Apply or wait?

[jch1989]

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I'm wondering if I should apply this June, or if I should do an SMP and apply after my senior year. Any input/feedback would be very much appreciated!

MCAT: Will take in March

Extra-curriculars:
Over 400 hours volunteering at a hospital through a program
Coordinator for said volunteering program--around 30 coordinators out of 450 members in program
Research for 2 years-- included on an abstract + Research at another university for summer months
Work at the school's library computer lab--lead consultant (help users in the lab, help to train/oversee new hires, etc.)
Shadowing: ~20 hours

I know my GPA isn't very high, and I'm not feeling too good about the March MCAT right now. I'm pretty much okay with getting into any med school (sans Caribbean) though staying in CA would be preferred. Thanks for your help!

 

[Catalystik]

You don't need an SMP. SMPs are for low GPA people and yours is right at the median for those accepted to allopathic med schools. If you spend another year getting straight As before you apply you GPA could go up to 3.74. It's up to you to decide if it's worth it.

With your current GPA and a good MCAT score you have a good chance at many med schools outside California. You'd probably also have a decent chance of getting into one of California's two DO med schools. You could also look into Loma Linda and see if it suits you. I'm not sure that with any stats, no matter how good, that one could promise a candidate they'd for sure get into a California state school, so I won't try to predict that possibility.

Side note: some nonmedical community service would be nice to see. And I'd get in another 40-60 hours of shadowing split among a few types of physician specialty.

 

[bravofleet4]

Well if you're just wondering if you should wait another year I have to tell you it just depends on whether or not you want to study more for MCAT and if you think you can get good LOR's. Below a 30+, I would wait another year. If you've also haven't put in the time to get close to your professors, then your LOR's could be equally damaging. That isn't to say LOR's are as important as MCAT. It's just you sound really busy being in your junior year and many pre-med's kind of put off their LOR's till last minute.

Your EC's are better than average via hours of clinical service and publication but not in anyway spectacular, so it's not an area of strength to compensate for weaker ones. Also coming from a top UC matters very little (I guess you mean UCLA or UCB). The reputation of a school isn't going to be a deciding factor here.

 

[J ROD]

Dont need the SMP. Do a yr postbac if you feel you need to raise the GPA.

Basically, you need to get a MCAT score to better way your options.

 

[SoundofSilver]

if you really don't feel ready, waiting a year isn't going to hurt you, it will just make your app stronger.

 

[cac5108]

the mcat is more important than your gpa regardless of what anybody says, trust me after going through the interview process and being accepted to med schools i know that first hand

that being said, a score of 30 or better will get you in somewhere, also if you are not ready to take it, do not take it because messing up one time can significantly impact your chances, just reschedule it when ready