yet another, 'i need advice,' thread

[ladybugMD]

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• Graduated 2003, BS (double majored and minored); super subpar GPA (c2.4, s2.5).
• Graduated 2008, MS; GPA 3.2
• MCAT 22R (taken 4 yrs ago; have been preparing the last 4 months and scoring 29-31 on practice tests; retake in March)
  
• Clocked in 150+ hours of volunteer research experience, numerous abstract submissions (3 first author)
• State and National EMT-B certification
• Currently working as clinical research associate (2 years)

Considering:

1) Second 4-yr BS degree to improve prereq GPA?
2) Unofficial postbac program to retake all prereqs taken over 7 years ago?

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[Goro]

1) is overkill. Do a post-bac or SMP to show us AdComs you can handle medical school. Re-take MCAT and score >24. The 22 is too low. Good luck!

• Graduated 2003, BS (double majored and minored); super subpar GPA (c2.4, s2.5).
• Graduated 2008, MS; GPA 3.2
• MCAT 22R (taken 4 yrs ago; have been preparing the last 4 months and scoring 29-31 on practice tests; retake in March)
  
• Clocked in 150+ hours of volunteer research experience, numerous abstract submissions (3 first author)
• State and National EMT-B certification
• Currently working as clinical research associate (2 years)

Considering:

1) Second 4-yr BS degree to improve prereq GPA?
2) Unofficial postbac program to retake all prereqs taken over 7 years ago?

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[AFMD]

Do you have to do prereqs within a certain time frame (within the last 10 years or something like that)?

I think schools have a strong preference for undergrad GPA, so I would do a postbac to redo prereqs for a better undergrad GPA. Otherwise, with an improved GPA (3.3 or 3.4+ undergrad), a good 27+ MCAT, and your other experiences can make quite a good application.

 

[se20001984]

fix up you MCAT ASAP...

you have 0 chance even with a 4.0 gpa

re-write and get your mark..aim for +28-30

move on from there

 

[zma21]

fix up you MCAT ASAP...

you have 0 chance even with a 4.0 gpa

re-write and get your mark..aim for +28-30

move on from there

1) Disregard what the poster above me said.

2) Retake your MCAT and score in the range that you are getting in your practice exams (29-31). Retake pre-req's, any and all that are C and Below.

You'll get there. It sounds like you've been working your tail off in MCAT prep, so obviously you've got some source of motivation. Good luck.

An MCAT of 29+ and a gpa of ~3.3 will give you some pretty good odds, methinks.

 

[Goro]

Concur!

1)
2) Retake your MCAT and score in the range that you are getting in your practice exams (29-31). Retake pre-req's, any and all that are C and Below.

You'll get there. It sounds like you've been working your tail off in MCAT prep, so obviously you've got some source of motivation. Good luck.

An MCAT of 29+ and a gpa of ~3.3 will give you some pretty good odds, methinks.

 

[drgioiadds]

Do you have to do prereqs within a certain time frame (within the last 10 years or something like that)?

I think schools have a strong preference for undergrad GPA, so I would do a postbac to redo prereqs for a better undergrad GPA. Otherwise, with an improved GPA (3.3 or 3.4+ undergrad), a good 27+ MCAT, and your other experiences can make quite a good application.

My preqs were completed in 1994/95. 4 year degree in 1998. I did not retake any courses recently and it was fine. MCAT was a mediocre 25. Personally, I was going to retake the MCAT and shoot for a 27+ if I wasn't accepted this year. Score well on the MCAT, retake C's and you should be fine.

 

[shaggybill]

Just repeating what a lot of others have said, but...

1) Retake the MCAT, score 28+

2) Retake as many classes as possible (especially science) where your grade was C or less. This is the fastest way possible to raise that ugGPA.

That's just for the numbers part of the application. What kind of patient contact are you getting with your clinical research? Are you actually taking care of patients in any way, or just data gathering? If you aren't spending significant time with patients, then you need to start doing that right away, even if it means stopping your research. Most DO schools would rather see an applicant with patient-contact kind of clinical experience than research.

 

[CopToEM]

fix up you MCAT ASAP...

you have 0 chance even with a 4.0 gpa

re-write and get your mark..aim for +28-30

move on from there

Agan, just want to say that this is entirely incorrect. The 22 MCAT is not the problem - the GPA is the problem. I know of at least 4 people at my university who are going to DO schools this year with 22 and 23 scores on the MCAT. Now, with that said, you don't have that luxury - you have to prove yourself on the MCAT and notch up your GPA both.

Many DO schools ARE willing to look beyond the past if you've shown recent academic progress and your grades are in an upward curve. Put in the work and show them what you're made of. Someone will certainly give you a chance.

The ball is in your court... don't mess it up again!