Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention (updated for 2021)

[Goro]

Hello. I am planning on taking a few DIY credits this semester.

Planning on taking Surgical Anatomy and Intro to Molecular Biology. Is it okay that one of the courses is classified as "intro"? It's a 2000-level course, and the anatomy course is 4000-level.

Should be OK

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[ddawk_]

I know calculus 1 is not a requirement for many schools, so would it be worth it to retake a failing grade from my first semester during freshman year? For context, I plan on starting a DIY postbacc this fall. @Goro

 

[21Rush12]

I know calculus 1 is not a requirement for many schools, so would it be worth it to retake a failing grade from my first semester during freshman year? For context, I plan on starting a DIY postbacc this fall. @Goro

Not Goro but I think it may be helpful to have a strong performance in this class since for some schools it is a prerequisite. If you’re already going to the trouble of a DIY postbacc presumably for some element of grade repair, I would definitely include prerequisites if you failed them. If it was a B- or C I would maybe say skip it depending on your other coursework and grades, but a failing grade in a prerequisite will have you ineligible at those schools before you even apply.

 

[ddawk_]

Thank you!

 

[wanttobedoc2021]

@Goro

Need your advice. I have an undergrad sGPA 2.9 , cGPA 3.1 and MS GPA 3.29; MCAT 511 first time; 514 second time; 18 months Scribe and Office Manager; 600+ research hours with one pub; ORM. Do I have a chance to get in either DO or MD with the above stat?

Will a DIY post-bac improve my application? How many credits of Post bac I should do?

 

[Goro]

@Goro

Need your advice. I have an undergrad sGPA 2.9 , cGPA 3.1 and MS GPA 3.29; MCAT 511 first time; 514 second time; 18 months Scribe and Office Manager; 600+ research hours with one pub; ORM. Do I have a chance to get in either DO or MD with the above stat?

Will a DIY post-bac improve my application? How many credits of Post bac I should do?

Was the MS a research MS? Or an SMP???

 

[wanttobedoc2021]

SMP

Was the MS a research MS? Or an SMP???

SMP

The second MCAT is after SMP.

Thanks for your post.

 

[Goro]

SMP

SMP

The second MCAT is after SMP.

Thanks for your post.

With a 3.29 in an SMP, I think that shows that it's time for Plan B.

 

[wanttobedoc2021]

With a 3.29 in an SMP, I think that shows that it's time for Plan B.

Thanks. Not what I was hoping to hear but it definitely helps to start pivoting. Appreciate it.

 

[arnim]

I just wanted to pop into this thread and say that I followed Goro's advice for reinvention following the 2019-2020 cycle in which I received a single interview which turned into a waitlist. I'm shocked to so far have received 8 IIs (7 MD, 1 DO) and 2 acceptances (which I'm tentatively hopeful to receive more). It can be done, and medical schools do care to see applicants with experience, who have proven themselves in post-baccalaureate work, and who demonstrate a dedication to medicine through well woven PSs and secondaries. In fact, I've been directly told in interviews that my post-bacc work has shown that I am not the student I was when I graduated and is likely why I was interviewing in the first place. Don't let an unsuccessful cycle or undergraduate GPA/MCAT be the end, if you truly want this there are those who will see your hard work and see it as proof of concept that you have what it takes.

 

[Premed35032]

@arnaldoim
Hi, congratulations on your acceptances. May I ask what you did different this cycle compared to 2019-2020 cycle? Did you do a Post-bacc or SMP during the year?

Thanks

 

[arnim]

@arnaldoim
Hi, congratulations on your acceptances. May I ask what you did different this cycle compared to 2019-2020 cycle? Did you do a Post-bacc or SMP during the year?

Thanks

Hi, of course! I did 21 credits of upper division DIY Post-Bacc at my undergrad university, which essentially encompassed almost all of the science classes offered at the upper division level. This was 1 summer course followed by two semesters of 3 classes at a time (while working full time as an MA). During the end of the 2019-2020 cycle I found work as an MA so I had a lot of experiences to draw from for my writing and speak about during interviews. I chose not to retake my MCAT for a variety of reasons, mostly because I had multiple re-takes but I would have also considered a retake if this cycle did not work out so well. I rewrote everything from scratch and am extremely proud of my PS and secondaries. I felt like I told my story extremely well and was much more honest this time about my journey into medicine. Essentially my application this time showed who I was rather than who I wanted ADCOMS to believe I was.

 

[Lawpy]

Will update this to the directory

 

[helpmepickbetween]

@Goro thank you sm for making this post. These are all the pre-reqs that I already took and their grades. Which ones do you think I should retake? View attachment 348442

Do you think re-taking only Intro to Bio and orgo 2 will be enough? Thank you sm!!!

