Applying now, advice/criticisms?

[rockafella12]

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Hey there, I'm a pre-medical student applying this year for the entering class of '12 and I am wondering what you guys think with the following stats:

Bio Major w/ chem minor
cGPA: 3.6
sGPA: 3.4 ish

Work in an Emergency Room in CO, as Physician Assistant Liaison. As a PAL my job is similar to that of a scribe. Been doing it for a year. No doubt in my mind that medicine is for me.

Grades will improve with my last year of classes coming up. Will have total of two years of medical work experience under my belt before (hopeful) matriculation into the Fall of '12.

What do you guys think my chances are? I haven't taken the MCAT yet, as it has been rescheduled (technical difficulty) for 8/5/11. Looking forward to replies!

 

[rockafella12]

My course-load has been pretty intense, so my transcripts will definitely show that I wasn't "slacking". I also have been working at least one job during school to pay for expenses.

I'm also a very economically disadvantaged student. I got the Fee Assistance Program will be able to apply to 14 M.D. Schools Free, which is helpful. These schools are:

University of Colorado SOM
Temple
Drexel
Jefferson
Rosalind Franklin
Eastern Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth
Wake Forest
Keck SOM of USC
Michigan State Univ. SOM
Creighton
Oregon Health and Science Univ.
University of Washington
Virginia Tech @ Carilion

I'm pretty sure that's all of them haha. I know some of them are a reach, but please bear with me. I did a lot of private schools due to me being a CO resident, having to be an OOS for all but one school I'm applying to.

As far as DO schools, I will only be able to afford the application if I get the Fee Assistance Program, which should happen. Not totally decided on the osteopathic schools. Kind of hesitant about RVUCOM, and would like a few options that y'all would think I would have a decent shot at.

Thanks so much, and please feel free to ask more questions!!!

 

[weezynation]

Hey there, I'm a pre-medical student applying this year for the entering class of '12 and I am wondering what you guys think with the following stats:

Bio Major w/ chem minor
cGPA: 3.6
sGPA: 3.4 ish

Work in an Emergency Room in CO, as Physician Assistant Liaison. As a PAL my job is similar to that of a scribe. Been doing it for a year. No doubt in my mind that medicine is for me.

Grades will improve with my last year of classes coming up. Will have total of two years of medical work experience under my belt before (hopeful) matriculation into the Fall of '12.

What do you guys think my chances are? I haven't taken the MCAT yet, as it has been rescheduled (technical difficulty) for 8/5/11. Looking forward to replies!

I don't think people can make an accurate assessment unless you provide your ECs, community service, shadowing, research, etc. I can say that you will be at a slight disadvantage because due to the date you will be taking the mcat, the earliest your application will be complete is the beginning of september. It's not late, but it's not exactly early either and your cgpa is average...sgpa is a little below average if I'm not mistaken (someone correct me if I'm wrong). You can't control when you are taking the mcat, but you can control if your application will be complete on september 5th or not. So make sure your letters and secondaries are all in before september 5th so you don't delay this process even more after your mcat score arrives. If you blow the mcat out of the water, the fact that you didnt apply early probably won't matter much.

 

[weezynation]

My course-load has been pretty intense, so my transcripts will definitely show that I wasn't "slacking". I also have been working at least one job during school to pay for expenses.

I'm also a very economically disadvantaged student. I got the Fee Assistance Program will be able to apply to 14 M.D. Schools Free, which is helpful. These schools are:

University of Colorado SOM
Temple
Drexel
Jefferson
Rosalind Franklin
Eastern Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth
Wake Forest
Keck SOM of USC
Michigan State Univ. SOM
Creighton
Oregon Health and Science Univ.
University of Washington
Virginia Tech @ Carilion

I'm pretty sure that's all of them haha. I know some of them are a reach, but please bear with me. I did a lot of private schools due to me being a CO resident, having to be an OOS for all but one school I'm applying to.

As far as DO schools, I will only be able to afford the application if I get the Fee Assistance Program, which should happen. Not totally decided on the osteopathic schools. Kind of hesitant about RVUCOM, and would like a few options that y'all would think I would have a decent shot at.

Thanks so much, and please feel free to ask more questions!!!

You seem to have a very realistic list of schools with only a couple reaches. Really look into whether or not USC is worth applying to...I may be wrong about this but doesn't USC give preference to Cali residents? If they do, maybe it would be better for you to apply to a reach school that has no in-state preference which will increase your chances. As for DO schools, the only one I know for sure is a top-notch one is Michigan State. There are other great DO schools, I just don't know which ones they are. As for your tough courseload, adcoms see the numbers more than anything. So yeah you had a tough major/minor and got a 3.6/3.4 which is great, but an art history major who got a 3.9/3.4 is gonna be seen in a better light even though their classes were definitely easier. It's a 3.9 vs. a 3.6 in their eyes and plus he/she is considered to be a more diverse applicant because of his/her major.

