MD Chances: OK gpa, low MCAT, great ECs/experience

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Hi all. I would really appreciate the input to my stats/chances of med school. Please don't sugar coat; constructive criticism would be much appreciated.

Graduated from in 2011: University of Wisconsin - Madison
Major: B.S. in Biology and Latin

cGPA: 3.52
sGPA: 3.43
Note: The reason the cumulative is so low is because I have to include "college credit courses taken during high school" - I took 2 calculus courses and a pre-calculus course AND an english course which were offered at my private high school through the affiliate college. Obviously being in high school i did NOT THINK that my grades would matter in med school. I got C's in the math courses and A and B in the english courses. Its stupid that these are being calculated into my score. I was 17. Just my thought though...

For my COLLEGE grades I would like to mention it started out at a 3.4 both semesters, with B-'s in gen chem. However there is an upward grade trend, going to 3.6 as a sophomore and A/Bs in sciences, and then 3.7's-4.0's my junior and senior years with A's in all upper level science classes like biochemistry

Honors: Graduation with Distinction (top 20% of class), Deans List 3 semesters, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, part of Sigma Alpha Lambda Honors fraternity

MCAT: Taken 2x. First time: 24R: 7P 9V 10B Second Time: 26N 8P 7V 11B
Note: I will be retaking my mcat again in 2 days. For the first two I studied on my own. This time I invested in a review course and have been doing significantly better on tests, always above 29, specifically my physical and verbal sections are improving. I understand that taking it 3x is a gamble, but I am dedicated and wanted to get into an MD program not DO (nothing against DO, I just prefer MD if possible). I'm hoping they will appreciate my determination and work ethic.

Healthcare Work Experience: Worked for last year as Medical Scribe in the Emergency Room. I follow the doctor into every room, watch every procedure, document every abnormal lab results, all radiology results, the subjective/objective history taking, etc. etc. I have over 1000+ clinical hours in this setting. I will be working there part time for the next year as well, and by the time I would hypothetically enter med school i'd have at least 2000 clinical hours

Research Experience: Worked for 2 years in a MRI brain imaging analysis lab (I was the analyzer of MRI's, learned there structures, and specifically worked on quantifying structures like amygdala). Worked for 1 year on a mindfulness clinical psychology study on students and teachers (personally involved in client interaction and study protocols).

Other clinical Experience: Volunteer at hospice for 2 years, 100+ hours of volunteering. (all interaction with patients)

Leadership Experience: President of volunteer group which advocated for the hospice (where I volunteered) on campus, Transportation Direction of the same volunteer group (year before), Undergraduate Biochemistry Teaching Assistant (x1 year)

Other Volunteer Experience: Rape Crisis Counselor for women/men, personally counsel over crisis phone lines, 100+ hours (on average 9 hours a week for the past 5 months, will continue)

Cross Cultural Medical Exposure: Studied Traditional Chinese Medicine and alternative health care practices in Beijing and Ci'an in China for 2 months one summer. Attended local lectures at medical schools, shadowed physicians in chinese hospitals, etc.

Letters of Recommendation: Strong positive letters of rec from: 1 Biochemistry Professor (who previously taught at creighton medical school), 1 Organic Chemistry Professor, 2 Physicians whom I work with, and 1 from the Volunteer Coordinator who knew me through all my years of volunteering at Hospice

Miscellaneous ECs: Miyama Ryu Jujutsu, Budo Team, Tough Mudder



So thanks for looking. If I am able to get a 29 or above on this upcoming MCAT, do I have an ok chance? No pressure though right.

UPDATE 5/30/2012: I GOT A 31S ON MY MOST RECENT MCAT. 10P 11V 10B
How does that change my chances, if at all, for schools do you think??? I know its not the best score but I'm pretty excited that I raised it by 5 points!!!

You have a very good chance as is at the top DO schools. If you can score a 34 MCAT, you will most definitely open up your doors to some MD interviews. By the way, which state are you a resident of?

Good luck

Thanks for the response. Makes me feel a bit better about this upcoming MCAT at least.

I'm in Wisconsin - went to undergraduate here in Madison and still living in the city. I'm thinking UW-Madison is my best bet for MD.

In short, it comes down to your new mcat. I don't really know how WI for IS preference, but as you sit right now, your stats are dead average for DO so you will likely have luck there worst case. If your mcat goes up a few points and WI is IS generous, you might be good. But like I said, worst case you are way solid for DO schools. Good luck on your upcoming mcat and please update us.

Originally Posted by wibadger11

Thanks for the response. Makes me feel a bit better about this upcoming MCAT at least.

I'm in Wisconsin - went to undergraduate here in Madison and still living in the city. I'm thinking UW-Madison is my best bet for MD.

Read up on the UW app thread. They are very picky.

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If you can get your MCAT up to 29+, apply broadly to lower tier MD's and the DO's that interest you. Your experience seems pretty great so the GPA/MCAT one-two punch is definitely what will be hurting you. I believe the national averages for accepted MD's are around 3.65-3.7 GPA and 31.5 MCAT (someone correct me if this is way off, just trying to go off memory). I do think you have a shot at lower tier MD schools if you get a 29 or higher, not a guarantee by any means, but worth applying.

