3.15 cGPA, 2.83 sGPA Please

[w451208]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi guys.

I just have a few questions dealing with my chances of admission into Medical School. When I first entered college I was working almost full time (still do) to pay for the remainder of my tuition. This caused my grades to slip in the first two semesters. My GPA was 1.45 for my first year of school. Since then I have maintained good grades and my final GPA was a 3.15. My Math/Science GPA also suffered but I have retaken those courses and I now have a Math/Science GPA of 2.98 (this includes the classes I have retaken as well as the original grade). I understand this is low but this is how my grade distribution is broken down:

General Chem I: F retaken to get B
General Chem II: B+
Organic Chem I: A
Organic Chem I Lab: A
Organic Chem II: A
Organic Chem II Lab: A
Physics I: A
Physics II: A
Biology I: D retaken to get B
Biology II: C
Calculus I for Bio Science: A
Calculus II for Bio Science: A

Since I have retaken the classes that I initially did bad in, will the admissions committee take this into consideration or toss my application to the side?

As for the volunteer work:
I am currently volunteering at a local hospital for 3 hours a day.
I have one year of clinical experience in research applying and reading EEG results (published)
I am shadowing a plastic surgeon in surgery and in normal day to day operations of his practice.


I am also currently studying the MCAT 3 hours a day (what little free time I have) to prepare for the test in June. I am hopeful that I will make a 28 or higher on the test.

So with my grades, volunteer work, clinical experience, and a MCAT score of 28-30, will this be enough to receive a secondary application or even an interview let alone full admission to UT?

Please be as brutally honest as possible. I have asked the dean of admissions this same question but he would not confirm what my fate would be. I would really like to attend the University of Tennessee but it seems as though the odds are staked against me.

I really want to be a doctor but if the odds are stacked against me then I cant funnel the last of my financial stability in pursuit of a pipe dream.

Thanks in advance.

 

[addo]

It will be tough with that GPA, and what youre hoping to score on the mcat. You shouldnt set your goal at 28-30 because you need something in the mid 30s to really give your application a shot. Your upward trend will certainly help though, as well as being able to explain how hard youve had to work through undergrad and make a compelling personal statement.

Youre ECs look ok, but are you really volunteering 3 hours per DAY? Thats quite a bit of volunteering, you might want to use some of that time to do non-clinical volunteering and/or put more time into studying for the mcat.

Also, I understand you want to get into UT, but youre going to have to be flexible and apply very broadly, and apply to DO schools as well.

Since I have retaken the classes that I initially did bad in, will the admissions committee take this into consideration or toss my application to the side?

I think theyll take it into consideration, but theyll certainly see the F and the D, and the C in Bio doesnt help either. Other than that, you did well on your pre reqs.

With an excellent personal statement, excellent letters of recommendation, a high mcat score, and a broad/smart selection of schools along with applying early you might get some interviews. From there it kinda depends on how well you present yourself in the interview. Also, being URM definitely helps.

 

[w451208]

Thanks for the reply. I will definitely heed your advice. I just don't understand why the dean of admissions couldn't just tell me what you said. I have met with him in his office and have been in constant email contact with him. All heed had to say was "you don't really have a chance". And I would have looked at other possibilities.

 

[camierz]

I would still apply there or maybe apply broadly to many medical schools. It is always worth a shot.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

So with my grades, volunteer work, clinical experience, and a MCAT score of 28-30, will this be enough to receive a secondary application or even an interview let alone full admission to UT?

MSAR says that the 10th percentile for accepted applicants is a uGPA of 3.3/sGPA of 3.2. Median MCAT 30.

I think you can guess what that means for your chances.

What leads you to believe that scoring a 28-30 is possible? What have your practice scores been?

You need to shadow someone other than a plastic surgeon. Think outpatient primary care.

Just my immediate thoughts reading your post.

 

[w451208]

I guess based on what Pons Asinorum says, I don't have even the slightest chance. I have been making 29's on the practice tests. I just need to know if I should give up now. My financial resources are shot to the wind and this whole experience has been just one big waste of time. I guess I am just screwed. And the thing is I worked really hard to bring my GPA up as high as I could. 🙁

 

[Catalystik]

Don't give up now. You'd definitely have a shot at some DO med schools. Their application service doesn't count the original grade when you retake, so long as the credit hours are the same or greater. Just for fun, figure out your AACOMAS (DO) application GPA with this DO GPA calculation spreadsheet: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=450050 , omitting the C and D.

Many med schools send out a Secondary without screening, as application fees are a big money maker for them, so receiving one isn't a good indicator or whether you have a real chance at a given school. But your chances at UT could be better than you think if they are one of the schools that weights the freshman year grades lower. This would be a good question for the dean of admissions.

When did you start volunteering at the hospital and how many hours will you have by June? Can you also shadow a primary care doc and/or a DO physician before applying? What about leadership, teaching, and nonmedical community service?

