What would you do in my shoes?

[Schlockinz]

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Alright, so I'm a pseudo non-trad pre-med student that is a URM.

I got a 32T on the MCAT, and have a 3.2 GPA (BPCM and cum.) I have enough hours that raising the GPA is pretty much out of the question. I know that I can do better on the MCAT, but I was told that this was a very competitive core (even as an MSTP, which I found out wasn't true).

PS: 11
BS: 11
VR: 10

Due to a mess up with either AMCAS, or one of my colleges, I didn't get all of my transcripts in until about the end of September. I am starting to wonder, what are my chances at the following schools, especially since I applied MD/PhD, and I guess that means that the MD committees wouldn't see me until later.

University of Washington
Oregon (OHSU)
Utah
OU
UAMS
Vermont
Rochester
Medical College of Wisconsin
University of Colorado

BTW, I am an Oklahoma resident.

Also, if I don't get in, and I graduate this December, what do you think I should do in the "off-season". I have the option of working oil, which would net me a job with earnings in the upper 60s-120K. I'm not sure if I am really qualified to work as anything else other than an engineer. I've thought about applying as a SRA, that way I could work on my current research, maybe get published, but the pay is crap (probably no more than 20K/yr in OK).

Just wondering wtf I should do if this doesn't pan out.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

Have you thought about an SMP, like the ones they have at Georgetown? This program is a great way to show that you can succeed in medical school as you take medical school classes alongside the first year students. However, it is costly (30k+ i think) and doing poorly can really hurt you, so I would not work while doing one. If you can afford it now, I'd say do an SMP, but if you can't then work a year or two and save up money and then try to do the SMP again. But you'd also have to retake the MCAT in that time too. Also, what type of EC's do you have for you? Next application cycle you should also apply to a broader range of schools.

 

[Schlockinz]

EC's

Fairly intense. I have 3 years of research experience, and one year of industry experience as a process engineer. I've been a leader of some organization from Sophomore year till May 2007. I've recently begun volunteering again, but overall I have around 250 medical volunteer hours, and 160 hours shadowing. I've also worked during my last 3 semesters of school, and have shown a somewhat upward trend in GPA (3.45 with Biochem, P-chem, and genetics. Might get a 4.0 this semester with cell bio, Physical Mechanics II, Biochemical methods, capstone, and philosophy)

FWIW, I am a physicists with an emphasis on chemistry and chemical engineering.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

EC's

Fairly intense. I have 3 years of research experience, and one year of industry experience as a process engineer. I've been a leader of some organization from Sophomore year till May 2007. I've recently begun volunteering again, but overall I have around 250 medical volunteer hours, and 160 hours shadowing. I've also worked during my last 3 semesters of school, and have shown a somewhat upward trend in GPA (3.45 with Biochem, P-chem, and genetics. Might get a 4.0 this semester with cell bio, Physical Mechanics II, Biochemical methods, capstone, and philosophy)

FWIW, I am a physicists with an emphasis on chemistry and chemical engineering.

I think your EC's are good. I'd say your best option would be to do an SMP. I think there are SMP programs at Georgetown, BU and U Cincinatti. good luck!

 

[Schlockinz]

I think your EC's are good. I'd say your best option would be to do an SMP. I think there are SMP programs at Georgetown, BU and U Cincinatti. good luck!

At that point, wouldn't it be better to do a thesis masters in something like bioengineering (getting paid instead of paying, would still be working on graduate level courses in biology, chemistry, physics, math, and engineering. Also would come with some work experience).

Just thinking out loud here.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

At that point, wouldn't it be better to do a thesis masters in something like bioengineering (getting paid instead of paying, would still be working on graduate level courses in biology, chemistry, physics, math, and engineering. Also would come with some work experience).

Just thinking out loud here.

Actually, I was planning on applying for a thesis masters in bioengineering as well. It'll look like a good EC and, as you said, you'll get paid for it too. Yeah, the thesis masters is a good idea since an SMP should be used when all resources are exhausted.

 

[HrryUpNwait]

.

 

[Mobius1985]

Also, if I don't get in, and I graduate this December, what do you think I should do in the "off-season". I have the option of working oil, which would net me a job with earnings in the upper 60s-120K. I'm not sure if I am really qualified to work as anything else other than an engineer. I've thought about applying as a SRA, that way I could work on my current research, maybe get published, but the pay is crap (probably no more than 20K/yr in OK).

Your research experience is already so strong, I don't think you need to boost it further. I'd go for the money, pay off some debt/save for the future, keep your hand in with some clinical volunteering, and maybe take some additional undergrad courses in upper-level bio to show adcomms you can perform well taking classes like those in med school (to help offset the impression left by your low GPA). It would be even better to start setting a 4.0 GPA trend this semester and keep it going with your unofficial post-bac classes after graduation.

 

[enjoydrywax]

I vote you take the high paying job.

 

[Schlockinz]

So, from all the answers that I am getting from everyone, I'll take the advice and potentially ***** myself out to oil again (Besides, working a 72hr shift will prepare me for call right?)

 

[Mobius1985]

(Besides, working a 72hr shift will prepare me for call right?)

Such a positive attitude will serve you well.

 

[Schlockinz]

Such a positive attitude will serve you well.

👍


Dude, that had to be one of the funniest things that I've read today

 

[chiz2kul]

Dude no worries, you're gonna get into Oklahoma. You're instate