Your advice would be appreciated

[TriagePreMed]

I'm a non-trad student. I will will be done with all my pre-reqs either by the end of next summer or by the end of that fall (1 class on that fall). I could potentially take the MCAT at the earliest in the fall of 2011. I would like to enter med school as soon as possible. My stats will break down something like this:

cGPA 3.2
sGPA 3.8
Post-Bacc GPA 4.0
MCAT: I will assume a 30-32 because on practice tests (kaplan and EK) I took I was getting about 11-12 on verbal and same on the bio section. I didn't take physical sciences practice tests.
I've worked for 3 years in mental health and seen over 500 clients.
I was a volunteer at an adult education dept. for over 250 hours during undergrad.
I might be able to do student government this coming fall.

Now I know that applying in November/December will be impossible to get into program for the following fall, so I will lose a year of schooling. What should I do? Here are the options I see but you can add more:

(1) Wait and continue working and then hope for US MD/DO in fall 2013.
(2) Apply to an SMP program and then have a better chance to US MD/DO fall 2013 but potentially have wasted 50k in student loans simply not to make it in the US.
(3) Go to a Caribbean School because I can make it into the Fall and be out sooner.

The specialties I'm interested are: (1) Neurology, (2) Psychiatry, (3) Diagnostic Radiology, and (4) Internal Medicine.

And yes, I'm 100% sure I don't want to do any surgery (including Ophthalmology and Neurosurgery), dermatology (think histology is a snoozefest), ENT, or any other field that would make me work more than 80 hours a week.

[CaribMD]

Its fine that you do not want Surgery, in Fact its a peeve of mine that so many think Surgery is the only and best specialty. I went to Medical school to be a FP and that is still what I want in the match.

As for SMP? Why? you have a 4.0 in Post Bac, I assume its not one of those designed to get you into medical school since many of those want an MCAT to accept you.

Did yo do science in the post bac?

Since you have a 4.0 I would seriously look at preparing for the MCAT and do well then apply to both MD and DO schools

I think you have a chance at both.

Looks to me you have done enough for the app

Good Luck.

[TriagePreMed]

The post-bacc is designed to get you into a "medical field," so there's dental students and what not. I will be taking only science courses for my post-bacc except 2 student government classes worth 1 unit each.

I'm glad to hear you're going into FP. Needless to say, it is becoming a field without enough professionals.

I don't know if I should wait or just go to the Caribbean and save myself a year.

[CaribMD]

The post-bacc is designed to get you into a "medical field," so there's dental students and what not. I will be taking only science courses for my post-bacc except 2 student government classes worth 1 unit each.

I'm glad to hear you're going into FP. Needless to say, it is becoming a field without enough professionals.

I don't know if I should wait or just go to the Caribbean and save myself a year.

I had several reasons for the Caribbean, Most important was Age, 39 at the time I started the process but did not attend till 41. If you are years younger then I would wait and try the US because from what you posted here I can't see why you wouldn't get into a US MD or DO school.

If you have doubts then apply to both MD and DO schools with the Caribbean in the back pocket.

You truly have a decent chance I think.

A year is nothing looking back, just as I graduate in January and I still can't believe that.........

[TriagePreMed]

Thanks. I appreciate the feedback.

[chiben18]

You truly have a decent chance I think.

so nice!!