AMCAS application

[S198]

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This is my first post so please be kind.

The forum asks me to post: "-Your cumulative and science GPA (following AMCAS or AACOMAS calculation standards, as applicable)
-Clinical volunteer activities
-Physician shadowing (include specialties and total hours)
-Research
-Nonclinical volunteer activities
-Employment"

Here, I have my information.

I have a 3.114 from UC Berkeley. (I can manipulate my science GPA and turn it in to a 3.94 because I took courses at a community college, extension at Berkeley, and as a grad student (I have an advanced degree too))

I have volunteered at the Oakland Children's Hospital at the PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit) for 100 hours. I have worked at the SOS clinic in Costa Mesa for 100 hours. I have donated supplies to Red Cross workers in the Amazon.

I have shadowed physicians at the Oakland Children's Hospital and at Hoag Cancer Center in Newport Beach. (ENT, Oncology, 60 hours)

I have conducted scanning tunneling microscopy research at UC Berkeley for three years, electron harvesting and microbial fuel cell research at USC, micropipette studies of membrane cytoskeleton interactions at QB3 in Berkeley, and cluster thermalization in supersonic ion beams at USC. I have two published posters, grants and awards.

I have volunteered at the Red Cross of Orange County for a few months. I volunteered with the Sierra Club for two years. (Beyond Coal Campaign)

I have worked at a TA for physiology at SC. I taught two lab classes. I am a part time tutor.

What are my chances?

 

[mcloaf]

You can't manipulate your GPA, AMCAS will review all your coursework and independently calculate/verify your GPA. Your grad GPA is counted separately from undergrad. What are the cumulative and math/science GPAs from your undergrad courses only?

 

[MedPR]

This is my first post so please be kind.

The forum asks me to post: "-Your cumulative and science GPA (following AMCAS or AACOMAS calculation standards, as applicable)
-Clinical volunteer activities
-Physician shadowing (include specialties and total hours)
-Research
-Nonclinical volunteer activities
-Employment"

Here, I have my information.

I have a 3.114 from UC Berkeley. (I can manipulate my science GPA and turn it in to a 3.94 because I took courses at a community college, extension at Berkeley, and as a grad student (I have an advanced degree too))

I have volunteered at the Oakland Children's Hospital at the PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit) for 100 hours. I have worked at the SOS clinic in Costa Mesa for 100 hours. I have donated supplies to Red Cross workers in the Amazon.

I have shadowed physicians at the Oakland Children's Hospital and at Hoag Cancer Center in Newport Beach. (ENT, Oncology, 60 hours)

I have conducted scanning tunneling microscopy research at UC Berkeley for three years, electron harvesting and microbial fuel cell research at USC, micropipette studies of membrane cytoskeleton interactions at QB3 in Berkeley, and cluster thermalization in supersonic ion beams at USC. I have two published posters, grants and awards.

I have volunteered at the Red Cross of Orange County for a few months. I volunteered with the Sierra Club for two years. (Beyond Coal Campaign)

I have worked at a TA for physiology at SC. I taught two lab classes. I am a part time tutor.

What are my chances?

Manipulate your GPA? Lol.

Your cGPA is really low. MCAT?

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[S198]

I need to know if the math/science gpa is just using the prereq's or if it is all science, engineering, advanced biology, and upper division science coursework. I have a few courses (statistical physics, analytic mechanics, and biothermodynamics and energy) that are not prereq's for med school but lower my GPA. I got two C's in undergrad...Really brought me down, but I was taking a heavy technical course load and managed to graduate in the honors physics track. What classes am I allowed to use to calculate the science gpa and what classes are not considered science classes in that nebulous science/engineering gpa region.

S

 

[CriticalLimit]

All science classes count towards your science GPA. That includes whatever physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, etc. you've done.

 

[CriticalLimit]

Also, I wanted to recommend that you go DO. If you can get a high MCAT, which I'm sure a physicist of your caliber can do, you'll seal the deal.

 

[S198]

DO schools are great. Tuoro and Western are the only ones I know.

 

[SixStringPsych]

All science classes count towards your science GPA. That includes whatever physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, etc. you've done.

