cGPA 3.26, BCPM 3.15, MCAT on August 24

[samia7]

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Hi,

I am new here and wanted to see if anyone out there with similar stats had success with getting into medical school or with interviews atleast. I am applying this year for 2011 cycle to both MD and DO schools and have already submitted my amcas (but not aacomas) primary app(Jul 15).

My first two years GPA is around 2.8 (screwed up due to distractions etc) but I have an upward trend in the last two years of undergrad with cGPA of 3.83 and BCPM of 3.78 (with upper level sciences including virology, immunology etc). I originally planned on taking my MCAT in July but postponed it because I had excellent opportunities to shadow doctors and volunteer at OHSU lately which took most of my time besides my work. I want to do really well since MCAT will play a big part in app. I am focusing on getting a high MCAT score rather than hurrying up to be early in the cycle. Anyways, now I am taking it on August 24th. I am aiming for 35.

My ECs are good and I have done volunteering in both health care and non-health care since high school and college. I have 40 hours of shadowing, 200+ hours of clinical/health care experience, 100+hours of non-health care volunteering/community service experience which include organizing fundraisers, food bank, feeding the homeless etc. I have also worked through out college in a customer service related job for 24-30 hours per week.

I understand I might be late in cycle, but wanted to know if anyone out there in similar situation did well and what my chances are. I appreciate any feedback and comments!

Thx

 

[sustentacular]

Your GPAs are even a little low for DO schools. I'm not trying to be rude but I don't think that you will have much success with MD schools applying that late. You won't get your MCAT score until late September. If you wait to submit your AMCAS application until then you'll be filling out secondary applications in late October/November. Even if your MCAT is 35 that's a big disadvantage to your application and will likely result in you wasting lots of $$. DO schools, however, seem to run a little later in their application cycle and you may have more success there if you're truly interested in that option.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

A very late mcat and late application will kill your application. Overall your 2 year upward trend will help but anything that upward trend gave you will be negated by a late application. So depending on how you do on the mcat will dictate your future actions.

I would say that for MD if you do in fact get a high mcat (30+) then a SMP will be something you'll need to consider. I don't recommend applying late at all as you will lose many $$.
For DO if you hit a 30+ you should be good but still applying late has killed many apps. You can go ahead and apply I would say but get verified soon and apply the moment you get back your mcat. ( If you do not have a DO letter consider not applying this year to DO as many require one.*
Overall I would say that if you hit lower then a 28 on the mcat, then you should probably wait this cycle and apply next year.

Good luck.


* Some DO schools will accept a MD letter. However there are a few that will only accept a DO letter. So if you do not have either you should sit out from DO this cycle.

 

[samia7]

I have infact already submitted my amcas app in mid july itself and it's being verified. All I am waiting is for my MCAT and by the time the whole application will be ready to go for med schools. I also have a letter from DO. I will be shadowing more after MCAT and will be getting a letter from an MD but that will be useful only for the interviews (if all goes well).

Thanks for the input! 🙂

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Don't forget to send in the AACOMAS app ( DO application).