Apply Now or Wait a Year?

[Alessia_Bella]

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Here's my situation:

Science GPA: 3.15

Overall GPA: 3.1

MCAT: 31

Princeton graduate, biology major, CA resident.

Currently working 20 hours/wk in a non-clinical position at a hospital, as well as some volunteer work.

I'm trying to decide whether to apply in June 2015 as is, or wait a year and take a few more classes while continuing to work part-time (GPA would then be: Overall: 3.2, Science: 3.3 assuming all A's).

In either case, I figure I would be targeting the lower-tier MD schools.

Advice please and thank you!

 

[walbridge20]

If I were you I would look into osteopathic schools and see if they seem like something you would be interested in. With your current GPA, you are going to be on the outside looking in at most US MD schools. That being said, you would have a realistic shot at a lot of DO schools.

I hope I am not being too harsh, but I think it is better to hear this information earlier then later. Good luck!

 

[AllThatRacket]

As a CA resident in particular, you are in a tough spot. A 3.1 GPA is pretty low, even for low-tier MD schools. Have you considered DO schools?

The 31 MCAT, while respectable, isn't going to save you. I would definitely wait at least a year, and consider DO as an option.

 

[Doug Underhill]

You seem like a solid candidate for a post-bac or SMP program. A 31 MCAT is the average for accepted applicants. However, your GPA is almost .6 lower than the average accepted applicant.

Are you an underrepresented minority? Do you have any published research articles? Have you made any particularly unique contributions to the field of medicine, like starting a clinic or other leadership project for the underserved?