 

[Goro]

could some one with a decent mcat get into an MD school with a reinvention gpa of 3.5 with strong extracuriculars and recommendations

Decent MCAT? Not likely. Has to be a GREAT MCAT. Your state school(s) would be the safest bet.

 

[Goro]

@Goro thank you sm for making this post. These are all the pre-reqs that I already took and their grades. Which ones do you think I should retake? View attachment 348442

Do you think re-taking only Intro to Bio and orgo 2 will be enough? Thank you sm!!!

View attachment 348443

Only the C-'s.
With grades like these, unless you shine in an SMP, I suggest that it's time for a different career.

 

[Al9]

Hello Goro,
Instead of graduating in 4 years I decided to gradute in 5 years so I could take 30 or so more credits.
My last 55 credits are at 3.7 (from which 45 are science at 3.75). My overall and science is about 3.4-3.5.
Do you think that is enough?

 

[Goro]

Hello Goro,
Instead of graduating in 4 years I decided to gradute in 5 years so I could take 30 or so more credits.
My last 55 credits are at 3.7 (from which 45 are science at 3.75). My overall and science is about 3.4-3.5.
Do you think that is enough?

Yup!!

 

[EagleRaider]

Hi,

First of all thanks so much for these awesome reinvention posts. I am currently taking a post-bacc following your advice here, but was wondering if you could help me assess whether or not I should apply for an SMP just in case? Just to give a quick summary:

- URM (Black), Graduated with a 2.79cGPA/2.75sGPA

- Texan

- I have taken 21 credits of post-bacc at a 3.9 GPA (all upper sciences like you said) so I am at around 3.0cGPA/2.9sGPA right now.

- I am currently enrolled in 15 hours of upper level sciences aiming to stay in that 3.8-3.9 range. Willing to do a May semester as well.

- 509 MCAT -- Worth retaking maybe?

- Extras: ~600 hours BioChem research, ~500 hours clinical research with 1 pub, 3 years as a community service director for student orgs, 200 hours of past community service, currently volunteering at food pantry and should have 100-130 hours by May, around 900 hours working in senior care (ongoing), and 20 hours of just shadowing.

Is this post-bacc sufficient reinvention to apply this year, and if it is would it also be worth applying to an SMP as insurance? I'm paying for this post-bacc out-of-pocket, and even with loans those SMP fees scare the hell out of me. Nobody in my life including some docs really know enough to advise me on this and I could really use some guidance before I invest in more education.

 

[ddawk_]

Hi,

First of all thanks so much for these awesome reinvention posts. I am currently taking a post-bacc following your advice here, but was wondering if you could help me assess whether or not I should apply for an SMP just in case? Just to give a quick summary:

- URM (Black), Graduated with a 2.79cGPA/2.75sGPA

- Texan

- I have taken 21 credits of post-bacc at a 3.9 GPA (all upper sciences like you said) so I am at around 3.0cGPA/2.9sGPA right now.

- I am currently enrolled in 15 hours of upper level sciences aiming to stay in that 3.8-3.9 range. Willing to do a May semester as well.

- 509 MCAT -- Worth retaking maybe?

- Extras: ~600 hours BioChem research, ~500 hours clinical research with 1 pub, 3 years as a community service director for student orgs, 200 hours of past community service, currently volunteering at food pantry and should have 100-130 hours by May, around 900 hours working in senior care (ongoing), and 20 hours of just shadowing.

Is this post-bacc sufficient reinvention to apply this year, and if it is would it also be worth applying to an SMP as insurance? I'm paying for this post-bacc out-of-pocket, and even with loans those SMP fees scare the hell out of me. Nobody in my life including some docs really know enough to advise me on this and I could really use some guidance before I invest in more education.

Bump! The same uGPA enrolling in a DIY post bacc this fall.

 

[Goro]

Hi,

First of all thanks so much for these awesome reinvention posts. I am currently taking a post-bacc following your advice here, but was wondering if you could help me assess whether or not I should apply for an SMP just in case? Just to give a quick summary:

- URM (Black), Graduated with a 2.79cGPA/2.75sGPA

- Texan

- I have taken 21 credits of post-bacc at a 3.9 GPA (all upper sciences like you said) so I am at around 3.0cGPA/2.9sGPA right now.

- I am currently enrolled in 15 hours of upper level sciences aiming to stay in that 3.8-3.9 range. Willing to do a May semester as well.

- 509 MCAT -- Worth retaking maybe?

