31S 3.73 GPA.. Need some reassurance

[econbro]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I haven't been extremely worried about my applications up until recently, but I have been lurking these forums for months and finally decided to make an account.

I am a Microbiology/Economics Double major with minors in Chemistry and Business Administration. My science GPA is about a 3.72, non- science is 3.78, and overall I am a 3.73. Out of my 5 rec letters, I know two of them are absolutely glowing, but the other 3 are a mystery to me.

I was president of my fraternity last year and held chair positions the year before that, both of which took up the majority of my time, but I also have about 6 months of research experience and I have been volunteering since June in a very hands-on fashion that has allowed me a good amount of patient interaction.

I have also held several jobs, two of which for over two years, and my family is in one of the lower income brackets with two more college age students. Not sure how much they take in to account these factors, but I am hoping it helps.

I applied to a very fair amount of schools but I would like to know what you guys think my overall chances are. I have thought about retaking the MCAT in the winter for the next cycle, but realistically I can't take a year off of school without working so I hope I can make the transition right into med school.

Any advice/information you guys could give me would really help!

EDIT: Here is the list of what I have applied to. Some are reaches but I feel like the majority are very reasonable. (I know it's a lot.. I really milked the FAP)

University of Florida
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
The University of Miami School of Medicine
Columbia University College of P & S
Boston University School of Medicine
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicin
USF Health Morsani College of Medicine
University of Chicago - Pritzker
Tufts University School of Medicine
Georgetown University School of Medicine
George Washington University Sch of Med & Hlth Sci
New York University
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
Wake Forest School of Medicine of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Washington University School of Medicine
University of Washington School of Medicine
University of California San Diego
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
University of California, Irvine- College/Medicine
University of Maryland School of Medicine
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Den
University of North Carolina School of Medicine
New York Medical College
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Drexel University College of Medicine
Rush Medical College
University of Illinois at Chicago-College of Medic
Duke University

 

[theseeker4]

I haven't been extremely worried about my applications up until recently, but I have been lurking these forums for months and finally decided to make an account.

I am a Microbiology/Economics Double major with minors in Chemistry and Business Administration. My science GPA is about a 3.72, non- science is 3.78, and overall I am a 3.73. Out of my 5 rec letters, I know two of them are absolutely glowing, but the other 3 are a mystery to me.

I was president of my fraternity last year and held chair positions the year before that, both of which took up the majority of my time, but I also have about 6 months of research experience and I have been volunteering since June in a very hands-on fashion that has allowed me a good amount of patient interaction.

I have also held several jobs, two of which for over two years, and my family is in one of the lower income brackets with two more college age students. Not sure how much they take in to account these factors, but I am hoping it helps.

I applied to a very fair amount of schools but I would like to know what you guys think my overall chances are. I have thought about retaking the MCAT in the winter for the next cycle, but realistically I can't take a year off of school without working so I hope I can make the transition right into med school.

Any advice/information you guys could give me would really help!

EDIT: Here is the list of what I have applied to. Some are reaches but I feel like the majority are very reasonable. (I know it's a lot.. I really milked the FAP)

University of Florida
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
The University of Miami School of Medicine
Columbia University College of P & S
Boston University School of Medicine
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicin
USF Health Morsani College of Medicine
University of Chicago - Pritzker
Tufts University School of Medicine
Georgetown University School of Medicine
George Washington University Sch of Med & Hlth Sci
New York University
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
Wake Forest School of Medicine of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Washington University School of Medicine
University of Washington School of Medicine
University of California San Diego
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
University of California, Irvine- College/Medicine
University of Maryland School of Medicine
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Den
University of North Carolina School of Medicine
New York Medical College
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Drexel University College of Medicine
Rush Medical College
University of Illinois at Chicago-College of Medic
Duke University

Assuming no red flags, and assuming a balanced MCAT breakdown, no reason you shouldn't get in somewhere. You didn't say what state you are a resident of. Also if you are URM, your chances are even better. Absolutely don't retake he MCAT unless it is severely unbalanced (I.e. a section under 8).

Do you have any shadowing? Lack of that and very light clinical experience seem to be your weakest points.

 

[Catalystik]

Your list seems top heavy to me. Six months of research experience might not get you a lot of attention from the top research schools on your list unless you have some amazing, productive leadership activity or substantial, consistent nonmedical service to the poor to make up for it.

You have several choices that aren't very friendly to OOSers or those from out of area, but I expect you researched them carefully and have a reason for your picks.

 

[econbro]

Assuming no red flags, and assuming a balanced MCAT breakdown, no reason you shouldn't get in somewhere. You didn't say what state you are a resident of. Also if you are URM, your chances are even better. Absolutely don't retake he MCAT unless it is severely unbalanced (I.e. a section under 8).

Do you have any shadowing? Lack of that and very light clinical experience seem to be your weakest points.

My MCAT was B:10/P:10/V:11 and I am a Florida resident, but I am a white male.

I agree those are my two weakest areas, but I am hoping to do some shadowing before interview time so I can address the lack of it in my Primary Application, as well as continue my volunteering.

 

[theseeker4]

My MCAT was B:10/P:10/V:11 and I am a Florida resident, but I am a white male.

I agree those are my two weakest areas, but I am hoping to do some shadowing before interview time so I can address the lack of it in my Primary Application, as well as continue my volunteering.

Aren't there more Florida schools than that? I thought there were anyway, if so, is there a reason you didn't apply to them all? Also, listen to Catalystick 👍

 

[econbro]

Your list seems top heavy to me. Six months of research experience might not get you a lot of attention from the top research schools on your list unless you have some amazing, productive leadership activity or substantial, consistent nonmedical service to the poor to make up for it.

You have several choices that aren't very friendly to OOSers or those from out of area, but I expect you researched them carefully and have a reason for your picks.

At this point I can't do too much about the research but I am hoping to continue volunteering and start shadowing so hopefully I can talk to any potential interviewers about my current lacking in those areas.

Aren't there more Florida schools than that? I thought there were anyway, if so, is there a reason you didn't apply to them all? Also, listen to Catalystick 👍

I applied to UF, UM, and USF, but I am now thinking of adding FSU, UCF, or FIU to the list to expand my horizons.

Do you think it would be wise for me to add some more middle-tier out of state schools? I would look at the numbers on acceptances for OOSers but considering I am already at 32 schools I am not trying to go too crazy with adding more.