Please Help I need Advice(trying to go to med school with low GPA)

Nontraditional Premed Discussion
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I have a low undergrad GPA(2.87) from my B.S. in biology from Wayne State(graduated in 04). I have a 3.27 from my master’s in Cellular and molecular biology(graduated in 08). I also was a teaching assistant(labs, recitations) for the 2.5 yrs I was at Eastern(graduate) and now I teach at a community college(A and P).


What can I do to get into med school?


I just need some advice. The idea has been pulling at me for awhile. I have been thinking about pursuing ASCP certification too. Also what is the best experience to pursue in as far as volunteering in the hospital? Is it the kind where there is patient contact?


Please Help.


Thanks!!

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3.27 is low for a Master’s program. I’d seriously consider an SMP at this point and strive to earn primarly A’s.

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I agree with pathdr2b - your academic record will need strengthening. Also, you need to do some real-world stuff to see if this is what you actually want. It doesn’t sound like you’ve got medical experience such as volunteering in a clinic or hospital, or shadowing a doctor at work. Look for stuff in your community that can allow you the chance to see what doctors do, so that you can imagine yourself doing that - or not. This aspect of reality-testing the concept is important. Good luck!


Mary

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Thanks so much for the reply!! Yes I don’t have alot of volunteer experience and I know that I need to at least observe what this field is about. Im pretty much a late bloomer and don’t know much about the application process(but I am using the NET ). At first I wanted to recieve a masters to have the know how to work in the biotech field. But I want to be more dynamic than that. I want to help people through science but in a much more profound way.


I also want to know more about MSP programs. Is there one at say Wayne state University? I hear that there is but cant find any info on it.


Will getting certification and working as a Med Tech help at all? What kind of professional experience will help me now that we have started talking about the academic? ( In know im not the most stellar candidate). I do see that there are people with my credentials that gets in to medical school. You can see this using this search engine. http://www.mdapplicants.com/


Also what would I have to do to get in an MSP program?

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The best way to get medical experience that’s relevant is:

  • shadowing a physician or two

  • volunteering in a healthcare setting - free clinic, hospital, hospice;


    Any other kind of volunteering, even if it’s not medically related will also look good on your application. But it won’t substitute for a lack of medical experience/ exposure. There is many ways to improve your application and there’s no one answer to it. You just want to show the admission committees that you are a well-rounded person with unique background, good personality and know enough about healthcare, so that you know what you’re getting yourself into.


    Don’t know how to answer your question about Wayne St. U.


    How to get into SMP? I would assume each of these programs has their specific requirements on their website - so just research and call the admission offices with any further questions you might have.


    Kasia
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Another thing that comes to mind is wouldn’t it be redundant to get another masters degree if I already have one? Would it really help me that much?


Would have a master’s give me an edge in the admissions to one of these smp’s?


This is a good option however and I want to see where it can go.


Thanks guys your advice is great!!

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  • Mcs0503 Said:
Another thing that comes to mind is wouldn't it be redundant to get another masters degree if I already have one? Would it really help me that much?

Would have a master's give me an edge in the admissions to one of these smp's?



Getting an MS from an SMP isn't seen in the same light as a "regular" Master's programs because you're often taken a good portion of the first year medical school curicullum. So in that regard, it isn't redundant at all IMHO.

I personally think that if you can score well on the MCAT, getting into one of the many SMP's shouldn't be very difficult. I can't say it would be a sure bet because these days, SMP's are getting pretty competitive too.

Unfortuantely, there's no one formula that if you follow it will result in a guarenteed admit when you have a blemish of some sort on your academic/personal record. You just make the best and most knowledgeable decision you can, keep your options open, and hope for the best.
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BUMP


Okay I have a need to revive this thread. However I am more informed than I was 2 yrs ago when I made this thread.

  1. If I start an SMP now (BMS WAYNE STATE) will my GPA still be an issue due to the screening process?

  2. OR should I take about the 25 UG credits to raise my GPA to at least a 3.0 THEN take the BMS prog?
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I gave you Wayne specific application advice in my other thread.


And before I go off blathering about various topics, I have some questions.

