3.3 cGPA
3.1 sGPA
Top 15
12, 12, 12, L

3.3 cGPA
3.1 sGPA
Northwestern University
12, 12, 12, L

- C/C+'s in Physics, PChem, Stats
- Graduated in 2011, Currently enrolled in 1 yr certificate course. Teaching Kaplan MCAT. Volunteering in surgical services.
- 2 Years Research (Published Poster in Journal, Acknowledged in Article) (>15hrs/Week)
- Awarded Summer Research Grant
- Shadowed Domestically and Internationally (>100hrs)
- Nursing Assistant Certified + >50hrs Clinical Work
- Dance Marathon Fundraiser/Volunteer
- Fraternity Involvement
- Some leadership in fraternity/volunteer organization
- Retail Work Experience
- Volunteered at Nursing Home
- 4 LOR (Research, Orgo, Physician)
- Applied 2012 AMCAS - applications complete in mid-to-late October

Should I apply to SMP? If I don't get in this year, should I apply in the next cycle? What other weaknesses do you see?Are the Cs cited the only reason your GPAs are low? Was it one bad semester, a poor freshman/sophomore year, or lower grades throughout? Do you have a recent upward trend and any upper-level Bio with A grades?

When was the nursing home gig and how many hours? Was this clinical or nonclinical? If clinical, then you don't have any regular hands-on, off-campus nonmedical community service. If nonclinical, then your clinical experience is on the sparse side and needs beefing up. It's not too late for this cycle to do this, as update letters can help you.

Most schools want 2 science faculty who taught you and one nonscience; did you have trouble getting all those?

Any teaching (coaching, mentoring, TA, tutor)?

How many less-selective schools have you applied to? How many dream schools?

What is the certificate course?

Are the Cs cited the only reason your GPAs are low? Was it one bad semester, a poor freshman/sophomore year, or lower grades throughout? Do you have a recent upward trend and any upper-level Bio with A grades?

I have low grades spread out throughout. I have these C's (mostly from junior year) and quite a few B/B+'s. Upper Level Biology has better grades (B+'s - A's). I mostly struggled in math-heavy science courses.

When was the nursing home gig and how many hours? Was this clinical or nonclinical? If clinical, then you don't have any regular hands-on, off-campus nonmedical community service. If nonclinical, then your clinical experience is on the sparse side and needs beefing up. It's not too late for this cycle to do this, as update letters can help you.


My nursing assistant experience was the summer before starting college. It was extremely hands-on clinical experience. The latter nursing home volunteer stint was non-clinical. It involved just talking and participating in activities with residents. I am volunteering at a hospital this year on the surgical wing (~3.5hrs/week), volunteer tutoring kids at the local library, and participating in a monthly project to make burritos for people in local homeless shelters.

Most schools want 2 science faculty who taught you and one nonscience; did you have trouble getting all those?

Yes I had some trouble with letters of rec. My research PI was technically my instructor for my research class. I have no non-science, but may try to get one in March (in prep for next app cycle if i don't get interviews for this one). I am in the certificate program this year. So I'll be getting a letter from my prof at the end of this quarter.

Any teaching (coaching, mentoring, TA, tutor)?


I taught a lot in high school but did not have as much time in college. I didn't really include this in AMCAS. I am currently teaching Kaplan MCAT and will also be tutoring children at the local library (as mentioned above).

How many less-selective schools have you applied to? How many dream schools?


I feel like most of the 15 schools I applied to were less selective. I picked schools based on a 33 MCAT. I took the test again in August to get the higher score. I was generally ~90th percentile for MCAT and ~10th percentile for GPA for most of the schools i ended up applying to.

What is the certificate course?

The certificate course is 24 credits in Basic Medical Science (6 credits/ quarter). The classes are 500-level Cell Biology, Physiology, and Anatomy. I have an A so far this quarter.

did you take the test twice, going from 33->36? just curious.

GPA not good; MCAT great. That divergence is sometimes worrisome to my AdCom colleagues..it could mean simply that you're simply a good test taker. GPA is too low for MD schools, and on the low end for some but not all DO schools (you wouldn't get an interview at mine). Suggest re-taking poor graded science courses to utilize AACOMAS grade replacement, and then apply to DO schools (including mine).

Post-bac program would definitely help.

Good luck!

