Low GPA, studying for MCATs, many doubts about entering the medical profession

[hmoon7155]

To whom it may concern,

Firstly, I have low low overall GPA, 2.49. Graduated from Grinnell College. I'm 30 years old and I have doubts about entering the medical profession considering my low undergrad performance. I have been studying for the MCATS since graduating in 2011. Some medical experience I had while in undergrad is I volunteered for hospice so I know how to deal with issues related to death and dying and after graduating I enrolled in a program in medical sonography for two years.

I have a unique strong research interest in surgical oncology, oncology, cancer epigenetics, targeted cancer therapies, and drug resistance but no strong background in lab yet. I am people person, I love new science information, I have good dexterity, I research independently current on Pubmed and NCBI as a hobby. I have this unique but expensive research idea of testing out all combinations of exotic anti-tumoral components such as snake venom, chemotherapy agent, and targeted chemotherapy agent in all cancers for cancer therapy and develop an up to date database for all researchers and clinicians. What are my options in getting in a medical school even though it may not be my immediate dream school of choice?

A current med student and friend advised me to raise my GPA first through post bac programs, then score high on the MCATs. Can I even get into post bac program with my GPA?

Secondly, where is an effective study plan for the MCATS and should I order the 2020-2021 Kaplan MCAT books or the 2020-2021 Princeton Review MCAT books?

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[907914]

Firstly, I have low low overall GPA, 2.49. Graduated from Grinnell College. I'm 30 years old

I would focus on getting your GPA above 3.0 if it is possible. Assuming you have 120 credits, you would need 62 credits of 4.0, so it is not realistic. However, You will can do a full year (I would suggest 2 years) of >3.5 in upper division science courses for a DIY postbacc or a formal SMP. That is more realistic. First step would be reenroll and see how a first semester in upper division sciences goes (assuming you already have prerequisites. If you don’t, then do them) As of now, you are virtually DOA for every MD and DO school. If you can do this, you will still be virtually DOA at most MD schools unless you score >512 MCAT. It will also still be difficult at DO schools. Podiatry would probably be solid for you after that assuming MCAT ~500.

Take in to mind age - you are 30 now, you will be at least 32 by the time of application, at least 39 by the time you are an attending physician. It would be 36 if you do Podiatry.

I have been studying for the MCATS since graduating in 2011.

No you haven’t. The MCAT has changed formats and content. Whatever you have been studying, start over from scratch. 8 years is........too much? If it is even studying at this point.

Some medical experience I had while in undergrad

Do you have any of this in the last 8 years? If not, begin more volunteering and shadowing.

I have a unique strong research interest in surgical oncology, oncology, cancer epigenetics, targeted cancer therapies, and drug resistance but no strong background in lab yet. I am people person, I love new science information, I have good dexterity, I research independently current on Pubmed and NCBI as a hobby. I have this unique but expensive research idea of testing out all combinations of exotic anti-tumoral components such as snake venom, chemotherapy agent, and targeted chemotherapy agent in all cancers for cancer therapy and develop an up to date database for all researchers and clinicians.

This is cool stuff, but you didn’t do any of it so none of this matters. I have a really big interest in independently researching Tolkien lore, but that doesn’t qualify me to be an Elf.

Secondly, where is an effective study plan for the MCATS and should I order the 2020-2021 Kaplan MCAT books or the 2020-2021 Princeton Review MCAT books?

Take your pick on Study plans!

MCAT Study Plans, Study Strategies and Ask Me Anything (AMA) Threads

Here is a collection of MCAT study guides, tips and advice provided by helpful members on SDN forums. Some of the threads may be old but they apply well for MCAT 2015 (especially verbal/CARS strategies and tips of maintaining focus and confidence on test day). This directory will be regularly...

forums.studentdoctor.net

Edit: Oh hey, I am in there lol nifty

 

[hmoon7155]

Thanks.

 

[bjt223]

To whom it may concern,

Firstly, I have low low overall GPA, 2.49. Graduated from Grinnell College. I'm 30 years old and I have doubts about entering the medical profession considering my low undergrad performance. I have been studying for the MCATS since graduating in 2011. Some medical experience I had while in undergrad is I volunteered for hospice so I know how to deal with issues related to death and dying and after graduating I enrolled in a program in medical sonography for two years.

