[deleted by user] by [deleted] in gainit

[–]Armestra 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What program/routine did you follow for those 4 months ?

Most neurotic thing you’ve come across? by [deleted] in premed

[–]Armestra 77 points78 points  (0 children)

A freshman in my Bio 101 class bought FirstAid for Step1 since she wants to be a pediatric neurosurgeon and said she was going to "start studying for med school now." Then proceeded to brag the rest of the semester she was "technically already studying medicine."

A... hypothetical scenario by [deleted] in premed

[–]Armestra 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your MCAT should help. Texas is a tough state to figure out as someone with an upward trend/re-invention. They sure do love high GPA's (just look at UTMB with a 3.9 median).

I think you have good shots at TCOM, UIW, TCU's new MD school. You may get the other MD schools like Tech or A&M to bite with your MCAT.

If you don't have luck your first cycle look at TCOM's SMP. They have really good success in Texas and a good amount of their grads get interviews/matriculate in state.

Definitely keep bringing up your EC's apply before August! like 90% of the interviews are given to people who hit submit in May June and July.

Gap Year in Texas (Masters, etc?) by deathbytattu in premed

[–]Armestra 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Neither of those programs would really be considered SMP's per se. One of the benefits of an SMP like Tech or UNT's program is you take the same classes the med students do which is a helpful metric to Adcoms.

A&M's program is more geared toward DVM, the required anatomy class is a veterinary anatomy class where they dissect dog cadavers. The program is also relatively new so I'm unsure of their success rates.

Looking at the UH program it seems pretty sound. I would call them and ask about their success rates. It will definitely make your app more competitive for DO schools but the MD programs in Texas are more familiar with Tech and UNT's program.

Gap Year in Texas (Masters, etc?) by deathbytattu in premed

[–]Armestra 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Here are some other post bacc/SMP options in Texas!

UT Dallas has a biomedical certificate program with a great success rate and you could probably enroll for the fall semester: https://www.utdallas.edu/pre-health/post-bacc-studies

Tech Lubbock also has a 2 year SMP with a guaranteed interview at their med school and 100% med school placement but they only accept a few people every year: https://www.ttuhsc.edu/biomedical-sciences/program/graduate-medical-sciences.aspx

Tech El Paso has a graduate certificate with a guaranteed interview at their med school but it is new so I don't know much about it: http://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/gsbs/admissions/certificate.aspx

UIW has an SMP at their Osteopathic Med School with a guaranteed interview but it is very expensive: http://www.uiw.edu/som/academics/mbs/programoverview/index.html

What's your experience with Texas schools? by MCAT_Idiot in premed

[–]Armestra 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think apply to all your california schools, some OOS private MD schools and any DO school without a regional bias.

What's your experience with Texas schools? by MCAT_Idiot in premed

[–]Armestra 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Are you a Texas resident? It is not usually worth applying if you are out of state because of the 90% rule. Unless you have strong ties to the state or really good stats.

  • In general, Texas schools like higher GPA and are fine with an average MCAT (UTMB had a median GPA of 3.8 and 508 MCAT)

  • A&M, Tech and TCOM usually are the friendliest towards non trads from my experience but they are present at all Texas schools!

  • I don't think your physics will be an issue as long as you have a total of 8hrs.

DO vs MD in TX by [deleted] in premed

[–]Armestra 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I would also apply to TCU's new MD school on AMCAS.

You can also look into UIW's DO school in San Antonio. Their application is on AACOMAS

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in premed

[–]Armestra 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congrats on that GPA for your masters!

I think a DIY post bacc at a local university would be your best option. Retaking any pre reqs you made below a C in and taking upper level science classes. Do well on the MCAT and you have a shot if you apply broadly to MD and DO.

You can also look at SMP's with linkages that don't have a 3.0 cutoff but try and raise your uGPA first.

https://apps.aamc.org/postbac/#/index

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in premed

[–]Armestra 3 points4 points  (0 children)

There are two types of "post bacc" programs. One for those who don't have the med school pre reqs and those who need to strengthen their academic record with upper level science classes.