 

[Etzio]

Don't give up now. You'd definitely have a shot at some DO med schools. Their application service doesn't count the original grade when you retake, so long as the credit hours are the same or greater. Just for fun, figure out your AACOMAS (DO) application GPA with this DO GPA calculation spreadsheet: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=450050 , omitting the C and D.

Try getting MCATS in the mid 30s, shadow more, do research, get some interesting ECs, do the best you can gradewise with whatever you have left, and maybe do an SMP 👍. Don't do DO 👎.

 

[w451208]

I already have 1 year of research experience and I have been published. Most of my clinical experience has come from the research I did in a clinical setting dealing with EKG equipment. Counting that and other clinical experience I should have about 200 hours of experience. I will also start volunteering at a local soup kitchen in February. I just started volunteering in the hospital this month. By June I should have about 150 hours in the hospital.

The dean of admissions said to continue getting clinical experience and do the best I can on the MCAT. He also told me that the upward trend in my GPA will not be overlooked by the committee.

 

[addo]

I already have 1 year of research experience and I have been published. Most of my clinical experience has come from the research I did in a clinical setting dealing with EKG equipment. Counting that and other clinical experience I should have about 200 hours of experience. I will also start volunteering at a local soup kitchen in February. I just started volunteering in the hospital this month. By June I should have about 150 hours in the hospital.

The dean of admissions said to continue getting clinical experience and do the best I can on the MCAT. He also told me that the upward trend in my GPA will not be overlooked by the committee.

So thats why youre volunteering 3 hours/day....that makes sense then.

Anyways, you asked if the odds were stacked against you and with all honesty they are. But then again, the odds are stacked against about half of all applicants, so dont feel discouraged. Just continue to work hard, do very well on the mcat and all the other stuff thats already been mentioned.

 

[V5RED]

Try getting MCATS in the mid 30s, shadow more, do research, get some interesting ECs, do the best you can gradewise with whatever you have left, and maybe do an SMP 👍. Don't do DO 👎.

At the powerlifting forum I post at you would be warned and maybe banned for this post. They don't let people with no idea what they are talking about post advice there.

 

[ISUBird100]

at the powerlifting forum i post at you would be warned and maybe banned for this post. They don't let people with no idea what they are talking about post advice there.

+1

 

[Etzio]

At the powerlifting forum I post at you would be warned and maybe banned for this post. They don't let people with no idea what they are talking about post advice there.

Ok I didn't say anything that was ridiculous or impossible to do. Im sure that if the OP did those things then chances at a us MD school would increase. Read the post before you start talking abt your powerlifting forums. I'm betting for you it's like 20 lbs anyway. Impressive.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Ok I didn't say anything that was ridiculous or impossible to do. Im sure that if the OP did those things then chances at a us MD school would increase. Read the post before you start talking abt your powerlifting forums. I'm betting for you it's like 20 lbs anyway. Impressive.

If you hate DO, that's your deal, but you shouldn't discourage people from a legitimate route.

 

[Etzio]

If you hate DO, that's your deal, but you shouldn't discourage people from a legitimate route.

Im just providing a better alternative, but if a back door option is what the OP wants by DO/Carrib then by all means go for it.

 

[darlin]

if you hate do, that's your deal, but you shouldn't discourage people from a legitimate route.

+1

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Im just providing a better alternative, but if a back door option is what the OP wants by DO/Carrib then by all means go for it.

DO =/= carribean. With DO schools you have an excellent chance at being an excellent doctor. that is why you have no idea what you are talking about.

 

[Etzio]

DO =/= carribean. With DO schools you have an excellent chance at being an excellent doctor. that is why you have no idea what you are talking about.

It depends on the person. If OP wants to, then go for it. Personally my ego is just too big for me to compromise on my goals like that. Like I said OP, at the end of the day, it is a back door option, if you want to look the other way then go for it.

 

[LifeTake2]

Personally my ego is just too big for me to compromise on my goals like that.

I'd be careful, an ego like that has a way of getting in the way, and let's all not forget that you are not an MD yet; so keeping an open mind would be a reasonable suggestion.

 

[addo]

It depends on the person. If OP wants to, then go for it. Personally my ego is just too big for me to compromise on my goals like that. Like I said OP, at the end of the day, it is a back door option, if you want to look the other way then go for it.

i dont know... I think your ego might be too big to fit through the door of an MD school. I dont wish you that, but you should really be more open minded, and why would you advice against DO to someone where going the DO route might be a more liable option? I interviewed at a DO school and from what i saw the opportunities both during and after school were great.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

It depends on the person. If OP wants to, then go for it. Personally my ego is just too big for me to compromise on my goals like that. Like I said OP, at the end of the day, it is a back door option, if you want to look the other way then go for it.

you don't make any sense. you say if the OP wants it, then go for it, then you say it's a back door option. your previous posts bash on people saying go DO, and then you say it isn't for you. clearly you are trying to convince people that you are the flavor of the week and your koolaid sucks. if it isn't for you then stop trying to convince other people that isn't for them. you don't need to throw in one more jab to DOs every time you post. we get it. you think your 2.8 GPA is good enough when you raise it to 3.1 getting all As (which you clearly haven't done for even one semester yet) and when you get your 38+ MCAT. You can live in fantasy land all you want, but other people are looking for valid input.

