another "help"/"assess my chances" thread, sorry...

[aparecida]

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Short version: age 23, MCAT 40S, BCPM GPA 4.0, overall GPA 2.95, two years of failed courses due to depression and a year taken off, overall GPA minus those two years' failed grades 3.71.

Long version: I went to Vanderbilt from high school, majored in women's studies, didn't want to be a doctor, made good grades (averaged A-minuses, really good given that at the time there was zero grade inflation at Vanderbilt and A's were hard to come by). After my second year, some really bad stuff happened that I don't feel like discussing here, so I ended up with incompletes my third year that turned into F's when I didn't complete them. For my fourth year I transferred to the state university, where I was still depressed, got more incompletes that became F's, and took a year off.

During that year off I got interested in medicine, so I started the premed requirements last summer, volunteered at a women's health clinic, took the MCAT in April, and got a 40S (13BS, 14PS, 13V). I have a 4.0 BCPM GPA. I've only gotten one B since reenrolling, all A's otherwise. My AMCAS hasn't been verified yet, but I think my overall GPA may show as low as 2.95. If averaged without those two years, though, it'd be more like a 3.71. Basically, my grades look like this:
A A A A- A- A A B A B A A A
F F F F W W F F F
A A A A B A A A A A A ...
you get the idea.

I explained myself as best I could in my essay, which I think was really good, and I should have great recommendations. My question is, what are my chances? Are medical schools going to look at the 2.95 and toss out the application, or will they take a closer look and see what happened? And if so, how understanding will they be about the gap? Is there anything I can do as far as, say, contacting the schools and asking them to take a second look instead of just seeing 2.95?

So far I'm applying to the two state medical schools (Kentucky and Louisville) plus Vanderbilt and Wash U St. Louis. I need more schools! But I don't know where else to apply, since I don't want to go too far away and I'd really like a P/F first year and a nontraditional curriculum.

Any thoughts/advice would be really appreciated.

 

[liverotcod]

With a similar story, I applied to 30 schools, including some of the traditional "safety" schools. Many schools have pass/fail grading. How far away are you willing to go?

I would say you have excellent chances, but you really should add some more schools to your list, and perhaps a couple of ostepathic schools as well. But you already said that, you just have to pick some. We can help.

Here's where I applied:
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[AsianDoc816]

Short version: age 23, MCAT 40S, BCPM GPA 4.0, overall GPA 2.95, two years of failed courses due to depression and a year taken off, overall GPA minus those two years' failed grades 3.71.

Long version: I went to Vanderbilt from high school, majored in women's studies, didn't want to be a doctor, made good grades (averaged A-minuses, really good given that at the time there was zero grade inflation at Vanderbilt and A's were hard to come by). After my second year, some really bad stuff happened that I don't feel like discussing here, so I ended up with incompletes my third year that turned into F's when I didn't complete them. For my fourth year I transferred to the state university, where I was still depressed, got more incompletes that became F's, and took a year off.

During that year off I got interested in medicine, so I started the premed requirements last summer, volunteered at a women's health clinic, took the MCAT in April, and got a 40S (13BS, 14PS, 13V). I have a 4.0 BCPM GPA. I've only gotten one B since reenrolling, all A's otherwise. My AMCAS hasn't been verified yet, but I think my overall GPA may show as low as 2.95. If averaged without those two years, though, it'd be more like a 3.71. Basically, my grades look like this:
A A A A- A- A A B A B A A A
F F F F W W F F F
A A A A B A A A A A A ...
you get the idea.

I explained myself as best I could in my essay, which I think was really good, and I should have great recommendations. My question is, what are my chances? Are medical schools going to look at the 2.95 and toss out the application, or will they take a closer look and see what happened? And if so, how understanding will they be about the gap? Is there anything I can do as far as, say, contacting the schools and asking them to take a second look instead of just seeing 2.95?

So far I'm applying to the two state medical schools (Kentucky and Louisville) plus Vanderbilt and Wash U St. Louis. I need more schools! But I don't know where else to apply, since I don't want to go too far away and I'd really like a P/F first year and a nontraditional curriculum.

