shadowstar - thanks! i really do hope i at least get into MERP, though of course acceptance would be preferred. i know it'll prepare me well, and it's just an extra 3-4 months of school. if i do get it, i'd most likely sign up for the july-oct program. at least it'll give me time to chill out between oct and jan hehe.

so i graduated with degrees in chem and bio with gen conc. cGPA of 3.1 science GPA of 3.5
I have 2 years of research exp with one co-author pub in chem abstracts. I also have 2.5 years of teaching exp( TA and actual teaching)
Im currently working as a Cytogenetics Tech doing FISH and cGH.
Also currently studying for MCATS
What are my chances...all honesty is appreciated

If you get a 23+ on the MCAT you'll get in IMHO

is there anything else I can do to improve my chances? I also work as a Certified pharmacy tech.

you have an excellent research background...and that will certainly help your chances of acceptance (I have 6 years experience and 7 publications)....one thing Ross seems to take seriously is your true passion and desire to be a physician. You didn't mention if you have any clinical exposure...I would suggest that you find a way to volunteer some time in a hospital. Something more than filing paperwork...but this can be challenging because of hospital regulations.

If you find a way to get some clinical exposure and do decent on your MCAT (23+) you will be a good candidate for admission...in my own opinion

__________________
Cornell University '08

for september 2008, would they accept July MCAT?

They accept ANY MCAT, no matter how old.

hey there guys, I was the original who started this 2nd most replied to thread, ages ago. Now I'm finally preparing to apply and I was pretty much told that I had a "great" shot and that MERP program was probably the "worst-case scenario by the ADCOM". Do any of you guys know how much that costs itself? It is just like a semester on the island (like Another 50 grand. . .)? Thanks.

I don't know the cost of MERP...but I do know that it isn't covered by federal financial aid...so you'll either have to pay out of pocket or get a private loan

__________________
Cornell University '08

I took merp in april 06 but I have forgotten how much it costs exactly...I think it was around 15 or 20k. But don't worry because you won't be paying out of pocket, you will have loans pay for you (whether Sallie Mae or some other lender you choose, though they recommend Sallie Mae)...and you will have an extra 6k (I think it was 6k) to spend. The point is, merp costs about as much as one semester on the island, and yes you can get loans for it, and you will have some thousands to spend on housing/food/transportation, etc.