3.6 sGPA, 3.75 cGPA, 520 MCAT, unimpressive ECs

[Latteandaprayer]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Although I have a semester left and my GPA may change, I'm not expecting huge strides in either direction unless I outright fail my classes, which i don't think will happen.

Race: White
SES: Below poverty line (family's income is under 15k a year)
sGPA: 3.6
cGPA: 3.75
MCAT: 520
State: Michigan

Employment:
1. Home caretaker for a family member, ~15 hours a week
- Duties were helping with bathing and mobility, as well as cooking and shopping
2. Lab assistant, ~5 hours a week
- Washing dishes, making media
3. TAing for an intro bio lab course this past semester, ~7 hours a week

Research:
- 1000+ hours (almost 2.5 years) in a cell biology lab working with S. cerevisiae
- First author manuscript submitted... waiting
- Technically this is also employment because I get paid to do it

Clinical:
1. 100 hours in ED volunteer (and ongoing) (talking with patients mostly for pt contact)
2. 100 hours in pediatric PT (distracted children while doctors or PTs did procedures, played games with them)
3. Shadowed a PCP for 50 hours--emailing other specialties to try and get more

Volunteering:
- 200 hours in a local soup kitchen (ongoing)

ECs:
- A theater club on campus
- Outreach chair and conflict resolution chair
- Directing, producing, stage managing, assistant directing

Essays: I have ideas for all of them, I know they have sway in the process, so I'm sorry I can't comment much on them.
LORs: I've asked for them already, and I'm sure they'll range from okay to great LORs (at least no negative ones).


So overall I'm an unimpressive candidate with a cusp-ish GPA. Most of my free time is spent in lab. What are my chances of getting in? What strategy should I apply with? How can I improve my application by May?

 

[Faha]

You are competitive for many MD schools and I suggest all these:
U Michigan
Michigan State
Central Michigan
Wayne State
Western Michigan
Oakland Beaumont
Toledo
Case Western
Cincinnati
Washington University
Tulane
Miami
Vanderbilt
Duke
Pittsburgh
Rochester
Hofstra
Einstein
Mount Sinai
NYU
Boston University
Tufts
Dartmouth
Brown
Kaiser

 

[LeaveNoTrace]

Unimpressive? Have some self-esteem. You overcame some adversity to get a middling GPA and stellar MCAT with OK to solid ECs. You’re a mediocre candidate at top-20 schools and strong everywhere else. Get more clinical and nonclinical volunteering if you can, and good luck.

 

[Latteandaprayer]

Unimpressive? Have some self-esteem. You overcame some adversity to get a middling GPA and stellar MCAT with OK to solid ECs. You’re a mediocre candidate at top-20 schools and strong everywhere else. Get more clinical and nonclinical volunteering if you can, and good luck.

Thanks for the encouragement! I meant unimpressive as in not really standing out in anyway, except my MCAT. My GPA is below average for the top schools, and around average for other schools. My ECs aren't remarkable either.

I hate to reduce activities down to hours, but what number of CS and clinical hours do you think I should shoot for? I really do enjoy these activities, but unfortunately money needs and family needs require my attention first. I can, nonetheless, speak passionately about my activities.

 

[LeaveNoTrace]

You’re OK with those, they’re OK for top 20s and good everywhere else especially with your story. Maybe you could get clinical employment? As for the money: some states reimburse relatives that act as home health aides under some circumstances. It might be worth looking into. Good luck!

 

[popcorn1096]

I’m from Michigan and just from application experience I think you should be competitive for all the Michigan schools! Good luck!

 

[Goro]

Although I have a semester left and my GPA may change, I'm not expecting huge strides in either direction unless I outright fail my classes, which i don't think will happen.

Race: White
SES: Below poverty line (family's income is under 15k a year)
sGPA: 3.6
cGPA: 3.75
MCAT: 520
State: Michigan

Employment:
1. Home caretaker for a family member, ~15 hours a week
- Duties were helping with bathing and mobility, as well as cooking and shopping
2. Lab assistant, ~5 hours a week
- Washing dishes, making media
3. TAing for an intro bio lab course this past semester, ~7 hours a week

Research:
- 1000+ hours (almost 2.5 years) in a cell biology lab working with S. cerevisiae
- First author manuscript submitted... waiting
- Technically this is also employment because I get paid to do it

Clinical:
1. 100 hours in ED volunteer (and ongoing) (talking with patients mostly for pt contact)
2. 100 hours in pediatric PT (distracted children while doctors or PTs did procedures, played games with them)
3. Shadowed a PCP for 50 hours--emailing other specialties to try and get more

Volunteering:
- 200 hours in a local soup kitchen (ongoing)

ECs:
- A theater club on campus
- Outreach chair and conflict resolution chair
- Directing, producing, stage managing, assistant directing

Essays: I have ideas for all of them, I know they have sway in the process, so I'm sorry I can't comment much on them.
LORs: I've asked for them already, and I'm sure they'll range from okay to great LORs (at least no negative ones).


So overall I'm an unimpressive candidate with a cusp-ish GPA. Most of my free time is spent in lab. What are my chances of getting in? What strategy should I apply with? How can I improve my application by May?

Get out of the lab and engage in more service to others less fortunate than yourself.

 

[Latteandaprayer]

Get out of the lab and engage in more service to others less fortunate than yourself.

I appreciate (and agree) with your response, but I work in the lab so I can get paid. Lab-work happens to be my main source of income, and I can't reduce my hours by much.

But I agree that I should dedicate more time to the less fortunate, so I've made plans to pick up extra shifts at the soup kitchen and also start serving at a food pantry.

 

[Goro]

I appreciate (and agree) with your response, but I work in the lab so I can get paid. Lab-work happens to be my main source of income, and I can't reduce my hours by much.

But I agree that I should dedicate more time to the less fortunate, so I've made plans to pick up extra shifts at the soup kitchen and also start serving at a food pantry.

OK, That wasn't clear from your OP. Work experience is always good.

But now you need to show off your altruism.

 

[LeaveNoTrace]

The OP has enough volunteering to not kill their chances, although more hours in each would help them. Some slack may get cut because of the OP's disadvantaged background.

 

[Latteandaprayer]

OK, That wasn't clear from your OP. Work experience is always good.

But now you need to show off your altruism.

How many hours should I shoot for then? I hate asking that because it’s inevitably reducing community service down to impressiveness and a checkbox, but if that’s the game then that’s the game.

I have enough experience, in my opinion, to talk passionately about it and how it shaped my decision to become a physician.

 

[Goro]

How many hours should I shoot for then? I hate asking that because it’s inevitably reducing community service down to impressiveness and a checkbox, but if that’s the game then that’s the game.

I have enough experience, in my opinion, to talk passionately about it and how it shaped my decision to become a physician.

>200 to match the rest of your app. 150 bare minimum!

 

[Latteandaprayer]

>200 to match the rest of your app. 150 bare minimum!

Oh, I think you missed the part in my post about CS, unless you mean I should try to get 200 more. I’ll have at least 200 hours by the time I apply, optimally I’ll have 215 if I don’t miss a shift for any reason. Currently I’m at 170. However, more community service wouldn’t hurt anyone.

 

[Goro]

Oh, I think you missed the part in my post about CS, unless you mean I should try to get 200 more. I’ll have at least 200 hours by the time I apply, optimally I’ll have 215 if I don’t miss a shift for any reason. Currently I’m at 170. However, more community service wouldn’t hurt anyone.

You'll be good to go then. Aim high.