A couple questions from a middle-of-the-pack applicant

[Dunkmaster]

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I've been trying really hard to keep a cool head about the looming application process. However, while I'm usually able to squelch my paranoid thoughts about my application, my anxiety got the better of me today, so I decided to make a post here about my app and see what you guys think.

Numbers:

Degree: B.S. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
MCAT: p11 v10 b10 wN
c GPA: 3.68
s GPA: 3.64

caveats:

I took the MCAT in 2007, which means this is the last year it is still good for most US MD schools, and I definitely dont want to go through that again if I can help it.

The lower-than-desired GPA is due to my very first quarter in college. I decided that I didn't like the school and wanted to transfer back to my home university. I spoke with a counselor at my home university who told me that since I was transferring from a quarter-based school to a semester-based school, that my units would not transfer. As a ******ed freshman, I interpreted that as meaning that the grades at my first university wouldn't count, so I received a C in Calc, and C+ in Gchem. They were retaken at the new school, and I got As in both of them.

Without that stupid slip, both GPAs would be 3.75.

Also, I think that I can somewhat make up for my low writing sample score with the fact that I've aced every writing class I've ever taken. Hopefully my personal statement will also prove that the N does not accurately reflect my writing ability.

ECs:

Worked in a dialysis clinic for a year. (LOR)
6 Months cardiology volunteer. (LOR)
Short-time (1 month) E.R. volunteer.
Peer Tutor (Ochem, Gchem and Physics). (LOR)
K-12 Tutor. (LOR)
No Research

Will also have LORs from my Molecular Genetics and Physical Chemistry Professors:
Overall, I anticipate LORs to be strong, but not stellar.

Additionally, I've worked full-time or near full-time since I started college. The first two years were in construction, (those were hellish times indeed, but I maintained a 3.8 GPA during them so....) and subsequently in some retail outlets and then the dialysis clinic, and then the K-12 Tutoring job, which explains why it was difficult for me to find research opportunities.

Additional Information:

I'm a CA resident, so I will apply to every school in CA besides stanford, and from what I've gathered, with my numbers, my best bet is to apply early and very widely. For this reason i will probably being applying to a large number of out of state schools as well. (probably 40 in all)


I appreciate it if you're still reading at this point, and would feel very much indebted to you if you could provide some insight related to the following issues:

1) Assuming I aced this last quarter (which is entirely possible, but definitely not for-sure), my GPA would jump 0.04 points (cum and BCMP), but would probably delay my application at least three weeks if i wanted to include these grades in my primary application. I guess the question is then: what do you think would maximize my chances for acceptance, a 0.05 increase in GPA or a three-week head start on applications?

2) Do you think it would be a good idea to make note of the fact that I didn't think my first-quarter grades were going to count due to the transfer? Its fairly obvious from the rest of my applications (all As in every chem and math course, and 11 in P.S. MCAT) that I'm not a C student, so i think my reason would be believable, but I fear that it could be considered a mealy-mouthed excuse (love that term).

3) Any other particular weaknesses you would like to point out that I can do something about before applications are due?

Thanks again for taking time to read my post. I very much appreciate it.

 

[Handy388]

your GPA is completely fine.

 

[Stratego]

I agree that your GPA is fine, so you don't need to make excuses and you don't need to delay your application. (3.65 is the mean GPA for accepted students.)

Besides no research, I see no leadership experience mentioned and no physician shadowing. Were you paid to be a peer tutor? If so, you have little to list under community service except for the 7 months of clinical volunteering. Perhaps you have other activities you did not mention for the sake of brevity, so think about what you will put on the application under those categories.

 

[Appless]

1) Your GPA is fine do not delay the application 3 weeks, its not worth it.

2) dont worry too much on that, it will be obvious that you are not that student. Id just not focus on it but if asked or maybe in the PS if you want to quickly explain the situation you can. Its not something to dwell on as it seems you have shown that the grades are not representative of you.

3) Lack of research is going to kill you in CA schools and at some others. You dont seem to have any long term clinical activities which could be a knock against you. And like someone else said a lack of shadowing or anything like that wont help you. Im assuming those are all your activities that you listed so correct me if im wrong.

 

[Mobius1985]

I agree with the above comments and concerns.

 

[GonnaHappen]

Additionally, I've worked full-time or near full-time since I started college. The first two years were in construction, (those were hellish times indeed, but I maintained a 3.8 GPA during them so....) and subsequently in some retail outlets and then the dialysis clinic, and then the K-12 Tutoring job, which explains why it was difficult for me to find research opportunities.

This is cool. And it says a lot about you. Make sure you hit on it in your app.

 

[Dunkmaster]

Thanks guys for the comments.

In response to stratego:I did lots of paid and non-paid peer tutoring, so I guess that can count as volunteer experience also.

Physician shadowing is definitely something I can squeeze in before the application due date, right?

As for research, Is it a good move to squeeze something in so I can at least put that I have SOME experience? By the time secondaries and interviews roll around, it should be something at least semi-substantial to talk about.

Also, I'm kind of hoping that my time in the dialysis clinic is going to do me some good. This was a real medical job in which i was in constant patient contact for 14-15 hours per shift.

 

[Stratego]

In response to stratego:I did lots of paid and non-paid peer tutoring, so I guess that can count as volunteer experience also.

Physician shadowing is definitely something I can squeeze in before the application due date, right?

As for research, Is it a good move to squeeze something in so I can at least put that I have SOME experience? By the time secondaries and interviews roll around, it should be something at least semi-substantial to talk about.

Also, I'm kind of hoping that my time in the dialysis clinic is going to do me some good. This was a real medical job in which i was in constant patient contact for 14-15 hours per shift.

Non-paid peer tutoring is definitely community service.

You don't need a lot of physician shadowing, so you can surely squeeze it in before you submit. The minimum would be maybe an eight hour shift with each of two types of physician. At least one could be a nephrologist you met at work. Go to the office and follow on rounds. Watch the paperwork get done, etc.

Of those who apply 60% have research. It's not essential, but a lot of schools like to see that you tried it. If you can get in a summer experience, it would be good to discuss in update letters and at interviews.

Your time in the dialysis unit was golden. You're fine with that clinical experience plus the cardio and ER volunteering.

 

[raaska55]

Also, I'm kind of hoping that my time in the dialysis clinic is going to do me some good. This was a real medical job in which i was in constant patient contact for 14-15 hours per shift.

Highlight this within your application, such as in your personal statement. That is the kind of clinical experience they want to hear about.

Don't worry about the GPA-it's solid and so is your MCAT. It's more important to have a cohesive application to put in EARLIER rather than later. Sure it doesn't have to be the day it opens, but sooner the better.

Do some quick shadowing, and as for the research-not a big deal. Do continue or start new stuff this summer and next fall. It's makes for interesting update letters, and you never know what could come of those.

Much luck!