
- I am a scout leader here in town
- youth group leader
- lots of extra curriculars : snowboarding, SCUBA, rock-climbing, camping, hiking, mtn. biking,

My grades for my BSc. really sucked, but I have since taken lots of part-time courses and have well in them. My MCAT wasn't exactly stellar with a 23M.

If what I'm reading about DO programs is true, hopefully this experience will carry some weight towards acceptance.

Just thought I'd say my bit, in case anyone else out there is getting discouraged by the process.

Feel free to PM me about it.


FireMed

 

[godzilla0120]

I have a 3.2 undergrad GPA.
Planning to go to one of SMP programs.
my MCAT score is 26, which is below average.
This is actually my third time taking it.
the previous two had expired.

I worked in a clinic for one year.
Volunteer over 300+ hr
Published my undergrad research paper.
and currently working for Quest Diagnostic

My question is do I have a shot for SMP.
Or I need to retake my MCAT????

 

[hopefool]

In order to get my gpa over a 3.0 Ill have to take a good 50-60 credits at a 4.0, since my starting gpa was 2.5. After taking my prereqs I planned on taking more science courses to continue to raise my gpa.

If my post-bac gpa works out to be less than 4.0 at a 3.8, or 3.9 I should still be able to get it over 3.0. Will this be enough in the gpa department to show schools that I can do the work? because theres no going back now to rectify a gpa, however easy it might have been to get that >3.5.

You guys would say then to take the MCAT, hope to get at least above 30 and then apply to some SMP programs? A student in my position will be looking at the lowest tier schools in the US. After graduating from those schools are doors still closed to you? or would you be able to get a good residency in the big states, NY, CA etc.

Also how would one prepare for an SMP? and if you do well how good of a chance do you stand at getting in somewhere?

I have a 3.2 undergrad GPA.
Planning to go to one of SMP programs.
my MCAT score is 26, which is below average.
This is actually my third time taking it.
the previous two had expired.

I worked in a clinic for one year.
Volunteer over 300+ hr
Published my undergrad research paper.
and currently working for Quest Diagnostic

My question is do I have a shot for SMP.
Or I need to retake my MCAT????

 

[Nasrudin]

In order to get my gpa over a 3.0 Ill have to take a good 50-60 credits at a 4.0, since my starting gpa was 2.5. After taking my prereqs I planned on taking more science courses to continue to raise my gpa.

If my post-bac gpa works out to be less than 4.0 at a 3.8, or 3.9 I should still be able to get it over 3.0. Will this be enough in the gpa department to show schools that I can do the work? because theres no going back now to rectify a gpa, however easy it might have been to get that >3.5.

You guys would say then to take the MCAT, hope to get at least above 30 and then apply to some SMP programs? A student in my position will be looking at the lowest tier schools in the US. After graduating from those schools are doors still closed to you? or would you be able to get a good residency in the big states, NY, CA etc.

Also how would one prepare for an SMP? and if you do well how good of a chance do you stand at getting in somewhere?

The search function for key words in the thread title will allow you to arrive at your own best conclusion. Not that I don't understand where your coming from because I do.

But you are in a hostile environment here to your own self worth and appraisal as well as entering the shark infested waters of the process at large which begs further the comparison to answer your conjectural approach. "Will that be enough to get consideration or to show I can do the work?" is tantamount to saying is their a meal to be had in this wide open ocean. Sure there is. Except there's a lot of bigger and meaner sharks out here (read the straight and narrow with airtight virgin app's) than it would be useful for you or I to waste time thinking about.

And there are well organized groups ready to capitalize on the combination of your fear and the nature of the downhill slide of the American middle class to foreclose your financial future into the service of the dark medical warlords who would be more than happy to pressure you into their service.

Make A's. Increase your awareness of where you want to go and how your going to get there as you move along. You will probably change your mind along the way. I've thought about SMP's, the Caribbean, Irish medical schools, Israeli medical schools, gpa this and that, the tedium gives me a headache in recollection of it. I am happy rolling the dice with a lower gpa without giving this process any more of my money for the time being.

I'm planning to strengthen my community service record, to make a stand for acceptance on a non-canonical basis. And to develop other goals in life. I tell you this only with the hope that you will find the courage to trim your own sails and grab hold of your own rudder realizing that I did not always possess this frame of mind and have been largely intimidated out of being myself for far too long. It has been a disgrace to my own spirit. Don't make it one for your own. The temptations will be compelling to do so.

