MD & DO 3.22cGPA, 3.17sGPA, 498 MCAT

[mmhanson18]

Ethnicity and/or race: Caucasian
Year in school: Senior
Career goal: Surgeon
Country/state of residence: Texas
Undergraduate School: Texas A&M University
Major & Minor: Biomedical Sciences (BS) and minor in Neuroscience
Schools to which you are applying: Wouldn't mind DO or MD schools, preferably MD. Am interested in going out of state but also applying everywhere (MD + DO) in Texas except private schools.
Cumulative GPA: 3.22
*unfortunately my grades have been average all of college except 2 exceptional semesters of < 3.7
Science GPA: 3.17
MCAT Scores: 498 (125/125/122/126) [April 17]
Research: 1 year (spring, summer, fall, spring) in Neuroscience lab as undergraduate clinical research assistant. Participated in the investigation the neurobiological mechanisms of addiction using in vivo (rat) studies.
Volunteering (clinical): One semester of ER volunteering
Physician shadowing: 217 (All throughout college, mainly Plastic Surgery + Anesthesiology + some Orthopedic Surgery + some OBGYN).
Non-clinical volunteering: Volunteer ~10 hours a semester at Boys & Girls Club since October 15, Volunteer ~5 hours a semester at Nursing Home since Jan 17
Extracurricular activities: Executive Director of Aggie Miracle (part of Dance Marathon for Children's Miracle Network ~26 hours a week senior year), Executive Finance Director of Aggie Miracle (~15 hours a week junior year), Global Medical Brigades (went to Nicaragua) Fish Camp Counselor for incoming freshman (~30 hours a semester since March 2015- sophomore, junior and senior year), Biomedical Anatomy TA, many other ECs during college but these are main two
Employment history: Medical Assistant at Pediatric Office since October 17 ~15 hours a week
Honors or Awards: Deans list x1, Recognized Student Leader
Immediate family members in medicine?: No
Graduate degrees: applying for masters programs

I have been extremely involved in my undergraduate career. I have been a part of other organizations but have worked my way up in Aggie Miracle. I fundraise for Children's Miracle Network through this organization and have gained a lot of exposure to other aspects of healthcare from this experience. I have maintained decent grades all of college. My worst semesters were my 1/2, and have only had 1 semester with GPA <3.0. I am currently preparing to apply to a masters program (Drexel, Eastern Virginia, UNT, Mississippi College) but am interested in hearing people's opinions on if this is a good idea. My advisor has recommended it to me but would like to save the money if that might be an option. I plan on retaking my MCAT but am not confident I will score higher than a 508. I want to apply as my best self, not just get in. I know my grades can be better which is why I am considering the SMP route, but after reading threads on here I am concerned I might just be wasting quite a bit of money. I will be taking a gap year (or two) either way and have also considered Peace Corp as an option. Looking for guidance on if I should just retake MCAT and apply, retake MCAT & do masters then apply, or other options.

School goals for Texas: UT Houston, UT San Antonio
Out of state dream schools (I know they're far reach): NYU, Columbia, University of Washington, Colorado Denver SOM

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[Forever Geebs]

I think it would be in your best interest to retake the MCAT and potentially improve GPA. Your current MCAT score is 43 percentile (see Percentile Ranks for the MCAT Exam). It would behoove you to increase clinical volunteering hours, too. Are you opposed to taking a gap year?


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[mmhanson18]

I think it would be in your best interest to retake the MCAT and potentially improve GPA. Your current MCAT score is 43 percentile . It would behoove you to increase clinical volunteering hours, too. Are you opposed to taking a gap year?


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No not at all! I think taking a gap year is best for me at this point I just want to make sure I am making the most of it. Some of the masters programs I have looked out seem to be 18-24 months and I am a little nervous to take 2 years but am willing to if it will help me become a better applicant.

 

[Forever Geebs]

Are there additional science courses you can take to improve your GPA? Is that an option for you?


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[mmhanson18]

Are there additional science courses you can take to improve your GPA? Is that an option for you?


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I am graduating in May. I am in 3 science classes right now, but even if I made a 4.0 this semester my GPA would only increase from 3.22 to 3.28 since I have so many credit hours.

