3 years of 4.0 - Can I build a school list based on 4.0 instead of 3.X?

[Current-big-pharma-shill]

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I have a history of 2-3 years of credits that were all low 3’s and high 2’s. Few science courses, all lower division, all at a different school than my graduating 4 year, all with life circumstances that somewhat explain the low GPA (3.2ish among all of the early credits).

Subsequently got my act together, went on to have 10 straight quarters of all 4.0, 90% science, 75% upper division, with the MCAT score to match.

With all of that said, when I am constructing my school list, am I able to in essence ignore those first bad few years and apply as though I have a 4.0? My transcript makes it pretty evident I am now academically competent despite the previous poor performance.

 

[DasNotRacist]

you are a shoo-in at harvard med and hopkins. Are you seriously even considering other schools?

 

[Current-big-pharma-shill]

you are a shoo-in at harvard med and hopkins. Are you seriously even considering other schools?

Given I fall below each of their 10th percentiles, I make this post because I am not confident I even can apply to those schools.

 

[M&L]

I have a history of 2-3 years of credits that were all low 3’s and high 2’s. Few science courses, all lower division, all at a different school than my graduating 4 year, all with life circumstances that somewhat explain the low GPA (3.2ish among all of the early credits).

Subsequently got my act together, went on to have 10 straight quarters of all 4.0, 90% science, 75% upper division, with the MCAT score to match.

With all of that said, when I am constructing my school list, am I able to in essence ignore those first bad few years and apply as though I have a 4.0? My transcript makes it pretty evident I am now academically competent despite the previous poor performance.

The main driving factor in a way is MCAT. So get it first and we’ll help you . It is more important than GPA, so to a degree GPA can be ignored . Like, if your Mcat puts you at top 10% for a certain school for example and your ECs are amazing , GPA can be below average and you’ll still be competitive if it makes sense .

 

[LunaOri]

Sure, you can make a list as though you had a 4,0. But it would be better to make a list based on which schools would be a good fit for you based on other factors than ranking, such as mission, location, opportunities, student happiness.

 

[candbgirl]

A 4.0 alone won’t get you into any school. Just this week there have been several threads started by seemingly stellar applicants that have interviewed this cycle and have either been outright rejected or on a few WLs. They were trying to figure out what happened.
As @M&L said come back with your MCAT and fill in the WAMC grid that is stickied above. All schools, not just Harvard, look at the complete application. So if you share that information the helpful people on SDN will offer good advice.
Your turn around is impressive. Congratulations.

 

[MICKY MANTLE]

Given I fall below each of their 10th percentiles, I make this post because I am not confident I even can apply to those schools.

I think he/she was being a little sarcastic in their post.

 

[Goro]

I have a history of 2-3 years of credits that were all low 3’s and high 2’s. Few science courses, all lower division, all at a different school than my graduating 4 year, all with life circumstances that somewhat explain the low GPA (3.2ish among all of the early credits).

Subsequently got my act together, went on to have 10 straight quarters of all 4.0, 90% science, 75% upper division, with the MCAT score to match.

With all of that said, when I am constructing my school list, am I able to in essence ignore those first bad few years and apply as though I have a 4.0? My transcript makes it pretty evident I am now academically competent despite the previous poor performance.

Rising GPA trends are always good. So yes, you can apply as if your GPA is 4.0

But it's foolish to make a list without an MCAT score.

you are a shoo-in at harvard med and hopkins. Are you seriously even considering other schools?

Do not assume that all schools reward reinvention. They have their pick of students who didn't need it, and can afford to ignore the OP.

Furthermore, single metrics do not make an application.

 

[Goro]

I think he/she was being a little sarcastic in their post.

Sarcasm doesn't travel well through the electrons

 

[MICKY MANTLE]

Do not assume that all schools reward reinvention. They have their pick of students who didn't need it, and can afford to ignore the OP.

Furthermore, single metrics do not make an application.