I have a unique strong research interest in surgical oncology, oncology, cancer epigenetics, targeted cancer therapies, and drug resistance but no strong background in lab yet. I am people person, I love new science information, I have good dexterity, I research independently current on Pubmed and NCBI as a hobby. I have this unique but expensive research idea of testing out all combinations of exotic anti-tumoral components such as snake venom, chemotherapy agent, and targeted chemotherapy agent in all cancers for cancer therapy and develop an up to date database for all researchers and clinicians. What are my options in getting in a medical school even though it may not be my immediate dream school of choice?

A current med student and friend advised me to raise my GPA first through post bac programs, then score high on the MCATs. Can I even get into post bac program with my GPA?

Secondly, where is an effective study plan for the MCATS and should I order the 2020-2021 Kaplan MCAT books or the 2020-2021 Princeton Review MCAT books?

You're doing fine so far. Keep up the hard work. I am in exact same position as you. I'm going to do everything as I can to get into medical school if this is the passion you desire.

 

[hmoon7155]

I would focus on getting your GPA above 3.0 if it is possible. Assuming you have 120 credits, you would need 62 credits of 4.0, so it is not realistic. However, You will can do a full year (I would suggest 2 years) of >3.5 in upper division science courses for a DIY postbacc or a formal SMP. That is more realistic. First step would be reenroll and see how a first semester in upper division sciences goes (assuming you already have prerequisites. If you don’t, then do them) As of now, you are virtually DOA for every MD and DO school. If you can do this, you will still be virtually DOA at most MD schools unless you score >512 MCAT. It will also still be difficult at DO schools. Podiatry would probably be solid for you after that assuming MCAT ~500.

Take in to mind age - you are 30 now, you will be at least 32 by the time of application, at least 39 by the time you are an attending physician. It would be 36 if you do Podiatry.
No you haven’t. The MCAT has changed formats and content. Whatever you have been studying, start over from scratch. 8 years is........too much? If it is even studying at this point.

Do you have any of this in the last 8 years? If not, begin more volunteering and shadowing.

This is cool stuff, but you didn’t do any of it so none of this matters. I have a really big interest in independently researching Tolkien lore, but that doesn’t qualify me to be an Elf.

Take your pick on Study plans!

MCAT Study Plans, Study Strategies and Ask Me Anything (AMA) Threads

Here is a collection of MCAT study guides, tips and advice provided by helpful members on SDN forums. Some of the threads may be old but they apply well for MCAT 2015 (especially verbal/CARS strategies and tips of maintaining focus and confidence on test day). This directory will be regularly...

forums.studentdoctor.net

Edit: Oh hey, I am in there lol nifty

what are some post bac program that would accept me. What is DIY and SMP?

 

[hmoon7155]

You're doing fine so far. Keep up the hard work. I am in exact same position as you. I'm going to do everything as I can to get into medical school if this is the passion you desire.

Thank you, let's be friends.

 

[Wolvvs]

what are some post bac program that would accept me. What is DIY and SMP?

DIY: do it yourself, just take undergraduate courses as a non-degree student at whatever college will allow you to do this
SMP: special masters program, usually resembles the first year of medical school. Scoring well in this sort of program is a huge benefit, whereas doing poorly can kill your application, so it's high risk high reward. Usually for students who have run out of undergraduate classes that could help.

 

[Shotapp]

what are some post bac program that would accept me. What is DIY and SMP?

Like Wolvvs said, do a diy post-bac to raise your undergrad GPA. You can apply to your local university as a second degree seeking student to gain access to registration priority and financial aid. You don't need to complete a second degree. Just take the science classes you want to take, get As, raise your GPA to a 3.0, and bounce.

 

[Goro]

To whom it may concern,

Firstly, I have low low overall GPA, 2.49. Graduated from Grinnell College. I'm 30 years old and I have doubts about entering the medical profession considering my low undergrad performance. I have been studying for the MCATS since graduating in 2011. Some medical experience I had while in undergrad is I volunteered for hospice so I know how to deal with issues related to death and dying and after graduating I enrolled in a program in medical sonography for two years.

I have a unique strong research interest in surgical oncology, oncology, cancer epigenetics, targeted cancer therapies, and drug resistance but no strong background in lab yet. I am people person, I love new science information, I have good dexterity, I research independently current on Pubmed and NCBI as a hobby. I have this unique but expensive research idea of testing out all combinations of exotic anti-tumoral components such as snake venom, chemotherapy agent, and targeted chemotherapy agent in all cancers for cancer therapy and develop an up to date database for all researchers and clinicians. What are my options in getting in a medical school even though it may not be my immediate dream school of choice?

