What would you do?

[Hopetocure2012]

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I currently am a double major in Engineering Physics and Biochemistry. My CGPA is 3.7 and my BCPM is 3.54. My MCAT was weak 13BS 09PS and 07VR, of which I will retake. I probably will not get into medical school this year and was wondering what you would do?

Would you recommend Teach for America or an MPH from an Ivy League school (Both options you would love)? Also, should I retake classes I got a C in or take upper more upper level science classes to boost my BCPM? I will be 2 biology classes away from triple majoring.

 

[Siverhideo1985]

I currently am a double major in Engineering Physics and Biochemistry. My CGPA is 3.7 and my BCPM is 3.54. My MCAT was weak 13BS 09PS and 07VR, of which I will retake. I probably will not get into medical school this year and was wondering what you would do?

Would you recommend Teach for America or an MPH from an Ivy League school (Both options you would love)? Also, should I retake classes I got a C in or take upper more upper level science classes to boost my BCPM? I will be 2 biology classes away from triple majoring.

retake mcat. rock it. forget the C's, by now your GPA is pretty much set in stone (esp w/ a double major under your belt). Take two bio classes and get third degree. As to your choices...do whichever pays you more or costs you least (whichever it is).

 

[thestrokes14]

I currently am a double major in Engineering Physics and Biochemistry. My CGPA is 3.7 and my BCPM is 3.54. My MCAT was weak 13BS 09PS and 07VR, of which I will retake. I probably will not get into medical school this year and was wondering what you would do?

Would you recommend Teach for America or an MPH from an Ivy League school (Both options you would love)? Also, should I retake classes I got a C in or take upper more upper level science classes to boost my BCPM? I will be 2 biology classes away from triple majoring.

Depending on your ECs/undergraduate school, and assuming you apply very broadly, you could definitely get into medical school. Still, I would recommend improving your MCAT so that your PS and VR scores go up (overall score isn't really the problem).

 

[deleted357625]

i would only focus on the MCAT and also take those 2 bio courses to triple major that won't hurt.

 

[Hopetocure2012]

I applied to only to my state schools this year, with a later application, as in the 2nd week of December, thus I am banking on no acceptance this year (even though my stats other than MCAT are the average of the schools)

Also, with Teach for America you get paid and can possibly get a Masters in Education. If I take 30 credit hours of science classes my science GPA could get up to 3.65 (is it worth it...taking online classes at my undergrad university or maybe taking CC classes). So you are saying TFA is better than an MPH from an ivy?

 

[thestrokes14]

I applied to only to my state schools this year, with a later application, as in the 2nd week of December, thus I am banking on no acceptance this year (even though my stats other than MCAT are the average of the schools)

Also, with Teach for America you get paid and can possibly get a Masters in Education. If I take 30 credit hours of science classes my science GPA could get up to 3.65 (is it worth it...taking online classes at my undergrad university or maybe taking CC classes). So you are saying TFA is better than an MPH from an ivy?

Why did you choose to apply if you are "banking on no acceptance." Don't be surprised if an interviewer next year asks you that question.

 

[Hopetocure2012]

Well I should say it with better wording, "my application submission in December is statistically lower to get into medical school" thus I am just preparing for the worst with backup plans.

 

[thestrokes14]

Well I should say it with better wording, "my application submission in December is statistically lower to get into medical school" thus I am just preparing for the worst with backup plans.

I understand that, but the truth is that your judgment was relatively poor (if you admitted you were banking on no acceptance). Med schools might wonder, "what was this guy thinking?"

But what is done is done. I wouldn't worry so much about it. Try to identify your weaknesses (ask the schools that evaluate you) and then improve what you can. Of course, all of this depends on whether or not you get an acceptance this year. Good luck to you.

EDIT: Just like to add that what I said above is not entirely true. Looking back on your stats, there is still sufficient evidence to suggest you might get an acceptance. Just see what happens and then identify weaknesses/improve.

 

[varsityblue]

I currently am a double major in Engineering Physics and Biochemistry. My CGPA is 3.7 and my BCPM is 3.54. My MCAT was weak 13BS 09PS and 07VR, of which I will retake. I probably will not get into medical school this year and was wondering what you would do?

Would you recommend Teach for America or an MPH from an Ivy League school (Both options you would love)? Also, should I retake classes I got a C in or take upper more upper level science classes to boost my BCPM? I will be 2 biology classes away from triple majoring.

1) I recommend retaking your MCAT and getting a master's degree from a reputable university in a science subject you know you'll do well in.
2) I wouldn't bother retaking undergrad science classes.
3) If you want to triple major in bio, go right ahead. Try to take something easy so that you can marginally raise your BCPM GPA.

 

[Hopetocure2012]

I hear that medical schools care more about undergraduate GPA than graduate school GPA? Thus, people say to do more post-bac than masters classes? Is this true?

 

[V5RED]

1) I recommend retaking your MCAT and getting a master's degree from a reputable university in a science subject you know you'll do well in.
2) I wouldn't bother retaking undergrad science classes.
3) If you want to triple major in bio, go right ahead. Try to take something easy so that you can marginally raise your BCPM GPA.

Why should he spend a lot of money to get a degree he would never use?

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

It's only 2 classes that can help your PGA so triple major it.
Retake and destroy MCAT. Show adcoms that you are more than what your BCPM GPA shows.
Rock the PS and VR sections, and maintain that 13 or higher for BS.
If all goes as planned you can get some interviews next year from really good schools.
GL.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Also, why would waste money on an app turned in at Dec?
Take full advantage of the app process by turning in everything as early as possible. I would be willing to bet that if you turned it in within the first month of opening last year, you would've had some interviews and possibly acceptances this year.

 

[varsityblue]

Even though graduate coursework isn't factored into the undergraduate GPA, pursuing quaternary education shows adcoms that OP is smart enough to handle challenging coursework. I don't see the point in wasting time retaking undergrad science classes in a postbac unless the person in question didn't take the courses at all, has less than a 3.0 undergrad science GPA, and has nothing better to do with his/her time. That said, I know that many SDNers have had success with postbacs.

 

[V5RED]

Even though graduate coursework isn't factored into the undergraduate GPA, pursuing quaternary education shows adcoms that OP is smart enough to handle challenging coursework. I don't see the point in wasting time retaking undergrad science classes in a postbac unless the person in question didn't take the courses at all, has less than a 3.0 undergrad science GPA, and has nothing better to do with his/her time. That said, I know that many SDNers have had success with postbacs.

We have adcom members on this site that say that masters degrees are worthless for getting into medical school. the only exception is SMP's which are last ditch attempts to get into medical school.

Do you have any evidence of this being a good idea or is it just something you made up?

 

[varsityblue]

We have adcom members on this site that say that masters degrees are worthless for getting into medical school. the only exception is SMP's which are last ditch attempts to get into medical school.

Do you have any evidence of this being a good idea or is it just something you made up?

Look, just because I don't see the point in wasting time in a postbac doesn't mean adcoms view those who pursue postbacs negatively. Postbacs are great in that they allow students to retake their prereqs and boost their GPAs. I, however, have a problem with the uncertainty of the postbac program. What's stopping med schools from rejecting postbac goers again, in round 2? Or round 15? Why not pursue a degree that would allow those students to have a plan B career track if med school doesn't work out?