Sarcasm doesn't travel well through the electrons

Sarcasm doesn't travel well through the electrons

True, but the post that said "you are a shoo-in at harvard med and hopkins. Are you seriously even considering other schools?" surely cannot be taken seriously, especially since no one is ever a shoo-in, nonetheless at Hopkins or Harvard.

 

[Current-big-pharma-shill]

The main driving factor in a way is MCAT. So get it first and we’ll help you . It is more important than GPA, so to a degree GPA can be ignored . Like, if your Mcat puts you at top 10% for a certain school for example and your ECs are amazing , GPA can be below average and you’ll still be competitive if it makes sense .

Sorry, I included the “and an MCAT to match as in the quality of my score matches the quality of my GPA as of late (ie. 52X). This does still answer my question though, appreciated

 

[Current-big-pharma-shill]

Rising GPA trends are always good. So yes, you can apply as if your GPA is 4.0

But it's foolish to make a list without an MCAT score.

Do not assume that all schools reward reinvention. They have their pick of students who didn't need it, and can afford to ignore the OP.

Furthermore, single metrics do not make an application.

The “with the MCAT score to match” was reflective of a high MCAT (52X) matching the high recent GPA. Does this change your answer at all?

 

[M&L]

Sorry, I included the “and an MCAT to match as in the quality of my score matches the quality of my GPA as of late (ie. 52X). This does still answer my question though, appreciated

I am with @Goro

take Mcat than we’ll be happy to help with the list

 

[Current-big-pharma-shill]

I don't do hypotheticals.

.....”Got my act together.....with the MCAT to match.”

I already have the score, why would I assume I am getting a high MCAT and then ask about how to apply without MCAT in hand...?

I am with @Goro

take Mcat than we’ll be happy to help with the list

 

[Shotapp]

OP is saying they already have a competitive MCAT score around 52X I think.

I understood your post. Your app will be looked at differently.

 

[candbgirl]

.....”Got my act together.....with the MCAT to match.”

I already have the score, why would I assume I am getting a high MCAT and then ask about how to apply without MCAT in hand...?

Because about 90% of posters do say I expect a high score and come back 8 weeks later and post

“Got my MCAT score back and I’m so disappointed. Don’t know what happened. Help me!”

So...

 

[candbgirl]

OP is saying they already have a competitive MCAT score around 52X I think.

So is it 520 or 525 or what?

How are your ECs? What is your cGPA with all of your courses and your sGPA?

 

[Goro]

The “with the MCAT score to match” was reflective of a high MCAT (52X) matching the high recent GPA. Does this change your answer at all?

You didn't say that in your OP. If you had simply stated the score, I would have already posted the list.

 

[Goro]

.....”Got my act together.....with the MCAT to match.”

I already have the score, why would I assume I am getting a high MCAT and then ask about how to apply without MCAT in hand...?

I recommend:
NYU
Columbia
Vandy
Dartmouth
BU
Duke
Pitt
Mayo
Mt Sinai
Keck (maybe)
Temple (maybe)
UCSF
EVMS
Hofstra
Emory
Jefferson
Miami
Drexel
Albany
Tufts
NYMC
TCU/UNT
Your state schools
Rush
Loyola
Rosy Franklin
Tulane
Wake
MCW
SLU
Creighton
Wayne State
Netter
NovaMD
NYU.LI
Any DO program. Include UNECOM if you’re from the NE, OSUCOM if you’re from the Plains states and PacNW if you’re from that region. I can't recommend ARCOM, RVU, Nova, BCOM, ICOM and LUCOM, for different reasons. MSUCOM? Read up on Larry Nasser and you decide. LMU has an accreditation warning, which concerns me. CUHS is too new and appears to be too limited in rotations sites. Avoid those new schools that haven't graduated a class yet, if at all possible.