A current med student and friend advised me to raise my GPA first through post bac programs, then score high on the MCATs. Can I even get into post bac program with my GPA?

Secondly, where is an effective study plan for the MCATS and should I order the 2020-2021 Kaplan MCAT books or the 2020-2021 Princeton Review MCAT books?

I agree with your friend. There is no point in taking the mCAT now when you have significant GPA repair to do.
Read this:
Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention

 

[hmoon7155]

I agree with your friend. There is no point in taking the mCAT now when you have significant GPA repair to do.
Read this:
Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention

Thank you all.

 

[hmoon7155]

I agree with your friend. There is no point in taking the mCAT now when you have significant GPA repair to do.
Read this:
Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention

It's important to note I had all As in sonography school for the two years, though it was community college. Does that add to my academic resume?

 

[907914]

It's important to note I had all As in sonography school for the two years, though it was community college. Does that add to my academic resume?

It was at a community college, so was it was undergraduate coursework? is the 2.49 without the sonography school?

 

[Goro]

It's important to note I had all As in sonography school for the two years, though it was community college. Does that add to my academic resume?

Nope

 

[907914]

Nope

Not from a prerequisite standpoint, but if the 2 years of sonography school are towards an associates degree, then wouldn’t that raise OP’s GPA a good chunk? Assuming the 2.49 does not include that?

 

[Goro]

Not from a prerequisite standpoint, but if the 2 years of sonography school are towards an associates degree, then wouldn’t that raise OP’s GPA a good chunk? Assuming the 2.49 does not include that?

It may raise the GPA, but these coursework will be discounted as non-rigorous.

 

[907914]

It may raise the GPA, but these coursework will be discounted as non-rigorous.

It would at least make it easier for OP to push past the 3.0 barrier. Should still def do 2 years of science/prerequisites etc. or an SMP, but not having to worry as much about that 3.0 is very helpful.

 

[hmoon7155]

It may raise the GPA, but these coursework will be discounted as non-rigorous.

So what I should focus on most is attend community college classes to improve my GPA. I'll have to do that when I can re immigrate back the U.S. I currently live in Seoul. What classes should I take that will help me in med school in the long run?


The most central question I have how am I 100% certain this is what I want to do for the rest of my life? Medicine that is. I loved hospice but there was very little medicine I did and more other volunteer work I did. There was patient care involved. I also loved job shadowing Dr. J.R. Paulson at Grinnell Regional. It was the way he showed care to each individual patient and the questions he asked. How he had the patient's trust, like magic. He stuck me alone with the patient while he took a moment. And after talking with the patient he explained to me the diagnosis of the disease and symptoms of the diseases.

I just don't want to fail like I did during undergrad (I didn't actually fail per se because I graduated but not having the GPA is failure in my book). Hospice is were I was introduced to patient care for cancer patients. I love the emotional side of it and having the patients trust, the patient depends on you for spiritual and emotional guidance. Sometimes I won't have to say anything. Just being there for the patient was enough.

The question is, is that enough to pursue medicine for the rest of my life? I want to be 100% certain. Because when I love something I get lost in it and lose track of time. I've researched general sources like med school insiders, general youtube videos from med students, residents, and Doctors about the long-term commitment and it doesn't scare me.

If change careers, pursue something other than medicine, I might pursue something close like bio-medicine, cancer biology, pharmacology, veterinary school, zoology, or herpetology research.

I'm a goal oriented person with high emotional intelligence and problem solving skills and apparently high potential to be leader according personality tests and related.

 

[differentiating]

So what I should focus on most is attend community college classes to improve my GPA. I'll have to do that when I can re immigrate back the U.S. I currently live in Seoul. What classes should I take that will help me in med school in the long run?

Do you have US citizenship? Getting into med school is even harder for international students.

 

[hmoon7155]

Do you have US citizenship? Getting into med school is even harder for international students.

I'm working on getting one. I'm eligible to apply for Citizenship. Worse comes to worse, I can attend Med school in Korea and costs a cheaper.

 

[hmoon7155]

I'm working on getting one. I'm eligible to apply for Citizenship. Alternatively, I can attend Med school in Korea and costs a cheaper. Yonsei, Seoul National University, and Korea University have excellent programs.

