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Double Major - Transferred Schools
- Thread starter DarkCode
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What, exactly, are you looking for in terms of advice?
A double major is no better than a single major, and your major does not matter. Neither does the topic of your research.
It seems like you lack significant healthcare exposure - shadowing, volunteering, clinical work, etc for an extended period of time shows you know what you're getting yourself in to.
Your GPA is fine. Calculate your combined GPA (old school and new school credits combined). That will give the best estimate of how schools will judge your GPA.
The MCAT is often the 'make it or break it.' Your MCAT, if you get all the clinical work, volunteering, research, etc, will determine your viability for certain tiered schools. General rule of thumb is (with your GPA), > 27 means you're competitive for 'low tier' MD schools (state/OOS-friendly MW privates), > 29 means you're competitive for 'mid tier' MD schools (better state schools, more OOS-friendly privates), > 33 means you're competitive for 'top tier' schools and the higher above 33 the better position you'll be. > 37 generally means you're set for a Top 20 (like Stanford).
Your connections may help, or could even hurt you, depending on who it is and the scenario. For example, if your dad is a Stanford alum, has Stanford run into trouble with nepotism in the past? I believe the AAMC cracked down on a couple schools in the past. If they haven't they'll be lenient and maybe even favorable to you, especially if your father is a significant donor.
This is all very subjective. But assuming you score respectably on the MCAT you should be fine to get into an MD program somewhere.
If you do get to applying there is an adage that goes, "An MD is an MD" and it is very true. You can get an MD at Podunk State School and it is still an MD, and you have unlimited opportunity with that MD. "Tiered" schools aren't really a huge advantage in medicine like they are in PhDs or JDs. Many people forgo "Top" schools, which can be quite expensive, for state schools who offer them scholarships for this exact reason.
Basically - apply early, don't look at deadlines, look at the first date available to submit your application (often the start of June, and your applications and transcripts should be received by then!) This is often misleading, as in medicine being early is hugely advantageous, and applying late is extremely disadvantageous. Also, apply broadly. State schools are a must, OOS-friendly privates below and around your averages are a must, and don't put all your bread in one basket with a bunch of top tier schools. Many people end up reapplying because they only applied to the Top 20 schools, which is exceptionally unpredictable given the competition of medical admissions.
Feel free to ask more specific questions.
A double major is no better than a single major, and your major does not matter. Neither does the topic of your research.
It seems like you lack significant healthcare exposure - shadowing, volunteering, clinical work, etc for an extended period of time shows you know what you're getting yourself in to.
Your GPA is fine. Calculate your combined GPA (old school and new school credits combined). That will give the best estimate of how schools will judge your GPA.
The MCAT is often the 'make it or break it.' Your MCAT, if you get all the clinical work, volunteering, research, etc, will determine your viability for certain tiered schools. General rule of thumb is (with your GPA), > 27 means you're competitive for 'low tier' MD schools (state/OOS-friendly MW privates), > 29 means you're competitive for 'mid tier' MD schools (better state schools, more OOS-friendly privates), > 33 means you're competitive for 'top tier' schools and the higher above 33 the better position you'll be. > 37 generally means you're set for a Top 20 (like Stanford).
Your connections may help, or could even hurt you, depending on who it is and the scenario. For example, if your dad is a Stanford alum, has Stanford run into trouble with nepotism in the past? I believe the AAMC cracked down on a couple schools in the past. If they haven't they'll be lenient and maybe even favorable to you, especially if your father is a significant donor.
This is all very subjective. But assuming you score respectably on the MCAT you should be fine to get into an MD program somewhere.
If you do get to applying there is an adage that goes, "An MD is an MD" and it is very true. You can get an MD at Podunk State School and it is still an MD, and you have unlimited opportunity with that MD. "Tiered" schools aren't really a huge advantage in medicine like they are in PhDs or JDs. Many people forgo "Top" schools, which can be quite expensive, for state schools who offer them scholarships for this exact reason.
Basically - apply early, don't look at deadlines, look at the first date available to submit your application (often the start of June, and your applications and transcripts should be received by then!) This is often misleading, as in medicine being early is hugely advantageous, and applying late is extremely disadvantageous. Also, apply broadly. State schools are a must, OOS-friendly privates below and around your averages are a must, and don't put all your bread in one basket with a bunch of top tier schools. Many people end up reapplying because they only applied to the Top 20 schools, which is exceptionally unpredictable given the competition of medical admissions.
Feel free to ask more specific questions.
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While the story was nice and all, you would get a lot more feedback if you made it simple.
Cumulative GPA: (include ALL college grades, including old ones)
Science GPA: (include ALL college grades, including old ones)
List of EC's:
Of course, without an MCAT, a lot of this is moot. Take the MCAT first and then see what everyone else says.
Cumulative GPA: (include ALL college grades, including old ones)
Science GPA: (include ALL college grades, including old ones)
List of EC's:
Of course, without an MCAT, a lot of this is moot. Take the MCAT first and then see what everyone else says.
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Please recalculate your GPA using ALL grades, even ones that didn't transfer. Do not count A+'s as 4.33. Count them as only 4.0 please. If you had an A-, a C+ and a B+, I doubt your GPA is still a 3.99 unless those were the only blemishes and you had straight A's and TONS of credits.
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