3.69 cGPA, 3.43 sGPA, no MCAT yet - chances?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

blackcadillacs

Full Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2010
Messages
71
Reaction score
18
I'm a junior right now at a CA school, and concerned because my science GPA is significantly lower than my cumulative one, and I've been on a downward trend since freshman year (in terms of science classes, everything else is fine).

Research: I've worked in two labs for the past two years, and additionally did a summer research internship last year

Not much clinical experience at all: did a medical mission trip for 1 week, have 7 hrs of shadowing, but no other clinical volunteering, so this is something I really have to work on. Am planning on volunteering at a hospital starting this semester.

I've done some random volunteering as well, such as at a low-income women's shelter (1 sem, maybe 30 hrs), and at an AIDS food delivery center (15 hrs), but neither of these was long-term at all.

I have 3 semesters of school left, and am taking a gap year off - is this enough time to make myself a stronger/viable candidate for any med schools? What should I do, and what schools seem within my reach at this point?
 
Last edited:
When you have an MCAT score we can give you a better idea of schools where you'd have a chance. With 3 semesters to go, you can probably make some positive impact on the BCPM GPA.

Meanwhile, with 1.5 years before you'd apply you have enough time to get in sufficient clinical experience if you give 3-4 hours of your time each week during school terms. About 50 hours of physician shadowing is average. You have a lot of other good activities. Any chance of resuming your volunteering at either the shelter or the food delivery center? Med schools like to see some longevity with nonmedical community service too.
 
Top