what should I do...

[md2bknox]

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So as of right now i am doing my postbac...I am trying to stay a year ahead and figure if i should apply to a masters/amp program or continue my degree find a full time job and apply next year. My gpa is low sub 2.7-2.8 I suspect by the time I finish. My BCMP will be higher maybe 2.99-3.0. I have an upward trend doing some EC that I enjoy and hopefully my interest will show committment. I am apply MD and DO, the first go around. my thing is I am interested in finishing my anthro major should I or should I ditch that and go for what need?! I have not taken the MCAT, I've been studying here and there but won't start seriously studying until mid June, not the best test taker but its a must that I do well so I plan on knocking this out the park.. Again the question stands should i continue taking more sciences and finish my major or move on and apply to smp? Thanks for you opinions

 

[courtnes]

Unfortunately, I think you're going to have a difficult time applying to any programs. Have you retaken any of your classes? That might help your chances if you're applying DO, since it could raise your GPA. But I highly doubt a cGPA of 2.7-2.8 and an sGPA of ~3.0 will get you into any US program. It can happen, but it's the exception, not the rule. Also, most SMPs have GPA cut-offs of 3.0-3.2 - I doubt they'd look just at your sGPA for that but you might be able to talk your way in. Do you think you could keep up with the work in an SMP, taking classes with med students?

Regardless, you will definitely need to ace the MCAT. I wouldn't take it until you're fully prepared and feel confident that you can get above a 32 or so (that's the median or a little higher for most schools. Honestly, you're probably going to need to do better than that to mitigate your GPA.

I don't mean to be down on you, but you've got a lot to make up for and you have to look at your application honestly. I came from a pretty bad spot GPA-wise too, but did well on the MCAT and had years of research, work, and a good amount of volunteering to back me up. When your GPA is this weak, it really can be the ONLY weakness in your app, and even then, you have to get lucky or have some sort of ace in the hole.

 

[md2bknox]

I completely understand, and I am trying to make every move as concise and thought out as possible. That is why I ask, there were valid reasons for me doing poorly, a string of deaths while in college, having to work two to three jobs, taking care of a family members, and being in a depressive state of mind. I honestly wasn't just twiddling my thumbs thinking I would get in..So right now I am trying to show that I am a good student, and hardworking student. My gpa for DO school will definitely be higher, as yes I have taken classes over. I've been volunteering since high school, I am just doing research now because I have found something of interest, I didn't want to do just anything. Pretty much I understand the concept that my gpa has to be the only hazard they see to letting me in! I am lucky to be in a state that favors in state. I actually started to give up, my advisor and a professor told me to keep going, and they both felt that I was a very qualified student. So right now I am planning, can I keep up with the work absolutely, that is not the problem, I am more than certain that without everything else that happened in my life, I would have excelled. I know I am going on a wish and a hope even with this story, I was just curious on the next step to take?! Thanks though🙂

 

[courtnes]

I completely understand, and I am trying to make every move as concise and thought out as possible. That is why I ask, there were valid reasons for me doing poorly, a string of deaths while in college, having to work two to three jobs, taking care of a family members, and being in a depressive state of mind. I honestly wasn't just twiddling my thumbs thinking I would get in..So right now I am trying to show that I am a good student, and hardworking student. My gpa for DO school will definitely be higher, as yes I have taken classes over. I've been volunteering since high school, I am just doing research now because I have found something of interest, I didn't want to do just anything. Pretty much I understand the concept that my gpa has to be the only hazard they see to letting me in! I am lucky to be in a state that favors in state. I actually started to give up, my advisor and a professor told me to keep going, and they both felt that I was a very qualified student. So right now I am planning, can I keep up with the work absolutely, that is not the problem, I am more than certain that without everything else that happened in my life, I would have excelled. I know I am going on a wish and a hope even with this story, I was just curious on the next step to take?! Thanks though🙂

I'm not trying to dissuade you. I sympathize with you a lot, our stories have some similarities. You just have to keep swimming, and if it's what you really want to do, you'll make it. An upward trend will be your friend, you just need to make sure it's strong enough. A couple years to establish yourself in research and patient care might not be a bad idea either. It sounds like you have a lot of people backing you up, and that is awesome - it really makes all the difference when others believe in you.

Edit: I would really suggest focusing on the sciences and proving that you're a good student there. If you really want to finish your anthro degree because it's important to you, then do it, but personally I'd save the time and start focusing on the sciences because a strong performance there will make more of an impact on the admissions committees, or at least so I think.

 

[ThatsG123]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdtejCR41

 

[md2bknox]

@courtnes thanks and I dont take offense, I know what's stacked against me. I did not always have the support and feel very blessed force guidance of SDN and the school I am sd now. It was not like that at my first school! So I have one more question because you said work on science but I think I wasnt clear. Either way I'm taking science classes, if I finish my anthropology major ill take the last seven classes between this year and next along with more undergrad science! The other option is doing a smp/masters,Stillman science but a lower level. So I will be doing science either way, just wanting tp know at one level will med school favor I guess, in you opinion? You say you have a similar story can you please let me know what you did, and if it got you in, even you prefer to pm me?! Thanks

@that'sg123 the utube didn't open

Also, just an fyi I don't want ppl to feel Sry for me and I don't want to use what has happened as an excuse but more of a life lesson. So I'm not looking for a pity party!

 

[Tapepsi]

I would advise you not to apply to MD schools as the average GPA is 3.7-3.8 and most schools would probably not even look at your app based on your GPA (it's unfortunate but they have so many applicants they need ways of eliminating a good chunk). It is possible to get into a D.O. school but make sure you do well on the MCAT to show them that you have what it takes.

Good luck! 👍

 

[courtnes]

@courtnes thanks and I dont take offense, I know what's stacked against me. I did not always have the support and feel very blessed force guidance of SDN and the school I am sd now. It was not like that at my first school! So I have one more question because you said work on science but I think I wasnt clear. Either way I'm taking science classes, if I finish my anthropology major ill take the last seven classes between this year and next along with more undergrad science! The other option is doing a smp/masters,Stillman science but a lower level. So I will be doing science either way, just wanting tp know at one level will med school favor I guess, in you opinion? You say you have a similar story can you please let me know what you did, and if it got you in, even you prefer to pm me?! Thanks

@that'sg123 the utube didn't open

Also, just an fyi I don't want ppl to feel Sry for me and I don't want to use what has happened as an excuse but more of a life lesson. So I'm not looking for a pity party!

I'll PM you tomorrow - sleep now.