Engineering courses don't count for science GPA under AMCAS. They do for AACOMAS

 

[S198]

I appreciate the response. I was wondering about alternative programs. St. Kitt's, Ross, Tuoro, Western, entering through the "back door" via a post-bacc and retaking (retaking and getting a better grade) courses at a community college to apply with a stellar science GPA.

 

[mcloaf]

I appreciate the response. I was wondering about alternative programs. St. Kitt's, Ross, Tuoro, Western, entering through the "back door" via a post-bacc and retaking (retaking and getting a better grade) courses at a community college to apply with a stellar science GPA.

I don't have much insight on the post-bacc option, but most people will tell you to avoid off shore med schools as the ability for US graduates of foreign MD schools to get US residencies is extremely limited already and going to be getting much more difficult in the next several years.

 

[cmcbee]

I think if you apply broadly/early, craft a cohesive application that makes sense, and do solid on the mcat you are looking at mucho success....but then of course most people have those things in the bag as well so who knows. Just keep you head up high and you will get into a solid md program in the US.

 

[JGimpel]

Don't go offshore, you severely limit your career options. There are whole other threads about that. If you've already got a lot of the pre-med reqs done, a post-bacc won't do you much good and the honest programs will tell you this. Your ECs and work experience should be enough for DO school if you get an MCAT of 27+. AACOMAS will let you put your grades and GPA in the best possible light with the grade replacement system if you decide to go that route. I would say "grade manipulation" is a very big stretch on what you can actually do.

 

[S198]

I have been in 17,000 hours of labs, class, lecture, conference, homework sessions, and library time.

Peace out.

 

[S198]

Don't go offshore, you severely limit your career options. There are whole other threads about that. If you've already got a lot of the pre-med reqs done, a post-bacc won't do you much good and the honest programs will tell you this. Your ECs and work experience should be enough for DO school if you get an MCAT of 27+. AACOMAS will let you put your grades and GPA in the best possible light with the grade replacement system if you decide to go that route. I would say "grade manipulation" is a very big stretch on what you can actually do.

I have good enough stats.

Peace out.

 

[S198]

I think if you apply broadly/early, craft a cohesive application that makes sense, and do solid on the mcat you are looking at mucho success....but then of course most people have those things in the bag as well so who knows. Just keep you head up high and you will get into a solid md program in the US.

This cannot be true.

 

[S198]

I don't have much insight on the post-bacc option, but most people will tell you to avoid off shore med schools as the ability for US graduates of foreign MD schools to get US residencies is extremely limited already and going to be getting much more difficult in the next several years.

How on this planet do you think you can predict what the next few years are going to be like in terms of resident placements?

 

[Weewee]

Mucho what? Are you serious? Do you joke with your patients? I haven't joked around since high school? I have a master's degree? What do you have? What state school diploma factory premed jello mold mcat prep community college turned semipro school spit you out?

Is this real life?

I have a masters too let's all celebrate! Wooo!

Go to bed s198. you're drunk.

 

[as1212559]

u wot m8?

 

[pepes1lv1a]

Hey. I have a really low c and sGPA and I want to be a doctor too. It's not going to be easy for either of us. In some ways your story sounds familiar to me because it's what I did -- you clearly haven't researched the way that AMCAS calculates your GPA or what a realistic GPA you'll need to get in, perhaps because you're afraid of the answer. I know that's what it was for me. The fact that you're posting here is definitely a step in the right direction.

That being said, your attitude sucks. You get a gold star for going to UC Berkley but those don't count for much in the real world. It sounds like you're trying to rationalize why you SHOULD get into med school, not ascertain whether you WILL. The people here are helping you by giving you the hard truth. It's not easy to hear your dreams might not be feasible, but at least if you are better informed you can make the difficult choices you need to regarding your choice of paths in the future.You don't want to end up being the guy whining about what jerks those med students all are for succeeding where you failed. You want to be the med student. So shut up and listen.

I hope you make it. I hope anyone who wants it enough and tries hard enough with a modicum of intelligence can get in (because let's face it, successful applicants are not distinguished from unsuccessful ones on the basis of who is smarter). I'm not trying to be a jerk, but you need a hard dose of reality my friend.