 

[deleted859689]

I'm working on getting one. I'm eligible to apply for Citizenship. Worse comes to worse, I can attend Med school in Korea and costs a cheaper.

You have an upward hill to climb. A very steep one. I know someone who had < 2.5 gpa took an extra 120 hours of classes + SMP at mid/low tier college with guaranteed interview at their linked med school (MD), got a 518 on the MCAT and got in off the WAIT LIST.

You are an international student which makes applying to med school in the US that much harder. If you want to be a doctor, you can’t be second guessing yourself when you start your route to reinvention. If you care so much about patients but don’t think you can devote 100% of yourself pursuing a career as a physician, consider being a nurse or other needed healthcare specialist.

I

I'm a goal oriented person with high emotional intelligence and problem solving skills and apparently high potential to be leader according personality tests and related.

GL.

 

[hmoon7155]

You have an upward hill to climb. A very steep one. I know someone who had < 2.5 gpa took an extra 120 hours of classes + SMP at mid/low tier college with guaranteed interview at their linked med school (MD), got a 518 on the MCAT and got in off the WAIT LIST.

You are an international student which makes applying to med school in the US that much harder. If you want to be a doctor, you can’t be second guessing yourself when you start your route to reinvention. If you care so much about patients but don’t think you can devote 100% of yourself pursuing a career as a physician, consider being a nurse or other needed healthcare specialist.

I

GL.

I have a greencard so I'm not an international student.

 

[deleted859689]

I have a greencard so I'm not an international student.

Retake all required sciences classes (And I guess english/calc/stats), take the MCAT when you are ready and score 515+ get into an SMP at a school with linkage (preferably guaranteed acceptance), scribe with a physician, volunteer in an underserved community, write a good comeback story, apply MD + DO and you have a chance. Good chance if you get the 4.0 and 515+. Now go, my korean friend. Climb until you finally reach the top, or come crumbling down with more debt from useless classes and wasted time if you screw up again.

 

[hmoon7155]

Retake all required sciences classes (And I guess english/calc/stats), take the MCAT when you are ready and score 515+ get into an SMP at a school with linkage (preferably guaranteed acceptance), scribe with a physician, volunteer in an underserved community, write a good comeback story, apply MD + DO and you have a chance. Good chance if you get the 4.0 and 515+. Now go, my korean friend. Climb until you finally reach the top, or come crumbling down with more debt from useless classes and wasted time if you screw up again.

"come crumbling down with more debt from useless classes and wasted time if you screw up again." That's why I'm rethinking if I should pursue another profession. Less time and money. I love biology in general. I have at least another free year to think about this because immigration will take that long. I'm working on my DS117 or returning resident form.

 

[deleted859689]

"come crumbling down with more debt from useless classes and wasted time if you screw up again." That's why I'm rethinking if I should pursue another profession. Less time and money. I love biology in general. I have at least another free year to think about this because immigration will take that long. I'm working on my DS117 or returning resident form.

What about biology do you love? Can you see yourself working in a lab doing research the rest of your life? Or research in general? If so, get a bio degree and go the MS or PhD route and find a job.

 

[hmoon7155]

What about biology do you love? Can you see yourself working in a lab doing research the rest of your life? Or research in general? If so, get a bio degree and go the MS or PhD route and find a job.

Cancer biology, cell biology, physiology, epigenetic research, infectious diseases like ebola. So a wide range. If I had to choose between them I'd chose cancer biology. Cancer is such an efficient disease, the way it metastasizes and grows, How it invades tissues with such efficiency and persistence.

 

[hmoon7155]

What about biology do you love? Can you see yourself working in a lab doing research the rest of your life? Or research in general? If so, get a bio degree and go the MS or PhD route and find a job.

I still have to improve my GPA via CC to attend a masters. Grinnell College as tough academically and that's why I chose it. I love challenges.

 

[deleted859689]

I still have to improve my GPA via CC to attend a masters. Grinnell College as tough academically and that's why I chose it. I love challenges.

You certainly created one for yourself. Can’t you take classes at Grinnell?

 

[hmoon7155]

You certainly created one for yourself. Can’t you take classes at Grinnell?

I think I can, I'd have to check on that. Thanks.

 

[hmoon7155]

I think I can, I'd have to check on that. Thanks.

