4.0 GPA/low MCATs/lot of disadvantages/applying this year

[SamuelTesla]

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Hey guys - i'm applying this year and wanted to get the advice of the "experts" out there on my chances...

4.0 GPA - good EC (I think): worked in research lab for more than a year, volunteered at hospital, volunteered at clinic, shadowed a physician, visited an international hospital, 3 clubs (no positions), tutoring, volunteered at assisted living facility.....

Will be getting MCAT results on 9/7 - I expect 25-28 - I've already sent out my secondaries - the bad thing is im using AP/IB for some prereqs and I am completing undergrad in 3 years - please let me know my chances (not applying instate)

 

[alwaysaangel]

Hey guys - i'm applying this year and wanted to get the advice of the "experts" out there on my chances...

4.0 GPA - good EC (I think): worked in research lab for more than a year, volunteered at hospital, volunteered at clinic, shadowed a physician, visited an international hospital, 3 clubs (no positions), tutoring, volunteered at assisted living facility.....

Will be getting MCAT results on 9/7 - I expect 25-28 - I've already sent out my secondaries - the bad thing is im using AP/IB for some prereqs and I am completing undergrad in 3 years - please let me know my chances (not applying instate)

Your GPA is excellent. Didn't know anyone made it out of college with a 4.0.

Your ECs are average with plenty of clinical experience.

The AP/IB is an issue - many medical schools do not accept those to cover your prereqs. You're going to have to look very closely at which do. Here is an old list: http://wolfweb.unr.edu/~waites/Documents/MedSchAP08.pdf
You'll be severely limiting yourself.

Completing undergrad in 3 years isn't a bad thing as long as you are actually completing it and getting a degree (there is an old concept of not finishing your degree and going straight to med school after 3 years - that doesn't work so much anymore although technically many schools don't "require" a degree).

Why are you expecting a 25-28 on your MCAT? Thats not very good, you probably should have waited until you felt you could confidently get 30+. That will probably be the biggest issue.

Why are you not applying to your instate schools? Assuming you're not in California those are probably your best bet.

Will you get into an MD school? Maybe - but with the information you have provided us it seems pretty unlikely. Your GPA is great but the MCAT (the great equalizer) sounds like it may end up being pretty dismal. Your ECs are average. Overall, I'd put it your odds in the 10-20% range.

Right now if you've already applied you need to:
1) Make sure you check which schools are actually going to accept your AP/IB credit.
2) Consider applying to DO schools which will give you a better chance of getting into medical school.

 

[SamuelTesla]

Your GPA is excellent. Didn't know anyone made it out of college with a 4.0.

Your ECs are average with plenty of clinical experience.

The AP/IB is an issue - many medical schools do not accept those to cover your prereqs. You're going to have to look very closely at which do. Here is an old list: http://wolfweb.unr.edu/~waites/Documents/MedSchAP08.pdf
You'll be severely limiting yourself.

Completing undergrad in 3 years isn't a bad thing as long as you are actually completing it and getting a degree (there is an old concept of not finishing your degree and going straight to med school after 3 years - that doesn't work so much anymore although technically many schools don't "require" a degree).

Why are you expecting a 25-28 on your MCAT? Thats not very good, you probably should have waited until you felt you could confidently get 30+. That will probably be the biggest issue.

Why are you not applying to your instate schools? Assuming you're not in California those are probably your best bet.

Will you get into an MD school? Maybe - but with the information you have provided us it seems pretty unlikely. Your GPA is great but the MCAT (the great equalizer) sounds like it may end up being pretty dismal. Your ECs are average. Overall, I'd put it your odds in the 10-20% range.

Right now if you've already applied you need to:
1) Make sure you check which schools are actually going to accept your AP/IB credit.
2) Consider applying to DO schools which will give you a better chance of getting into medical school.

thx for the analysis man

You're right - not all schools accept AP/IB credits - so I had to call a bunch of schools and only applied to those who do accept them (I knew my chances were not that good - so I applied to 29 schools) - i'll be completing my degree in 3 years - and about the mcat, it was a piece of **** that raped me - my average on the last 5 aamc practice tests was 32 - but the actual one sucked ass - but I'm still not very confident, I might end up getting more than a 30 or do worse than 27 - I have no clue what to expect.

I haven't considered DO - but that's a good idea - thx for the input again...

 

[sphun65]

If you took all the AAMC tests and averaged a 32, you will be fine. Unless you missed a few passages or something, you will do better than a 25. Have confidence. You are a solid applicant.

 

[SamuelTesla]

If you took all the AAMC tests and averaged a 32, you will be fine. Unless you missed a few passages or something, you will do better than a 25. Have confidence. You are a solid applicant.

thx for the confidence sphun... I hope I get accepted.

In regards to the other question angel, my instate does not accept AP/IB 🙁

 

[alwaysaangel]

thx for the analysis man

You're right - not all schools accept AP/IB credits - so I had to call a bunch of schools and only applied to those who do accept them (I knew my chances were not that good - so I applied to 29 schools) - i'll be completing my degree in 3 years - and about the mcat, it was a piece of **** that raped me - my average on the last 5 aamc practice tests was 32 - but the actual one sucked ass - but I'm still not very confident, I might end up getting more than a 30 or do worse than 27 - I have no clue what to expect.

I haven't considered DO - but that's a good idea - thx for the input again...

If thats the case you probably got at least a 30 on the MCAT. Everyone thinks the real thing sucks.

You have a decent shot. Be quick with your secondaries to get time on your side and be well prepared for interviews to give yourself your best chacne.

 

[SamuelTesla]

If thats the case you probably got at least a 30 on the MCAT. Everyone thinks the real thing sucks.

You have a decent shot. Be quick with your secondaries to get time on your side and be well prepared for interviews to give yourself your best chacne.

Hope you're right Angel...

 

[Catalystik]

Since there's such a wide range of possibilities for the outcome of your MCAT, you might look at this AMCAS generated data from the last three years of % acceptances for applicants with various stat combos to get an idea of where you'll stand: http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/applicantmatriculant/table24-mcatgpagridall2007-09.pdf

Your ECs touch on many important areas for a med school application, but you didn't give a timeframe/total hours for anything accept the research, which was slightly above average. I didn't see leadership mentioned, nor hobbies, artistic endeavors, sports. Any of those? Anything unique?