 

[Catalystik]

My course-load has been pretty intense, so my transcripts will definitely show that I wasn't "slacking". I also have been working at least one job during school to pay for expenses.

I'm also a very economically disadvantaged student. I got the Fee Assistance Program will be able to apply to 14 M.D. Schools Free, which is helpful. These schools are:

University of Colorado SOM
Temple
Drexel
Jefferson
Rosalind Franklin
Eastern Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth
Wake Forest
Keck SOM of USC
Michigan State Univ. SOM
Creighton
Oregon Health and Science Univ.
University of Washington
Virginia Tech @ Carilion

I'm pretty sure that's all of them haha. I know some of them are a reach, but please bear with me. I did a lot of private schools due to me being a CO resident, having to be an OOS for all but one school I'm applying to.

As far as DO schools, I will only be able to afford the application if I get the Fee Assistance Program, which should happen. Not totally decided on the osteopathic schools. Kind of hesitant about RVUCOM, and would like a few options that y'all would think I would have a decent shot at.

Thanks so much, and please feel free to ask more questions!!!

OOS matriculants at UWashington are very low (?6% which are mostly MD/PhDs). I don't think it's worth trying for. Also, as I recall, you don't meet the cGPA criteria for OHSU per their website (3.65). And your BCPM of 3.4 is lower than the bottom 10th %tile for UMichigan, so maybe rethink that one, too.

 

[dallasstar]

OOS matriculants at UWashington are very low (?6% which are mostly MD/PhDs). I don't think it's worth trying for. Also, as I recall, you don't meet the cGPA criteria for OHSU per their website (3.65). And your BCPM of 3.4 is lower than the bottom 10th %tile for UMichigan, so maybe rethink that one, too.

Not sure that thing about OHSU is correct. Their average incoming student cGPA is 3.63.

 

[Catalystik]

This criteria only applies to OOSers (along with MCAT needing to be 32 or higer).

 

[leggo]

Yup, it seems Oregon screens at those numbers for OOS so if you are not greater than that, I wouldn't bother applying.

 

[rockafella12]

All of my letters and transcripts are in, and I feel like I have great LORs, due to my work experience.

I know that U Wash is a huge reach, but I figured that I would at least enjoy going there if the miracle did happen. Can't say the same for Harvard or Brown. I am applying to MSU not U of M, and I think my scores are reasonable for that school.

My GPA will skyrocket this coming year due to the gen eds. I also am considering taking a science course or two (upper-level) to boost the GPA. I have finished all of my bio and chem courses, so anything I take will be above and beyond the degree requirements.

I took one MCAT practice exam, and did decent, but it was lax in effort, and I know the score isn't worth reporting.

The reschedule helps in the sense that I will be able to bang out a few more practice MCATs (with my serious face on), and improve my score.
What score do you guys think is reasonable for me to strive for that will help balance my GPA?

WeezyNation, here is your brief summary of my ECs:
Competitive Triathlete and Multisport athlete
PAL at Level 2 Trauma Center in Southern CO
(awesome job, perfect immersion into clinical world, and what a physician's job in the ER entails/also working in an extremely underserved community)
Lacrosse Club Team Vice-Pres and Player (leadership and fun/interesting)
Medical Science Society with AED membership (tons of community stuff)
Other misc. jobs and community services...

 

[Catalystik]

1) I am applying to MSU not U of M, and I think my scores are reasonable for that school.

2) My GPA will skyrocket this coming year due to the gen eds. I also am considering taking a science course or two (upper-level) to boost the GPA.

3) What score do you guys think is reasonable for me to strive for that will help balance my GPA?

1) Oops, sorry for misreading.

2) Sending in fall grades will be helpful, especially for upper-level Bio classes, if you get As. But schools will not recalculalte your application GPAs.

3) You can see the effect of various MCAT score outcomes with your cGPA here: https://www.aamc.org/download/157450/data/table24-mcatgpagridall2008-10.pdf.pdf But you might moderate that downward somewhat due to the lower BCPM.

 

[rockafella12]

Since I have completed the requirements for my bio/chem major/minor, I wont have any upper level science this fall. I was thinking about taking some more science courses in the spring, electively, and am wondering what you think.

This coming year I have to complete all of my general education requirements, and the classes will be more or less "easy".

 

[Catalystik]

Considering that your weakness is BCPM GPA and not cGPA, I'd try to get those sciences classes in during the fall if possible, shifting more of the Gen Eds to the spring. Spring grades might be too late to have an impact on adcomm decision making.

 

[rockafella12]

I go to a smaller school, and fall science classes aren't going to remotely be of any interest/help. I could do well, but ichthyology is for the most part irrelevant.

