My cGPA is 3.1, sGPA about 2.6.
17~23 more science credit hours to go.
What's the reasonable MCAT score I should aim for to be able to get in?

I'm a fifth year senior Neurobio/Ecology major. The reason for the low GPA is that I'd been diagnosed with major depression, which I didn't know I had (it lasted about a year, I had no intention of living or studying). Now, I'm done with treatments, and I'm back to school after taking a semester off to concentrate on treatments. I can now concentrate on studying and I can do good. I used to be an "all A" student b/f I went thru Major Depression.

However, I know the med school will look at your GPA first regardless of the situation. I have not taken the MCAT yet. I'm taking it Jan. 2010.

Also, I'm applying to the Peace Corps right now. I think I have a pretty good chance getting in. I've always wanted to do Peace Corps, so it is NOT to get into med school. It's rather more importante than med school to me right now. I want to work in the rural areas in developing countries when I become a physician.

for EC, I'm volunteering at the hospital (3 semesters), I've been working at an intro bio lab as a prep member (3 yrs), I was an officer (webmaster) in a pre-med student organization for two years, I've been on a medical mission trip, I've cycled from Texas to Alaska for Cancer (for 70 days), I did a research for 2 years and got an undergrad fellowship from it.

Will my low GPA make it almost impossible to get into med school?
I am very very concerned, it is bothering me so much.

Any systematic, detailed reply will be a great help to me. I appreciated it.

Thanks

No, you have a lot of science credits left which should bring up both GPAs a lot, depending on how many credits you already have. If you can get the sGPA to at least a 3.0 and cGPA to at least 3.3, then you'll at least have a chance at MD schools.

If you do get to become part of the Peace Corps and MD acceptance is also very likely.

Aim for the highest MCAT possible...36 or more.

I think Muhali is sugar-coating it for you. Even if you get a 36+, you're facing a tough, tough battle to get in. Gets As in the rest of your science classes, and do Peace Corps. Apply widely and to DO schools as well.

well, he hasn't listed what his ECs are, but people with 3.3's do get accepted often depending on what the rest of their app is like. If you have 2 years of Peace Corps work to add to that, your chances jump by like 50%. It's one of the best things you could do to improve your app. A lot of low stats applicants get in due to medical mission trips they've done. If he doesn't get accepted MD, he will most likely be accepted to DO schools as long as he maintains a 4.0 in the rest of his classes.

well, he hasn't listed what his ECs are, but people with 3.3's do get accepted often depending on what the rest of their app is like. If you have 2 years of Peace Corps work to add to that, your chances jump by like 50%. It's one of the best things you could do to improve your app. A lot of low stats applicants get in due to medical mission trips they've done. If he doesn't get accepted MD, he will most likely be accepted to DO schools as long as he maintains a 4.0 in the rest of his classes.

I agree that ECs matter, and it does seem like his are stellar. So that will certainly help. However, getting straight As in the rest of his classes is easier said than done. Plus, if he's already a 5th year student, his GPA really won't move much. A 2.6 science GPA is low for any med school. An upward trend will help, though.

Muhali, if you're still reading the post, I would recommend admitting to the depression in your app. I know it's hard, but you will likely need to explain the low section of your undergrad career.

From another post: have not taken MCAT yet (what score will make it possible?) The highest GPA I can bring upto is 3.3 at this point

Do you think it is possible to get into Med school if I were to get about 35 on the MCAT?With a cGPA of 3.3, ideally you'd have an MCAT score of 34 to compensate. But you'd also need significant improvement in the BCPM GPA before you'd be considered. How high could you get it?

Be aware that another path to becoming a physician would be to plan on applying to DO med schools after retaking classes you got the worst grades in. The DO application system only includes the most recent grade if you retake, allowing you to raise your GPA quicker, unlike the MD application process that averages in all grades earned. Also, you wouldn't need as high an MCAT score to be competitive; something like a 27 or 28 would be enough.
If I can say I returned from Peace Corps and start applying...
I've worked at a research lab and got an undergrad research fellowship by writing about my own research.
Volunteered at the hospital for 5 semesters.
Shadowed a doctor.
Officer (Webmaster) for a pre-med organization for two years.
Cycled to Alaska from Texas for Cancer Research
Worked for 3 1/2 years at a Intro Bio Lab as a prep member.
Your ECs will be terrific.