Where to begin...another "What are my chances"

[bnp07]

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Hi everyone-obviously from my number of posts, I'm "new" on this board, but I've been around reading for awhile. I'm posting now to see if I can get a little input on my current situation. I know all about the search function and I have been and intend on using it thoroughly, but any direct help I could get now would be greatly appreciated. I'm on the fence as to whether or not go the MD route.

My original post was way too long, so here I go bullet style:

• Age: 23, two years out of undergrad
• Decision to go into medical field: spring semester senior year
• undergrad: double major in kinesiology and recreation and leisure studies
• up to this point have been considering PA, now rethinking.
• Since grad: finishing up prereqs, taking bio 1 and 2 and microbio at a community college ($135/credit vs. $900, also working full time)
• final GPA will be around 3.55 when I'm finished
• ECs: volunteer @ED 1.5 years, outpatient chemotherapy one summer, work one on one with with boy with autism, tons of shadowing, two sport varsity athlete in undergrad, volunteer in inner city gang prevention program, 2 week missions trip to Latin America
• originally didn't want to go MD as opposed to PA because I can't fathom being in so much debt, come from economically disadvantaged upbringing. Now reconsidering because as a PA, by the time I retire, I'll be doing pretty much the exact same thing as a doc, making half the money but twice as much

So the question is, do I have a shot at being competitive in med school, (and am I blowing things out of proportion financially) despite the fact that I've already taken prereqs at a community college (post-bacc), and my GPA will be 3.55ish?

It would take the same amount of time to become a competitive PA applicant (find a job in healthcare and work for two years) as it would to finish my remaining prereqs (physics 1+2, and calc).


And please, be honest! It's pretty hard to hurt my feelings and I know that everyone is only trying to be helpful, whether it is positive or negative feedback I get.🙂

 

[UTKD]

Thanks for editing.

 

[Stratego]

A GPA of 3.55 would be balanced by an MCAT score of 32+, so if you can get that score you'd have a shot at allopathic med schools. You'd be more than fine at osteopathic schools with an MCAT score of 25-26.

Your overall chances of acceptance at an MD school would rise considerably if you established residency in Ohio, Florida, or Texas by working for a year, and being qualified for cheaper in-state tuition would be a big plus.

You are probably aware that some med schools don't like to see CC credits, especially among prerequisites, and some don't care if you have a high GPA and good MCAT score. You'll need to check websites or call individual schools to find out their policy on this so you don't waste application dollars.

Only you can decide if you will be happy as a PA. What you didn't mention is that they are less likely to be sued and that not taking call means more family/leisure time, if that's important to you.

 

[bnp07]

Woah buddy! That is waaaaaaay too much to read...

Maybe be a bit more concise..

Gpa cumulative and science.
List some ECs
and...maybe some problem you have like "a couple Cs or shaved a cat in history class and was put on probation for being creepy" ...you know the things we do to screw ourselves out of med school.

Anyways...shorten it up.

I just looked at it and said "DAMN"

Oh! If you are set on keeping the length...At least provide us with some multiple choice questions over your passage so we can get some Verbal Reasoning practice! Make 'em real ambiguous and reference the passage. 😉

Haha I know. It was wayyy too long. I am gonna go back and edit it. 🙂

 

[bnp07]

A GPA of 3.55 would be balanced by an MCAT score of 32+, so if you can get that score you'd have a shot at allopathic med schools. You'd be more than fine at osteopathic schools with an MCAT score of 25-26.

Your overall chances of acceptance at an MD school would rise considerably if you established residency in Ohio, Florida, or Texas by working for a year, and being qualified for cheaper in-state tuition would be a big plus.

You are probably aware that some med schools don't like to see CC credits, especially among prerequisites, and some don't care if you have a high GPA and good MCAT score. You'll need to check websites or call individual schools to find out their policy on this so you don't waste application dollars.

Only you can decide if you will be happy as a PA. What you didn't mention is that they are less likely to be sued and that not taking call means more family/leisure time, if that's important to you.

Thank you for the advice! I will take note.

Unfortunately there is a bit of a myth when it comes to PAs and work loads. While many PAs don't take call and work "normal" hours, the truth is, many do. Lots of PA positions require taking call and working the hours their supervising physician don't want to work. But you are right about PAs are definitely not sued as much.