Any thoughts/advice would be really appreciated.

Honestly, I think your chances are excellent as well. The fact that you made a 40S on your MCAT proves how intelligent you are. Moreover, many med schools look for trends in grades. You will probably be asked to explain your grades, but you have an excellent reasons for the F's and W's. If anything, med schools will accept you because you've overcome adversity and proven how much you want to become a doctor. I admire your courage, and I think you have every chance of receiving an acceptance somewhere.

 

[aparecida]

thanks so much to both of you! That makes me feel a lot better. I just get paranoid hearing how people with 35+ and 3.7+ get rejected, y'know?

I would prefer to stay within, say, eight hours' drive of Kentucky, though no more than twelve. That makes University of Chicago, Saint Louis University, and maybe Wake Forest decent possibilities. Perhaps Emory, though I don't like the sound of the ABCF grading or the traditional curriculum.

I don't really understand why people apply to state-affiliated colleges that are out of state -- wouldn't I have a way better chance of admission, for cheaper tuition, to my state school? I just am not sure I understand what's going on there. Most of my fellow premeds at my school seem to only be applying to the two in-state schools....

 

[bigdan]

aparecida-

Nice MCAT!

Explain to the adcomms as you have explained to us, and then let us know where you got in.

Buena suerte.

dc

 

[IndyZX]

With a similar story, I applied to 30 schools, including some of the traditional "safety" schools. Many schools have pass/fail grading. How far away are you willing to go?

I would say you have excellent chances, but you really should add some more schools to your list, and perhaps a couple of ostepathic schools as well. But you already said that, you just have to pick some. We can help.

Here's where I applied:
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You and your 39 MCAT! You think your profile helps anyone!?!?! Please... 🙄

Braggart.

 

[liverotcod]

You and your 39 MCAT! You think your profile helps anyone!?!?! Please... 🙄

Braggart.

Yeah, but it's just a lowly Q! I guess I must be writing challenged.

The OP has a 40, though, so actually my profile might help her 👍

 

[Brickhouse]

I think your state schools will definitely take you. I woulda sacraficed a chicken for that MCAT score. I had W's too, it's not the end of the world, and depression often accompanies genius, so I'm sure they understand. Good luck.

 

[Kazema]

I had to sacrifice 10 chickens. And a goat.

aparecida, I would recommend adding the schools you mentioned to your application plans, just in case (as long as you can afford it). I think you're in excellent shape with a 40 MCAT and a 4.0 BCPM, but with 8 schools instead of 4 your chances are even better. And who knows, maybe in the process you'll fall in love with one of those schools 🙂.

 

[yodaf]

OP, I'm very sure you have a very good chance. You seem very down to earth, and as long as you maintain that tone throughout your personal statement and interviews you'll do just fine, meaning you'll get in somewhere and probably more than one somewhere.🙂

As for the rest of you, What is up with all your MCAT scores? 38/39/40, what world are you from? And then calling each other braggarts when someone gets a 39 instead of your lowly 38. Bite Me. 😀

The OP at least sounds like a real person who had issues, delt with them and moved on. You others are just gunners. 😀

 

[10minutes]

As for the rest of you, What is up with all your MCAT scores? 38/39/40, what world are you from. And then calling each other braggarts when someone gets a 39 instead of your lowly 38. Bite Me.

Ditto.

 

[IndyZX]

I was joking, guys. (Did you read the "MDApplicants.com profiles = bragging" thread?)

 

[jlee9531]

well you might screened out of some schools that automatically takes out sub 3.0 GPAs. but outside of that, if the rest of your app is solid, then you will get interviews. acceptances are another story. if possible the adcom will take an applicant that has the happy medium over an applicant such as yourself. but i wouldnt be surprised if you did get in somewhere pretty good.

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

I was joking, guys. (Did you read the "MDApplicants.com profiles = bragging" thread?)

Bullsh*t Indy, you elitist son-of-a-b*tch. You're just showing off your MCAT/GPA to make up for your obvious lack of social skills. 😀 😀