31 and a 3.4 (Calc III and Difeq to blame). Apply or Masters?

[persephone1]

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I'm a senior bio major with a 3.4 overall gpa (3.55 bio only, not counting math or chem...is that how they do it?) and a 31 (11, 9, 11) mcat. I was on track for 3+2 biomedical engineering for my first two years of school and so I took Calc I-III and Difeq, along with a normal load of biology courses and calc based physics I and II. I was not premed at the time, and as only a 3.2 gpa was needed for the program, I didn't make it a priority.

Now I'm paying for that, because I changed to premed my junior year. I had a 3.7 average for my junior year, but first semester senior year I came out with a 3.3 because bf was flunking out of school and I let it get to me (not a ruthless premed, sorry guys). As for other stuff, I have worked in a hospital for a year and a half, have over 100 hours medical related volunteer experience, and a good amount of extra-curriculars. I also have my name on a chemistry journal article, and over 2 years of genetics research under my belt (along with a national conference).

I will be applying in June or attending a masters program. I have two questions. Do you think I should apply, or do the masters? If I should apply, what schools do you suggest? I am from Georgia.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Hope everyone is having a fantastic semester.

Persephone

 

[DrBowtie]

I would atleast apply once before you do a post bacc. There are some schools in GA that heavily favor residents so you should be pretty competitive there.

 

[jebus]

Is your name really persephone? I've always thought that was a really pretty name. My friend's daughter wanted to name her then-unborn sister persephone if she was a girl ("Pinhead" if she turned out to be a boy). Anyway, moving on...
Schools look at 2 GPAs, overall and BCPM GPA, your Bio, Chem, Physics and Math GPA.
If you're thinking about what kind of post-bac program to pursue (you may not need to do this, but I would look into your state's MD programs) it's probably a good idea to talk to your pre-med advisor. I don't know if you should pursue an undergraduate post-bac or a masters (or a special masters). I wish I had more to tell you. I guess the take home message is talk with your pre-med advisor and email some deans of admission at med schools and see if they would be willing to look at your application and see what parts are deficient or what they would suggest.

 

[UCDavisdude]

the average student that gets into med school has a 3.5 and a 30 mcat. your rite there!!you should be fine, just apply to alot of schools, remember, most people who are in med school arent sdners. sdners tend to be on the higher spectrum of pre meds from what ive seen. i mean, look at uc davis, great med school, but students get in with 3.3, 3.4 and up all the time!

 

[persephone1]

hate to let you down, but my name isn't persephone. i agree though that that is a beautiful name. thanks for the advice. my premed advisor is very good, and i will talk to him about my qualms, however i just wanted to get a feel for what other people thought. thanks!

 

[persephone1]

the average student that gets into med school has a 3.5 and a 30 mcat. your rite there!!you should be fine, just apply to alot of schools, remember, most people who are in med school arent sdners. sdners tend to be on the higher spectrum of pre meds from what ive seen. i mean, look at uc davis, great med school, but students get in with 3.3, 3.4 and up all the time!

weee, i think you just made my night! thanks 🙂

 

[UCDavisdude]

hate to let you down, but my name isn't persephone. i agree though that that is a beautiful name. thanks for the advice. my premed advisor is very good, and i will talk to him about my qualms, however i just wanted to get a feel for what other people thought. thanks!

maybe i should change my name to persephone..since its such a nice name..or is it not acceptible for a guy?

 

[persephone1]

maybe i should change my name to persephone..since its such a nice name..or is it not acceptible for a guy?

hehe

 

[psipsina]

Hey, I have a 3.34 gpa with a 3.1 science, Neuroscience major, and a 32Q MCAT and I got an acceptance. Just write a stellar personal statement and bedazzle them in the interviews . . . oh and apply super early. Good luck!

 

[Ypo.]

Definitely apply-but do it early. And have contingency plans. I think your MCAT scores prove you are smart enough. And a 3.4 isn't bad.

 

[BigRedZippo]

Definitely apply. You'll likely not have to do your post-bac (assuming you are normal, interview well, etc! 🙂 )

 

[entropy2]

definitely definitely definitely apply....

many schools look at your last 2 years...

in addition, i've heard that mcg gives priority to georgia residents....

at the very least apply to mcg....

 

[Mr. Tee]

in addition, i've heard that mcg gives priority to georgia residents....

at the very least apply to mcg....

Correct. You can't beat 100% in-state student acceptances 😉

I second the MCG recommendation

 

[silas2642]

Your stats are fine, and if you don't apply this year before diving into a Masters program, you'd be nuts. Just make sure you apply really really really early, write a great personal statement, get good letters of recommendation (try to get at least one from a doctor because it really helps), and nail the interviews.

Oh yeah, and apply broadly. Make sure you hit the mid-tier and lower-tier schools hard. I wouldn't spend too much time applying to the ivies or UC's, etc. Go for MCG, Morehouse, Emory as a reach, etc.

 

[Rafa]

Your GPA and MCAT are fine. If I were in your position, I wouldn't think twice about applying. Just pay attention to your essays and at your interviews, and go for it. And apply to the schools you'd go to if you got in.