3.3 cGPA
3.1 sGPA
Northwestern University
12, 12, 12, L

- C/C+'s in Physics, PChem, Stats
- Graduated in 2011, Currently enrolled in 1 yr certificate course. Teaching Kaplan MCAT. Volunteering in surgical services.
- 2 Years Research (Published Poster in Journal, Acknowledged in Article) (>15hrs/Week)
- Awarded Summer Research Grant
- Shadowed Domestically and Internationally (>100hrs)
- Nursing Assistant Certified + >50hrs Clinical Work
- Dance Marathon Fundraiser/Volunteer
- Fraternity Involvement
- Some leadership in fraternity/volunteer organization
- Retail Work Experience
- Volunteered at Nursing Home
- 4 LOR (Research, Orgo, Physician)
- Applied 2012 AMCAS - applications complete in mid-to-late October

Should I apply to SMP? If I don't get in this year, should I apply in the next cycle? What other weaknesses do you see?

did you take the test twice, going from 33->36? just curious.
Yes took it once in April and got straight 11's. I had adverse testing conditions that first time so took it again and did much better.

What should I do during the rest of this cycle + during the next year to help me get into an MD program in 2013 Assuming that I am capable of getting >3.8 from here on? Include suggestions on extra-curricular + volunteer activities.

GPA not good; MCAT great. That divergence is sometimes worrisome to my AdCom colleagues..it could mean simply that you're simply a good test taker. GPA is too low for MD schools, and on the low end for some but not all DO schools (you wouldn't get an interview at mine). Suggest re-taking poor graded science courses to utilize AACOMAS grade replacement, and then apply to DO schools (including mine).

Post-bac program would definitely help.

Good luck!

Wait, isn't that what ADCOMs are looking for though. This may be a divergence between DO and MD, but aren't ADCOMs looking for good test takers. You want students who will do good on Step 1. Isn't that main focus of medical school (it sure seems like it at the top 20 schools in this nation)? High MCATs help in the rankings, and high MCATs correlate to high Boards which correlate to prestigious residencies. Nothing woos ADCOMs more than high rankings in US News and the ability to say that our students matched at some of the most notable facilities in the nation. This may be for just MD schools, but it sure does seem that MCATs are king for medical applications and Board scores are king for residency.

If this isn't your schools policy, and you do weigh GPA and look holistically at the applicants I sincerely thank you for doing so (not that my thanks matters at all, but still). You will help produce devoted and empathetic physicians. However, viewing MD schools as a whole, I really feel that you are in the minority here (read: scores or bust).

OP, if you apply broadly I really think at least a few MD schools will bite with your hefty MCAT score.

Yes took it once in April and got straight 11's. I had adverse testing conditions that first time so took it again and did much better.

sorry, i was just asking for selfish reasons. I got a 33 and have flirted w/retaking because my gpa is similar to yours (even though 33 is a great score)

drwildcat is a great name btw. ;)

We look at the entire person and their packet, naturally. Someone who is simply a good test take might do well on boards, but stink at being a doctor. We want people who will be good doctirs. BUT, we need them to make it through medical school too.

And med school isn't just about taking tests, but the knowing and the doing of medicine.

Wait, isn't that what ADCOMs are looking for though. This may be a divergence between DO and MD, but aren't ADCOMs looking for good test takers. You want students who will do good on Step 1. Isn't that main focus of medical school (it sure seems like it at the top 20 schools in this nation)? High MCATs help in the rankings, and high MCATs correlate to high Boards which correlate to prestigious residencies. Nothing woos ADCOMs more than high rankings in US News and the ability to say that our students matched at some of the most notable facilities in the nation. This may be for just MD schools, but it sure does seem that MCATs are king for medical applications and Board scores are king for residency.

If this isn't your schools policy, and you do weigh GPA and look holistically at the applicants I sincerely thank you for doing so (not that my thanks matters at all, but still). You will help produce devoted and empathetic physicians. However, viewing MD schools as a whole, I really feel that you are in the minority here (read: scores or bust).

OP, if you apply broadly I really think at least a few MD schools will bite with your hefty MCAT score.

We look at the entire person and their packet, naturally. Someone who is simply a good test take might do well on boards, but stink at being a doctor. We want people who will be good doctirs. BUT, we need them to make it through medical school too.

And med school isn't just about taking tests, but the knowing and the doing of medicine.
Will medical schools be a little more forgiving of grades based on the undergraduate institution? I know the curves on tests (90% of my grade in most sciences classes) in my school were just as harsh at any school (top 10% A's/A-) but students were all already proven 'good' students (top 10% of country). Shouldn't MCAT be the equalizer in that case as far as academic aptitude?

I'm not trying to argue. Just trying to get a feel for how ADCOMS think.

sorry, i was just asking for selfish reasons. I got a 33 and have flirted w/retaking because my gpa is similar to yours (even though 33 is a great score)

drwildcat is a great name btw. ;)
Haha thats fine. Take it again if you think you can do better?