I called Grinnell and registrar said I can only take 1 course per semester at a reduced fee for alums and it's at a space available basis. Also, I can't retake any course I took. So I'll probably have to take courses at another college.

 

[hmoon7155]

@hmoon7155 You've been studying for the MCAT since 2011?

Also, ahn yung.

Yes, there's the new 2015 version but I accounted for that. Mostly reviewing knowledge. Khan academy helps a lot. Otherwise I've been using Princeton Review and Kaplain, textbooks, classnotes.

 

[MedDoc305]

You can also apply to masters programs with direct entrance such as NOVA/LECOM/VCOM/PCOM who have lower stat requirements to get in. It would avoid years of grade repair and application cycles.

 

[hmoon7155]

I don't know how to articulate this response in a cohesive manner, so you have to bear with me. Studying 8 years for the MCAT is a long time and it is something that you don't want to share in an interview with an admissions committee member. I know that at 2 of those years were likely spent doing mandatory service (thank you for serving), but there are other questions that stem from this such as whether there were learning barriers due to language differences or whether you have performance issue problems when it comes to standardized exams. If you have issues with test taking, then going into medical school can feel like a really awful experience. Especially when you're going to be in a class with people who had no previous trouble academically before starting a medical school program.

Another concern I want to touch upon is the barrier of immigration. I would start with the citizenship application now (assuming barriers are low), only because it can become a major barrier down the road. Another factor to consider is that Koreans are treated as an ORM (over-represented minority) which exacerbates your 2.49 GPA because admissions committee members are not incentivized towards giving a Park, Lee, or Kim the same reconsideration as they are an Onwuatuegwu or an Mbaku. The reinvention aspect is also less sympathetic as ORMs are broadly viewed as being generally successful at reinvention and therefore have comparatively less interesting narratives to committee members than if they were viewed in the context of being another race. When Harvard released admission commentary packets to their matriculants, the rationale as to why such a consistent rate controlled amount of seats had been maintained was due to that class having lower ratings when it came to their assessment of personality traits. Some of these reviews which were blogged by matriculants had adcoms attributed those applicants to being "typical" "expected" or "non-unique." If those were the personality subsets of Harvard matriculants who were blogging their personal findings, I wonder what comments were left to applicants who weren't accepted.

Another point is that it's nice that you have a research interest in oncology, but there is a fundamental difference between clinical medicine and clinical research. If you discuss in any interview how you are interested in applying "snake venom" as a potential treatment to chemo patients, then it is probably going to be a permanent hobby. The fundamental idea though of applying a dangerous chemical reagent as a chemotherapy agent isn't a novel concept, I'm not sure if there is anymore shock value after mustard gas was used as a chemo agent in the 1940s. If you are interested in research, then you are going to slog through years of medical education and training which will have little to no relevance to your current interest. Having a narrow interest in a specific subset can hurt you down the road as there are no guarantees that you will be still like oncology or still be able to practice as an oncologist based on board scores and residency placement.

Finally, my understanding of the medical admissions process in Korea is that it's far harder to get into medical school there than it is here. Then again, I only know about the application process involved in SNU and not other schools in Korea. My relative who graduated from SNU and migrated here had many barriers even though they were incredibly fluent in English. They did their residency training in the United States a decade ago, so perhaps the medical licensure barriers they had to cross as an FMG are more relaxed since then (ㅋㅋㅋ)...

I don't like giving blatant advice to other people on what they should do, but I feel that medicine may not be the best match considering your current circumstances. I am interested in your response and feel that you have answers to these questions that are worth exploring. I think that coming here is favorable if you are an exceptional talent, but I feel like the barriers to success here are similar to how hard it is to currently succeed in S. Korea when you factor in both implicit and explicit barriers to people seeking nationalization into this country.

I'm hoping my persistence and dedication will win out in terms of the length of how long I spent on the MCATs. That 8 years I've been spending to study for the MCATs, there's been gaps and such. And I understand about the ORM but I'm hoping there are other factors to admissions such as my own health adversity, Bipolar Disorder. Even right now as a patient I'm inspired by my Korean psychiatrist and it's very much related to the neurosciences, neurology and neurosurgery. I asked my psychiatrist if bipolar disorder may have adversely affected my grades or GPA and she said yes via stress. Stress seems to exacerbate my symptoms.

I asked another friend if they think I would be a Great Doctor or whether I should go to med school and they said I sound passionate enough considering how long they known me it's something I've thought about since as long as I can remember since I was a kid... not that this helps in anyway.

