3.6 GPA but 527 MCAT.

[jamessmith1395]

Hi, everyone. I'll be applying for the upcoming cycle.

In my freshman year, I experienced financial hardships, leading to a low GPA in my beginners chemistry course. However, I have had a 4.0 for my remaining three years. Also a 527 MCAT.

I've had over 5000+ clinical hours; 500+ non-clinical volunteering hours (homelessness); 1500+ research hours (poster presentations); 100+ shadowing hours (varying specialties); (2000+ hours in fitness influencing); flawless LORs; and a X-factor I'd like to keep anonymous.


I'm applying to T25 schools, but I'm terrified of my freshman year grades that I don't think I'll get into one school.

What should I do? Should I take an additional year for a post-bacc?

I would appreciate anyones advice. Thank you

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[LindaAccepted]

You are a splitter. Applying in the top 25 is appropriate, but applying outside of it to at least a few programs that have what you want without perhaps the brand also makes sense. This isn't an either or kind of question and you're getting a "both" answer.

Also, make sure the schools know what the circumstances were surrounding the rough first year.

I'm overall very optimistic for you.

 

[Goro]

Hi, everyone. I'll be applying for the upcoming cycle.

In my freshman year, I experienced financial hardships, leading to a low GPA in my beginners chemistry course. However, I have had a 4.0 for my remaining three years. Also a 527 MCAT.

I've had over 5000+ clinical hours; 500+ non-clinical volunteering hours (homelessness); 1500+ research hours (poster presentations); 100+ shadowing hours (varying specialties); (2000+ hours in fitness influencing); flawless LORs; and a X-factor I'd like to keep anonymous.


I'm applying to T25 schools, but I'm terrified of my freshman year grades that I don't think I'll get into one school.

What should I do? Should I take an additional year for a post-bacc?

I would appreciate anyones advice. Thank you

You should apply as if your GPA is 4.0. As in, rock stars should aim high.

Great work!

 

[jamessmith1395]

You should apply as if your GPA is 4.0. As in, rock stars should aim high.

Great work!

Also.... does MSAR display the entire batch of applicants?

I've seen a reddit post that states it doesn't, but I come to realize that I don't really fit the median/average for most of these schools

 

[Goro]

Also.... does MSAR display the entire batch of applicants?

I've seen a reddit post that states it doesn't, but I come to realize that I don't really fit the median/average for most of these schools

Nope. Just acceptees.

I suggest the following:
Columbia
Cornell
Duke
Harvard
JHU
Mayo
Northwestern
NYU
U Chicago
U Penn
U VA
Vanderbilt
WashU
Yale
Case
Hofstra
Stanford
Baylor
BU
Pitt
Sinai
U MI
USF Morsani
UTSW
Brown
Kaiser (only 50 seats!)
Rochester
SUNY-SB
U AZ-P (favors westerners)
USC/Keck
Albert Einstein
Dartmouth
Emory
NYMC
Ohio State
U Cincy
U IA
U MA
UCSF
Creighton
Gtown
Hackensack Meridian
Jefferson
Miami
NYU-LI
SLU
Tufts
U CO
U VM
UCF
UCLA [likes disadvantaged]
Uniformed Services University/Hebert (just be aware of the military service commitment)
VCU
Western MI
Your state school(s)
Yes, it's a long list. Your job is to cull it down, based upon your needs/interests.

 

[GoSpursGo]

I'm locking as the OP previously asked this question on an alternate account and received good feedback.