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Started by paco1225
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DecidedlyConfused
Full Member
I had a very similar high MCAT and low GPA combo and have been having a good cycle with 7IIs and 2 As (all MD). I was not military but was non-trad with a comparable number of years between undergrad and applying to med school.
I'm no expert and there are plenty more qualified people than me on this site but it looks like you've got lots of interesting looking things on your app and a nice time separation from poor undergrad performance. If my GPA didn't keep me out I can't imagine yours would. I re-took core science classes including a couple I got a C and D in due to responsibilities outside of school and I think if it's explained the right way it won't be seen as a negative.
If research is important to you something I've learned talking with adcoms at a bunch of research-focused schools (including ones I got accepted to) is that a PI LOR and self-directed independent work (ideally published) is a soft requirement. Not necessarily required but most everybody who talks about their passion/interest in research on their app has it. Again, I'm no expert and defer to the better equipped advisors who I'm sure will respond to your post.
Surprised Case isn't on your list as it's a good, research intensive Ohio school that looks fondly on non-trads/reinventors. Your MCAT is high enough to be in the running for Pitt I would imagine as well and that's (sort of) close to Ohio.
Very best of luck and thank you for your service. It's tough to have a GPA that feels like a ball-and-chain but your 520 MCAT score is standardized and far rarer than a high GPA. Looking forward to your success. Always here to chat if you need someone to kvetch to
I'm no expert and there are plenty more qualified people than me on this site but it looks like you've got lots of interesting looking things on your app and a nice time separation from poor undergrad performance. If my GPA didn't keep me out I can't imagine yours would. I re-took core science classes including a couple I got a C and D in due to responsibilities outside of school and I think if it's explained the right way it won't be seen as a negative.
If research is important to you something I've learned talking with adcoms at a bunch of research-focused schools (including ones I got accepted to) is that a PI LOR and self-directed independent work (ideally published) is a soft requirement. Not necessarily required but most everybody who talks about their passion/interest in research on their app has it. Again, I'm no expert and defer to the better equipped advisors who I'm sure will respond to your post.
Surprised Case isn't on your list as it's a good, research intensive Ohio school that looks fondly on non-trads/reinventors. Your MCAT is high enough to be in the running for Pitt I would imagine as well and that's (sort of) close to Ohio.
Very best of luck and thank you for your service. It's tough to have a GPA that feels like a ball-and-chain but your 520 MCAT score is standardized and far rarer than a high GPA. Looking forward to your success. Always here to chat if you need someone to kvetch to
Thanks so much for the thoughtful reply @DecidedlyConfused !
I heard that both Case and Pitt place a lot of emphasis on stats so I feel like I would be throwing money away if I applied. Even with my MCAT my undergrad transcript is pretty poor with many Ws, Ds, and Cs. I just don't think a stellar grad GPA and MCAT can make up for that unfortunately.
I heard that both Case and Pitt place a lot of emphasis on stats so I feel like I would be throwing money away if I applied. Even with my MCAT my undergrad transcript is pretty poor with many Ws, Ds, and Cs. I just don't think a stellar grad GPA and MCAT can make up for that unfortunately.
You could add these MD schools to your application:
West Virginia
Marshall
Oakland Beaumont
Western Michigan
Medical College Wisconsin
Rosalind Franklin
Roseman
TCU
Belmont
Methodist
Eastern Virginia
Drexel
Temple
Penn State
Hackensack
New York Medical College
Albany
Vermont
Quinnipiac
Dartmouth
For DO schools add WVSOM, CUSOM, Touro-NY and NYITCOM.
West Virginia
Marshall
Oakland Beaumont
Western Michigan
Medical College Wisconsin
Rosalind Franklin
Roseman
TCU
Belmont
Methodist
Eastern Virginia
Drexel
Temple
Penn State
Hackensack
New York Medical College
Albany
Vermont
Quinnipiac
Dartmouth
For DO schools add WVSOM, CUSOM, Touro-NY and NYITCOM.
"Cleveland" is on the list, and I presume the OP means CWRU/CCLCM.
