Advice for friend: 30 MCAT, 3.0GPA, 3.43Sci GPA from top school...Apply or what?

[Lab-Rat21]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Well you read it: 30 MCAT (10V, 10P, 10B), 3.0GPA, and 3.43SciGPA from Columbia University.

He has some research experience and some EMT as well; he will be working in a lab this year as he waits (if he applies to med school). He was very certain of medicine not too long ago and pre-med advisors really discouraged him.

What do you think? I think a post-bac would be a bit of a waste, no, if he can get in the first time...does anyone know any guaranteed admissions to med school if one completes the post-bac programs; that is post-bac/MD programs? That would probably help. How much of a factor is his Ivy league school to make up for/account for the lowish GPA?

Thanks for your thoughts.😀

 

[evescadeceus]

I think it depends on whether or not he really wants it, and what he's willing to do to get it. He could move for in-state residence to a state which has a number of allo schools with varying degrees of competitivenss - Ohio immediately comes to mind. With those scores, he could also write his ticket to any DO program in this country. He could also bust his butt and bring at least two of those three MCAT scores up one point each. How badly does he want it?

 

[Lab-Rat21]

His major was Chemical Engineering...which I heard Engineering students have some slack with low GPAs.

 

[monkeyarms]

i believe wake forest has a guaranteed admissions post-bacc

 

[trubluwolv]

this guy should definitely apply if med school's what he wants.
having said that, it also depends on what his expectations are--meaning, does he balk at going to anything "less" than a top-10 school? or does he just want to go to med school?

personally, i think that his stats are just fine--especially when you added that he's a chem engin student. i believe that the engineers do get a bit of slack (on their GPA) when they apply.

where's his state of residence?

oh yeah, and screw pre-med advisors!

 

[Lab-Rat21]

He is a FL resident, and any more guaranteed admissions post-bac/MD programs would be helpful, or where to find that out on AAMC.org?...Thanks.

 

[JlazyMD]

Frankly, a 3.0 is really low. I would advise a post-bacc to bring the GPA up, show he can maintain a high average. MCAT is fine.

 

[sunflower79]

tell your friend to check out similar threads to this that have come up in the last few days. I think there's not enough info. What about non-academic stuff? if he has done some amazing volunteer work that could make a difference.

say he hasn't. then I'll say what I've said before. If your friend is still in school or just graduated, take a year off and do what JLazy said. Good for ya personally AND professionally. You only wanna apply once, and the admissions game is enough of a crapshoot.

good luck to your friend,
sunflower79 🙂

ps. why doesn't s/he just register on sdn? 😕

 

[skypilot]

Those are fine stats coming from Columbia! Should be no problem to get in somewhere.

Getting at least a 10 on every section of the MCAT is a great accomplishment. Shows consistency.

 

[Lab-Rat21]

One last bumpity bump.

 

[scriznik]

If he is a Florida resident, he should have absolutely no problem getting into USF if he applies early and does well with his interviews. With those numbers he will get an interview, and if he gets involved with some more volunteering and research to talk about at the interview, I would be shocked at a rejection (or even getting waitlisted, as long as he applies very early).

 

[scriznik]

also,

he may have a good shot at UF as they tend to be suckers for students who attended big name schools for undergrad.