Either way I still need to improve my GPA via CC for any other masters.

 

[hmoon7155]

You can also apply to masters programs with direct entrance such as NOVA/LECOM/VCOM/PCOM who have lower stat requirements to get in. It would avoid years of grade repair and application cycles.

What's a NOVA/LECOM/VCOM/PCOM? And what schools offer it?

 

[hmoon7155]

I don't know how to articulate this response in a cohesive manner, so you have to bear with me. Studying 8 years for the MCAT is a long time and it is something that you don't want to share in an interview with an admissions committee member. I know that at 2 of those years were likely spent doing mandatory service (thank you for serving), but there are other questions that stem from this such as whether there were learning barriers due to language differences or whether you have performance issue problems when it comes to standardized exams. If you have issues with test taking, then going into medical school can feel like a really awful experience. Especially when you're going to be in a class with people who had no previous trouble academically before starting a medical school program.

Another concern I want to touch upon is the barrier of immigration. I would start with the citizenship application now (assuming barriers are low), only because it can become a major barrier down the road. Another factor to consider is that Koreans are treated as an ORM (over-represented minority) which exacerbates your 2.49 GPA because admissions committee members are not incentivized towards giving a Park, Lee, or Kim the same reconsideration as they are an Onwuatuegwu or an Mbaku. The reinvention aspect is also less sympathetic as ORMs are broadly viewed as being generally successful at reinvention and therefore have comparatively less interesting narratives to committee members than if they were viewed in the context of being another race. When Harvard released admission commentary packets to their matriculants, the rationale as to why such a consistent rate controlled amount of seats had been maintained was due to that class having lower ratings when it came to their assessment of personality traits. Some of these reviews which were blogged by matriculants had adcoms attributed those applicants to being "typical" "expected" or "non-unique." If those were the personality subsets of Harvard matriculants who were blogging their personal findings, I wonder what comments were left to applicants who weren't accepted.

Another point is that it's nice that you have a research interest in oncology, but there is a fundamental difference between clinical medicine and clinical research. If you discuss in any interview how you are interested in applying "snake venom" as a potential treatment to chemo patients, then it is probably going to be a permanent hobby. The fundamental idea though of applying a dangerous chemical reagent as a chemotherapy agent isn't a novel concept, I'm not sure if there is anymore shock value after mustard gas was used as a chemo agent in the 1940s. If you are interested in research, then you are going to slog through years of medical education and training which will have little to no relevance to your current interest. Having a narrow interest in a specific subset can hurt you down the road as there are no guarantees that you will be still like oncology or still be able to practice as an oncologist based on board scores and residency placement.

Finally, my understanding of the medical admissions process in Korea is that it's far harder to get into medical school there than it is here. Then again, I only know about the application process involved in SNU and not other schools in Korea. My relative who graduated from SNU and migrated here had many barriers even though they were incredibly fluent in English. They did their residency training in the United States a decade ago, so perhaps the medical licensure barriers they had to cross as an FMG are more relaxed since then (ㅋㅋㅋ)...

I don't like giving blatant advice to other people on what they should do, but I feel that medicine may not be the best match considering your current circumstances. I am interested in your response and feel that you have answers to these questions that are worth exploring. I think that coming here is favorable if you are an exceptional talent, but I feel like the barriers to success here are similar to how hard it is to currently succeed in S. Korea when you factor in both implicit and explicit barriers to people seeking nationalization into this country.

About Clinical medicine versus clinical research, I'm interested in both and I imagine I can pursue both with an M.D.

 

[MedDoc305]

What's a NOVA/LECOM/VCOM/PCOM? And what schools offer it?

NOVA/LECOM/VCOM/PCOM are the D.O. medical schools that offer masters with guaranteed linkage. Specifically, VCOM and PCOM offer a guaranteed acceptance, NOVA and LECOM offer guarantee interviews however they have shown to accept over 80% of their class as long as you do well.

 

[hmoon7155]

NOVA/LECOM/VCOM/PCOM are the D.O. medical schools that offer masters with guaranteed linkage. Specifically, VCOM and PCOM offer a guaranteed acceptance, NOVA and LECOM offer guarantee interviews however they have shown to accept over 80% of their class as long as you do well.