 

[S198]

Hey. I have a really low c and sGPA and I want to be a doctor too. It's not going to be easy for either of us. In some ways your story sounds familiar to me because it's what I did -- you clearly haven't researched the way that AMCAS calculates your GPA or what a realistic GPA you'll need to get in, perhaps because you're afraid of the answer. I know that's what it was for me. The fact that you're posting here is definitely a step in the right direction.

That being said, your attitude sucks. You get a gold star for going to UC Berkley but those don't count for much in the real world. It sounds like you're trying to rationalize why you SHOULD get into med school, not ascertain whether you WILL. The people here are helping you by giving you the hard truth. It's not easy to hear your dreams might not be feasible, but at least if you are better informed you can make the difficult choices you need to regarding your choice of paths in the future.You don't want to end up being the guy whining about what jerks those med students all are for succeeding where you failed. You want to be the med student. So shut up and listen.

I hope you make it. I hope anyone who wants it enough and tries hard enough with a modicum of intelligence can get in (because let's face it, successful applicants are not distinguished from unsuccessful ones on the basis of who is smarter). I'm not trying to be a jerk, but you need a hard dose of reality my friend.

If you are trying to tell me what I should do, I'll tell you a story called the Little Red Hen. Once upon a time there was a chicken who wanted to make some bread so she went to Mr. Fox and asked for some help harvesting the grain. Mr. Fox said, get in touch with reality, I am busy working on my important things not related to harvesting grain. Then the hen went to the turtle and asked for help milling the grain. The turtle said, I am too tired to do it. Then she went to the bunny and asked whether she should get some help baking the bread. The bunny said no. But when the time came to eat the bread, they all lined up and were eager to feast. Then the hen said, none of you can have any of the bread I worked so hard to get.

 

[S198]

Hey. I have a really low c and sGPA and I want to be a doctor too. It's not going to be easy for either of us. In some ways your story sounds familiar to me because it's what I did -- you clearly haven't researched the way that AMCAS calculates your GPA or what a realistic GPA you'll need to get in, perhaps because you're afraid of the answer. I know that's what it was for me. The fact that you're posting here is definitely a step in the right direction.

That being said, your attitude sucks. You get a gold star for going to UC Berkley but those don't count for much in the real world. It sounds like you're trying to rationalize why you SHOULD get into med school, not ascertain whether you WILL. The people here are helping you by giving you the hard truth. It's not easy to hear your dreams might not be feasible, but at least if you are better informed you can make the difficult choices you need to regarding your choice of paths in the future.You don't want to end up being the guy whining about what jerks those med students all are for succeeding where you failed. You want to be the med student. So shut up and listen.

I hope you make it. I hope anyone who wants it enough and tries hard enough with a modicum of intelligence can get in (because let's face it, successful applicants are not distinguished from unsuccessful ones on the basis of who is smarter). I'm not trying to be a jerk, but you need a hard dose of reality my friend.

Before you post here, you have to display your stats.

 

[S198]

No need to be rude.

 

[S198]

Hey. I have a really low c and sGPA and I want to be a doctor too. It's not going to be easy for either of us. In some ways your story sounds familiar to me because it's what I did -- you clearly haven't researched the way that AMCAS calculates your GPA or what a realistic GPA you'll need to get in, perhaps because you're afraid of the answer. I know that's what it was for me. The fact that you're posting here is definitely a step in the right direction.

That being said, your attitude sucks. You get a gold star for going to UC Berkley but those don't count for much in the real world. It sounds like you're trying to rationalize why you SHOULD get into med school, not ascertain whether you WILL. The people here are helping you by giving you the hard truth. It's not easy to hear your dreams might not be feasible, but at least if you are better informed you can make the difficult choices you need to regarding your choice of paths in the future.You don't want to end up being the guy whining about what jerks those med students all are for succeeding where you failed. You want to be the med student. So shut up and listen.

I hope you make it. I hope anyone who wants it enough and tries hard enough with a modicum of intelligence can get in (because let's face it, successful applicants are not distinguished from unsuccessful ones on the basis of who is smarter). I'm not trying to be a jerk, but you need a hard dose of reality my friend.

