What to do? Oh, what to do?

[Miercoles]

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Hello out there,
I am in need of some SDN wisdom. Here's my deal - applied last year,25 schools, including some of the 'easier' ones, got one interview at UC Davis, rejected.

GPA - 3.2, science 3.2, Molecular and Cell Bio/CogSci major @ UCB
MCAT - 36 O P11, B12, V13
Graduated in 2006, took the MCAT in 2007
CA kid
Working in a clinic directly w patients x 1 year
No research experience
Consistent volunteerism, not clinical though

My main question right now is..should I apply again this year? The differences in my app would be: letters of rec from a doctor and NP from my current job, plus another year of experience under my belt, and a better essay. My letters were so so last time. I'm thinking..well, I almost made it into Davis, might these things be enough to push me over the edge this year? And if not, I will be taking classes in the meantime to demonstrate some academic wherewithal, so even if I don't make it I'll be prepared for next year and not have lost anything?

Does that seem reasonable? Or, do adcoms look down on third timers? Better to skip it this year and come back as strong as possible next year?

Any thoughts on taking classes at San Francisco State or Cal State East Bay versus UC Berkeley Extension? What classes to take - do adcoms like anatomy, physiology, and the like, or better to leave those for med school and take upper division sciences like genetics or something?

Any insights are much appreciated.

Thanks,

Kris

 

[jojoshabadoo]

start by spelling your name Chris

 

[dragonfly99]

I would keep applying. I don't see a downside to doing so, and the thing about "multiple applications" being a negative I don't think holds true, especially as you have done some things to improve your application.

I feel that your GPA is probably the major problem...3.2 is really quite low for a med school applicant. I think you can do this, though...just raise your GPA.

As you realized, the LOR's are also really important, as is the clinical experience.

I would sign up for some class(es) ASAP. Not sure the school matters, as I'm unfamiliar with colleges in the bay area. I would go to the one with the best reputation you can. I don't think it matters if you take anatomy vs. genetics vs. some other upper level bio. Either/both of those would help with med school.

Your MCAT score is good, so that is a good thing. It tends to be hard to raise that for some people. How long is it good? When does it "expire"?

Do you have any hospital volunteer experience? If not, you might want to think about getting some. I know it's more stuff to do, but even a small amount (like 4 hrs once/week) might be helpful.

 

[Krisss17]

start by spelling your name Chris

And this helps how?

 

[sarahl86]

Depends on what "experience" you've gained in the past year...if it was just more work in a lab with no publications coming to fruition, that's not a huge improvement. Getting a promotion or a better job that is medically relevant? Different story. It all depends. Take more classes, and as long as they are upper level biology I don't think it matters which ones you take so long as you do well.

You mentioned your essays: make sure you get them read over by different people multiple times. This is an easily overlooked part of the application that can make or break you. Apply more broadly and early.

If you wait to apply you will have to retake the MCAT, so I'd go for broke and apply now if I were you.

 

[Miercoles]

Thanks very much for the comments - especially the one about how to spell my name, that was a really intelligent and helpful addition.

It seems from the MSAR that schools take MCAT scores that are 3 years old, so next year should be ok. I'll check with some advisers to be sure.

I have a great job working in a small clinic. I'm face to face with patients forty hours a week, taking histories, counseling, educating, drawing blood and giving injections. I volunteer with an international health organization, but I'm writing, not doing medical work.

I think I'm going to give it a go this time - maybe just apply to my favorite schools.

Another question - are online classes a bad idea? Do they appear differently on transcripts?

Cheers.

 

[jojoshabadoo]

And this helps how?

They see Kris they think douchebag, unless you are a girl than use kristen, dont hide from your femininity, embrace it!

 

[swimbeckers]

I was in a similar situation a couple years ago and decided to try and do open university at SJSU (would not recommend! very hard to get into any of the classes) and I would think it would be the same way at SFSU. I got around this this last semester by applying as a second degree seeking student and therefore didn't have to wait until the first day of classes to register (and it's much cheaper!).

I have also tried berkeley extension. With the Berkeley classes it was really a hit or miss with the professors. I had some that were amazing, and a couple that were absolutely horrible (but i guess that's the case with any school!). Obviously the hours are great since it's all around the bay area and they are at night/saturdays so you can work full time and take classes. They do offer a lot of online classes and what i've heard from other people is it doesn't show up any differently on transcripts (I took one but have not checked this out for myself)

 

[dragonfly99]

I think the most important thing is to try to take classes that are high quality...so do some research on which ones those are. If I were in your shoes, I think I might avoid online classes, just b/c medicine is conservative and the people reading the applications are likely mostly over 40 and may be skeptical of these types of classes. I really don't have evidence to back that up, it's just my gut feeling...if you really want to know, then call up a couple of the schools, like UC Davis, and ask them what they think.

I really think it would help if you could raise your GPA. Even if it doesn't raise the overall GPA much, taking 3 or so more science courses would show the adcom you are still working on this part of your application, and that you are a serious student. A 3.2 in undergrad (not that it's a bad GPA...just bad for a med school applicant) may make some worry if you can hack the work of medical school,b/c they throw so much crap @you at once...it's not that it's harder than undergrad, necessarily, in all cases, but it's a LOT of crap at once. The schools have to make sure the students they take have the work ethic, etc. and can stomach sitting in class for hours/day, then going home to memorize all that stuff that they give them. From their point of view, they are doing nobody any favors if they take a student into med school who fails out, or becomes totally depressed and miserable because they can't stand studying the amount they need to in order to pass.

You already work in a medical setting, so that is good.

 

[gman33]

Your gpa is going to be a problem for MD schools. The bad news is it will take a lot of work to boost it significantly. I think another 30 credits would only take a 3.2 to around 3.35; which is still low. To really improve your app, you probably need 2 years of full-time work. Another option is to go for a SMP. Check out some threads about this if you are not familiar.

As said above, no harm in applying in the meantime. I just wouldn't expect much different results as you have not done anything to improve you biggest weakness which is the GPA.

Any thoughts on DO schools? If you are interested, I'd apply to some this year alond with MD. You would be a good candidate. I'd rather go that route, than spend 2 years trying to get into MD.