 

[Banco]

Candidates such as yourself need to apply more broadly than others. Think of it like having 2 lists, 1 where you apply with the 3.X (about 15 schools) and one where you apply with the 4.0 (about 15 schools). Mix it up to maximize success, because you don't know where you will get screened out or not, so while you should take your shot at the top schools, you should have some a solid base to fall back on.

 

[Goro]

Candidates such as yourself need to apply more broadly than others. Think of it like having 2 lists, 1 where you apply with the 3.X (about 15 schools) and one where you apply with the 4.0 (about 15 schools). Mix it up to maximize success, because you don't know where you will get screened out or not, so while you should take your shot at the top schools, you should have some a solid base to fall back on.

And DO schools have to be on the list, as beggars can't be choosy.

 

[Current-big-pharma-shill]

Because about 90% of posters do say I expect a high score and come back 8 weeks later and post

“Got my MCAT score back and I’m so disappointed. Don’t know what happened. Help me!”

So...

I have avoided SDN like the plague in the past and was unaware of a culture of neurosis among my younger colleagues. Seems like common sense to not waste the ADCOM time on here with ‘what-if’s’. Sorry you go through that.

So is it 520 or 525 or what?

How are your ECs? What is your cGPA with all of your courses and your sGPA?

MCAT is <524, sGPA is 4.0, cGPA is <25th percentile at all T10s.

ECs -

Overseas and domestic medical aid organization volunteer periodically for 7 years (I am qualified in the volunteering I do)

Founded a startup. It flopped due to Covibut I won some awards and got a pub out of it.

I run two (very) small businesses based around STEM education.

~4 years/1000 hours volunteer tutoring ranging from peers to low SES elementary school in

~1500-2000 hours research with 1 pub, 6 posters, and 1 abstract.

~7 years working in allied health, 4 of which is as a manager. Some clinical duties but mostly not patient related (maybe 20% clinical duty).

more than sufficient shadowing.

Miscellaneous (~1000 hours) leadership, awards and scholarships, clinical and non-clinical volunteering.

Hobbies a plenty.

Candidates such as yourself need to apply more broadly than others. Think of it like having 2 lists, 1 where you apply with the 3.X (about 15 schools) and one where you apply with the 4.0 (about 15 schools). Mix it up to maximize success, because you don't know where you will get screened out or not, so while you should take your shot at the top schools, you should have some a solid base to fall back on.

Thank you for this answer, this is more or less exactly what I was looking for. Wasn’t really aiming for a WAMC thread or making a school list (although this is quite helpful @Goro).

 

[Current-big-pharma-shill]

Candidates such as yourself need to apply more broadly than others. Think of it like having 2 lists, 1 where you apply with the 3.X (about 15 schools) and one where you apply with the 4.0 (about 15 schools). Mix it up to maximize success, because you don't know where you will get screened out or not, so while you should take your shot at the top schools, you should have some a solid base to fall back on.

For schools with the 3.X list, how does one avoid yield protection (outside of my state schools)

 

[candbgirl]

It would help if you told us what the X is in your cGPA. You seem to want help but we have to drag information out of you so we can give it to you. But I wouldn’t worry about yield protection since one of the resident ADCOMS has rec you add DO schools to your list. So you should be fine if you follow @Goro ‘s list. It is very broad and gives you lots of options. With a cGPA below the 25 percentile at all T10 schools, I guess you could apply to one or two T10 but your focus should be elsewhere. I know this disappoints you but you have worked too hard to redeem yourself to let your dream fall apart because you insist on applying to an unrealistic list of schools. You are at the point that you have to make the choice between getting into med school or only getting into a T10. Good luck as you move forward.

 

[Banco]

For schools with the 3.X list, how does one avoid yield protection (outside of my state schools)

Well I mean, you can't control such factors mostly; yield protection is a bit beyond the understanding of people that aren't really involved in admissions processes. What you can do is write secondaries that demonstrate your interest to those schools a bit more than superficially. This could be location, patient population, specific research/departments etc. But otherwise you pick a good set of schools and roll the dice.