521 But A Community College Student

[YoungMoneyMint]

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I just received my MCAT, which was a 521 (132/127/131/131). Most of my advisors are telling me to apply to lots of T20 schools, as I have good research, volunteering (currently working for AmeriCorps) and a great GPA. However, I attended a Community College before transferring to a low-ranked UC, in order to save money, because I am a first-gen, low-income student, and I started college at 16.

Will adcoms from T20s penalize me for attending a CC?

 

[Goro]

Invest in MSAR online and look at how each school views pre-reqs at CCs.

Overall, answer will be no.

 

[LizzyM]

Be sure to identify yourself as disadvantaged, if it applies, as this will put your choice of schools in context. Also be sure to fill out the optional section about parents' names, education, and profession on the AMCAS. Again, this will be taken into account in a holistic review of your application. Schools are looking for "diversity" and you bring it regardless of your race/ethnicity so don't be shy about providing the entire picture.

And congratulations on a phenomenal MCAT!!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

No. But still apply broadly. Network first and make them want you.

 

[YoungMoneyMint]

@Mr.Smile12 Do you have any tips about how to network efficiently prior to applying? I don’t want to blow up the admissions offices while they’re backed up from this cycles applicants.

 

[LizzyM]

See thread titled,

Contacting Deans of Diversity? help​

 

[Mr.Smile12]

@LizzyM and I are on the same two threads. 🙂 Read our responses in LINK: Contacting Deans of Diversity? help .

Then, do you have a calendar with all the dates of recruitment events, virtual open houses, or other campus engagement with schools?

Once you get your school list finalized (we'll throw you some suggestions if you fill out and post a WAMC thread), this will become a bit easier to focus your efforts before applying.

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

Better than being Ivy League student with 507 imo

Keep in mind that some schools don’t accept prereqs from CC, so like Goro mentioned, get an MSAR and apply to ones that will accept prereqs from the CC (assuming you took them there and not at the other school)

 

[YoungMoneyMint]

@LizzyM and I are on the same two threads. 🙂 Read our responses in LINK: Contacting Deans of Diversity? help .

Then, do you have a calendar with all the dates of recruitment events, virtual open houses, or other campus engagement with schools?

Once you get your school list finalized (we'll throw you some suggestions if you fill out and post a WAMC thread), this will become a bit easier to focus your efforts before applying.

Thank you both so much for your help! I posted a WAMC thread yesterday, so I’ll just tag both of you in it!

 

[allseasons]

Are you ORM or URM?

Regardless, I can’t imagine any school would penalize you for CC courses when you mark being financially disadvantaged and first gen.

 

[YoungMoneyMint]

Are you ORM or URM?

Regardless, I can’t imagine any school would penalize you for CC courses when you mark being financially disadvantaged and first gen.

I am White, but from a relatively poor North African country (which I know doesn’t really make a difference, regardless.)

 

[LindaAccepted]

I just received my MCAT, which was a 521 (132/127/131/131). Most of my advisors are telling me to apply to lots of T20 schools, as I have good research, volunteering (currently working for AmeriCorps) and a great GPA. However, I attended a Community College before transferring to a low-ranked UC, in order to save money, because I am a first-gen, low-income student, and I started college at 16.

Will adcoms from T20s penalize me for attending a CC?

Congrats on the phenomenal MCAT. Do the research Goro is suggesting. Tell your story well so the schools have context. Do apply to those highly ranked schools that are open to cc transfers, and I think you will have lots of success.

 

[LunaOri]

If you took prereqs at CC, then took more advanced courses in those subjects at a 4-year university, I don’t think that any medical school would penalize you.