Am I being too hopeful applying with these stats?

[nreds1912]

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I just finished my junior year at Stony Brook University. I initially planned on taking a gap year after I graduate next spring 2017, to build up my application, make it stronger, etc. However, I decided to give myself a chance. I won't get rejected if I apply, but I won't get accepted either right? Going to put myself out there.

So here are my stats:
3.2 cGPA, 3.13 sGPA (with math), 3.3 sGPA (without math), taking MCAT at the end of August.

Experiences:
-Volunteer at both my local hospital and Stony Brook hospital
-Research in Biomedical Engineering (my very challenging major) for 3 semesters and presented my work at URECA
-Volunteer with elementary school kids
-Volunteer at fund-raisers on college campus
-Work part-time as a waitress
-Just started shadowing a doctor

Schools on my list:
M.D. Schools
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
SUNY Downstate
New York Medical College
Rutgers
NYU
Lewis Katz
Cooper
Columbia
Albert Einstein
Albany
Drexel
Sidney Kimmel
Stony Brook

D.O. Schools
NYIT
Philadelphia College
Rowan University
Touro College


It's a short list because I want to stay as close to home as possible (NY area)...am I being too ambitious???...I'm doubting I'll get in anywhere right now. I'll be lucky to even get interviews. I know I want to be a doctor. I want to be an OB/GYN. I know that I can do it. But first I have to get in. I see that I am a better applicant for D.O. schools. I've heard of SMPs and post-baccs to increase my GPA...but that cost money....and I'm already going to be in debt from going to med school.

Any helpful advice is very much appreciated. Thank you so much.

 

[candbgirl]

So when do you plan to apply? If this cycle The end of August for your MCAT is too late for MD school. Your
GPAs are too low for MD really. It's impossible to tell you how competitive you actually are without a MCAT. Stick to your original plan and apply in 2017. That way you'll have several months to buff up your application and maybe even take some upper division science classes to improve your GPA for MD.


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[WedgeDawg]

Applying late with a GPA of 3.2 and an as of right now unknown MCAT to a fairly competitive list of MD schools is not going to end well.

With your GPA, you should focus on 1) killing the MCAT and then 2) courting DO schools where you stand a better chance (dependent upon your MCAT score).

MD is likely out of reach for you without a near-perfect SMP GPA and a stellar MCAT score. Are you a NJ or NY state resident?

 

[nreds1912]

Applying late with a GPA of 3.2 and an as of right now unknown MCAT to a fairly competitive list of MD schools is not going to end well.

With your GPA, you should focus on 1) killing the MCAT and then 2) courting DO schools where you stand a better chance (dependent upon your MCAT score).

MD is likely out of reach for you without a near-perfect SMP GPA and a stellar MCAT score. Are you a NJ or NY state resident?

Hi,

Thank you for your honest response. I am a NY state resident.

 

[WedgeDawg]

Hi,

Thank you for your honest response. I am a NY state resident.

I would remove all the NJ schools as they are heavily biased towards NJ residents.

I think that you are very unlikely to get an MD acceptance. Even with a 522+ MCAT, your chances are statistically only around 50% at MD schools. If you are planning on applying MD anyway, you need to take a year off to 1) take your MCAT and 2) improve your GPA.

 

[GrapesofRath]

You need an MD caliber MCAT score to think about MD schools
You need several semesters or MD caliber work in school(>3.7) to think about having an MD caliber application

Do this then we can assess where your MD outlooks and whether something like a DIY post bacc a gap year for EC enhancement or SMP amongst other things is in order. Until these happen thinking about school lists isn't worthwhile

 

[huskydock]

Agreed with all of the above. Your GPA will hold you back significantly from MD schools unless you have an incredible story, MCAT score, or application otherwise. Even the lower-tier schools on the list get slammed with thousands of applicants, so chances remain low. Keep in mind, there really is no honest assessment without a MCAT score. Take the gap year, don't apply before you're ready. You'll waste tons of money and be a re-applicant, which just makes your life more difficult.

 

[PossibleDOC?]

Sorry OP but I saw your sGPA with math and then I saw Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and I was like what?! and I reread it to make sure I saw it right. Suggestion, apply DO if you want to start school next September, if you want to wait a bit and really want that MD then you need to do A LOT of work and school is about debt theres no way to avoid it. Sorry

Good Luck

 

[Faha]

Post your MCAT score on this thread in September and we can give more specific advice as to schools where you could apply.