- Extras: ~600 hours BioChem research, ~500 hours clinical research with 1 pub, 3 years as a community service director for student orgs, 200 hours of past community service, currently volunteering at food pantry and should have 100-130 hours by May, around 900 hours working in senior care (ongoing), and 20 hours of just shadowing.

Is this post-bacc sufficient reinvention to apply this year, and if it is would it also be worth applying to an SMP as insurance? I'm paying for this post-bacc out-of-pocket, and even with loans those SMP fees scare the hell out of me. Nobody in my life including some docs really know enough to advise me on this and I could really use some guidance before I invest in more education.

We need URM doctors. TX MD schools will be your best bet, along with the HBCs and all DO schools. Suggest also contacting some out state Admissions Deans to see how competitive you might be.

 

[karma91]

Hi! I'm interested in applying to an SMP program, specifically Loyola's MSMP. I'm a little worried about my chances since my MCAT scores are below the minimum listed on their website (504 +/- 2). My scores were: 501 and 494 (2nd attempt, ran out of time on multiple sections and decided to score when I shouldn't have). sGPA: 3.09, cGPA: 3.34. half URM, disadvantaged. Any advice is appreciated, thank you!

 

[PremedImmigrant]

Hi, I am senior at a southern school and from Montana, my cgpa is a 3.54 and it has a steep upward trend, 3.6 all my first year and then 3.4 the next two and now to a current 3.98 in my senior year, it was primarily due to family circumstances as I had to take care of a family member at home during Covid. My senior year is full of upper level math and science courses to try and make up the gaps in my gpa. Unfortunately, my MCAT is a 511 which I am planning to retake, I also have the prerequisite amounts of hours in volunteering, do I have a shot at an MD school with my current scores or should I look at primarily DO schools? Also is it advisable to use my last 40hrs of credits on MSAR as that would drastically change a hypothetical school list? Thank you.

 

[WholesaleBento]

Hi @Goro,

Thanks for hosting this thread. My cGPA and sGPA according to AMCAS is 2.78 and 2.46 respectively. I have 1 C- in gen chem II on my transcript. I took the MCAT 2x, 498 (124/122/126/126) in 2019 and 503 (127/121/128/127) in 2021. I am a non-trad who went into EMS after completing undergrad in 2017, but eventually found out that I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I attended an SMP and graduated with a 3.84 in 2021. I took my second MCAT after only studying for a little less than three weeks because I was advised by my SMP professors to do so (in the back of my head I thought that I should have extended my study time, but the anxiety of applying to medical school on time took over). My EC's are ~2000 hours of paid clinical exp. in EMS, ~2000 hours paid non-clinical exp. (working in college), ~400 hours clinical volunteering, ~300 hours non-clinical volunteering, ~1000 hours intercollegiate athletics, ~40 hours of physician shadowing back in 2016, and a little more EC's here and there. Currently working as a clinical research coordinator. Since I didn't get into medical school this cycle, I plan on retaking the C- gen chem II class this year as well as retaking the MCAT. I put my undergad grades into a calculator and the estimated credits I need to raise my cGPA to a 3.0 is ~35 credits.

Should I delay my re-application to 2024 cycle, retake the MCAT, and take those 35 credits, or should I just retake the C- class and MCAT? I plan on applying to 90% DO schools with a sprinkle of MD. I appreciate your time, thank you!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Hi, I am senior at a southern school and from Montana, my cgpa is a 3.54 and it has a steep upward trend, 3.6 all my first year and then 3.4 the next two and now to a current 3.98 in my senior year, it was primarily due to family circumstances as I had to take care of a family member at home during Covid. My senior year is full of upper level math and science courses to try and make up the gaps in my gpa. Unfortunately, my MCAT is a 511 which I am planning to retake, I also have the prerequisite amounts of hours in volunteering, do I have a shot at an MD school with my current scores or should I look at primarily DO schools? Also is it advisable to use my last 40hrs of credits on MSAR as that would drastically change a hypothetical school list? Thank you.

It is not necessary to retake a 511 MCAT, but you should look at MD's and DO's. Fill out a WAMC and post in the WAMC thread.

 

[Goro]

Hi @Goro,

Thanks for hosting this thread. My cGPA and sGPA according to AMCAS is 2.78 and 2.46 respectively. I have 1 C- in gen chem II on my transcript. I took the MCAT 2x, 498 (124/122/126/126) in 2019 and 503 (127/121/128/127) in 2021. I am a non-trad who went into EMS after completing undergrad in 2017, but eventually found out that I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I attended an SMP and graduated with a 3.84 in 2021. I took my second MCAT after only studying for a little less than three weeks because I was advised by my SMP professors to do so (in the back of my head I thought that I should have extended my study time, but the anxiety of applying to medical school on time took over). My EC's are ~2000 hours of paid clinical exp. in EMS, ~2000 hours paid non-clinical exp. (working in college), ~400 hours clinical volunteering, ~300 hours non-clinical volunteering, ~1000 hours intercollegiate athletics, ~40 hours of physician shadowing back in 2016, and a little more EC's here and there. Currently working as a clinical research coordinator. Since I didn't get into medical school this cycle, I plan on retaking the C- gen chem II class this year as well as retaking the MCAT. I put my undergad grades into a calculator and the estimated credits I need to raise my cGPA to a 3.0 is ~35 credits.

