MD & DO MCAT 31, Low GPA - advice needed

[JimmyB123]

Hello SDNers,

This is my first post. I am excited to officially join the SDN community.

I am graduating undergrad this month from Duke am getting ready to apply this cycle. Both my GPA and MCAT are meh; I honestly don't know how I even got into Duke because everyone here has stats that blow mine out of the water. I have a 31 on the MCAT (11 PS, 9 VR, 11 BS). My science GPA sits at a 3.67 and my cumulative GPA sits at a 3.43. I have had a huge upward trend the past 3 semesters though. 3 semesters ago, my GPAs were sitting at a 3.2


In terms of ECs:
- 1 year of Americorps (teaching inner city kids)
- 2 years of basic science research; no publication but have done a posters/presentations
- 150 hours of volunteering in a hospital and clinic
- 100 hours of shadowing (shadowed a DO as well as an MD specialist)
- leadership:
* officer of a club where we go out and teach science subjects to underprivileged youth
* teacher's assistant

Since I am taking a gap year, I will be working as a scribe at Duke University Hospital. Overall, my LORs should be good. The DO I shadowed told me he wrote me the best letter he has ever written anyone. My other two writers, I anticipate, wrote me good letters - nothing amazing.

caveat: my freshman year, I was written up for having a bottle of alcohol (empty bottle) in my dorm room. I wasn't drinking or anything, but I obviously was underage and wasn't supposed to have any kind of paraphernalia in my dorm room. I will have to disclose this and I am terrified about it.

With all this said, I am hoping to get some feedback on this:

Can people name some schools that you believe I have a fair shot at? Or should i wait a couple years and beef up my application? I would prefer MD (any MD school in USA) but I am quite open to osteopathic medicine now too because I shadowed a DO. I am a Georgia Resident.

Thank you,
JimmyB

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[JimmyB123]

Can I get advice from some of the ADCOMs here on SDN as well?

@Goro , @LizzyM , @gyngyn , @Catalystik

 

[JimmyB123]

Actually, I just realized that I wrote a really long post so if you guys could just chance me on the following schools, that would be great (I am a GA resident, not a URM):

Mercer, Medical College of Georgia, Emory, Morehouse, PCOM Georgia

 

[bearded frog]

​

 

[gyngyn]

I'm no expert on Georgia, but you should be good. Emory and Morehouse will be reaches, of course (stats and mission).
Do neighboring states welcome you?

 

[JimmyB123]

I would put that write up in your application with an explanation but not to worry about it, it probably won't affect you at all.

Thank you. I'm pretty nervous about it but I'll have to own it well.

 

[alpinism]

Re: the alcohol citation: If you disclose everything and explain your situation (including how you regret your decision, take responsibility, and have learned form the experience) you should be fine. Its normal for freshmen to drink and make mistakes and most adcoms will be understanding.
Be aware, however, that considering your stats it won't do you any favors.

Re: grades: The fact that you went to duke and have a solid MCAT score will help to make up for the low cGPA. I'd take some post-bacc classes to try to raise your GPAs a little over the next couple of semesters if possible (continuing that upward trend in grades will help).

Overall you have a good shot at getting in to MCG or Mercer provided you apply early, have a good PS, and interview well.

Great chance at any DO schools incl PCOM.

 

[JimmyB123]

I'm no expert on Georgia, but you should be good. Emory and Morehouse will be reaches, of course (stats and mission).
Do neighboring states welcome you?

I don't really think there are too many OOS friendly schools in the south (for my stats). I think Tulane comes to mind though.

Do you recommend me doing a post-bacc or retaking my MCAT?

 

[JimmyB123]

Re: the alcohol citation: If you disclose everything and explain your situation (including how you regret your decision, take responsibility, and have learned form the experience) you should be fine. Its normal for freshmen to drink and make mistakes and most adcoms will be understanding.
Be aware, however, that considering your stats it won't do you any favors.

Re: grades: The fact that you went to duke and have a solid MCAT score will help to make up for the low cGPA. I'd take some post-bacc classes to try to raise your GPAs a little over the next couple of semesters if possible (continuing that upward trend in grades will help).

Overall you have a good shot at getting in to MCG or Mercer provided you apply early, have a good PS, and interview well.

Great chance at any DO schools incl PCOM.

Thank you!

About the post-bacc courses: I was actually thinking about doing that. If I take some classes this year (while I am on my gap year), the grades will not be factored into my AAMCAS/AACOMAS GPA since I will be sending things in basically in June. So theoretically would the good grades in these courses only help if I were to not get in this cycle and re-apply? Is there any way to update my GPA in the middle of an app cycle?

