A twist on an old theme

[A. Caveman]

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you'll like the twist on this "what are my chances" question:

First year undergrad: 3.0 gpa
Second year: 3.8
Third year: 3.85

cum gpa: 3.61 cum science: 3.51
at this point I applied to med school with a 29 mcat. three interviews (nymc, nrthwstrn, uf). *no acceptances.*

meanwhile--senior year: 3.0 gpa. kind of a nice bell curve with the freshman and senior gpa's right?
retook mcat after not getting in: 34 mcat. decided to apply with my now:
cum gpa:3.44 science gpa: 3.45 and new mcat score which should help offset my gpa.

also, doing one year master's program in meantime.

now, THIS nutty story is truly worthy of the question: what are my chances??

 

[E'01]

What on earth are you talking about?? You have good stats! You have a great shot, particularly if you have a legitimate reason for why your GPA went down during your last year...go for it! 🙂

 

[Original]

You have a great chance. I'm sure you'll get in. Most schools' adcoms consider the MCAT to be more important that the GPA anyway. The masters program is also a definite plus. They like to brag about the number of advanced degree holders in their entering class.

 

[megkudos]

A. Caveman-

Sounds to me like you have a really good shot. 34 MCAT is awesome and your GPA seems fine. Of course they will probably ask about your senior year but as long as you can explain things you should be fine. Good luck!

 

[USeF]

how's it going a. cavemen? Kudos on the 34! Should defintely get you some early interviews this coming application cycle (or you applying now?).

I'm also interested in senior year and if you are at a different school for grad, which? I ask because you must be a fellow FL resident to have received the invite there.

 

[A. Caveman]

thanks for the kind words fellas. USeF, I went to UMiami undergrad and i'm now at Barry for grad school doing a master's in Biomedical Sciences. they have a podiatry school and we pretty much take the same classes that they take. it's not the research type of biomedical sciences degree. basically i'm taking med school classes. last semester i took histology, gross anatomy, biochemistry, and ethical foundations. this semester taking gross anatomy lab(they separate lab from lec for us Bio med students), physiology, neuroanatomy, pharmacology, and biochem II (they break up biochem into two semesters). it's a 17 credit load which is like twice full time for most grad school standards. last semester, however, i had 14 credits, but only got a 3.36 since i fell just short of the A in two classes.
so i don't know..should i send the schools my transcripts with the 3.36 grad school stuff for last semester? [i'm applying now (aug mcat so applying late)--so far interview invites from MCP and Temple, but i lived in PA for a year and talked about it in my PS, so maybe that entered into the decision to iterview me....] I called UF since they interviewed me last semester and they've already put me on Hold, so they might not interview me at all). i'm hoping to hear from USF and maybe Miami (both dissed me last year).

*key point: i didn't mention why i messed up my senior year in my personal statement, so as far as they know right now, nothing affected my performance, and that's just the kind of student i am (inconsistent--note fr. yr. gpa)

OK now that you almost have my entire file on your computer..what do you think. interview the caveman or not?

 

[megkudos]

I would go ahead and send the grad school grades. It will remind the adcoms that you are still actively pursuing Medical school by continuing taking classes. The grades are good. I think they would look upon them favorably and the fact you are taking the classes in the first place.

 

[A. Caveman]

ahem. bump

 

[labrat]

You WILL get in. Those are awesome stats, and your MCAT improvement speaks volumes. I wouldn't worry about the senior year GPA drop, especially if you're doing well in the masters program. Plus, you will impress the adcoms with your dedication to pursuing medicine. Knock em dead 😀

 

[EMTgirl]

i think your stats were fine the first time around. honestly, i see no reason why you would not be accepted this time around...but since there is NO rhyme or reason to anything in the admissions process, how can we really be sure? there are plenty of people who have gotten into med school with much worse stats than you had the FIRST time you applied, so you should have a really good shot. and i would include your master's GPA, just because the level of work is much higher than college and your grades are nothing to be ashamed of. simply the fact that you are pursuing your masters looks good to a med school. i really hope you get in, because applying twice sucks and your numbers really are great. you should just hope that whoever reads your application is having a good day. i think that's really what it comes down to. good luck!