Bad start, good finish

[bDNA]

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Applying this spring (so that I'll be in MS1 the fall of 2014)

Interested in schools in New York State or close to NY

Top-tier Liberal Arts University
GPA: 3.32 (3.45 is my projected GPA when application is submitted)
BCPM: 3.36 (3.5 is projected BCPM GPA)
MCAT: 30Q

C+ in an English class (due to an injury), C+ in Organic Chemistry (uncle passed away)
Will not have taken Biochem or Abstract Algebra or Real Analysis when application is submitted
Upward trend

Major: Math and Molecular Biology

Asian male from NYC, 1st generation, Family Income <20k/year

Extracurriculars:
Shadowed 100+ hours with various doctors - mostly with hematologist
Mentioned in paper in ASCO in regards to technical assistance (did more than just technical stuff by looking for relevant articles to build his paper)
Volunteer at local clinic - 5 years
Volunteer at larger hospital - 1 year
Volunteer at hospice program - 1 semester
Volunteer at a summer camp for kids with medical conditions - 1 week

TA for Linear Algebra - 1 semester
SAT Math tutoring offered for free - 4 years
Tutor and teacher's assistant for an elementary school - 2 years
Member of a program that conducts science experiments at an elementary school (I lead the experiments) - 2 years

Treasurer of Half the Sky Chapter (women's rights)
Haagen-Dazs co-assistant manager - 1 summer
Cashier at grocery store - 1 summer

Extra Info:
Men's Volleyball Club Team - 2 years
Running Club - 3 years
Intramural Basketball - 2 years
Math Club
Molecular Biology Club

Hobbies:
Woodcarving
Jewelry-craftng
Origami

Fluent in Chinese (Cantonese) and English

Recommendations:
I have at least one stellar recommendation and a couple of other decent recs that would describe my horrible start in my academic college career by mentioning family issues.

Again, I am interested in knowing about my chances in New York State as an in-state resident.

 

[Moosepig]

Average/slightly below MD chances, good DO chances.

 

[Catalystik]

Applying this spring (so that I'll be in MS1 the fall of 2014)

Interested in schools in New York State or close to NY

Top-tier Liberal Arts University
GPA: 3.32 (3.45 is my projected GPA when application is submitted)
BCPM: 3.36 (3.5 is projected BCPM GPA)
MCAT: 30Q

C+ in an English class (due to an injury), C+ in Organic Chemistry (uncle passed away)
Will not have taken Biochem or Abstract Algebra or Real Analysis when application is submitted
Upward trend

Major: Math and Molecular Biology

Asian male from NYC, 1st generation, Family Income <20k/year

Extracurriculars:
Shadowed 100+ hours with various doctors - mostly with hematologist
Mentioned in paper in ASCO in regards to technical assistance (did more than just technical stuff by looking for relevant articles to build his paper)
Volunteer at local clinic - 5 years
Volunteer at larger hospital - 1 year
Volunteer at hospice program - 1 semester
Volunteer at a summer camp for kids with medical conditions - 1 week

TA for Linear Algebra - 1 semester
SAT Math tutoring offered for free - 4 years
Tutor and teacher's assistant for an elementary school - 2 years
Member of a program that conducts science experiments at an elementary school (I lead the experiments) - 2 years

Treasurer of Half the Sky Chapter (women's rights)
Haagen-Dazs co-assistant manager - 1 summer
Cashier at grocery store - 1 summer

Extra Info:
Men's Volleyball Club Team - 2 years
Running Club - 3 years
Intramural Basketball - 2 years
Math Club
Molecular Biology Club

Hobbies:
Woodcarving
Jewelry-craftng
Origami

Fluent in Chinese (Cantonese) and English

Recommendations:
I have at least one stellar recommendation and a couple of other decent recs that would describe my horrible start in my academic college career by mentioning family issues.

Again, I am interested in knowing about my chances in New York State as an in-state resident.

Past ORMs applying with cGPA 3.45/MCAT 30 had a 45% chance of success at AMCAS schools. I expect your excellent ECs will boost that some and a steep upward grade trend will help you too. If MCAT score isn't balanced, that will be a negative predictor.

 

[bDNA]

Average/slightly below MD chances, good DO chances.

Thank you. Any insight on NY state schools?