Should I delay my re-application to 2024 cycle, retake the MCAT, and take those 35 credits, or should I just retake the C- class and MCAT? I plan on applying to 90% DO schools with a sprinkle of MD. I appreciate your time, thank you!

Apply this cycle, broadly, to DO schools. I fear MD schools won't give you the time of day

 

[Timeless:)]

Hi @Goro
I am planning to apply this cycle. These are my stats and layout of ECs.

My stats: (ORM, CA)
Year in School: Doing Masters (Neuroscience)

Undergraduate Major(s)/Minor(s): Cell biology/ Biochemistry

Graduate Degrees (if applicable): Doing masters

Cumulative GPA: 3.82

Science GPA: 3.84

MCAT Score(s): 510 (127/127/128/128)

Research Experience: 2 years. Might get a pub before I apply. Thesis for sure

Clinical Experience (paid or volunteer): 200~300 hrs at ICU (Volunteer), 100+ hrs helping homeless people at church (Took pulses, blood glucose levels under the supervision of docs, nurses,pas)

Physician Shadowing: Only online. Trying to find one rn.

Non-Clinical Volunteering: 100~200 Crisis Text line

Other Extracurricular Activities: 200+ hrs Tutoring. 100+ hrs Soccer

Other Employment History: Tutoring place

What do you think my chances are for the upcoming cycle? I am planning to apply to DO and MD schools.
I would really appreciate it if you could also provide some insight into the school list for DO and MD. I only made a school list for MD as I am not so familiar with DO schools yet.

 

[Goro]

Hi @Goro
I am planning to apply this cycle. These are my stats and layout of ECs.

My stats: (ORM, CA)
Year in School: Doing Masters (Neuroscience)

Undergraduate Major(s)/Minor(s): Cell biology/ Biochemistry

Graduate Degrees (if applicable): Doing masters

Cumulative GPA: 3.82

Science GPA: 3.84

MCAT Score(s): 510 (127/127/128/128)

Research Experience: 2 years. Might get a pub before I apply. Thesis for sure

Clinical Experience (paid or volunteer): 200~300 hrs at ICU (Volunteer), 100+ hrs helping homeless people at church (Took pulses, blood glucose levels under the supervision of docs, nurses,pas)

Physician Shadowing: Only online. Trying to find one rn.

Non-Clinical Volunteering: 100~200 Crisis Text line

Other Extracurricular Activities: 200+ hrs Tutoring. 100+ hrs Soccer

Other Employment History: Tutoring place

What do you think my chances are for the upcoming cycle? I am planning to apply to DO and MD schools.
I would really appreciate it if you could also provide some insight into the school list for DO and MD. I only made a school list for MD as I am not so familiar with DO schools yet.

What kind of MS? I don't see any need for reinvention?

 

[Timeless:)]

@Goro
Sorry, this is was the wrong post.
I was just asking for a general impression of my application and my chances for the upcoming cycle.

 

[Goro]

@Goro
Sorry, this is was the wrong post.
I was just asking for a general impression of my application and my chances for the upcoming cycle.

Best to post in WAMC forum, or PM me.

 

[Criscarter25]

What’s up @Goro
I am planning to apply for the 2023-2024 cycle.

I’m 22 years old. Not sure if I would be considered trad or not trad but am aiming to matriculate at 24.

SC Resident

Gender: Male

Ethnicity: African American

URM: Yes
Currently in my first semester of a 60 credit DIY postbacc (Most likely will have a 3.2 for the spring 2022 semester)

Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Studies (B.A) 2021

Graduate Degrees (if applicable): N/A

Cumulative GPA: 2.864 (160) credits
AMCAS science gpa: 2.45 (49 credits
AACOMAS science gpa: 2.67 (43 credits)
MCAT Score(s): ? (question below)
2 F’s (one in chem ii) 3 D’s (one in physics)
Research Experience: N/A

Employment History: Asset Protection Specialist (~6000 hours, work for 3 years full time throughout undergraduate degree, I currently still work here)
YMCA Camp counselor ~550 hours,
Service Clerk - 1500 hours
Paid tutoring early college students- 50 hours