 

[hopefool]

While I understand most of what you have wrote I am still in need of a distillation of sorts.

I know that after all the stress and hard work of rectifying a poor undergrad performance is over, there is still the possibility of non-admittance based upon just such an undergrad performance, but I still try.

I had thought also of continuing to take courses, until my gpa is over a 3.0 even if it takes me to another degree. I want to get a degree in bio, at the school I am at and afterwards I should almost definitely have above a 3.0.

What to do then? We shall see. What exactly are you doing?

The search function for key words in the thread title will allow you to arrive at your own best conclusion. Not that I don't understand where your coming from because I do.

But you are in a hostile environment here to your own self worth and appraisal as well as entering the shark infested waters of the process at large which begs further the comparison to answer your conjectural approach. "Will that be enough to get consideration or to show I can do the work?" is tantamount to saying is their a meal to be had in this wide open ocean. Sure there is. Except there's a lot of bigger and meaner sharks out here (read the straight and narrow with airtight virgin app's) than it would be useful for you or I to waste time thinking about.

And there are well organized groups ready to capitalize on the combination of your fear and the nature of the downhill slide of the American middle class to foreclose your financial future into the service of the dark medical warlords who would be more than happy to pressure you into their service.

Make A's. Increase your awareness of where you want to go and how your going to get there as you move along. You will probably change your mind along the way. I've thought about SMP's, the Caribbean, Irish medical schools, Israeli medical schools, gpa this and that, the tedium gives me a headache in recollection of it. I am happy rolling the dice with a lower gpa without giving this process any more of my money for the time being.

I'm planning to strengthen my community service record, to make a stand for acceptance on a non-canonical basis. And to develop other goals in life. I tell you this only with the hope that you will find the courage to trim your own sails and grab hold of your own rudder realizing that I did not always possess this frame of mind and have been largely intimidated out of being myself for far too long. It has been a disgrace to my own spirit. Don't make it one for your own. The temptations will be compelling to do so.

 

[Nasrudin]

While I understand most of what you have wrote I am still in need of a distillation of sorts.

I know that after all the stress and hard work of rectifying a poor undergrad performance is over, there is still the possibility of non-admittance based upon just such an undergrad performance, but I still try.

I had thought also of continuing to take courses, until my gpa is over a 3.0 even if it takes me to another degree. I want to get a degree in bio, at the school I am at and afterwards I should almost definitely have above a 3.0.

What to do then? We shall see. What exactly are you doing?

Right. I hope I didn't present anything falsely pedantic. I hate that. Punch me in the stomach if I do that. I was trying to advocate for you in a time of precarious uncertainty by saying that there will not be any certainty at the end of your first leg of this journey so there is no need to long for it. You will go hungry waiting for the bread of certainty.

If by my story you can discern your own correct path...swell. I am you in(ternet)carnate minus 4 years ago today or so. I worked full-time, some of it as an EMT ED tech incidentally, and pieced together a pedestrian do-it-yourself 2nd bac post bac thing. My first attempt at college netted me some credits that amount to a non-degreed 2.6 or so. I will finish up with a 3.3 thereabouts cum and a 3.9 science gpa. I am finishing my degree this semester (sweet-baby-Jesus-Mother-Mary-and-Joseph-halleluyah). I am tired of being an uptight science nerd. The gig doesn't suit me. I'm a hard-bop player and this is the Lawerence Welk Show. Dig?

I am quitting the scene for some other more laid back vibes and glad of it. I am volunteering with some elderly folks because I like elderly people and I think that generation, what's left of them, have unique gifts of culture to offer. So now it's it about what turns me on not a frenetic scramble for what I think turns them on. I am thinking of taking some writing courses after the MCAT and looking for work that I might enjoy more than bottom-feeding healthcare jobs. But if not I'll jump back into the pit to make a livable wage, but minus the stress. You get the idea.

What I meant to communicate to you is that if the opportunity to perform a metaphysical shift in spiritual perspective on yourself presents itself to you: then in defense of your own well-being and consequently on those around you, take it before this process diminishes you by it's tedium, fuss, and worry.

