3.5, 29p

[muja786]

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Before I start, I would like to thank anyone that will take the time to consider my situation and give me some advice and input on my situation, I really appreciate the time and input.

Stats: 3.5 cum, 3.3-3.4 sGPA
Freshman year- 2.36 GPA, As soon as I graduated highschool I took chem 1 and 2(with labs) over the summer and orgo 1 my first full semester at a top 5 chemistry school. Coupled with this being my first experience in college, my mother became medically disabled around this time and was forced to leave work of 10 years. With my father working 50+ hours and a 4 year old sister, this put a large burden of responsibility on me.With the school being 40 minutes away many times I would have to miss class or leave school due to my mother's illness. At the end of my first year I realized I could not continue with this situation so I enrolled in a community college mostly taking my basics and transfered to a upper level university that was only 5 minutes away. Since my freshman year I have maintained roughly a 3.8 cum GPA and a 3.7 SGPA. This is along with working 20-25 hours a week as a tutor and supplemental instructor for chemistries and biologies as well as a residential real estate manager.

My junior year summer I attended a Health Careers Opportunity Program at Howard University- School of Medicine, we took a very intense biochemistry class their with the medical school professors as well as a gross lab with actual cadavers(amazing experience). Along with this I had the opportunity to shadow 100+ hours in the OR department at HU hospital.
Other clinical volenteer experience I have had was in high school in which I was accepted into a rotational program where we rotated at many different medical facilities including every ward of a hospital as well as sports medicine, vetrinary, and rehab facilities. (300+hours)

Research experience: Only this semester (last semester of senior year) have I gotten involved in research projects at my school. I am currently working on 3 different projects- 1. Reverse genetics analysis of a model lagoon species to determine the genetic variation amongst zinc transport genes and the effect these variations have on the nutritional value of the plant. 2. Effect of non-nicotine substances in tobacco smoke on the development or severity of nicotine withdrawal syndrome in the rodent model. 3. Developing a chronic insomnia model in the rodent for future research studies.

MCAT: I took the MCAT in January and just received my score back (wanted to wait for this before I posted this.) I received a 29P (12 PS, 7VR, 10BS) I personally am satisfied with my score, and I think all of the dates have filled up so I don't think I would be able to take it again and have my scores back before June 1. (I am a Texas resident and that is when TDMSAS applications open for submission and I want to have everything in within that first week.) Oh yea, and my ethnicity is south-asian. Honestly after attending the Howard program, the HU school of medicine has become one of my top choices. I can't think of anything else to put here but if I do ill add it on the thread. Again, I really appreciate anyone who has given me some of their valuable time to help me out in my situation, thank y'all very much.

 

[virusgirl]

Your GPA is low, but you have mitigating circumstances and a strong upward trend. I think this will not be a huge problem for you provided you make intelligent decisions in picking schools. Don't pick places that are huge sticklers for numbers -- I've heard NYU is pretty picky, but I don't know for sure. Also be sure that you don't apply to places that screen at a level higher than your GPA (I think that most places that screen tend to set the bar pretty low, so this probably won't be that hard to do)

Your clinical experience is good. If you can, try to shadow more doctors in other departments -- it's always good to see many types of medicine. Your high school experiences probably won't be counted (bummer, I know. I had an award for 500+ hours at a hospital from high school, and I sooo wish it mattered to adcoms!)

Volunteer experience? This is crucial. You need to show that you're a caring and empathic person. I know you're pretty busy with work, but it would be a good idea to cut back on the tutoring a little so that you can volunteer 3 hrs/week someplace.

So here's the thing. Your grades are low, but not terrible. Your MCAT is low, but not terrible. However, successful applicants, when low in one of these areas, typically are average to exceptional in the other. I'm not saying that you have no chance, or even that your chances are bad, but I wouldn't hold out hope for a very competitive school. You seem to be making wise decisions in terms of schools to apply to -- the Texas school system seems (to me) to be a little more accomodating of people with not-amazing stats than other states. And I think you'd be a great candidate for Howard -- their avg numbers are not too high, and since you've done their summer program that will certainly help you a bit. (I've heard that Howard has a strong preference for people who are interested in helping the underserved, so again, volunteer work is important!). Apply to some low- to mid-tier private schools that aren't ridiculously anal about numbers and I think you'll be okay.