MD 3.99 cGPA, MCAT 35. Which schools and chances?

[majeec]

Stats
Junior @ Penn State University
Biomedical Engineering Major
Cumulative GPA: 3.99 Science GPA: 3.99
MCAT: 35 overall (13 PS, 8 VR, 14 BS) *will this unbalanced score hurt me or raise flags?
PA Resident

Research
- Working in a biomedical engineering lab (expected 2 years)
*Hope to write a thesis on my research

Volunteer/Shadowing
- Shadowed physician part time past 2 summers
*Plan to do more shadowing these next two summers


Extracurricular Activities
- Global Medical Brigades (going on a volunteer trip to Panama)
- Engineering Design Lab Assistant (past 4 semesters)



I'd be interested to know what schools you guys think I should consider and what my chances would be at those places.

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[Goro]

Without some honest-to-Gawd patient contact experience, your chances are not good. You need to demonstrate that you really want to spend the next 30-40 years being around sick people and that you know what you're getting into.

The medical missions don't count for much.

Stats
Junior @ Penn State University
Biomedical Engineering Major
Cumulative GPA: 3.99 Science GPA: 3.99
MCAT: 35 overall (13 PS, 8 VR, 14 BS) *will this unbalanced score hurt me or raise flags?
PA Resident

Research
- Working in a biomedical engineering lab (expected 2 years)
*Hope to write a thesis on my research

Volunteer/Shadowing
- Shadowed physician part time past 2 summers
*Plan to do more shadowing these next two summers


Extracurricular Activities
- Global Medical Brigades (going on a volunteer trip to Panama)
- Engineering Design Lab Assistant (past 4 semesters)



I'd be interested to know what schools you guys think I should consider and what my chances would be at those places.

 

[majeec]

Without some honest-to-Gawd patient contact experience, your chances are not good. You need to demonstrate that you really want to spend the next 30-40 years being around sick people and that you know what you're getting into.

The medical missions don't count for much.

I plan to get more clinical experience in the near future. How do you think the 8 in VR affects my chances at mid tier MDs?

 

[Goro]

Probably will hurt, since 9 is their floor.

I plan to get more clinical experience in the near future. How do you think the 8 in VR affects my chances at mid tier MDs?

 

[majeec]

Bump

 

[johnlee2014]

top 10 MDs = hopeful!
Mid tier MDs = GO FOR IT!

 

[ciestar]

I'm sure volunteering opportunities exist at Mt Nittany. There's also a ton of nursing homes in the area to get some clinical experience.

 

[majeec]

Is it worth retaking the MCAT to try and boost my verbal and make my score more balanced?

 

[claduva94]

Is it worth retaking the MCAT to try and boost my verbal and make my score more balanced?

That would be a red flag at many schools.

 

[majeec]

retaking it or having an 8 on VR?

 

[gyngyn]

retaking it or having an 8 on VR?

Re-taking a 35.

 

[majeec]

Re-taking a 35.

But don't most schools have a 9 as there floor? I don't want to restrict myself from school options if I could possibly do better

 

[gyngyn]

But don't most schools have a 9 as there floor? I don't want to restrict myself from school options if I could possibly do better

There are no schools that do not accept applicants with your scores (including the verbal).
We are far more averse to the qualities associated with such a re-take than we are to an 8 in verbal.