 

[Forever Geebs]

I understand. Without taking a formal post-bacc or SMP (which I would not recommend at this stage), I would focus on improving your MCAT (a 508 is in 77 percentile as opposed to 43 percentile, a marked improvement, in my opinion); clinical volunteering hours (aim really high); and, lastly, consider research if its an area of interest to you. Need to make other areas of your application shine since increasing GPA substantially may not be possible at this junction.


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[LibBum]

You need to ace a DIY post-bac or the med-master program at UNT while improving your MCAT before you have a chance at any public Texas MD school. Forget the research and increase your clinical as well as non-clinical volunteer hours.

Review the MSAR if you keep dreaming out OOS schools. UW and UC take very few non-residents and the tuition is significantly higher than our local schools.

It will take years to correct these shortcomings - but it can be done. Good luck.

 

[Faha]

You need to improve both your MCAT and your GPA to have any chance for Texas MD schools. The GPA MCAT grid shows your chances for a MD acceptance with your current stats are only 8%. With your current stats you have a chance for interviews at some of the newer DO schools such as these:
ACOM
ARCOM
BCOM
WCU-COM
LMU-DCOM
UP-KYCOM
WVSOM
LUCOM
VCOM (all 3 schools)
NYIT-Arkansas
RVU-Utah
UIWSOM
ICOM (new school)
PCOM (Moultrie-new school)

 

[Goro]

Ethnicity and/or race: Caucasian
Year in school: Senior
Career goal: Surgeon
Country/state of residence: Texas
Undergraduate School: Texas A&M University
Major & Minor: Biomedical Sciences (BS) and minor in Neuroscience
Schools to which you are applying: Wouldn't mind DO or MD schools, preferably MD. Am interested in going out of state but also applying everywhere (MD + DO) in Texas except private schools.
Cumulative GPA: 3.22
*unfortunately my grades have been average all of college except 2 exceptional semesters of < 3.7
Science GPA: 3.17
MCAT Scores: 498 (125/125/122/126) [April 17]
Research: 1 year (spring, summer, fall, spring) in Neuroscience lab as undergraduate clinical research assistant. Participated in the investigation the neurobiological mechanisms of addiction using in vivo (rat) studies.
Volunteering (clinical): One semester of ER volunteering
Physician shadowing: 217 (All throughout college, mainly Plastic Surgery + Anesthesiology + some Orthopedic Surgery + some OBGYN).
Non-clinical volunteering: Volunteer ~10 hours a semester at Boys & Girls Club since October 15, Volunteer ~5 hours a semester at Nursing Home since Jan 17
Extracurricular activities: Executive Director of Aggie Miracle (part of Dance Marathon for Children's Miracle Network ~26 hours a week senior year), Executive Finance Director of Aggie Miracle (~15 hours a week junior year), Global Medical Brigades (went to Nicaragua) Fish Camp Counselor for incoming freshman (~30 hours a semester since March 2015- sophomore, junior and senior year), Biomedical Anatomy TA, many other ECs during college but these are main two
Employment history: Medical Assistant at Pediatric Office since October 17 ~15 hours a week
Honors or Awards: Deans list x1, Recognized Student Leader
Immediate family members in medicine?: No
Graduate degrees: applying for masters programs

I have been extremely involved in my undergraduate career. I have been a part of other organizations but have worked my way up in Aggie Miracle. I fundraise for Children's Miracle Network through this organization and have gained a lot of exposure to other aspects of healthcare from this experience. I have maintained decent grades all of college. My worst semesters were my 1/2, and have only had 1 semester with GPA <3.0. I am currently preparing to apply to a masters program (Drexel, Eastern Virginia, UNT, Mississippi College) but am interested in hearing people's opinions on if this is a good idea. My advisor has recommended it to me but would like to save the money if that might be an option. I plan on retaking my MCAT but am not confident I will score higher than a 508. I want to apply as my best self, not just get in. I know my grades can be better which is why I am considering the SMP route, but after reading threads on here I am concerned I might just be wasting quite a bit of money. I will be taking a gap year (or two) either way and have also considered Peace Corp as an option. Looking for guidance on if I should just retake MCAT and apply, retake MCAT & do masters then apply, or other options.

School goals for Texas: UT Houston, UT San Antonio
Out of state dream schools (I know they're far reach): NYU, Columbia, University of Washington, Colorado Denver SOM

Stats are lethal for MD and many DO schools. Auto-reject at mine. Retake the MCAT and score > 505. Then apply broadly to DO schools. From historical norms, MD schools outside of TX know that very few people leave the Lone Star state, except for super stars.