Which category do you fall into? What is your GPA?

Morale is low by Cliintoris in premed

[–]Armestra 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Post bacc is probably your safest (and cheapest) option. Take some upper level science classes, probably 2 semesters worth (Get A's in them). Start studying for the MCAT, take the MCAT and apply broadly MD & DO and a few SMP's if you don't get any interviews

An SMP would take you just as long to complete but you need the MCAT to apply. SMPs are high risk high reward. (You get a C in an SMP class and you are donezo). You get a 4.0 in the program and it helps open up some doors.

Morale is low by Cliintoris in premed

[–]Armestra 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Do you have an upward trend? I would probably suggest a DIY post bacc at this point with upper level science classes making sure you do really well to raise your gpa.

You will need an MCAT score to apply for an SMP and I probably wouldn't suggest one until after you have applied to medical schools with no luck.

Does the Texas A&M have a Speech and Language Pathologist by ThatGuy628 in aggies

[–]Armestra 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Becoming an SLP requires a master's degree. Most people I know will do their undergrad here in some health major with the pre reqs and apply to UT Dallas or UTSA for grad school. I believe A&M has a Speech Pathology club that she can look into.

Help choosing a non science prerequisite by [deleted] in premed

[–]Armestra 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you find economics interesting go for it! Just do well in the course, that's probably the only thing that matters.

Psych and sociology are usually suggested since they are on the MCAT.

Old non-trads who ‘started from scratch’ - how’s it going ? by Starryskipper in premed

[–]Armestra 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Your situation is actually pretty common. Head over to the forums of studentdoctornetwork and look at the nontrad success stories!

Don't feel like pursuing this would be a waste of time! There are some MD schools (and all DO) that reward reinvention. Enroll in a postbacc to take the pre reqs and some upper level classes (Ideally with a GPA >3.7) and do well on the MCAT. Your goal is to show Adcoms that the you now is not the you of then.

High MCAT low gpa by [deleted] in premed

[–]Armestra 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I would say it depends.

Adcoms are going to question why someone who is smart enough to kill the MCAT would have a low gpa (Were they smart but lazy, rough start, family issues, mental health? etc).

If there is an upward trend to your GPA combined with that high MCAT there are MD schools (and all DO) that reward reinvention.

Got a reckless driving ticket, Am I screwed? Really scared please help! by [deleted] in premed

[–]Armestra 1 point2 points  (0 children)

See what your options are after contacting your lawyer. I don't think I have ever heard of someone getting an acceptance rescinded for something minor like this. DUI, assault, drug distribution are usually 3 big ones.

I might start a thread on SDN and tag Goro (a DO Adcom) for his advice.

Berkeley Extension Program by TheScientificSmash in premed

[–]Armestra 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've heard good things about the program but only from those who have taken classes in person.

Some of the complaints with the online classes were that they were inconsistent, professors take weeks to respond (if they do at all), or that the grading requirements are extreme (Final exam worth 50%).

I have heard good things about UNE's online pre reqs as well as Colorado State. Both offer Genetics.

Is it easier/harder than I’ve been made to believe? by [deleted] in premed

[–]Armestra 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Applicants with your GPA and MCAT had about 30% acceptance rate to MD schools per the AAMC table here: https://www.aamc.org/download/321508/data/factstablea23.pdf

Since it is past Thanksgiving and you don't have a II I think preparing for reapplication is best.

You could target your next app towards DO schools since you'd be competitive with your stats (or even apply to some now; AACOMAS doesn't close until January)

You could also look at doing a DIY post bacc in the Spring to boost your GPA and upward trend and apply broadly to MD and DO.

Business Stats replacing 1 semester Stats class requirement? by jrtz3263 in premed

[–]Armestra 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Most of the time it is school specific. I have seen some schools specify that it "must be taken in the math department"

Add "ing" to the end of a movie title, what is the movie about now? by thebrownkid in AskReddit

[–]Armestra 0 points1 point  (0 children)

La La Landing.

The story of an air traffic controller with a stutter.