Session 141

Today, we tackle questions listeners have graciously sent in. If you’ve got any more questions, drop them off and send an email to ryan@medicalschoolhq.net or allison@medicalschoolhq.net or go to medicalschoolhq.net/question to leave your question in our contact form.

For a more in-depth look at the premed path, check out Premed 101!

Here are the answers to some of our listeners’ questions:

Are all classes/grades factored into the GPA that admissions committees for MD medical schools consider 

AMCAS for the MD schools requires that you submit:

• Every grade from every undergrad school
• Includes every class you’ve taken 
• Check out our in-depth guide on the AMCAS

AMCAS application is broken down into 2 parts:

• Overall Cumulative GPA
• Science GPA: BCPM which stands for  Biology, Chemistry, Physics, & Math

What to remember if you have repeat classes:

• For AMCAS application: They will take the average your two grades together to get the overall grade
• For AACOMAS application for DO schools: Your newest grade is taken

 How can you bump your premed GPA without doing much post-graduation work?

• You can’t bump your GPA unless you take courses.
• Take undergraduate level courses again, otherwise known as post-bacc courses, which can be taken at any college for a non-degree
• Taking extra courses adds to your overall average 

Look at this two ways:

• Look at your overall GPA and take a lot of classes
• Take a semester or two of do-it-yourself post-bacc taking higher level science courses to show an upward trend

Do you have to put your travel dreams on hold as you go through medical school and residency?

• Yes, you need to be committed to your training, while you are in training (medical school and residency)
• After you’re done with residency, the sky’s the limit.
• The only limitation is how much money you make. Otherwise, there will be many opportunities to travel as a physician such as:
  • Volunteer work (Doctors Without Borders)
  • Paid travel opportunities

As a non-science major, what are the 3-4 prerequisite courses usually required by medical schools if you have not taken any science courses?

• Even if you already have bachelor’s or master’s degree, you can go back and take classes at an undergraduate institution and get the classes you need added to your transcripts. Every school is different with their requirements

Would it be better to focus on programs that do not require prerequisites so you can just focus on the MCAT?

• MCAT requires you to have some of those prerequisites for you to have basic knowledge of the sciences (not necessarily an MCAT requirement but a requirement from a knowledge standpoint)

 What would the MCAT study process entail?

• If you have no science prerequisites, talk to Blueprint MCAT (formerly Next Step Test Prep) so they can sit down with you and help you find out your strengths and weaknesses and put together a plan for you.

Links and Other Resources

Free MCAT Gift: Free 30+ page guide with tips and tricks to help you maximize your MCAT score and which also includes discount codes for MCAT prep.

Check out our partner magazine, www.premedlife.com to learn more about awesome premed information. New issue published every 2 months! 

Blueprint MCAT (formerly Next Step Test Prep): Get one-on-one tutoring for the MCAT and maximize your score. Get discount off their tutoring program when you mention that you heard about this on the podcast or through the MSHQ website.

Hang out with us over at medicalschoolhq.net/group. Click join and we’ll add you up to our private Facebook group. Share your successes and miseries with the rest of us.

Check out OldPreMeds.org if you have other more questions and get tons of great information from them.

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