What to do

[GradStudentToPhysician]

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I am a 2nd year graduate student pursuing a MS in Biology. Hoping to graduate by Spring 2019. Prior to enrolling into this masters program I applied to medical school. Didn't work out. The reason why I applied to this program was because I felt that it would open more doors for me IF medical school never ended up working out. In essence, job security; a Plan B.

Now that I am in the process of writing my Thesis and starting to look at what's next in my life, I am somewhat lost as what to do. I enjoy research and I have much respect for it, but I cannot see myself in a lab for the rest of my life. I want to return my attention back to applying to medical school.

Here are some stats

Undergrad (Premed) - 2.66 cGPA; Similar sGPA
Attended a small liberal arts institution
Grad (Biology; CVD research) - 3.82 GPA
More well known California State school; Obtained ~$11,000 in competitive grants including a $3,000
pre-doctoral grant; Applying for $7,000 in competitive grants this semester
MCAT - 504
Age - 24
URM

After my masters program my plan is to find some job in a hospital working as a clinical researcher, retaking the MCAT, and if possible, taking some upper div science courses. I hope to be sitting in medical school by the time I am 28

 

[kraskadva]

Did you have a question or just wanted to share?

 

[DocJanItor]

Good news: you seem to have reversed your undergrad academic issues
Bad news: MS degrees are often disregarded by MD schools (except for specific programs for medical school)
Good news: URM status
Bad news: California is super competitive anyway

If MD is your goal, you'll probably need to boost that GPA up to a 3.0 minimum with pre-reqs and higher level bio courses. You might even need an SMP. Additionally, you'll probably need to boost your MCAT by at least a few points.

DO schools will consider your MS degree, so that works in your favor. Given your URM status, your MCAT might be sufficient to apply DO.

 

[GradStudentToPhysician]

Did you have a question or just wanted to share?

Sorry about that...should have stated. I would like to hear what others have to say about this.

 

[kraskadva]

Sorry about that...should have stated. I would like to hear what others have to say about this.

Ok, well, your numbers are the obvious place to start if you want to go to med school.
Other than the stats though, do you know why you didn't get in the first time? What did/do you have for volunteering, clinical experience, etc?

Also, why do you want to be a doc?

 

[GradStudentToPhysician]

Ok, well, your numbers are the obvious place to start if you want to go to med school.
Other than the stats though, do you know why you didn't get in the first time? What did/do you have for volunteering, clinical experience, etc?

Also, why do you want to be a doc?

Volunteer/Clinical Experience

• In undergrad I completed ~300 hours over 3 years of volunteering during undergrad at a senior living center near my Uni. As for clinical experience...none.
• For 3 years of undergrad I volunteered as a mentor for STEM freshman students as they transitioned through their freshman year.

Research

• For 2 years I worked as a research assistant for a local pediatric resident program. During that time I presented 3 posters on community health projects at regional conferences.
• I completed 2 summer internships at an internationally recognized cancer research hospital working under a well-respected/known oncologist.

Work

• Worked for 4 years as a lab assistant at my undergrad Uni
• Worked 1 year as the science lab coordinator at the same institution

Masters Thesis

• Part of a multidisciplinary team of researchers, CVD residents, cardiologists, and CT surgeons.
• Currently working on an off-shoot project to create a map highlighting the potential healthcare issues the region I live in will be facing in the next 10-20 years; collaborating with local health educators and an epidemiologist

 

[Goro]

Sorry about that...should have stated. I would like to hear what others have to say about this.

What ethnic group do you represent?

 

[Doc Mike 92]

My advice for you don't be a doc you 'll regret , I'm a doc and I'm about to leave this job . It is stressful , dangerous , full of risks , especially in the emergencies .

 

[GradStudentToPhysician]

What ethnic group do you represent?

I am hispanic

 

[Goro]

I am hispanic

Not all Hispanics are URM!