 

[Etzio]

you don't make any sense. you say if the OP wants it, then go for it, then you say it's a back door option. your previous posts bash on people saying go DO, and then you say it isn't for you. clearly you are trying to convince people that you are the flavor of the week and your koolaid sucks. if it isn't for you then stop trying to convince other people that isn't for them. you don't need to throw in one more jab to DOs every time you post. we get it. you think your 2.8 GPA is good enough when you raise it to 3.1 getting all As (which you clearly haven't done for even one semester yet) and when you get your 38+ MCAT. You can live in fantasy land all you want, but other people are looking for valid input.

Jeez calm down there sergeant. Who said anything about fantasy land? You don't even know me so don't tell me what I can't do boss. Btw I said if the OP wants too, then the OP should. Im being supportive, because I clearly care so much about the OPs life. I think DO is a back door option, that's my opinion. Who are you to say that it's wrong sir?

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Jeez calm down there sergeant. Who said anything about fantasy land? You don't even know me so don't tell me what I can't do boss. Btw I said if the OP wants too, then the OP should. Im being supportive, because I clearly care so much about the OPs life. I think DO is a back door option, that's my opinion. Who are you to say that it's wrong sir?

the first 2 bolded statements are contradictory. that is like me saying to my daughter, "yes you should marry him, he treats you great, even though he is a ******* and I will disown you if you do." you are not being supportive, you are trolling.

and the last bolded statement confirms this is your opinion, I say it is wrong because I see DO family practice, DO ER, DO plastic surgeons, DO neurosurgeons, DO orthopods, DO anesthesiologists, and every other specialty practicing next to their MD counterparts making the exact same amount of money and with the exact same practice rights. DO not being for you is an opinion, but DO being a back door option is a false statement. you are wrong sir.

 

[Etzio]

the first 2 bolded statements are contradictory. that is like me saying to my daughter, "yes you should marry him, he treats you great, even though he is a ******* and I will disown you if you do." you are not being supportive, you are trolling.

and the last bolded statement confirms this is your opinion, I say it is wrong because I see DO family practice, DO ER, DO plastic surgeons, DO neurosurgeons, DO orthopods, DO anesthesiologists, and every other specialty practicing next to their MD counterparts making the exact same amount of money and with the exact same practice rights. DO not being for you is an opinion, but DO being a back door option is a false statement. you are wrong sir.

Well I can see your point in the first paragraph. How about this. OP apply to whichever program you think will be a good fit for you. Scratch my opinion, it shouldn't matter to you.

As for my opinion, Im still sticking by it. If I were to get a DO I would feel like crap as I worked with MD colleagues knowing that I couldn't achieve my dream, that I had to compromise. If given an option MD versus DO, I doubt the majority of people would choose DO anyway, its a fact of life. DO is an option for people who can't make it to be an MD. Am I saying that they are not good doctors? No. I know DOs at my local hospital, and they are competent physicians. The issue is not about the quality of physician, but more of a quality of work life. At my local hospital ive seen nurses - mind you nurses - give the DOs ****, but always respected the MDs.

"At the end of the day, despite the fact that I have several good DO friends, and that MD and DOs work cohesively, professionally, and competently together, in the back of my mind I still know that they didn't have what it took to be an MD." A quote from what an orthopedic surgeon at my local hospital told me. Is it wrong? Maybe, but I don't want to sacrifice my goal and regret not being the best I could be for the rest of my life. That's just me, everyone is obviously different.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

And that was acceptable. Now I will say DO isn't always an "I can't cut it" case. For me, I have a wife and kids and I live in a very DO friendly region. There is also a very respected DO school about 7 miles from my house whereas my state has 1 very competitive MD school 2 hours away. My family and my wifes family also live here. I would rather go to the DO school, but I admit, I have extenuating circumstances that I need to evaluate when making my decision. I am not typical of the traditional student and many people do turn to DO as a backup because of their grades and/or MCAT. And because they offer the same practice the training needs to be essentially the same (not including OMM and DO schools are rarely research heavy).

I can understand your prejudice. You have an environment that has said DOs are subpar and you may be in an unfriendly region for DOs. I can't fault you for that. And you aren't the first asian that has had parents ridicule DOs time and time again. I have no problem with you.