 

[calivianya]

Apply DO only, and preferably after a MCAT retake. I would say your chances are zero for MD unless you manage to score a 520+ on a retake, and maybe not even then because of where your GPA is.

Make sure to pick up some primary care shadowing. I know you say you don't want to do it, and you don't have to plan to work in primary care in reality - you just have to look like you're open to it on paper and be able to talk about some good primary care experiences in an interview because that's what DO schools are looking for.

 

[med2345]

If surgery is your goal have you looked into podiatry? If so it could be a very good option and your stats should get you into one of the schools.

 

[PreMedHunter]

If surgery is your goal have you looked into podiatry? If so it could be a very good option and your stats should get you into one of the schools.

He can still become a surgeon, I wouldn't suggest DPN program, I think if he works on his GPA and MCAT he can most definitely get into a MD or even a DO school. Do a post-bacc and work on your MCAT, you can do so by getting into a MCAT tutoring program. I am involved in one, and its great i'm prepping way before time. Also go volunteer at a Hospice, its fantastic because you get to engage with critical care and end stage patients, its great on your application because it will show you are capable of dealing with the death of a patient. The last thing you want to do is waste 2 years, not everything needs to be so lengthy my friend, get started now.

 

[med2345]

He can still become a surgeon, I wouldn't suggest DPN program, I think if he works on his GPA and MCAT he can most definitely get into a MD or even a DO school. Do a post-bacc and work on your MCAT, you can do so by getting into a MCAT tutoring program. I am involved in one, and its great i'm prepping way before time. Also go volunteer at a Hospice, its fantastic because you get to engage with critical care and end stage patients, its great on your application because it will show you are capable of dealing with the death of a patient. The last thing you want to do is waste 2 years, not everything needs to be so lengthy my friend, get started now.

Of course it is still doable for the OP. But podiatry is a direct guarantee to surgery assuming you finish school and the 3 year residency. I think anyone who is genuinely wanting to do surgery should look into podiatry as it is the quickest route also. Just an option.

 

[Dr. Meliodas]

Take a year do a DIY postbacc (take classes at local school nearby or where ever as a non-degree seeking student), show your not the same student who had poor grades early on, study for the MCAT actually study and give it your all and you have a chance at MD schools. I would advise against a Masters because that does nothing for your undergrad GPA.

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

I am graduating in May. I am in 3 science classes right now, but even if I made a 4.0 this semester my GPA would only increase from 3.22 to 3.28 since I have so many credit hours.

So the biggest problem right now is that many programs would be concerned about your ability to do the coursework. You need a year+ of grades above 3.7 and an MCAT above 505 at least to show schools that you're able to perform well. Peace Corps is a great thing to do, but won't show schools that you're better academically. I'd say try to load up on science courses for a post bacc, crush the MCAT on your next attempt, and apply widely according to the advice by the folks above.
Good luck!

 

[Dr. Meliodas]

I would do a formal SMP program (one with conditional acceptance - I believe they exist). and I would retake that MCAT after studying really hard for few months and scoring well in the prep tests.

Many of those with conditional acceptances have really high star standards like must have an overal 3.6 GPA after the program and score a 515 on the MCAT. The only one I am aware of with lower stat requirements is Drexels pathway to medicine program.

 

[Dr. Meliodas]

Well, those are not really high standards especially for one trying to make up for bad grades.

The MCAT is not but the GPA is because you can't jump from a 3.2/3.17 overall to a 3.6 or 3.7 overall In one year without taking like 40 credits and getting straight A's and most of those program are like 24 credits maybe 30credits not all that would count towards sGPA. Not to mention all the outside stuff you'd do to also improve your app (shadowing, clinical volunteering, non clinical volunteering). I might be possible in 2 years but I don't recall 2 year SMP where the second year was not like a Research year where again you don't really get grades the second year you just work on a thesis that's usually just pass/fail.

 

[Dr. Meliodas]

I thought you were talking about the GPA during the SMP. That one should be as close to 4.0 as possible.

From the programs I remember looking at the guarantee admissions is not just based on your performance in the SMP but your overall GPA. The only one I'm aware of again that does not have this for grantee admissions to linkages is Drexel's Pathway to Medicine Program.