Past ORMs applying with cGPA 3.45/MCAT 30 had a 45% chance of success at AMCAS schools. I expect your excellent ECs will boost that some and a steep upward grade trend will help you too. If MCAT score isn't balanced, that will be a negative predictor.

In regards to the upward trend, would it still be a positive predictor with only 3 semesters of good grades (all A's and A's) as a class of 2014 applicant hoping to matriculate the fall of 2014? I have a 3.0, 3.4, 3.25 and a 3.6 and expecting about a 3.8 the next two semesters.

Also any insights into MD schools in New York State as an in-state resident?

 

[Lucky Louie]

Treasurer of Half the Sky Chapter (women's rights)
Haagen-Dazs co-assistant manager - 1 summer
Cashier at grocery store - 1 summer

Extra Info:
Men's Volleyball Club Team - 2 years

This may sound sexist of me, but are you a guy or a girl? I kinda think there are fewer guys seeking an MD compared to years past. I also don't think information like "first generation" or "low socio-economics" are emphasized as they were in the college acceptance process.

 

[Catalystik]

1) In regards to the upward trend, would it still be a positive predictor with only 3 semesters of good grades (all A's and A's) as a class of 2014 applicant hoping to matriculate the fall of 2014? I have a 3.0, 3.4, 3.25 and a 3.6 and expecting about a 3.8 the next two semesters.

2) Also any insights into MD schools in New York State as an in-state resident?

1) Three semesters could do it, but 4+ would be better.

2) NY schools are not famous for their in-state love. I don't have special insight into their processes, but as they have far too many excellent candidates, chances are high that you'd be reapplying if you apply June 2013 with your projected numbers. So planning on a second cycle would be important, meaning, you'd need to keep improving your application.

A stronger MCAT score would make it easier for adcomms to overlook your GPAs on the first round. You might also consider waiting until another year of high GPAs improves your numbers.

 

[Goro]

Concur on DO, but in NY, you'd only be competitive at NYMC.

Average/slightly below MD chances, good DO chances.

 

[bDNA]

This may sound sexist of me, but are you a guy or a girl? I kinda think there are fewer guys seeking an MD compared to years past. I also don't think information like "first generation" or "low socio-economics" are emphasized as they were in the college acceptance process.

I'm a guy. I should explain. The organization IS about women's rights but it's also related to the sex trafficking of children in other countries. As a male, yes, it is a little weird but after seeing documentaries, it was something I would like to bring aware to the general public.

As with the 1st generation, low-socioeconomic status, I was going with having to work while in school and over the summer, or giving up other opportunities to work instead. Would that also not be as emphasized in the medical school process?

1) Three semesters could do it, but 4+ would be better.

2) NY schools are not famous for their in-state love. I don't have special insight into their processes, but as they have far too many excellent candidates, chances are high that you'd be reapplying if you apply June 2013 with your projected numbers. So planning on a second cycle would be important, meaning, you'd need to keep improving your application.

A stronger MCAT score would make it easier for adcomms to overlook your GPAs on the first round. You might also consider waiting until another year of high GPAs improves your numbers.

Oh, so just to be clear, you're saying that because NY is such a desired location, there will be more "excellent candidates" applying to NY's medical schools and affecting my chances.

Also, would schools like Stony or Downstate (NY's states schools) also not favor in-states?

Concur on DO, but in NY, you'd only be competitive at NYMC.

Is your opinion based on my projected scores or my present scores?

 

[Catalystik]

1) Oh, so just to be clear, you're saying that because NY is such a desired location, there will be more "excellent candidates" applying to NY's medical schools and affecting my chances.

2) Also, would schools like Stony or Downstate (NY's states schools) also not favor in-states?

1) I think that a lot of NY residents and East Coasters like to stay closer to home.

2) Yes, they favor in-states (Upstate more than the others, to my recall), but not as much as many other state schools. My theory as to why is that they need the higher OOS tuition to balance their books.

 

[SixStringPsych]

I don't know stats of in-state acceptances at other state schools, but my experience anecdotally is that SUNYs take like 80% NY residents. Some people I know with lower stats who applied everywhere got into only SUNYs and Buffalo. Take it with a grain of salt but hey at the very least we're lucky we have tons of state schools to apply to. Apply broadly and early 🙂