3.4 40R + Disadvantaged

[polyploidy516]

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As I will be applying next June/July, I would really appreciate comments on my application and what tiers of schools I should apply to

Specifically, I would really like to know how much an individual's disadvantaged status affects an adcom's perception of their application; in my case, although I do have clinical experience (worked several yrs/1000hrs in an infectious disease clinic), research (worked 1 yr in a lab and clinical research), and leadership (was VP and president of a club and started a tutoring program for the underserved ) in addition to tutoring and volunteering at several low income health clinics, I would really like to know if my EC's would be considered average to below average or above average.

The reason why I was not able to do more was because of extenuating circumstances that I was going through in the earlier parts of my academic career (my father was unemployed and had severe health issues resulting in the eviction of my parents from their home in addition to being on welfare; i had to take control of their finances by working 30-35 hours a week to provide for them; taking this responsibility really prevented me from doing more ECs . Because of this and the fact that I grew up in low income and subsidized housing earlier on in my life, I will be applying as disadvantaged.

As my stats are a 3.4 (with a very strong upward trend : near 4.0's in the last 1.5 yrs with 3.5+ for the last 1 yr before) and a 40R, I would really like to know whether it would be advisable for me to apply next cycle (to top tier schools as well) given my ECs and academics. The passion that I am attempting to portray on my application is my desire and love for helping the underserved and lower income populations as I, myself, am from that population and want to give back.

The reason why I'm worried, however, is that I see people on this site who have 3.5+ yrs of research, 3 publications and who've travelled to remote countries to express this interest, while I've done as much as I could given my circumstances. I would really like to know if this would be held against me or if I will have a good or respectable shots at med/particularly, top tier schools (Harvard, Columbia, etc) given my application or if I should focus more on DO schools? Also, I would like to know whether my application will stand out in any way since I am applying as disadvantaged and had extenuating circumstances

Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[aspiringdoc09]

Seriously?? You will be fine. You have an excellent application, so move forward with it. You can always stand to add more to your ECs but what you have now is good. Couple that with good LORs and personal statement + secondary essays, and you will be fine. You don't even have to consider DO unless that interest you. Good luck.

To answer you question, I don't know if anyone can tell you how Adcoms will consider your disadvantage status on here but an Adcom.

 

[polyploidy516]

I really appreciate your response; how do you feel that my chances are for a top tier school? do you think my ECs will suffice in addition to my disadvantaged status and background? or should I do more?

any other insight would be greatly appreciated!

 

[sliceofbread136]

I really appreciate your response; how do you feel that my chances are for a top tier school? do you think my ECs will suffice in addition to my disadvantaged status and background? or should I do more?

any other insight would be greatly appreciated!

The answer is somewhere between maybe and probably not for top schools. Your GPA is gonna be a big drawback. At the same time, you never know. Give it a go and see what happens, someone might see something special in you and give you a chance. Make sure to apply broadly (safetys, mid tier, reaches).

 

[polyploidy516]

i appreciate your response; I do feel that my overall gpa is a drawback. I read, however, that having a good trend (in my case, close to 4.0s the last couple of semesters), coupled with a strong reason for the lower grades (these extenuating circumstances really took a toll) could possibly convince adcoms at these schools?

I definitely plan on applying broadly.

Any other insight or anecdotes would be appreciated. Thank you once again!

 

[coolingglasses]

I distinctly remember my advisor telling me "I mean, if you get a 40+ you'd at least get an interview". That was regarding my ~3.1 GPA. This is at a school whose GPA averages are in the 3.8/3.9 range.

Go for it. Top tiers are always a crapshoot but if you can afford the fees, throw some in.

 

[darkjedi]

i appreciate your response; I do feel that my overall gpa is a drawback. I read, however, that having a good trend (in my case, close to 4.0s the last couple of semesters), coupled with a strong reason for the lower grades (these extenuating circumstances really took a toll) could possibly convince adcoms at these schools?

It's possible, but definitely an uphill battle. Your MCAT is certainly high enough to draw attention away from your GPA. Do whatever you can to make your application compelling to adcoms.

 

[FijiGNR89]

Hey, man... reading your post it's creepy because I'm in almost EXACTLY the same boat as you. Feel free to PM me for details. You have a huge shot. I applied this cycle and am having enormous success, my stats are nearly identical to yours and my background is, like I said, creepily similar. I have interviews thus far at 2 Ivy's, 2 UC schools, several in-state schools, and two other private ones. And it's just September. I'm not trying to brag, but what I'm saying is you have nothing to worry about.

While I'm not an Adcom... so my take comes with a grain of salt... I've been speaking with a lot of them very much lately. Sure, some other guys have all this crazy awesome sounding experience, but they also had a different set of opportunities and resources available to them. What is important to the Adcoms is not WHAT you did necessarily, but the distance you've traveled. If you have gotten yourself to a place today where you're at 3.4/40T and you have the background you (we) have, it really says more than someone with the same stats and a less challenging background. Don't worry. Think about what that says about your devotion to the cause. You'll be more than fine. Something I learned as I applied is that they really are genuinely holistic in their admissions approach. You hear that all the time and think, yeah but how holistically do they really look into 6k applications, but trust me they do. They're looking for good people, not just good science students.

Go for it, man. Apply broadly and apply early. Early is really the key.👍👍👍