Clinical Experience (paid or volunteer): 800 hours working as a CNA (assisted living facility)

Physician Shadowing: 15 hours (MD letter)

Non-Clinical Volunteering:
Miscellaneous volunteering through Viking Early College program (100 hours)
Tutoring early college students: 20 hours
Soup kitchen for underserved (200 hours)

Other Extracurricular Activities:
Local lacrosse league-100 hours

Other Acheivements:
Deans list (3 times)
Phi Theta Kappa HS
Alpha Lambda Delta HS
Viking Early College (program where I received associates degree in high school, may make my application more unique???) <—- doubt it……

I have tons of credits due to taking college classes since I was 14. This makes it pretty difficult to bring my cumulative GPA up.

According to my gpa calculator, if I can maintain a 3.5 for 60 credits, it would raise my cGPA to 3.07. This would also raise my AACOMAS sGPA
to a 3.2. (AMCAS would be closer to 3.1)
Here are my questions.

1. Overall, what should I improve on other than my GPA?

2. Realistically, if I can maintain a 3.6 gpa and finish with around a 3.1 GPA, would a 505+ MCAT score still suffice for DO schools?

3. Should I still do an SMP after my post-bacc?

4. Is research necessary to improve my application?

5. Any tips for killing the MCAT? (510+)
Thanks

 

[Al9]

What’s up @Goro
I am planning to apply for the 2023-2024 cycle.

I’m 22 years old. Not sure if I would be considered trad or not trad but am aiming to matriculate at 24.

SC Resident

Gender: Male

Ethnicity: African American

URM: Yes
Currently in my first semester of a 60 credit DIY postbacc (Most likely will have a 3.4 for the spring 2022 semester)

Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Studies (B.A) 2021

Graduate Degrees (if applicable): N/A

Cumulative GPA: 2.864 (160) credits
AMCAS science gpa: 2.45 (49 credits
AACOMAS science gpa: 2.67 (43 credits)
MCAT Score(s): ? (question below)
2 F’s (one in chem ii) 3 D’s (one in physics)
Research Experience: N/A

Employment History: Asset Protection Specialist (~6000 hours, work for 3 years full time throughout undergraduate degree, I currently still work here)
YMCA Camp counselor ~550 hours,
Service Clerk - 1500 hours
Paid tutoring early college students- 50 hours

Clinical Experience (paid or volunteer): 800 hours working as a CNA (assisted living facility)

Physician Shadowing: 15 hours (MD letter)

Non-Clinical Volunteering:
Miscellaneous volunteering through Viking Early College program (100 hours)
Tutoring early college students: 20 hours
Soup kitchen for underserved (200 hours)

Other Extracurricular Activities:
Local lacrosse league-100 hours

Other Acheivements:
Deans list (3 times)
Phi Theta Kappa HS
Alpha Lambda Delta HS
Viking Early College (program where I received associates degree in high school, may make my application more unique???) <—- doubt it……

I have tons of credits due to taking college classes since I was 14. This makes it pretty difficult to bring my cumulative GPA up.

According to my gpa calculator, if I can maintain a 3.5 for 60 credits, it would raise my cGPA to 3.07. This would also raise my AACOMAS sGPA
to a 3.2. (AMCAS would be closer to 3.1)
Here are my questions.

1. Overall, what should I improve on other than my GPA?

2. Realistically, if I can maintain a 3.6 gpa and finish with around a 3.1 GPA, would a 505+ MCAT score still suffice for DO schools?

3. Should I still do an SMP after my post-bacc?

4. Is research necessary to improve my application?

5. Any tips for killing the MCAT? (510+)
Thanks

post this in WAMC

 

[Goro]

What’s up @Goro
I am planning to apply for the 2023-2024 cycle.

I’m 22 years old. Not sure if I would be considered trad or not trad but am aiming to matriculate at 24.

SC Resident

Gender: Male

Ethnicity: African American

URM: Yes
Currently in my first semester of a 60 credit DIY postbacc (Most likely will have a 3.4 for the spring 2022 semester)

Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Studies (B.A) 2021

Graduate Degrees (if applicable): N/A

Cumulative GPA: 2.864 (160) credits
AMCAS science gpa: 2.45 (49 credits
AACOMAS science gpa: 2.67 (43 credits)
MCAT Score(s): ? (question below)
2 F’s (one in chem ii) 3 D’s (one in physics)
Research Experience: N/A

Employment History: Asset Protection Specialist (~6000 hours, work for 3 years full time throughout undergraduate degree, I currently still work here)
YMCA Camp counselor ~550 hours,
Service Clerk - 1500 hours
Paid tutoring early college students- 50 hours

