3.47 GPA, 520 MCAT WHAT SCHOOL

[Hennyh101]

Hello, friends. I took the MCAT this semester, and like man was I one lucky SOB and got a 520. Ok, so it wasn't a luck, I studied for a year for 2 hours everyday and constantly reviewed the material and used flashcards throughout each day lol

Anyways, what are my stats for getting in:

I was involved in a shooting( i won't name it), that traumatized me my freshman year. That caused me to fail a class, but the dean fixed it and it's now a retroactive withdrawal. I still had PTSD for two years, which is why it was hard for me to even do anything tbh. I had a mental breakdown my sophomore year, were I developed Anxiety and depression. I then got diagnosed with ADHD, like after hours of a psychological evaluation, and my life changed. I have gotten C's in Bio 1, Gen chem 1, Gen chem 2, gen chem lab 1. I have gotten a mixture of A's and B's, leaning more towards B's. After I got my mental meds in order, I had an immense upward trend

Double majoring in biology and psychology with a minor in chemistry . I finished up most of my bio courses for the one spring semester, the summer after that, and my last year of college(this), so I only took a few psych courses(still psychobiology, really hard tbh, but I know they don't really count for my science gpa. I also stupidly took really high level history courses and english courses to finish some of my universities requirements, which is why I got B's in those( 3000+ level courses) so idk if that matters.

I took a semester off and working as a Clinical Medical Assistant, which I took a course and got certified the semester before, and had an internship for almost 6 months. I then worked as a CMA at my local free clinics, garnering almost 150-200 hours( not sure). I was Vice President for a volunteering organization, where I got 2-3 hours of community service hours every week( at the homeless shelter). I have been volunteering for slot 10 semesters (including summers) for 2-3 hours every week, and I eventual became President of that organization for a year, and then won the election again and was president for my final year.


So, for those that don't feel like reading my life story, here you go



DATA:

Reasons for poor grades

• Personal issues, mental issues, PTSD, shootings

Pros:

Strong upward trend of grades. After my meds were fixed, straight A's for a summer semester(13 credit hours), Fall semester( 13-15 credit hours don't remember), and Spring( 13 credit hours). Only about 5 classes out of those were requirements for my psychology degree.

3.47 Overall GPA
3.27 Science GPA

Strong MCAT score: 520 :,)

200+ Hours of clinical experiences

Almost six month long internship

President for 2 years of volunteering organization, Vice President for one

Over 300 hours(estimate) of community service



Extras:

First gen college kid

Female

Indian

attend a good state school


I've been in college for 5 years and every summer except one.


I don't even know what top tier schools or mid tier ones to apply to. Also, I don't even know if I can get into those lol. HELP ME

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[Faha]

Where is your state of residence?

 

[Fun1nth3sun1]

Your cumulative gpa is very good and so is your MCAT. What state do you live in ? Can you also give some details on how you studied for the MCAT?

 

[Hennyh101]

Where is your state of residence?

Residency in Georgia, University in Florida!

 

[Hennyh101]

Your cumulative gpa is very good and so is your MCAT. What state do you live in ? Can you also give some details on how you studied for the MCAT?

Residency in Georgia and university in Florida!

As for studying:

I performed pretty poorly in my initial prereqs, so I focused mainly on my weaknesses. The key to studying, at least for me, was to find out what to spend the most/least time on, what studying methods work best for, and how long I could study without burning out.


Chemistry was my worst subject, therefore I decided to destroy it essentially haha. I make a multitude of flashcards, based on the main topics presented on the MCAT regarding that subject. I used Kaplan's MCAT study books, and focused on two subjects for a month and a half or so at a time. Try to pick the subjects that would go together, like I did physics and chemistry together. I suggest you try to fully understand the concepts, like if it takes you an hour to understand how something truly works, not just the definition, you will remember it more. This came in handy with concepts in physics as well. Also, make study guides. For me, working slower is key. I would only study each subject( physics or chemistry for period) for an hour and a half. I also looked up practice problems. The key is to figure out how they will try to TRICK you, and how certain concepts can blend to together and become confusing. If you have a concrete understanding, you're more likely to succeed. After you're done with a certain period(Like the two subjects you're studying for), I would review the material ever 2-3 days. Sit down, find new practice problems( don't use the ones you know, other wise your mind is not stimulated) and work on them. Explain how you know the answer out loud. Also, explain why the other answers are incorrect. That will ensure that you understand those concepts as well, and that you truly know your stuff. Another thing I did was hand make flashcards, and I carried those everywhere I went. I just slid them in my purse or book bag, and would use them during a red light, traffic, waiting rooms, periods where you get to class early, and etc.

Don't just use one type of practice book. I would use Kaplan and Examcrackers. I also utilized Mastering Organic Chemistry( it's a site with study sheets and stuff). I own an orgo book and physics book, so I would use those to practice as well. Hope this helps!

 

[Faha]

I suggest these schools with your stats:
Medical College Georgia
Mercer
Emory
Miami
South Florida
NOVA MD
Wake Forest
Tulane
Eastern Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth
Georgetown
George Washington
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
Seton Hall
Hofstra
Einstein
New York Medical College
Tufts
Quinnipiac
Oakland Beaumont
Western Michigan
Medical College Wisconsin
Rosalind Franklin
Loyola
Cincinnati
St. Louis
Creighton
Apply in June and submit all your secondaries by July

 

[Walter Raleigh]

@Goro has a good list of schools that reward reinvention. If you explain things as being PTSD caused by the shooting it's a compelling story, and you've got a strong upward trend and a stellar MCAT to cap it all off.