What to do? Advice please :(

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

Ailleurs

Full Member
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2007
Messages
314
Reaction score
39
Hi Guys,

I'm sure you guys hear this all the time.. but I'm feeling very, very depressed at the moment.

I graduated recently (I learned I failed 2 classes and got D's so I had to take more classes over the summer and have a August 2009 graduation). I took those classes and because I was studying for the MCAT, I did horrible in those 2 classes (both C+). I graduated with a 2.52, having a total of 34 credits. On the bright side, I got a 40 on the MCAT...

Right now I'm doing an informal post-bacc at Harvard Extension School and I'm really trying my hardest and looks like I can pull out a 4.0 in the two classes I am taking right now. I plan on spending 1.5 more semesters taking 4 classes each semester and continuing my research internship and volunteering. The best I can pull off in these 2 years, is a 2.91 cumulative gpa. God knows what my science gpa would be lol.

But then there is the harvard summer intro bio class I failed (didn't complete due to family problems) and the other 2 intro bio classes I took at a community college my freshman year which I'm sure I did not complete due to more family problems. So I'm probably looking into another D.

I know I could look into DO, but I don't think I could go that route because in my group of family friends, if I ever were to become a DO doctor, I would be looked upon as inferior and I do not want that. I don't think of DO as inferior, my father has great regard for the degree, as do I.

Right now I'm thinking that after my 2 years of post-bacc, I will apply to an SMP. I would love to go to Georgetown but I don't think I can get in. I probably could have a shot at EVMS, but what do you guys suggest? I've had a few family deaths and also a horrible situation where my dad had a heart failure, but thankfully he is still alive. I know I can't use these to make up for my abysmal GPA though.

I have a ton of good extracurriculars so I don't think I need to focus on that. Do I really have a shot? My hope is to get into EVMS and see how things go from there.

Constructive feedback would be nice 🙂

edit: oh right i forgot to mention that the depression comes from my having only 2 years to work on my abysmal GPA. my parents are MDs themselves and I don't want to abuse their kindness for more than 2 years. They after all are paying for my post-bacc and will pay for the SMP, if I get into one. I could spend 3 years doing a post-bacc, but I would most likely have to take out a ginormous loan and pay for everything myself. I don't really have a working job to support myself and even if I had one, I don't think i'd enough money for basic survival--hence where my wonderful parents come in. The 3 years would be terrific but I don't think I could do it due to pressure from my parents (I don't know if I can convince them to let me take 3 years off) as well as from the group of family friends whose children are not having the same dilemma as I and are highly competitive for medical school. Their sneering and attitude would severely affect my parents state of mind, which would in the long run affect me as well. It's a bit of peer pressure if that makes sense.
 
Last edited:
Take a look at this chart:

http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/2008/mcatgpa-grid-3yrs-app-accpt.htm

What this teaches us is that MCAT scores are far and above the most important piece of your application to medical school. Take a look at your range -- 54.2% of folks with a 2.8 - 3.0 GPA (assuming you get the 2.9 you say you can) and a 39-45 on the MCAT get into medical school. Not bad, really...A 50/50 shot at getting into med school is a pretty good set of odds, these days. If EVMS is in-state for you, I'd argue you have an even better shot. Good luck.

Oh yeah, and it should go without saying that you shouldn't let that 40 expire -- you might not be that fortunate again and, right now, it's your golden ticket.
 
oh wow that is a little bit uplifting, thanks 🙂

but sadly im a ny resident 🙁 i would like to go to a suny medical school but that's probably a long shot, lol.

anybody else with input they'd like to share? 🙁
 
SMP and then reapply or DO. I don't really think there are any other options so I don't know what you're looking for. Good luck though!
 
Top