 

[gyngyn]

I don't really think there are too many OOS friendly schools in the south (for my stats). I think Tulane comes to mind though.

Do you recommend me doing a post-bacc or retaking my MCAT?

Your MCAT is good. Your gpa is decent. EC's are good. Go for it.

 

[Goro]

Chances great for MCG, Mercer and PCOM-GA, but I'd write off Emory. Unless you're URM, forget Morehouse as well. Other schools to consider would be CampbellCOM, VCOM, VCOM-SC, Wake-Forest, Tulane, VCU, EVMC, VA Tech, Fl IU and FAU.

Actually, I just realized that I wrote a really long post so if you guys could just chance me on the following schools, that would be great (I am a GA resident, not a URM):

Mercer, Medical College of Georgia, Emory, Morehouse, PCOM Georgia

 

[alpinism]

Thank you!

About the post-bacc courses: I was actually thinking about doing that. If I take some classes this year (while I am on my gap year), the grades will not be factored into my AAMCAS/AACOMAS GPA since I will be sending things in basically in June. So theoretically would the good grades in these courses only help if I were to not get in this cycle and re-apply? Is there any way to update my GPA in the middle of an app cycle?

Yep.

You can send update letters to most schools including recent grades after you submit AMCAS.

 

[JimmyB123]

Chances great for MCG, Mercer and PCOM-GA, but I'd write off Emory. Unless you're URM, forget Morehouse as well. Other schools to consider would be CampbellCOM, VCOM, VCOM-SC, Wake-Forest, Tulane, VCU, EVMC, VA Tech, Fl IU and FAU.

Thank you. Will update my school list with these. What school is "Fl IU" ? I'm sorry I'm not familiar with the abbreviation


Also thanks for the tip on EVMS. They have a mean GPA of 3.44 and MCAT of 30; probably the only MD school with such forgiving stats.

 

[Goro]

Florida International U...one of the two new MD schools in FL. You're in their competitive range, and they take a fair amount of OOS (~20%) for a state school.

Thank you. Will update my school list with these. What school is "Fl IU" ? I'm sorry I'm not familiar with the abbreviation


Also thanks for the tip on EVMS. They have a mean GPA of 3.44 and MCAT of 30; probably the only MD school with such forgiving stats.

 

[JimmyB123]

Florida International U...one of the two new MD schools in FL. You're in their competitive range, and they take a fair amount of OOS (~20%) for a state school.

Thanks. Could you mention some more DO schools you think I should apply to? I have a really strong DO letter and want to apply to to 5-7 schools.

I'm adding VCOM and CampbellCOM to my list like you mentioned.

 

[Goro]

In the Southeast, you have:
NovaCom (FL)
ACOM (AL)
LMU-deBusk (TN)
VCOM (VA)
VCOM-SC
PCOM-GA
LECOM-Bradenton (FL)
William Carey (MS)
Pikesville (KY)
CampbellCOM (NC)

Thanks. Could you mention some more DO schools you think I should apply to? I have a really strong DO letter and want to apply to to 5-7 schools.

I'm adding VCOM and CampbellCOM to my list like you mentioned.

 

[JimmyB123]

Hey guys,

I'm back for one more question! I hope you all can offer me some advice. Given my stats (3.4cgpa/3.6sgpa/31 MCAT), I'm considering an SMP. I already have a neat gig lined up for my gap year, but as the application deadline dates for these SMPs get closer, it's tempting for me to consider them more.

Should I apply this cycle without an SMP and if I do not get into medical school, then apply for an SMP? Or should I try and do an SMP this year while I apply?

Thank you!

 

[gyngyn]

Hey guys,

I'm back for one more question! I hope you all can offer me some advice. Given my stats (3.4cgpa/3.6sgpa/31 MCAT), I'm considering an SMP. I already have a neat gig lined up for my gap year, but as the application deadline dates for these SMPs get closer, it's tempting for me to consider them more.

Should I apply this cycle without an SMP and if I do not get into medical school, then apply for an SMP? Or should I try and do an SMP this year while I apply?

Thank you!

Mercer and MCG interview almost half of the IS applicants! I still say go for it!

 

[JimmyB123]

Mercer and MCG interview almost half of the IS applicants! I still say go for it!

Thank you! That was my gut feeling but I just wanted some advice. Appreciate it.