opinions needed pls pls

[jjoe00]

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hey, have some questions, just took the mcat, did not di as good as i expected low 20...22, seeing that my gpa is low, i am trying to figure out a way to bring up my undergrad gpa and to improve my appl, problem is i reside in nc where there are no post bacch programs except for wakeforest but they only take like 8 people or something like that. Will taking an allied health post bach degree such as cytotechnology help in anyway? i am trying not to pick up and move from nc... and beside the post bach that i need is a bunch of graduate level science courses except for orgo. As u can see confused here so any input will be appreciated.

 

[liverotcod]

A little more info would help... what year are you? What's your GPA? What clinical experiences do you have so far? Have you completed all of your premedical prereqs?

 

[jjoe00]

A little more info would help... what year are you? What's your GPA? What clinical experiences do you have so far? Have you completed all of your premedical prereqs?

yeah college graduate, biology major, no clinical experience most of my prereq if not all except physic 2 and orgo whic i have to retake. graduated in 03. thks.

 

[Stratus2675]

I suggest you study your a$$ off for the april MCAT. There is no way you will get in to a med school with a 22. Work on improving that first.

Also, you dont need a formal Post-bacc program, you can do it on your own from a state school. Retake the required classes that you did poorly on. You say your GPA is low...how low is it, sub 3.0?

 

[Singing Devil]

yeah college graduate, biology major, no clinical experience most of my prereq if not all except physic 2 and orgo whic i have to retake. graduated in 03. thks.

I'm from NC. Where did you go to school? What was your GPA (overall and science)? Do you have any research experience? I would try to get a job doing research (even at the tech level) and do a post-bacc simultaneously, or do a masters program, potentially an SMP like Georgetown or BU. If you just graduated, your pretty young. A few years off won't hurt while you're improving your resume.

 

[jjoe00]

I'm from NC. Where did you go to school? What was your GPA (overall and science)? Do you have any research experience? I would try to get a job doing research (even at the tech level) and do a post-bacc simultaneously, or do a masters program, potentially an SMP like Georgetown or BU. If you just graduated, your pretty young. A few years off won't hurt while you're improving your resume.

did not actually got to school here, graduated and moved , no research exp but looking for employment in that area, alsowill be taking few courses at unc chapel hill, also going to retake the mcat.... don't mean to bleak just realistic what if after going thru all that still don;t get in ? thinking maybe could get in thru pa school or something, don't know if possible, just thinking of a 1001 possibilities and plan all at the sametime. thanks for the advice

 

[Singing Devil]

did not actually got to school here, graduated and moved , no research exp but looking for employment in that area, alsowill be taking few courses at unc chapel hill, also going to retake the mcat.... don't mean to bleak just realistic what if after going thru all that still don;t get in ? thinking maybe could get in thru pa school or something, don't know if possible, just thinking of a 1001 possibilities and plan all at the sametime. thanks for the advice

Well, you must have some sort of lab experience to get a degree in biology. I would imagine that would mean you at least get a low-level tech position, or perhaps volunteer in a lab while working, and then transition. I must tell you, it's a long road. Again, I don't know your actual GPA or your undergraduate school, and knowing these would give me some insight as to your best approach (i.e. you can get bonus points for certain institutions when applying for lab jobs, even if you have no research experience--take it from me... other schools will mean that you probably have to prove yourself first because of the unknown reputation of the school).

You really have to brainstorm here. What does your degree in Biology set up for, even if you weren't going to medical school? Can you do THAT for a couple of years while you get your bearings?


 

[medicomel]

did not actually got to school here, graduated and moved , no research exp but looking for employment in that area, alsowill be taking few courses at unc chapel hill, also going to retake the mcat.... don't mean to bleak just realistic what if after going thru all that still don;t get in ? thinking maybe could get in thru pa school or something, don't know if possible, just thinking of a 1001 possibilities and plan all at the sametime. thanks for the advice

PA school is a whole other ballgame. They require these courses, along with 2000 hours of patient-related clinical exposure:
Biochemistry - 1 course

Microbiology - 1 course (with lab preferred)

Introductory Psychology - 1 course

Human Anatomy - equivalent of 1/2 yr., lab recommended

Human Physiology - equivalent of 1/2 yr., lab recommended

(OR can be Human Ant & Phys I and Anat & Phys II)

Not a really streamlined "backdoor" approach if you ask me.

 

[evajaclynn]

It is NOT a good idea to try to go to PA school to get into med school. If you want to be a physician, apply to medical school and do a post-bach program or MPH to increase your chances of acceptance.

 

[scrubs09]

hey, have some questions, just took the mcat, did not di as good as i expected low 20...22, seeing that my gpa is low, i am trying to figure out a way to bring up my undergrad gpa and to improve my appl, problem is i reside in nc where there are no post bacch programs except for wakeforest but they only take like 8 people or something like that. Will taking an allied health post bach degree such as cytotechnology help in anyway? i am trying not to pick up and move from nc... and beside the post bach that i need is a bunch of graduate level science courses except for orgo. As u can see confused here so any input will be appreciated.

No, an allied health post bac will not work. That is completely different from med school-like classes. go for something like an MS in physiology, biomedical sciences, etc. The MCAT needs to be higher. Also, volunteering and clinical experience is important too. Good luck! 🙂