Originally Posted by wibadger11

cGPA: 3.52
sGPA: 3.43

*snip*

For my COLLEGE grades I would like to mention it started out at a 3.4 both semesters, with B-'s in gen chem. However there is an upward grade trend, going to 3.6 as a sophomore and A/Bs in sciences, and then 3.7's-4.0's my junior and senior years with A's in all upper level science classes like biochemistry

GPA is essential, but the fact is, while your GPAs are relatively weak, they are not awful. Furthermore, you have a strong upward trend, with the best grades in the toughest courses, based on your information. I do not think your GPAs will hinder you significantly for low-level MD programs, although your state of residence is an unfortunate handicap (if the school is picky as others have said). Obviously they won't help you, of course. The MCAT is the real bear, but it sounds like you have a good chance of significant improvement, so you have to wait and see. Given the fact you will be more-than-typically dependent on your chances at OOS schools, and the GPAs aren't going to do you favors for the raw numbers component, you're going to want a 31 at least for decent MD odds, I'd say.

I don't really see you have trouble with DOs, as long as your MCAT hits at least the high 20's.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by wibadger11

Thanks for the response. Makes me feel a bit better about this upcoming MCAT at least.

I'm in Wisconsin - went to undergraduate here in Madison and still living in the city. I'm thinking UW-Madison is my best bet for MD.

Actually, you aren't really in good shape for UW-Madison. gaystains was right in saying that you should read up on the previous years threads as they don't give much slack for their recent grads/current students. Truth be told, you need to vastly improve your MCAT (at least 9's in each section) and really consider other schools as well.

As is common knowledge, check out the MSAR data and also apply to schools that are within your stats range & are OOS friendly.

Originally Posted by wibadger11

Hi all. I would really appreciate the input to my stats/chances of med school. Please don't sugar coat; constructive criticism would be much appreciated.

Graduated from in 2011: University of Wisconsin - Madison
Major: B.S. in Biology and Latin

cGPA: 3.52
sGPA: 3.43
Note: The reason the cumulative is so low is because I have to include "college credit courses taken during high school" - I took 2 calculus courses and a pre-calculus course AND an english course which were offered at my private high school through the affiliate college. Obviously being in high school i did NOT THINK that my grades would matter in med school. I got C's in the math courses and A and B in the english courses. Its stupid that these are being calculated into my score. I was 17. Just my thought though...

For my COLLEGE grades I would like to mention it started out at a 3.4 both semesters, with B-'s in gen chem. However there is an upward grade trend, going to 3.6 as a sophomore and A/Bs in sciences, and then 3.7's-4.0's my junior and senior years with A's in all upper level science classes like biochemistry

Honors: Graduation with Distinction (top 20% of class), Deans List 3 semesters, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, part of Sigma Alpha Lambda Honors fraternity

MCAT: Taken 2x. First time: 24R: 7P 9V 10B Second Time: 26N 8P 7V 11B
Note: I will be retaking my mcat again in 2 days. For the first two I studied on my own. This time I invested in a review course and have been doing significantly better on tests, always above 29, specifically my physical and verbal sections are improving. I understand that taking it 3x is a gamble, but I am dedicated and wanted to get into an MD program not DO (nothing against DO, I just prefer MD if possible). I'm hoping they will appreciate my determination and work ethic.

Healthcare Work Experience: Worked for last year as Medical Scribe in the Emergency Room. I follow the doctor into every room, watch every procedure, document every abnormal lab results, all radiology results, the subjective/objective history taking, etc. etc. I have over 1000+ clinical hours in this setting. I will be working there part time for the next year as well, and by the time I would hypothetically enter med school i'd have at least 2000 clinical hours

Research Experience: Worked for 2 years in a MRI brain imaging analysis lab (I was the analyzer of MRI's, learned there structures, and specifically worked on quantifying structures like amygdala). Worked for 1 year on a mindfulness clinical psychology study on students and teachers (personally involved in client interaction and study protocols).

Other clinical Experience: Volunteer at hospice for 2 years, 100+ hours of volunteering. (all interaction with patients)

Leadership Experience: President of volunteer group which advocated for the hospice (where I volunteered) on campus, Transportation Direction of the same volunteer group (year before), Undergraduate Biochemistry Teaching Assistant (x1 year)

Other Volunteer Experience: Rape Crisis Counselor for women/men, personally counsel over crisis phone lines, 100+ hours (on average 9 hours a week for the past 5 months, will continue)

Cross Cultural Medical Exposure: Studied Traditional Chinese Medicine and alternative health care practices in Beijing and Ci'an in China for 2 months one summer. Attended local lectures at medical schools, shadowed physicians in chinese hospitals, etc.

Letters of Recommendation: Strong positive letters of rec from: 1 Biochemistry Professor (who previously taught at creighton medical school), 1 Organic Chemistry Professor, 2 Physicians whom I work with, and 1 from the Volunteer Coordinator who knew me through all my years of volunteering at Hospice

Miscellaneous ECs: Miyama Ryu Jujutsu, Budo Team, Tough Mudder



So thanks for looking. If I am able to get a 29 or above on this upcoming MCAT, do I have an ok chance? No pressure though right.

..

If you keep taking MCAT still it will be hard. Go out of country.

Originally Posted by Priti Dave

If you keep taking MCAT still it will be hard. Go out of country.

OP - do not listen to this nonsense.