what to do??

[morganlefay]

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I am reallly confused and would very much appreciate some advice.
I am pretty sure I will have to reapply to med schools, given that my chances of getting into the ONE school I interviewed at are pretty damn slim.
But, I am not quite sure how to go about using my time in the next year or so to make my app. better. Given my low MCAT, I will have to retake. I am considering taking it next April (ie a year from now) rather than this August so I have more time to study and to take a Kaplan class (which I didn't the first two times, which was a bad idea) so that I can really improve. In the meantime though, I don't know whether to get a one-year masters so I can improve my GPA (but I'm not sure how well these programs are looked upon) OR work at the NIH for a year doing research and getting paid rather than paying graduate tuition (but of course, this does nothing to improve my science GPA). Also, there is the thing that I will be out of school for two years rather than one-- the year before I take the mcat again and then the year while applying, and wil have to find something to do this second year...possibly working at the NIH again if I end up doing that the first year, or something medically related. Regardless, I'm confused, and wasn't really prepared to think about all this.
I would be very grateful for advice. Thanks. (my stats and such are in my profile)

 

[KiKat37]

I only looked at your profile quickly, but it seems like you have enough research experience already. If I were you, I would def. retake the MCAT and do a postbac or master to increase my science GPA. Also, I didn't really see much volunteer work or clinical experience. That's a MUST. So, I would try to find some medically-related job and work in a hospital during those two years.
Just my two cents. Gluck!

Btw, don't give up hope yet. You did interview at one school and they may accept you. You never know... I know ppl who only had one interview late in the Spring and got accepted. 🙂

 

[Bap2qwrq7]

Looking at your profile:

Your MCATs is too unbalanced. Verbal score is great. But the others are avg/below. But that can be easily remedied by just spending time studying those subjects which is a lot easier then trying to improve verbal in my opinion.
Either use Kaplan or use EK (which I personally recommend) and study your ass off for the April 2006 MCAT.

Your science GPA is too low. Take a one year post bac that stresses some science courses that shows you can handle the tougher classes. I don't know how many credits you have and if it will have a big effect in terms of raising your GPA, but it will look good if you have 3 quarters or 2 semesters worth of straight As.

You have a lot of research strength which is good. Especially if you wanted to apply MSTP.

Get some clinical experience/shadowing a doctor. Try to get at least 100 hours of some clinical experience over the next year. Might as well start now.

But when you take the MCAT make sure you study hard and do well on it. Getting a below average score a third time will make it extremely difficult to explain away. Plus why put yourself through an 8 hour test you felt you aren't ready for?

It probably seems a little discouraging but you do still have a chance this year at this other school on your pofile but make some backup plans so you aren't caught off guard.

 

[Lindyhopper]

I agree that your appl. could benefit from & all out effort on the MCAT & more clinicaly experience.
I would hate to see you be discouraged from doing research. You clearly have talent & interest. Although you already have "enough" research. It could well be that will eventually be what's outstanding about your application.
Of course, everyone has to make decisions. And people do have success out of SMPs. So, I would ask Judy Levine at http://www.examkrackers.com/bb/viewforum.php?f=38
Judy is a retired director of admissions of NYMC. She's great. And amazingly it is a free service.

 

[morganlefay]

thanks for all the advice!
i am trying to decide whether to take a Kaplan course this summer and study my ass off for August, or wait til spring to take Kaplan, and study during the year of masters work. what does anyone think'?

 

[Lindyhopper]

If you can focus all of your time & attention this summer, in my OPINION you're better off taking it in August. I'm in a master's program now & it is a big time commitment. I don't think you would want to divide your efforts between the two. The only advantage of taking in April is that the master's course work will help prepare for the Bio.
A good person to ask is Jordan Zaretsky the "MCAT coach" on the Examkrackers site. You may know him as the star of audio osmosis. He was my PS teacher & he was outstanding, a nice guy & been in the business a long time. I just wouldn't rush to mention the word Kaplan to him. 😉 . Good Luck.