Yikes!

[ODoyle]

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Hi all

Regular poster posting from an anonymous screen name.

Posting this in here as the post-bac forum is a little slow. I'm not sure if I should apply to Carrib at this point or try with any DOs first. Do I have any shot at all with a US MD program, particularly IUSM?

Stats:
Purdue Chemistry/Biology major
- 2.90 cGPA
- 3.00 sGPA
- 3.15 cGPA (DO)
- 3.35 sGPA (DO)
- Extensive research experience in two labs at IU School of Med with prominent faculty
- One semester of credited research during undergrad
- Shadowed cardiothoracic surgeon, peds cardiology for a few weeks
- Strong LOR from a distinguish professor and department chair at IUSM, strong LOR from a current adjunct IUSM professor (I was top of his immuno class)
- EMT with 4 years ambulance/ER experience throughout undergrad
- President of on campus pre-med organization (over 200 members)
- Over 1000 hours of volunteer med work at hospitals/campus events
- Graduated with honors from high school
- Last 45 credit hours of last semester + 1 yr informal post-bac 3.8 c/bcpmGPA
- all of the last 45 credits were upper level science credits with 1 semester 4.0
- Other little stuff that I can't remember at the moment

So my GPA is atrocious, but not because I didn't work. My brother passed away of a drug OD sophomore year, weighed heavily on a few semesters and I couldn't really salvage a usable GPA by then. Nonetheless, my last year and a half has been stellar with a 3.8. I'm set to take the MCAT March 26th and have been averaging a 30 on e-mcat practice exams. Anyway, IUSM does indeed have a post-bac program but it is a graduate level program and has become extremely popular within the last few years. There is no linkage to IUSM. Complete the program and you could be in the same position you were before. However, IUSM does strongly favor its in-state students, so that does give me a little glimmer of hope.

Pros and Cons

Indiana / Purdue (IUPUI) - The Pre-Professional Non-Thesis Master of Science Degree

Pros:
- In State
- Cost (~10k) + I have family I could live with in Indy
- I could continue lab work at IUSM over the summer and transition into class
- Different tracks to pursue, Immunology/Virology stands out to me
- 1 yr. - Somewhat associated with IUSM
- Would be close to gf

Cons:
- No definite linkage to IUSM

Drexel IMS: Interdepartmental Medical Science (IMS) Program Pros:
- B's + 27 MCAT guarantees interview, 60-85% accepted somewhere
- Could apply earlier after MCAT
- Med School curriculum, shows you can do the work
- Formal post-bac

Cons:
- Cost (~30k) + living
- Far from family, gf, friends

VCU: Pre-Medical Basic Health Certificate Program
Pros:
- At the medical center (not sure about linkage)
- Tuition is better than Drexel (15k) + living
- Formal post-bac

Cons:
- Far from family
- Not sure how strong linkage is

I'm open for suggestions to other places, also. Of course, before I start choosing I should probably get in somewhere first . I've always wanted to go to IUSM, but the light at the end of the tunnel seems dim. Like I said, IU's post-bac does not have direct linkage, whereas Drexel and VCU seem like better options. At least at Drexel I would have a fair shot at an interview. I won't have my MCAT scores back until mid-late April, so I plan on applying right after they're in. Thanks in advance. I'll post more as needed.

 

[Catalystik]

You've already demonstrated what a formal postbac is meant to highlight, namely consistent excellent grades in upper-level Bio for a period of time. What were your GPAs each term before your brother passed away?

I don't think you'd have any trouble getting into a DO med school with an MCAT of 30.

Are you predicting an MCAT of 30 as you're historically not a strong test taker? Any chance of a 33-34?

Have you met with an IU admissions office dean to discuss your situation? Personally, I think you look like a great candidate, barring the stats issues, with very strong ECs. I've seen Indiana make against-all-predictions decisions before, even in the case of a hoeplessly nondiverse person, but not enough to predict if you, too, could be a lucky winner.

 

[ODoyle]

You've already demonstrated what a formal postbac is meant to highlight, namely consistent excellent grades in upper-level Bio for a period of time. What were your GPAs each term before your brother passed away?

3.3 & 3.2 - not great, and also before any pre-reqs

I don't think you'd have any trouble getting into a DO med school with an MCAT of 30.

I've been trying to get some shadowing in with some DOs to attempt to secure a letter, as most schools require. All of my physician shadows thus far have been with MDs.

Are you predicting an MCAT of 30 as you're historically not a strong test taker? Any chance of a 33-34?

Simply based on the two practice exams I've taken. I still have another week and a half of material to get through studying wise, so I may be able to eek a few more points out.

Have you met with an IU admissions office dean to discuss your situation? Personally, I think you look like a great candidate, barring the stats issues, with very strong ECs. I've seen Indiana make against-all-predictions decisions before, even in the case of a hoeplessly nondiverse person, but not enough to predict if you, too, could be a lucky winner.

No, not yet. I've secured an internship again this summer at IUSM and planned on meeting with an admissions advisor then. I will be applying to all of the aforementioned places, IUPUI, Drexel, VCU for post-bacc. I have demonstrated I can succeed in upper-level Bio, but I feel a formal post-bacc will give me the edge (plus I have a year to matriculate anyway).

I really would prefer MD (and no, I have absolutely nothing against DO), if nothing else than for residency options here in Indiana. If I cannot matriculate into my in-state med school I hope to at least secure a residency spot here. I realize this may be a long shot for me at this point, but the AAMC grade/mcat breakdown does offer some hope. Do you think it would be wise to stick with the IUPUI program even without the formal linkage program?

Thanks for your words of encouragement, it's easy to get down when you're in this position. 🙂

 

[Catalystik]

Do you think it would be wise to stick with the IUPUI program even without the formal linkage program?

I won't pretend to expertise in SMPs, but personally, I don't find that a "guaranteed interview" is particularly reassuring. Perhaps a Search in the Postbac Programs Forum will find you some folks with experience or more insight into the Indiana Program's outcomes. And, if you apply to all three, you won't necessarily get an acceptance at each that would require making a choice among them.

 

[ODoyle]

I'll bump this thread after I talk to an admissions representative this summer and hopefully I'll have better insight on where I stand. Like I said, I would really like to matriculate to a US MD for instate finances/residency reasons. I just hope I have a shot at one.

Thanks for your help Catalystik.

 

[Catalystik]

I'd particularly like to hear what you find out about outcomes from the Indiana program.

 

[ODoyle]

I'd particularly like to hear what you find out about outcomes from the Indiana program.

A quick search of the post-bacc forum yields little results: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/search.php?searchid=15664628

There was one thread from an attending who said he completed the program in 2003 and it was useful.

The program brochure boasts an 80% acceptance rate of its students, but is quite ambiguous towards medical schools when you note that the program is open to pre-dent, pre-opt, pre-vet, pre-med, etc. I'll see if I can get more information from one of the frequent posters in the post-bacc forum. From the search, it doesn't seem like that popular of a program here on SDN.

edit: program brochure from IUPUI if anyone is interested:

http://www.biology.iupui.edu/PPNTBrochure.pdf