MD & DO Chances: URM, Undergrad 3.3Cum; 3.1 science

[azdevil21]

Hey All,

Wanted to get some input on what I should be looking at as far as my options go for this cycle. Open to any and all advice. Below is just a brief overview of my profile and what my situation was.

Undergrad GPA: 3.3 cum 3.1 Science
GPA Explanation: First two years of college my mom was in the hospital for majority of the time. I had to work full time to help support my family and my grades suffered substantially. I never failed a class but had a few C's. I have a strong upward trend the last 2 years of my college career and was on the Dean's list the last two years. I have yet to take my MCAT and know that I have to score pretty high to offset my GPA and am in a course to facilitate that.

Extracurricular Activities: Research 1.5 years everyday running my own projects in a lab on campus for a professor.

Volunteered: In numerous capacities in my community through local programs for 6+ years ex., Boys and Girls Club, Local High School Also worked in a 3rd wold country for a span of time working in a medical area.

Work Experience: Worked throughout college and have 4 years of work experience since graduating in a medical area.

Shadowing: Have shadowed numerous doctors and worked hand in hand with them for the last 4 years.
LORs: Strong LORs from Employers from last couple years of working as well as strong letter from a physician I shadowed.

Also not sure if it matters but I am an URM who grew up pretty disadvantaged. I also am located in the southwest and have strong ties to the area. I'm in my mid 20s.

I appreciate any and all advice! Thank you.

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[The Helpful Aye Aye]

Hey All,

Wanted to get some input on what I should be looking at as far as my options go for this cycle. Open to any and all advice. Below is just a brief overview of my profile and what my situation was.

Undergrad GPA: 3.3 cum 3.1 Science
GPA Explanation: First two years of college my mom was in the hospital for majority of the time. I had to work full time to help support my family and my grades suffered substantially. I never failed a class but had a few C's. I have a strong upward trend the last 2 years of my college career and was on the Dean's list the last two years. I have yet to take my MCAT and know that I have to score pretty high to offset my GPA and am in a course to facilitate that.

Extracurricular Activities: Research 1.5 years everyday running my own projects in a lab on campus for a professor.

Volunteered: In numerous capacities in my community through local programs for 6+ years ex., Boys and Girls Club, Local High School Also worked in a 3rd wold country for a span of time working in a medical area.

Work Experience: Worked throughout college and have 4 years of work experience since graduating in a medical area.

Shadowing: Have shadowed numerous doctors and worked hand in hand with them for the last 4 years.
LORs: Strong LORs from Employers from last couple years of working as well as strong letter from a physician I shadowed.

Also not sure if it matters but I am an URM who grew up pretty disadvantaged. I also am located in the southwest and have strong ties to the area. I'm in my mid 20s.

I appreciate any and all advice! Thank you.

Similar profile (i.e. mine):

http://mdapplicants.com/profile.php?id=28336

Put a lot of work into your application and MCAT and you should get interviews at low-mid tier schools.

 

[JessebenBenjamin]

Your ECs are AMAZING! For the love of God please do well on your MCAT.
That will definitely be the deciding factor for your application. When are you taking it? I hope you have been studying for a while already
if you are planning on applying this cycle.

 

[azdevil21]

Thank you both for your responses! I'm taking the MCAT in August and have been studying already! Working full time and being out of academics for a couples years I wanted to really make sure I was able to dive into the material. Thank you for input! Fingers crossed everything goes well.

 

[JessebenBenjamin]

So you are still working full time? How is your study schedule?

MCAT studying takes a lot of time and effort as I'm sure you are aware.
Be careful about applying late too!

 

[azdevil21]

Right now my job is flexible so I'm able to study at work. I'm getting about 2-3 hours in daily. I'm working on my application now so it will be ready by the time I take the test.

 

[azdevil21]

Hey all, I'm in full study mode for my MCAT. Hoping that I do well, are there any specific schools in the South West/West Coast area that may give me a chance even with my low GPA? As always I appreciate the advice.

 

[gyngyn]

Hey all, I'm in full study mode for my MCAT. Hoping that I do well, are there any specific schools in the South West/West Coast area that may give me a chance even with my low GPA? As always I appreciate the advice.

It will depend on your MCAT.
It's really the only standardized comparator we have.
Which community do you represent?

 

[azdevil21]

Sorry for the late response, I am African American. I have been drawn to programs that wish to serve the rural and underserved communities (much like where I grew up) which I expressed heavily in my application. Not feeling too confident in this cycle as I did apply late, but I'll keep you posted especially for those that are in a similar situation! Best of luck to everyone.