  1. How much volunteer work have you done in and around health care settings?

  2. Have you articulated why you NEED to do medicine, versus the other careers you have had. (Without saying you like helping people, or wanting to make a comfortable living.)

  3. Have you taken the MCAT yet?


    I can blather about any of the above topics, and my advice on how to tackle each one, but I don’t want to unless that advice is needed and wanted.
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Where is your other thread? I would LOVE to read it. Maybe I dont remember it link please!


PLEASE blather away your advice isnt lost on me.


Also I am just starting this process so no volunteering yet…


Edit :Oh!! You just posted today!! Tell me more about the role of my M.s. in cell bio. I was always told they were useless in md apps. Also who do I contact at the med school to ask questions (Dawn?)

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  • Mcs0503 Said:
Where is your other thread? I would LOVE to read it. Maybe I dont remember it link please!

PLEASE blather away your advice isnt lost on me.

Also I am just starting this process so no volunteering yet..

Edit :Oh!! You just posted today!! Tell me more about the role of my M.s. in cell bio. I was always told they were useless in md apps. Also who do I contact at the med school to ask questions (Dawn?)



Blah. I hate 'word on the street' 'everyone knows' pre-med advice. Which is why I always tell people to talk to the adcomms at the school they are most interested in. Every school is different.

Yes, Dawn is awesome, but since you are so early in the process, you may not get Dawn directly. But call the Admissions office, tell them you really want to go to Wayne, the very brief run down on your stats and ask how they feel about your masters, and that you are trying to decide if you need to apply to the BMS program or directly to the medical school.

I still say apply this cycle, but this way you can get your answer from the horses mouth.

As for volunteering, it is NEVER too early. Since it will take a billion years to cut through all the various red tape to get any kind of volunteering position (hospitals are good choices), I say contact the volunteer coordinator at your hospital of choice, TODAY.

Once you're in the door, and they see you're good, then you will have so many opportunities you won't know when to say no. Angle for things that give you patient contact. Ad Coms eat that up.

Why? Because you have to prove that you know what your getting yourself into. I suspect your pitch to the adcoms will be something like "This is the only career for me", and you have to have some way of showing you know what that career involves.

I personally don't think you have a lot of time. I think you are one summer of cramming, one late MCAT, and one application cycle away from beginning school next August.

However, if you don't think so, and you are in that 'OMG how am I going to pay the bills until I get in!' stage, I suggest trying to get a nursing assistant certificate. The condensed courses tend to have decent waiting lists, but I know there are several options around. (Just watch out for online degree mill type programs). Why do I suggest this. It's an ok wage, and it gives you lots of patient contact. It will show beyond any doubt that you know what you are getting into, and doing your job well will get you kicking recommendations. Then say in the interview that though you have enjoyed your time and experience as a nursing assistant, you know you will need ever increasing responsibility in order for your career to be satisfying, which you feel will only be obtained as a physician.

Oh yeah, don't just say it, mean it.

Becoming a nurses aid might not work if you need to do the BMS program, but it will if you just need to 'tread water' while you wait for your secondaries to come in (October/November/Dec), and then wait for your interview (Dec-March), Then wait for your call in day (30 days after your interview), Maybe wait to be pulled from the wait list, and then while you wait for school to begin in August.

whether you need to do the BMS or not, you need to take the MCAT. And with the MCAT studying, and juggling the work you are doing now to pay the bills, and the volunteering you are doing to prove your motivation, you will have some very busy time ahead of you. Prepare to add "Wait what? When did that happen?" to your vocabulary, since the free time to stay on top of current events and media, is about the 1st to go.
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I see. Thanks! I actually work at Karmanos right now and want to take advantage of the free tuition that I can get to enroll in some UG classes and eventually the BMS prog. I HAVE been pondering on calling the SOM because like you say I want to get it from the horses mouth. I think intuitively my masters plays a role but I still wont turn my back on strengthening my gpa and credentials. I am patient however and dont feel like I have to do this next cycle. I know I have a few things I need to do first. Also I am pursuing another part time job so i can rectify my financial situatuon. So its redemption on all things it seems!