I don't get it when you say that I need to listen. I want to be kind, but if you put things in perspective and weigh the difficulty of courses, maybe mine should be weightier. That is all I am saying.

 

[S198]

I don't get it when you say that I need to listen because you only went to Rochester. I have not even heard of that school. Majoring in neuroscience seems interesting and must be difficult but I consider that we know very little about the brain. How many classes can there really be? I want to be kind, but if you put things in perspective and weigh the difficulty of courses, maybe mine should be weightier. That is all I am saying.

To pepes:

I understand and appreciate the time you took to write.

 

[Like]

troll

 

[S198]

troll

I like the attitude.

 

[Weewee]

The lithium? We have it coming right up!

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

I don't get it when you say that I need to listen because you only went to Rochester. I have not even heard of that school. Majoring in neuroscience seems interesting and must be difficult but I consider that we know very little about the brain. How many classes can there really be? I want to be kind, but if you put things in perspective and weigh the difficulty of courses, maybe mine should be weightier. That is all I am saying.

Basically to all the things you have been saying:

About going overseas to medical school: have you done the research about the changes in matching/residencies? The reason people tell you the job prospects aren't great is because the bottleneck for positions will be growing tighter (more US med school slots, not more residencies). Also, the attrition rate is higher/support system is weaker for students overseas.

About how tough your courses were: unfortunately, it seems most adcoms won't look to see that you got a B in some tough engineering course. This is because there are 1000's of applicants, and it would be unfeasible for them to verify every single course that every single student has taken. Now, will you get a slight benefit of the doubt for school/major? Maybe. But there's no way to expect what that bump would be.

About your personal troubles: write about it in your personal statement. Unfortunately (again) there isn't a lot of sympathy from adcoms or other pre-meds. If I was on a committee and I had the choice between a great student with a history of depression and medical issues or a great student without these problems, it is a pretty easy choice.

Finally, why be so snarky to other people who (really) were just trying to help? Don't be defensive when you ask others to rate your chances.

 

[S198]

I appreciate the comments.

 

[S198]

Thanks a lot.

 

[S198]

The lithium? We have it coming right up!

Lithium is used as an industrial lubricant.

 

[S198]

I am trying to be kind and not snarky. I think a fresh start would be nice.

 

[Weewee]

I am trying to be kind and not snarky. I think a fresh start would be nice.

All of us on sdn forgive you and as I stated in my first post (attempting to encourage you) you are going to be fine. Keep up the good work. It is tough and we all know that but don't expect people to show much kindness to strangers on the interwebs. SDN doesn't seem to usually work that way.

Who did you shadow at hoag? I think we are from the same parts and have volunteered at some of the same places. Good luck with everything.

 

[S198]

All of us on sdn forgive you and as I stated in my first post (attempting to encourage you) you are going to be fine. Keep up the good work. It is tough and we all know that but don't expect people to show much kindness to strangers on the interwebs. SDN doesn't seem to usually work that way.

Who did you shadow at hoag? I think we are from the same parts and have volunteered at some of the same places. Good luck with everything.

The head of oncology was my mentor. Who was yours?

 

[pepes1lv1a]

The lithium? We have it coming right up!

How long ago did you put that order in?! Looks like we're still waiting on it

 

[Captain Sisko]

Lithium is used as an industrial lubricant.

i think they were referring to its use as an anti-psychotic in your case

 

[S198]

I recalculated my GPA and it is now a 3.54, however, I must report the classes I have taken before what my school calls a code G5. That is a retaken class. So my science GPA is a region between 3.1, 3.54, or 3.96 depending on which engineering courses, grad courses, and post bacc community college courses overlap and combine.

I need to know the mechanism of action of lithium in mood stabilization.

 

[S198]

I went on AMCAS and found a lot of X's (any course verified with correction) by my classes. I am not sure what this is. I think it means that they either took away a plus or a minus or found some problem with what I reported. I checked again where the classes were on my transcript and when I took them and it all seems fine.

 

[S198]

Add gap medics experience coming in June to the list of clinical and travel experiences.