Where should I even begin?

[bmclinn]

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Im currently applying to pharmacy schools and I am considering other options if I dont get in my top choices. I dont like the idea of possibly paying 30k a year just to end up in a bad environment like CVS. I originally chose pharmacy because I liked organic chem and the science behind drugs, thought it was easier, and paid well.

I'll be graduating this may with a BS in Nutrition Science and bio minor. cGPA: 3.19,
sGPA: 3.17,
3.5GPA last two years,
PCAT: 88 percentile

I know these aren't good stats so if I decide to pursue medicine what should I start doing to improve my medschool application? I heard DO is less competitive so try that first?

 

[PlaqueBuster]

What are your reasons to go into medicine? You should begin there so we know you aren't just going into medicine for the money. Any profession will have bad locations to work. But in general volunteer at a hospital, shadow a physician, do well on MCAT (27+), improve that GPA (sGPA 3.25+), and maybe get some research experience.

 

[allantois]

Bring up your GPA (consider retaking your C grades for grade forgiveness policy of DO schools). Start thinking about MCAT.

 

[j4pac]

Medicine as a backup plan is a horrible idea. I'm going to stop right now.

 

[sameharu1991]

I heard DO is less competitive so try that first?

1. Ouch. That's sort of changing. By the time you try to apply next year, it won't be easy as you think. It's getting significantly more competitive every year.
2. DO schools don't like it if you consider them as fall backs. If you are really serious, I say go shadow a couple and know what you are getting yourself in to.
3. Take MCAT, improve on the sGPA by taking classes or post-bacc and then maybe revisit this forum.

 

[bmclinn]

1. Ouch. That's sort of changing. By the time you try to apply next year, it won't be easy as you think. It's getting significantly more competitive every year.
2. DO schools don't like it if you consider them as fall backs. If you are really serious, I say go shadow a couple and know what you are getting yourself in to.
3. Take MCAT, improve on the sGPA by taking classes or post-bacc and then maybe revisit this forum.

From what I have read I actually agree more with DO practice since my main interest is dermatology and the skin can be an indicator of something more internal.

Would you recommend applying at all this upcoming cycle or are my stats too low? If I decide to do this I would be shadowing various practitioners next semester and preparing for the MCAT

 

[PlaqueBuster]

stats too low, not enough experience, and need time for mcat, and your reason isn't DO philosophy. Go through some of the threads here and understand what medicine means. You don't have to answer it to prove anything here. Just go into it for the right reasons and know that it will be hard work and expensive.

 

[referee3]

From what I have read I actually agree more with DO practice since my main interest is dermatology and the skin can be an indicator of something more internal.

Would you recommend applying at all this upcoming cycle or are my stats too low? If I decide to do this I would be shadowing various practitioners next semester and preparing for the MCAT

Derm is not a common specialty for DO's to go into. It is one of the hardest residencies to get even for MD's and is even more competitive for DO's.

 

[sameharu1991]

From what I have read I actually agree more with DO practice since my main interest is dermatology and the skin can be an indicator of something more internal.

Would you recommend applying at all this upcoming cycle or are my stats too low? If I decide to do this I would be shadowing various practitioners next semester and preparing for the MCAT

1. Your stats are WAY low. WIth one semester, that won't change much. I say you pretty much have to take a post-bacc or some sort of masters/graduate degree program that say you can handle science courses and do really well on them.
2. New MCAT is rolling out next semester. With additional sections like sociology/psychology/biochem added. Even If you are thinking of applying with those low stats, you would have to at least beast the exam, and have impressive extracurriculars.
3. Shadowing is a must, probably get a letter from DO as well. Look at the minimum requirements for applying to DO schools.

I suggest you look for post-bacc programs if you really want to consider. I don't think there will be hope for you this upcoming cycle and it's really not worth it. There are few programs out there that might offer a seat straight to their med/DO schools if you meet their conditions.

 

[j4pac]

From what I have read I actually agree more with DO practice since my main interest is dermatology and the skin can be an indicator of something more internal.

Would you recommend applying at all this upcoming cycle or are my stats too low? If I decide to do this I would be shadowing various practitioners next semester and preparing for the MCAT

You really need to know what you are getting yourself into. Forget getting in. Find out if it is for you. Anyone considering being a pharmacist over being a physician SHOULD NOT BE A PHYSICIAN. The single reason to become a physician is that it is a calling...not because of prestige, or money, or "it's a good job". You will be miserable.

PLANNING to do Dermatology is foolish in my opinion. Only the most elite med students get Dermatology and to EXPECT to be an elite med student with mediocre undergrad performance is not smart. If you sign up for medicine you better be able to settle for being a PCM working 60+ hours a week.

 

[baxt1412]

you've got a lot of learning to do lol.

 

[crossfit4lyfe]

I have a friend working as a pharmacist at CVS and she makes over 80k... you should do some in depth salary checking. Not that that should be the major reason for switching majors.