3.76 cGPA, June MCAT

[deleted611253]

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Hi everyone,

I'm graduating this June and applying to medical school this cycle for the first time. I kind of messed up this year and my GPA took a major hit which I worry is a red flag:
3.94/3.83/3.82/3.38 (nothing below 70 though)

cGPA 3.76/sGPA 3.78
MCAT - rewriting in June; 35-38 in practice tests. My first one was 24 (completely unprepared I don't even know why I did it).

Clinical - 100 hours (split local/international but meaningful, strong patient interaction in different wards of hospital and a local clinic)
Non-clinical - 500+ hours (science outreach, educational, community-focused)

ECs/Leadership roles - biotechnology (helped organize lab tours/hands-on experiments for undergrads), photography (organized photo walks and helped art gallery), mentored incoming students, currently helping organize fundraiser for fall.

Employment - 3 years of organic and physical chemistry tutoring to university students

Shadowing - 15 hours (3 with endocrinologist, 12 with family physician - I go to school in Ontario and shadowing is frowned upon by doctors...)

Research - ~ 3 years total in 2 biomedical engineering labs. Awards, posters, presentations but no publication.

LORs - 2 strong research profs, 1 from registrar (strong), 1 science education prof/upcoming chem course with him (kind of weak, old ref). Most of my ECs/volunteering has been independent so no letters from them. I began my fundraising role this month but submitting AMCAS in July so is it too early asking my supervisor for one?

Other:
- US citizen (but non-resident: no state designation)
- South Asian female

Gap year plans:
- 3 weeks shadowing abroad (~60 hours)
- taking 3 courses (stats, chem lab, global health)
- volunteering at a hospital and a non-profit (secured)
- shadowing (searching)
- job in science outreach or non-profit (searching)

Aaaand now, my list of schools.

Tulane
Albany
NYMC
Drexel
Wake Forest
Loyola
Chicago (Rosalind Franklin)
WashU St Louis
SUNY up/downstate
Albert Einstein
Northwestern
Yale
NYU
Tufts
Miami
Florida
Vanderbilt
Temple
Stanford
Stony Brook
Buffalo
Baylor
Penn State
Georgetown
Dartmouth
Duke
George Washington
Boston

...Too many reach schools?

Thanks so much!

 

[bearded frog]

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[deleted611253]

What are you going to say when your final year GPA inevitably comes up in interview? Keep doing clinical experiences. Try to shadow locally if possible.

I'm honestly not sure what to say about my final year GPA should I make it to interviews. The reality is that I had a mental breakdown following an event that I rather not disclose to them (not even my family/friends know..) and am still in the process of recovery. I fear there is still stigma surrounding mental health issues as an explanation for poor grades and for that I'm also not including it in my PS.

 

[bearded frog]

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