3.5 science GPA, 34R - Chances please?

[nerdyandproud]

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Sorry in advance for the lengthy post. Any advice about my chances of getting into medical school will be greatly appreciated!

Cumulative GPA: 3.57 (will probably graduate with 3.59, but still have a quarter to go)
Science GPA: 3.45 (will probably graduate with 3.5, but still have a quarter to go)
(overall increasing trend)

MCAT: 12VR, 11BS, 11PS, R (34R)

Research:
- virology (2 years, publication in progress as non-primary author, received undergraduate research fellowship)

Clinical:
- hospital volunteer (120 hours)

Work experience:
- lab assistant (2 years)
- genetics tutor (2 quarters)

Leadership:
- Japanese drumming team (4 years, Internal Affairs, Finance Director, more work than it sounds haha!)
- student government (1 year, Community Service Commission)

Other community service:
- Child visitation center (1 summer)
- Docent (1 summer)
- Reading to Kids

All of these extracurriculars are from my four years at UCLA. Although I've briefly listed them out here, I can talk in depth and passionately about many of them. 🙂

Major concerns about my application.
- Low GPA with an average MCAT score.
- Not enough clinical experience.

I originally wanted to apply this cycle as a graduating senior. During my year off, I plan to teach in Japan and hopefully volunteer, get clinical experience, or do more research on the side.

However, maybe it would be worth taking two years off? Advantages include:
- retaking MCAT
- getting more clinical experience to talk about
- being able to write about my out-of-college experiences in my application

If I apply this cycle, how strong am I as a candidate for medical school? Any input would be very helpful. Thank you in advance!

 

[canjosh]

Assuming you're a CA resident...you need to apply broadly. Your MCAT score will help you greatly. I would never retake a 34...never, ever, ever. Ever.

You have correctly identified that your weakness is clinical experience. You just need to set up shadowing experiences with some physicians. As long as there are not any glaringly bad science grades, I think you would get in this cycle as long as you are smart about where you apply.

 

[nerdyandproud]

Thanks for your input! I'll definitely consider doing more clinical work during my year or two off.

The day I took my MCAT, I was sick and thought I did horribly, so I have a feeling that if I give myself a second chance, I could do better. If take two years off to improve my MCAT score, get some clinical experience to talk about, and then travel to Japan to teach, would this significantly increase my chances of getting in?

Thank you!

 

[canjosh]

Assuming you're a CA resident...you need to apply broadly. Your MCAT score will help you greatly. I would never retake a 34...never, ever, ever. Ever.

You have correctly identified that your weakness is clinical experience.

Was I not clear enough?? 🙂

 

[MiniMoo]

Your numbers are pretty much identical to mine. I also went to UCLA. I applied broadly (and not even that early) and was interviewed at 10+ schools and will be attending a med school in CA starting this fall. However, I did have more clinical and community volunteer work than you, but less research experience.

I think your stats as they stand are perfectly fine as long as you're okay with possibly going OOS for school. I would not retake the MCAT. Your hospital experience, while not extensive, is not THAT bad. I would try to get more hours in though as well as some shadowing. About 60 hours with 2-3 different specialties seems to be the norm. If you can fit in the teaching as well during your time off, that would be ideal in order to beef up your non-medical volunteering. I think 1 year off to boost your ECs is enough for application purposes, unless you personally want to take off more time for yourself.

 

[nerdyandproud]

Hahaha, alright alright...no retaking the MCAT. Got it this time.

Anyway, thanks a bunch for your inputs! (Congrats btw to getting into a CA school.) I'll definitely work to gain more volunteer/shadowing experience while doing other stuff I love during the year off.