Should I apply this cycle?

[DrDesire93]

Hi, I am a senior major at UC (CA residence). I am debating whether I should apply this upcoming cycle or wait another year to make my application stronger. Any suggestions on what I should do during the gap years would be much appreciated.

Cumulative GPA: 3.55
Cumulative BCPMGPA: 3.43
I think my GPA at CC actually saved me from going lower. My current GPA at UC is 2.8 How would med school evaluate this "downward" trend?

MCAT: 518

Publication: 1 already published and 4 up-coming submission (in which 2 I will be in 2nd or 3rd author)

I used to be medical assistant and tutor for a year. I am currently volunteering at the hospital (≈200 hours), shadowing a heme-onc specialist (for the past 6 months), being a senior advisor for my club (health related)

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[Chromium Surfer]

I would definitley look to add some nonclinical volunteering to your application during a gap year. It's getting pretty late in the cycle to just apply right now. I would take a gap year and see if you can take classes at your UC to boost your GPA to 3.0. Great MCAT though, and best of luck!

 

[Doug Underhill]

It's too late to submit a primary for MD. I feel like if you can get that GPA up a little, you have a good shot for MD. I was 3.6/37 with a downward trend (my downward trend was graduate, but not that much better) and got in.

 

[GrapesofRath]

If your GPA at a 4 year accredited University is a 2.8 and that's been how you've performed the past few years you really shouldn't apply to medical school at this time. And no, your EC's aren't the issue here. It is your academic performance.

Figure out what is causing your academic issues at a 4 year college. A consistent 2.8 performance, regardless of the MCAT, is just asking for problems down the road in medical school. Don't worry so much about your stats, a 3.55/36 is plenty for a number of medical schools, what's much much more important is demonstrating you can be a good student outside of a CC. You haven't done that at all. Several strong semesters at a 4 year university, be it a UC or somewhere else, would tremendously help your cause. Don't overload yourself, especially at the start. Just focus on whatever it takes to do well in your courses and get A's. Do this for several semesters and all of a sudden you'll become a much much more viable candidate for medical school. A 518 indicates strong capabilities; you just gotta figure out how to get it done.

 

[DrDesire93]

@Chromium Surfer @Doug Underhill http://forums.studentdoctor.net/members/chromium-surfer.693402/
Hi, thank you so much.. Sorry for the confusion but I am thinking about the next cycle (June 2016). I will apply very early next cycle that is why I am gathering opinion now. I don't know why I put "this cycle"
I still have 3 quarters to go (Winter, Spring, and Summer) and I think I can finish them strong.

@GrapesofRath
Thank you! That's what I've been worried the most. I had a horrible first year here at UC due to family issues and a lot of mental breakdown moments. And also, I think I lost my balance in maintaining good grades and research (I spent all of my time in research). I am betting everything this year with 3 quarters to bring back my GPA.

 

[TooMuchPressure]

Take a year off and get good good grades for a semester or two and you should be good. The fact that you have a 518 MCAT means you have what it takes.

 

[Doug Underhill]

2.8/518 is very discordant. You don't just get a 518 without some serious test-taking skill: that's 99th percentile. What's holding you back in those UC classes? Where are the bad grades?

 

[DrDesire93]

@Doug Underhill
I had a lot of family issues happened at that time. I also had problems adjust to the new environment, quarter system and curve
Once I somehow got my momentum back, I lost my balance again in maintaining good grades and research. I prioritize research too much (since it was so hard to get one, especially with my situation) that I don't even have time to study anymore (which is so so bad, I should have realized it earlier)

With that, now I have a follow up question: should I still graduate on time (Spring quarter) and do post-bacc or stay one more year and take more classes to bump up my GPA? This question has been bothering me a lot since then. Thank you so much!