Clinical Experience (paid or volunteer): 800 hours working as a CNA (assisted living facility)

Physician Shadowing: 15 hours (MD letter)

Non-Clinical Volunteering:
Miscellaneous volunteering through Viking Early College program (100 hours)
Tutoring early college students: 20 hours
Soup kitchen for underserved (200 hours)

Other Extracurricular Activities:
Local lacrosse league-100 hours

Other Acheivements:
Deans list (3 times)
Phi Theta Kappa HS
Alpha Lambda Delta HS
Viking Early College (program where I received associates degree in high school, may make my application more unique???) <—- doubt it……

I have tons of credits due to taking college classes since I was 14. This makes it pretty difficult to bring my cumulative GPA up.

According to my gpa calculator, if I can maintain a 3.5 for 60 credits, it would raise my cGPA to 3.07. This would also raise my AACOMAS sGPA
to a 3.2. (AMCAS would be closer to 3.1)
Here are my questions.

1. Overall, what should I improve on other than my GPA?

Do what you love and love what you do

2. Realistically, if I can maintain a 3.6 gpa and finish with around a 3.1 GPA, would a 505+ MCAT score still suffice for DO schools?

Yes

3. Should I still do an SMP after my post-bacc?

No

4. Is research necessary to improve my application?

No

5. Any tips for killing the MCAT? (510+)
Thanks

See the MCAT forum

 

[TheKingfish]

For anyone who may be considering a path toward reinvention, I just want to give another testament that Goro’s Guide is the real deal. I had just above a 3.0 and barely any clinical experience by my junior year. I was about to abandon my dreams of practicing medicine, but I found this guide, it gave me hope, and I followed it over the next couple years. This year, I will be attending my T20 dream school. Don’t lose hope, you’ll be surprised what you can accomplish with a pragmatic combination of optimism and grit.

 

[GEliza99]

Hi @Goro

I really appreciate this guidance thread!
I am graduating from undergrad in two months with roughly 3.45 cGPA and 3.12 sGPA (haven’t gotten final grades). 2 W’s. Got Cs during Covid times and while taking care of my sick mom, recovered with a very slight upward trend senior year (harder classes in general). White woman, type 1 diabetes/near death diagnosis experience got me originally interested in medicine as a teen but I’m liking the topics and field as I get more exposure to it.

No MCAT yet. ~450 research hours (leadership roles, one poster, great letter from Prof.) ~140 shadowing (some international, and MD letter from local shadowing). Clinical exp hands on patient volunteer children’s hospital ~100 hrs, ABA therapist clinical exp as my job ~640 hrs still going. Solid community volunteering around 250+ hrs.

I am moving from AZ to NJ to be with my family while I take my next steps, I most likely will have NJ residency when I apply. Aiming for 2023-2024 cycle but flexible. I am strongly considering some sort of post bacc, SMP, masters or something. I am interested in the Rutgers MBS as RJMS is my dream school/proximity to home, but just started looking into reinvention tactics.

I was wondering if you have advice for my situation and how I can best move forward.

Thank you so much

 

[stinkycheeseperson]

if you are applying next spring (may 2023), try taking a few classes while you do other stuff-- it'll pull your science gpa up a little. keep doing your other stuff. if you do really well on the mcat, you might not need a big post bac or smp. no grad classes will apply for MD schools and if you don't excel in an SMP you're DOA. but the MCAT is really going to matter. what do your essays and other letters look like?

 

[Goro]

Hi @Goro

I really appreciate this guidance thread!
I am graduating from undergrad in two months with roughly 3.45 cGPA and 3.12 sGPA (haven’t gotten final grades). 2 W’s. Got Cs during Covid times and while taking care of my sick mom, recovered with a very slight upward trend senior year (harder classes in general). White woman, type 1 diabetes/near death diagnosis experience got me originally interested in medicine as a teen but I’m liking the topics and field as I get more exposure to it.

No MCAT yet. ~450 research hours (leadership roles, one poster, great letter from Prof.) ~140 shadowing (some international, and MD letter from local shadowing). Clinical exp hands on patient volunteer children’s hospital ~100 hrs, ABA therapist clinical exp as my job ~640 hrs still going. Solid community volunteering around 250+ hrs.

I am moving from AZ to NJ to be with my family while I take my next steps, I most likely will have NJ residency when I apply. Aiming for 2023-2024 cycle but flexible. I am strongly considering some sort of post bacc, SMP, masters or something. I am interested in the Rutgers MBS as RJMS is my dream school/proximity to home, but just started looking into reinvention tactics.

I was wondering if you have advice for my situation and how I can best move forward.