I've looked into it and it's a possibility. That may be my only option at this point. Is it possible to transfer from a VCOM or PCOM school to a Med school?

 

[MedDoc305]

I've looked into it and it's a possibility. That may be my only option at this point. Is it possible to transfer from a VCOM or PCOM school to a Med school?

All those schools listed are medical schools. If you mean a transfer from a D.O. school to an M.D. school then no you cannot. If you are against getting a D.O. degree then you will have to spend quite a few years fixing up your application and hope for the best.

 

[candbgirl]

What's a NOVA/LECOM/VCOM/PCOM? And what schools offer it?

Those are schools. Before you do anything more, make a decision if you even want to move forward.

 

[hmoon7155]

I've looked into it and it's a possibility. That may be my only option at this point. Is it possible to transfer from a VCOM or PCOM school to a Med school?

https://www.vcom.edu/admissions/admission-requirements. This is an example but they have a 3.2 GPA requirement.

Those are schools. Before you do anything more, make a decision if you even want to move forward.

I'm not against D.O. schools. They have the same basic training as med schools. I've thought about moving forward for the last 8 years since graduation, and I do. I would break up with my current girlfriend if I had to do that to pursue medicine. I just don't want to make the same or different mistakes I did in undergrad. That GPA doesn't show how hard I studied which probably doesn't matter to admissions. It just demonstrates my silent struggle with Bipolar Disorder.

 

[hmoon7155]

Those are schools. Before you do anything more, make a decision if you even want to move forward.

And thanks

 

[MedDoc305]

Admission Requirements | VCOM - The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. This is an example but they have a 3.2 GPA requirement.


I'm not against D.O. schools. They have the same basic training as med schools. I've thought about moving forward for the last 8 years since graduation, and I do. I would break up with my current girlfriend if I had to do that to pursue medicine. I just don't want to make the same or different mistakes I did in undergrad. That GPA doesn't show how hard I studied which probably doesn't matter to admissions. It just demonstrates my silent struggle with Bipolar Disorder.

Yes, I just looked and it does seem like VCOM has a 3.2 minimum GPA requirement, and LECOM has a 2.7 minimum GPA requirement. NOVA's minimum is 2.5 and PCOM doesn't have a requirement. They also have a specific MCAT requirement though so I would make sure to take it if you are accepted to one of the programs.

 

[bluepeony]

I would break up with my current girlfriend if I had to do that to pursue medicine.

...Does your girlfriend know about this?!

 

[hmoon7155]

...Does your girlfriend know about this?!

Lol no, but I thought I'd mention if it took that much dedication. Relationships are energy and time consuming.

 

[hmoon7155]

Admission Requirements | VCOM - The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. This is an example but they have a 3.2 GPA requirement.


I'm not against D.O. schools. They have the same basic training as med schools. I've thought about moving forward for the last 8 years since graduation, and I do. I would break up with my current girlfriend if I had to do that to pursue medicine. I just don't want to make the same or different mistakes I did in undergrad. That GPA doesn't show how hard I studied which probably doesn't matter to admissions. It just demonstrates my silent struggle with Bipolar Disorder.

Why are you angry Bluepeony?

 

[hmoon7155]

Yes, I just looked and it does seem like VCOM has a 3.2 minimum GPA requirement, and LECOM has a 2.7 minimum GPA requirement. NOVA's minimum is 2.5 and PCOM doesn't have a requirement. They also have a specific MCAT requirement though so I would make sure to take it if you are accepted to one of the programs.

I know a Grinnellian who went the LECOM. He's already in his residency.

 

[hmoon7155]

Yes, I just looked and it does seem like VCOM has a 3.2 minimum GPA requirement, and LECOM has a 2.7 minimum GPA requirement. NOVA's minimum is 2.5 and PCOM doesn't have a requirement. They also have a specific MCAT requirement though so I would make sure to take it if you are accepted to one of the programs.

Are those the requirements for the D.O. schools or the masters of biomedical science programs?

 

[MedDoc305]

Are those the requirements for the D.O. schools or the masters of biomedical science programs?

The masters with linkage to the D.O. program.

 

[hmoon7155]

The masters with linkage to the D.O. program.

So three out of four I have a slight chance to get into the biomedical programs. That's reassuring.

 

[MedDoc305]

So three out of four I have a slight chance to get into the biomedical programs. That's reassuring.

Make sure you apply to the right masters. Some are called biomedical others are just medical science