 

[kraskadva]

"GradStudentToPhysician, post: 20248528, member: 923787"]Volunteer/Clinical Experience

• In undergrad I completed ~300 hours over 3 years of volunteering during undergrad at a senior living center near my Uni. Good on hours, but what kind of SLC? Rich and well funded or poor/indigent? What about service to the less fortunate? What about recent/prospective volunteering? You need more.
• As for clinical experience...none. Big red flag that needs to be rectified.
• For 3 years of undergrad I volunteered as a mentor for STEM freshman students as they transitioned through their freshman year. Could mark under "leadership" but isn't really volunteering - college freshmen aren't in the "less fortunate" category.

Research

• For 2 years I worked as a research assistant for a local pediatric resident program. During that time I presented 3 posters on community health projects at regional conferences.
• I completed 2 summer internships at an internationally recognized cancer research hospital working under a well-respected/known oncologist.
• Cool, fine, box checked. Move on from this.

Work

• Worked for 4 years as a lab assistant at my undergrad Uni fine but meh. Lots of people do this.
• Worked 1 year as the science lab coordinator at the same institution better. A job unconnected with your uni would be better still. A clinical job would be best.

Masters Thesis

• Part of a multidisciplinary team of researchers, CVD residents, cardiologists, and CT surgeons. So? Are you getting pubs out if it? Irrelevant info otherwise.
• Currently working on an off-shoot project to create a map highlighting the potential healthcare issues the region I live in will be facing in the next 10-20 years; collaborating with local health educators and an epidemiologist All fine, but nobody really cares in regards to medical school admissions. Won't make up for deficits in your app.
  

So in addition to your poor UG grades and MCAT, you had zero clinical experience and very little else of interest (nothing that stands out) when you applied the first time. I hope at this point that it's not a surprise you didn't get in then.
If the notes above come across as harsh, my apologies, I don't mean them to. I'm just not going to beat around the bush. You need a certain number of "points" in each of several categories to make a successful med school app. And while higher value things can compensate for slightly less in other areas, there is a minimum threshold in all of them. And you were below the threshold in multiple areas.
You're also not "non-traditional"...yet. You're currently barely at the average age of 1st year med students. So let go of any idea you might have that you're older or behind or any other nonsense. Let go of the arbitrary time line of "by 28 y.o." that you've set. If you want to go to med school, really want to go, you're going to have to put in a lot more work and accumulate a lot more experiences before you'll be prepared to apply again. This will take years, maybe more than you expect.

You have to redeem that GPA. You have to get clinical experience. You have to volunteer more. You also have to pay your bills, so if the job you take helps fill one of those criteria, super. If not, you still have to do those things.
You should start by reading the threads linked below and anything by DrMidlife. Then you need to evaluate how much and why you want to be a doctor. Because it will be a long road and you're going to need determination and a no-holds-barred attitude to get through it.

DrMidlife's reapplication dissertation
The **NEW & IMPROVED** official low gpa thread...
**The Official Guide to Special Masters Programs**

 

[GradStudentToPhysician]

Thank you all for the information and enlightenment you have shared. It was very sobering, but necessary. I will take all of this into consideration and readjust accordingly.

 

[BabyDaddy]

My advice for you don't be a doc you 'll regret , I'm a doc and I'm about to leave this job . It is stressful , dangerous , full of risks , especially in the emergencies .

HAHA, classic.
"Don't do it. It'll take a long time. It'll be hard. You'll have to make new friends. You'll one day get paid but not enough. They'll give you a white coat but then the phlebotomist will show up with same coat. You won't have time for cooking shows. People will ask you too many questions. It'll be hard."
J/K
P.S. Sorry Doc Mike if you were serious. I certainly want to quit some days.

 

[ejh4isu]

My advice for you don't be a doc you 'll regret , I'm a doc and I'm about to leave this job . It is stressful , dangerous , full of risks , especially in the emergencies .

Dream squasher. 😎