Spring is a little different, but again I realize it will be much later than preferable. What about post Bacc studies? VCU has an appealing program, and I am curious as to what you think...

 

[Catalystik]

You don't necessarily need a postbac "program" as a do-it-yourselfer will accomplish the same thing in improving your BCPM and might be less expensive. But I do think either would be a great backup plan (if you get As).

 

[rockafella12]

Sorry, but what does BCPM stand for?

And I only have two semesters left. My cum gpa will definitely skyrocket, but if I'm not taking any science, my science will remain where it is. I will check amcas and post the calculated numbers.

Are you saying that a post bacc isn't worth it? If it improves my chances of getting into/performance in med school, isn't it worth it?

 

[Catalystik]

BCPM short for the AMCAS' GPA for all Biology, Chem, Physics, and Math classes. Sorry for using an abbreviation. sGPA usually refers to AACOMAS science GPA, but sometimes it's used as if it's equal to BCPM, though math isn't included in it.

I think the postbac is definitely worthwhile (whether as a formal program or you informally taking similar classes) and would improve your chances. Are you open to waiting a year to apply?

 

[rockafella12]

Well, yes I am. I AM for sure applying right now though, as the process is already underway, and is of no financial expense due to the FAP. I know that my stats are definitely good enough for a post bacc, and even think the program would be a lot of fun, and really helpful.

That's alright with the abrev, I better get used to them. I will try to research them.

 

[rockafella12]

I couldn't find the GPA calculated from AMCAS, I don't know if this is something that is calculated after they have my transcripts and such, or what, so I can't report my GPA. My cumGPA from my transcript is 3.57, and my science GPA should actually be close to that, since 70+ of the 99 credits I have so far is science.

 

[Catalystik]

After AMCAS verfies your transcripts, you can print off the page that has all the calculations on it with your final application cGPA and BCPM GPA.

To figure it out on your own if the suspense is killing you: AMCAS GPA calculator: http://medschool.ucsf.edu/postbac/pdf/AMCAS%20GPA_Calculator%20Version%204%20Final.xls

 

[rockafella12]

Haha, my suspense isn't killing me that bad. I am working 40+ hours a week at the ER, and am using all of my spare time to study for the MCAT, and physically train.

I have been doing some more research, and it seems like my cumGPA is right around where most schools' averages are. As long as I can pull that, and a 30+ MCAT, I don't think this cycle should be problematic.

I am also a minority (economic) applicant, so I think that may push adcomms over the edge if they are unsure whether to send a secondary or not. Is that overly naive?

 

[Catalystik]

I am also a minority (economic) applicant, so I think that may push adcomms over the edge if they are unsure whether to send a secondary or not. Is that overly naive?

Probably this assumption cannot be generalized to all schools, but Lizzy M has said on this topic:

"At least one school (Drew? I don't recall exactly) has publicly said that it counts disadvantaged status in a big way.

Other schools do not have a formal way of assessing and "counting" that situation but it may be taken into consideration informally. It can influence a reader/evaluator's assessment of your experience, academic performance, decision to forego college immediately after college, attendance at a community college, etc."

 

[rockafella12]

That is definitely encouraging, and I appreciate your feedback Catalystic.

I am hoping that I get a lot of secondaries, but all of the schools I applied to are definitely acceptable to me.

What do you think about my chances at Keck? I feel like the diversity, plus my stats being within the x-bar of their recent matriculant profile is very encouraging. Comments?

 

[rockafella12]

bump.

With my stats, I am not sure if the MD application will work out the first time around. Do you guys have any recommendations for a CO resident applying to DO schools this time around? I still have to wait for the Fee Assistance, so it will be a little while before I can submit my application. I am looking for three schools that are still good schools, but I have a decent shot at getting in...

 

[rockafella12]

First rejection today. EVMS. Extremely disheartening.

Can anyone comment as to what they might think went wrong?

On their MSAR it states that they encourage those with VA ties to apply, as well as those from underrepresented groups. I mean, my stats aren't horrible, and I think my EC's and PS are worth a damn. What do I do? 😕

 

[V5RED]

First rejection today. EVMS. Extremely disheartening.

Can anyone comment as to what they might think went wrong?

On their MSAR it states that they encourage those with VA ties to apply, as well as those from underrepresented groups. I mean, my stats aren't horrible, and I think my EC's and PS are worth a damn. What do I do? 😕

How did you do on the MCAT?

 

[rockafella12]

How did you do on the MCAT?

Well my report is entirely subjective, because my scores haven't been reported yet. I feel like it went really well, with the usual "the more I think about it, the worse I did" stuff.

I took it 7/29/11 because when I sat on the 6th, technical difficulties forced me to reschedule.

I will be sure to let y'all know how I did though, even if my score is embarrassing