Thank you so much

Knock off the MCAT first, then proceed with reinvention plans.

 

[GEliza99]

Knock off the MCAT first, then proceed with reinvention plans.

Thank you! I am interested in the Rutgers SMP, they said not to take the mcat first if possible, thoughts? It starts in the fall so I am considering applying or waiting. Weighing options. Would take mcat after the program not during if that looks like a good option.

 

[GEliza99]

if you are applying next spring (may 2023), try taking a few classes while you do other stuff-- it'll pull your science gpa up a little. keep doing your other stuff. if you do really well on the mcat, you might not need a big post bac or smp. no grad classes will apply for MD schools and if you don't excel in an SMP you're DOA. but the MCAT is really going to matter. what do your essays and other letters look like?

Haven’t done essays yet, but I think they will be solid. Definitely taking that all into consideration I think I could do really well in SMP but of course just looking into it now. Other letters include a professor for a scientific research class, but I would love to get a stronger letter from another academic prof, most classes that would’ve been good for that were online during covid and I didn’t do great during that time. Definitely looking for guidance as well/mentors.

 

[Criscarter25]

For anyone who may be considering a path toward reinvention, I just want to give another testament that Goro’s Guide is the real deal. I had just above a 3.0 and barely any clinical experience by my junior year. I was about to abandon my dreams of practicing medicine, but I found this guide, it gave me hope, and I followed it over the next couple years. This year, I will be attending my T20 dream school. Don’t lose hope, you’ll be surprised what you can accomplish with a pragmatic combination of optimism and grit.

Congrats. @TheKingfish May I DM you? I’m trying to get more information if that’s cool.

 

[Goro]

Thank you! I am interested in the Rutgers SMP, they said not to take the mcat first if possible, thoughts? It starts in the fall so I am considering applying or waiting. Weighing options. Would take mcat after the program not during if that looks like a good option.

Take the MCAT when you're 100% ready for it, but never during the program.

 

[TheKingfish]

Congrats. @TheKingfish May I DM you? I’m trying to get more information if that’s cool.

Yeah! My DMs are open any time for anyone!

 

[arnim]

For anyone who may be considering a path toward reinvention, I just want to give another testament that Goro’s Guide is the real deal. I had just above a 3.0 and barely any clinical experience by my junior year. I was about to abandon my dreams of practicing medicine, but I found this guide, it gave me hope, and I followed it over the next couple years. This year, I will be attending my T20 dream school. Don’t lose hope, you’ll be surprised what you can accomplish with a pragmatic combination of optimism and grit.

Love to see @TheKingfish in this thread. Proud of you! For us non-traditional students/reinventors if there is a will there is a way!

 

[Purplie]

For anyone who may be considering a path toward reinvention, I just want to give another testament that Goro’s Guide is the real deal. I had just above a 3.0 and barely any clinical experience by my junior year. I was about to abandon my dreams of practicing medicine, but I found this guide, it gave me hope, and I followed it over the next couple years. This year, I will be attending my T20 dream school. Don’t lose hope, you’ll be surprised what you can accomplish with a pragmatic combination of optimism and grit.

How many clinical hours did you have when you applied?

 

[TheKingfish]

How many clinical hours did you have when you applied?

Around 1700. All were volunteer clinical hours.

 

[Buff17]

Hi @Goro, @Calizboosted76, @Roleks, @TheKingfish (as you've all successfully pulled this off) and anyone else who is interested in offering advice,

First I want to say a big thank you to @Goro whose advice has been encouraging that this reinvention is possible.

I'm new to posting on SDN, but I have been following this thread for a while (since 2020). What I want to know is: based on my story below, with a high(er) MCAT (513+), is my reinvention adequate for MD programs?

In undergrad I majored in mathematics at a T10 public school (bad decision for my GPA, but that’s a separate topic). Needless to say, a combination of factors including immaturity, unfortunate life and family events, and career uncertainty led to me earning a 2.7 gpa with a few F's, a D, and multiple W's. No med school pre-reqs in undergrad (though I was a math major, so I took a lot of BCPM courses).

After ~5 years in the workforce, I started my post-bacc and it has been a long and winding, but rewarding road.

I took ~9-10 credit hours per semester (5 total semesters with typically 2 lectures + 2 labs) over 2.5 years for a total of 54 post-bacc credits while working part-time.

• Overall cGPA came up to: 3.09 with sGPA: 3.21
• Post-bacc only GPA and post-bacc only sGPA both: 3.961 (54 credits)
• Worked 4,000+ hours as an EMT in direct patient care during my 2.5 year post-bacc and beyond
• 600 hours worked in a non-profit, reproductive healthcare clinic
• 1,000 volunteer hours as the finance coordinator for an NGO
• 200 hours volunteer in epidemiology/clinical research lab
• For credit (200 hours) and volunteer (200 more hours) undergrad TA
• Long history of working in service roles: ski instructor, waiter, bartender

In Summer '21 I started a graduate student appointment in the research lab I volunteered in.

