Take a gap year?

SDN Members don't see this ad. (About Ads)

Edit

Moving to the 'what are my chances?' forum.

Originally Posted by dartmed

I had a course last semester that tanked my GPA, and the best case scenario, I will be at a 3.76 by the time I apply. My average MCAT is around a 35. I was wondering how much of a difference a 3.83 versus a 3.75 will make? My sGPA is a 3.68.

If I were to take year off, I would only have liberal arts classes to take, and my GPA would be around a 3.83-3.85 depending on my course load. Should this be something that I should potentially consider? If I take a couple science classes, I would be around a 3.73-3.75 for my sGPA.

I think I have very good extracurriculars. To name a few:
-started a student organization
-initiated a conference
-initiated a partnership between a village and my student organization as a way of sustainability
-investigating human rights violations, writing 150-page thesis that I might publish as a book
-documentary
-coming-up with new policies in regards to international volunteerism
-two bench research projects
-one clinical research project
-gave a TED talk
-undergraduate TA
-club leadership
-clinical volunteering as well as non-clinical volunteering; job-shadowing
-4 first-author publications

My goal schools are probably top 20-30. Thoughts?

The difference between a 3.75 and a 3.83 is negligible. Your MCAT score can easily make up for the difference and your extracurriculars are great (particularly the first-author publications). I really wouldn't sweat this. Do a gap year if you want to, but I don't think it will really help your chances. If you want to go to medical school right after undergrad and you get a good MCAT score, go for it.

One bad grade in one course is not a dealbreaker, even for top schools. Just be ready to talk about it if you're asked.

Originally Posted by dartmed

I had a course last semester that tanked my GPA, and the best case scenario, I will be at a 3.76 by the time I apply. My average MCAT is around a 35. I was wondering how much of a difference a 3.83 versus a 3.75 will make? My sGPA is a 3.68.

If I were to take year off, I would only have liberal arts classes to take, and my GPA would be around a 3.83-3.85 depending on my course load. Should this be something that I should potentially consider? If I take a couple science classes, I would be around a 3.73-3.75 for my sGPA.

I think I have very good extracurriculars. To name a few:
-started a student organization
-initiated a conference
-initiated a partnership between a village and my student organization as a way of sustainability
-investigating human rights violations, writing 150-page thesis that I might publish as a book
-documentary
-coming-up with new policies in regards to international volunteerism
-two bench research projects
-one clinical research project
-gave a TED talk
-undergraduate TA
-club leadership
-clinical volunteering as well as non-clinical volunteering; job-shadowing
-4 first-author publications

My goal schools are probably top 20-30. Thoughts?

A 3.7 and a 35 MCAT and the highlighted items will be you a good shot without the GPA boost. Take a gap year because you want to do other things and you can boost your GPA while you're at it. I am very interested in your ted talk. That's amazing. well done!

You are golden.

Thanks fellas! Really appreciate your input.

If my current semester goes well and I reach my goal MCAT, I am going to go ahead and apply. If it does not go well, I think I am going to take a gap year - finish my book or do a Fulbright or something along those lines.

Catalystik or LizzyM or any adcom members - any thoughts?

What was the class that "tanked" your GPA last semester?

Originally Posted by Catalystik

What was the class that "tanked" your GPA last semester?

Physics II - B-
Genetics - B+

I am trying to get a B in Physics II - I have a meeting with the prof tomorrow. My initial GPA was supposed to be at a 3.83-3.84 if the semester had gone as planned. Sigh.

Presuming your MCAT score is strong, and considering that your GPAs remain quite competitive, I doubt your transcript will be microanalyzed enough that a recent B- will compromise a positive opinion of your academic prowess, if you rebound this current semester.

Do you think a Physics II grade higher than a B is unlikely?

Originally Posted by Catalystik

Presuming your MCAT score is strong, and considering that your GPAs remain quite competitive, I doubt your transcript will be microanalyzed enough that a recent B- will compromise a positive opinion of your academic prowess, if you rebound this current semester.

Do you think a Physics II grade higher than a B is unlikely?

Catalystik, I will have to see tomorrow. More than likely, I will be at a B. Hopefully, he won't be too cruel to just not budge.

My science GPA is a big worry for me. I did manage to get As in Physiology, Endocrinology, Human Genetics, Biology Lab, Biology, Biochemistry, General Chemistry II, General Chemistry I (A-), Physics (A-), and Pharmacology courses. Some of the Biology courses are graduate level as well. I didn't do too well neither in Organic chemistry (B/B+) nor in Math courses (B+/B).