You will do well. You will get the gpa above a 3.0 and so forth and so on. You can take out a reverse mortgage on your career options to get in the back door via SMP or you can hope for the half-court 3-pointer at the buzzer. Either way you might as well get used to thinking about the present which will always be the next test or the next this and that and tending to your own health and well-being in those tedious middle grounds, which is essentially where we all live in any case by the lazy habits and limits of your minds in search of ease and security.

Good luck.

 

[hopefool]

You didnt finish your undergrad, left with a 2.6 with how many credits left to take? Your cumulative gpa is pretty good man, at the 3.3, and science as well. What was your gpa out of college, 120 credits? and how many classes did you take after college to raise it up?

So, are you saying that now that you have raised your gpa to a pretty good number, you are not going to pursue applying? You write well, but am confused as to why you wouldnt apply now.

Also, whats ur take on taking courses at a community college for instance. I wouldnt think schools would like this since it can be so easy there.

Right. I hope I didn't present anything falsely pedantic. I hate that. Punch me in the stomach if I do that. I was trying to advocate for you in a time of precarious uncertainty by saying that there will not be any certainty at the end of your first leg of this journey so there is no need to long for it. You will go hungry waiting for the bread of certainty.

If by my story you can discern your own correct path...swell. I am you in(ternet)carnate minus 4 years ago today or so. I worked full-time, some of it as an EMT ED tech incidentally, and pieced together a pedestrian do-it-yourself 2nd bac post bac thing. My first attempt at college netted me some credits that amount to a non-degreed 2.6 or so. I will finish up with a 3.3 thereabouts cum and a 3.9 science gpa. I am finishing my degree this semester (sweet-baby-Jesus-Mother-Mary-and-Joseph-halleluyah). I am tired of being an uptight science nerd. The gig doesn't suit me. I'm a hard-bop player and this is the Lawerence Welk Show. Dig?

I am quitting the scene for some other more laid back vibes and glad of it. I am volunteering with some elderly folks because I like elderly people and I think that generation, what's left of them, have unique gifts of culture to offer. So now it's it about what turns me on not a frenetic scramble for what I think turns them on. I am thinking of taking some writing courses after the MCAT and looking for work that I might enjoy more than bottom-feeding healthcare jobs. But if not I'll jump back into the pit to make a livable wage, but minus the stress. You get the idea.

What I meant to communicate to you is that if the opportunity to perform a metaphysical shift in spiritual perspective on yourself presents itself to you: then in defense of your own well-being and consequently on those around you, take it before this process diminishes you by it's tedium, fuss, and worry.

You will do well. You will get the gpa above a 3.0 and so forth and so on. You can take out a reverse mortgage on your career options to get in the back door via SMP or you can hope for the half-court 3-pointer at the buzzer. Either way you might as well get used to thinking about the present which will always be the next test or the next this and that and tending to your own health and well-being in those tedious middle grounds, which is essentially where we all live in any case by the lazy habits and limits of your minds in search of ease and security.

Good luck.

 

[Nasrudin]

You didnt finish your undergrad, left with a 2.6 with how many credits left to take? Your cumulative gpa is pretty good man, at the 3.3, and science as well. What was your gpa out of college, 120 credits? and how many classes did you take after college to raise it up?

So, are you saying that now that you have raised your gpa to a pretty good number, you are not going to pursue applying? You write well, but am confused as to why you wouldnt apply now.

My bad man. Knocks the psuedo-intelectual self aside. Yes I'm applying. I'm still in the game. But I'm playing it on my own terms for the beauty of it. Not to win. Not to impress anyone. Not because being a physician will make me who I am. The shift in perspective will be my secret weapon. I believe it it is itself the crucial element to beating the odds in any human conundrum. That's also why I belabored this point besides hearing my own voice which is admittedly an indulgence of mine.

Yes a 3.3 for me might get me more nibbles that a 3.0 or so if that's where you end up. So I'm being real. I understand that one must calculate odds to play their hand to maximize it's pull. But remember there is bluff in this game as well. You can take down your opponent who has better cards if you have the balls to try. But just know that the odds are against you and that is what it is. The other component is the MCAT. It's do or die for the low gpa F@cknuts like us so treat it accordingly. I have a ton of credits from various academic adventurous most of them failures. Diminishing return has set its limit. But I have taken probably 100 credits of a nearly virginal 4.0 to bring it to its rather unimpressive status.

Just PM me anytime. I will try to help you if only in supportive terms.