In Fall ‘21 I started a 2-year, research based master's program in Physiology. I’ll be publishing a first author paper this spring and hope to have at least another publication or two before graduating from my master’s program spring ‘23. I am currently responsible for study design, recruitment, participant visits, and act as the overall study coordinator for a human-subject translational research study. I am planning to apply this cycle and am studying for and will take the MCAT in June ‘22.

I’d make a WAMC post, but won’t have an MCAT score until after I potentially click submit on the AMCAS app.

 

[Calizboosted76]

Hi @Goro, @Calizboosted76, @Roleks, @TheKingfish (as you've all successfully pulled this off) and anyone else who is interested in offering advice,

First I want to say a big thank you to @Goro whose advice has been encouraging that this reinvention is possible.

I'm new to posting on SDN, but I have been following this thread for a while (since 2020). What I want to know is: based on my story below, with a high(er) MCAT (513+), is my reinvention adequate for MD programs?

In undergrad I majored in mathematics at a T10 public school (bad decision for my GPA, but that’s a separate topic). Needless to say, a combination of factors including immaturity, unfortunate life and family events, and career uncertainty led to me earning a 2.7 gpa with a few F's, a D, and multiple W's. No med school pre-reqs in undergrad (though I was a math major, so I took a lot of BCPM courses).

After ~5 years in the workforce, I started my post-bacc and it has been a long and winding, but rewarding road.

I took ~9-10 credit hours per semester (5 total semesters with typically 2 lectures + 2 labs) over 2.5 years for a total of 54 post-bacc credits while working part-time.

• Overall cGPA came up to: 3.09 with sGPA: 3.21
• Post-bacc only GPA and post-bacc only sGPA both: 3.961 (54 credits)
• Worked 4,000+ hours as an EMT in direct patient care during my 2.5 year post-bacc and beyond
• 600 hours worked in a non-profit, reproductive healthcare clinic
• 1,000 volunteer hours as the finance coordinator for an NGO
• 200 hours volunteer in epidemiology/clinical research lab
• For credit (200 hours) and volunteer (200 more hours) undergrad TA
• Long history of working in service roles: ski instructor, waiter, bartender

In Summer '21 I started a graduate student appointment in the research lab I volunteered in.

In Fall ‘21 I started a 2-year, research based master's program in Physiology. I’ll be publishing a first author paper this spring and hope to have at least another publication or two before graduating from my master’s program spring ‘23. I am currently responsible for study design, recruitment, participant visits, and act as the overall study coordinator for a human-subject translational research study. I am planning to apply this cycle and am studying for and will take the MCAT in June ‘22.

I’d make a WAMC post, but won’t have an MCAT score until after I potentially click submit on the AMCAS app.

I would say with a higher MCAT you would have solidly reinvented yourself. The one thing I will say is that you MUST have DO schools on your list. As a reinventor you cannot afford to only apply MD.

 

[Buff17]

I would say with a higher MCAT you would have solidly reinvented yourself. The one thing I will say is that you MUST have DO schools on your list. As a reinventor you cannot afford to only apply MD.

Thanks I will definitely be applying to DO schools as well!

 

[deleted314957]

Greetings, I found a Parasitology course being offered at a local university. Is it beneficial to take the lab as well? Im thinking that the lecture alone would be ok but I’m looking for confirmation.

Parasite lab is fun.

 

[medblxst]

@Goro just wanted to drop in and say thanks for your help and guidance.

For context, I am a ORM male in California.

I graduated college with a 3.0 GPA and took the MCAT (507). It was at this point I read Goro's first thread about reinvention and decided that I wanted to dedicate my time to improving my application before applying.

I did a DIY postbacc at my local extension school and knew that I had to give it my all. I finished with a 3.97 GPA in 30 units of all upper-division science courses (Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathophysiology, Virology, Endocrinology, etc). This raised my GPA to around a 3.19.

With my stats and LORs (2 DO LOR) I wanted to be strategic and applied broadly to almost every DO program. In the end, I received a total of 5 interview invites. I attended my first one, fell in love with the school, and was eventually accepted.

To all those reading this thread looking for hope: I too was once in your position. It took a lot of hard work and perseverance, but in the end, seeing that acceptance email made everything worth it. Even with glaring deficiencies on your app, put the work in and prove that you are a different person than before.

I'm going to be a doctor!!