I also have a strong upward trend in GPA - 3.54 from freshman year to 3.81 sophomore to 3.85 junior year (hopefully).

If I maintain a 35+, should I go ahead and apply this year?

Here are the schools that I have in mind: Dartmouth, Case Western Reserve, Mayo, UMN, Nebraska, Creighton, USC, Oregon, Iowa, Pittsburg, Georgetown, George Washington, Northwestern, Rush, Vanderbilt, Emory, Tufts, Mount Sinai, Rochester, Jefferson, Cornell, Stanford, NYU, Duke.

Any other ones that you would like to suggest or recommend? Anything else that you would recommend before I apply (if this year..)?

Thank you so much for your input!!!

Considering that both your MCAT score and GPAs are still moving targets, I think it's premature to decide on a school list. If you have another GPA dip this coming term, and want the best possible shot at a top school, you may yet decide to wait on applying in order to demonstrate a reassuring upward trend in BCPM over the next year (if you continue to be uber-ambitious). For general purposes, though, I think you'd be fine to go ahead and apply. It might, in fact, be the best plan, in case more unexpected bad GPA news is around the corner for your senior year.

Originally Posted by Catalystik

Considering that both your MCAT score and GPAs are still moving targets, I think it's premature to decide on a school list. If you have another GPA dip this coming term, and want the best possible shot at a top school, you may yet decide to wait on applying in order to demonstrate a reassuring upward trend in BCPM over the next year (if you continue to be uber-ambitious). For general purposes, though, I think you'd be fine to go ahead and apply. It might, in fact, be the best plan, in case more unexpected bad GPA news is around the corner for your senior year.

Thank you, Catalystik. I will try to maintain a 4.0 this semester and shoot for a 34/35+ on my MCAT. Hopefully, everything will work out for the better this semester.

Originally Posted by Catalystik

Considering that both your MCAT score and GPAs are still moving targets, I think it's premature to decide on a school list. If you have another GPA dip this coming term, and want the best possible shot at a top school, you may yet decide to wait on applying in order to demonstrate a reassuring upward trend in BCPM over the next year (if you continue to be uber-ambitious). For general purposes, though, I think you'd be fine to go ahead and apply. It might, in fact, be the best plan, in case more unexpected bad GPA news is around the corner for your senior year.

Catalystik - I ended-up with a B in the course.

Currently, the entire class is complaining to the Vice Provost of Academic Affairs because the prof only gave 1 A to a class of 100 pre-med students (would not want to be this guy right now). It's being interrogated. Maybe I will end-up with a B+? If I do, I will start believing in miracles!! Seriously. Lol.

Hopefully you have some karma saved up to catalyze further change. Here's hoping.

Originally Posted by Catalystik

Hopefully you have some karma saved up to catalyze further change. Here's hoping.

Catalystik - I "rebounded" this semester. It looks like my GPA is going to be circa 3.72/3.73; my sGPA is going to be a 3.62. There was one class from freshman year that I got a B+ in (Bio) that I have been fighting to this, and he wouldn't budge to give my 4 points back for that A. There were no A-'s in the course. As far as the MCAT goes, waiting to find out.

Apart from the above-mentioned extracurriculars, I was recently offered a research position at the UN, looking into human rights violations. I will be spending a semester there while hoping for interviews. For the Spring semester, I will be working on these issues in the country that I am investigating on in the Fall semester. Will be collaborating with HRW.

What are your thoughts? Go ahead and apply if I am around a 34 for the MCAT? (crossing my fingers)

Originally Posted by dartmed

Catalystik - I "rebounded" this semester. It looks like my GPA is going to be circa 3.72/3.73; my sGPA is going to be a 3.62. There was one class from freshman year that I got a B+ in (Bio) that I have been fighting to this, and he wouldn't budge to give my 4 points back for that A. There were no A-'s in the course. As far as the MCAT goes, waiting to find out.

Apart from the above-mentioned extracurriculars, I was recently offered a research position at the UN, looking into human rights violations. I will be spending a semester there while hoping for interviews. For the Spring semester, I will be working on these issues in the country that I am investigating on in the Fall semester. Will be collaborating with HRW.

What are your thoughts? Go ahead and apply if I am around a 34 for the MCAT? (crossing my fingers)

Go for it.

Originally Posted by Catalystik

Go for it.

Thank you so much! Crossing my fingers for a 34/35.