cgpa 3.35 - sgpa 3.45 - 34o, but read my story please

[healforever]

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Hey guyssss, I was wondering If I had a good shot at an instate-medical school.

hello my Cumalitive GPA is 3.35 and Science GPA is 3.4

some pre-req grades ---

Phyics I - A+
Physics II - A+
Biochem- A
Organic Chem I - B+
Organic Chem II - A

Heavily upward trend ::::

1st year 3.6
2nd year 3.0
3rd year (start of my medical pre-req's) 3.7
4th year - not yet but all honors classes may end my graduation with a 3.50 GPA or more (I plan to take 20+ credits of regular classes to up my GPA incase I dont get in when I apply this year)

Currently im a Junior ending my 3rd year.



My Mcat score is 34 O

My Extra-Curiculars:::

Dean's list in College a few times.
~150+ hours Internal Medicine Doctor shadowing + Volunteering (patient direct contact)
~20 hours volunteering at a hospital
~Shadowing 3 different cardiologists my 3rd year of college and through the summer.
~Research project @ mount sinai (published)
~I volunteered at a homeless shelter cutting their hair with my sis .
~I volunteered at a local Clinic a few hours a month for a few months.
~Major Biology, and in my College's Honor's program

I plan to apply broadly but specifically as well, to apply at a near by In-state medical school.

I have 5 LoR's

one from an internal medicine doctor
3 from cardiologists renowned world-wide
one from director of a near by town's hospital center


Do you think I have good chances at my instate medical school?

(Or will I have better chances If I wait until next year when I graduate to apply to med school because my GPA will be .2 higher after the 34 credits of my senior year)

 

[Catalystik]

What is your state school? Some states have very forgiving public med schools, and others have only a highly-selective school.

An MCAT of 34 is very good and could compensate for your GPA of 3.35 at some of the less-selective MD schools. The recent upward trend is very helpful, but it will be of only one year's duration when you apply. This factor makes me suggest that your application cycle would (much) more likely be successful if you wait until the end of senior year to apply when your GPA may be 3.5 and your upward trend of a more reassuring duration.

Also, having a research publication is terrific. You are particularly strong in shadowing. It's good that you have some nonmedical community service too. It isn't clear how much volunteering you've done. Where you were specific, the total hours don't seem very high. Could you comment on the total community serrvice hours you have? And do you have any leadership, teaching, or hobbies, or plans for these activities before submission?

Though you didn't ask, I'd like to make the observation that many med schools specify that they'd like LORs from two of your science instructors and one non-science. It is also common to provide a letter from your PI (perhaps one of the cardiologists?). Even if your school provides a committee letter, they usually ask for these among some others. Are these yet to be obtained?

 

[healforever]

What is your state school? Some states have very forgiving public med schools, and others have only a highly-selective school.

An MCAT of 34 is very good and could compensate for your GPA of 3.35 at some of the less-selective MD schools. The recent upward trend is very helpful, but it will be of only one year's duration when you apply. This factor makes me suggest that your application cycle would (much) more likely be successful if you wait until the end of senior year to apply when your GPA may be 3.5 and your upward trend of a more reassuring duration.

Also, having a research publication is terrific. You are particularly strong in shadowing. It's good that you have some nonmedical community service too. It isn't clear how much volunteering you've done. Where you were specific, the total hours don't seem very high. Could you comment on the total community serrvice hours you have? And do you have any leadership, teaching, or hobbies, or plans for these activities before submission?

Though you didn't ask, I'd like to make the observation that many med schools specify that they'd like LORs from two of your science instructors and one non-science. It is also common to provide a letter from your PI (perhaps one of the cardiologists?). Even if your school provides a committee letter, they usually ask for these among some others. Are these yet to be obtained?

Thanks for your input my friend, the state is New Jersey and I'm referring to NJMS and UMDNJ. The total hours are 47 from volunteering and I have no leadership at the moment, but I plan to Just need advice on what to try to lead in? can you help?

Ohhh Yeah I will definetely Get at least one Cardiologist LoR. I will obtain all my Lor's by the time of June. That is when I plan to apply for this cycle.

Let me ask you though, my friend. You know how you said the medical schools I chose would like 2 science and 1 non science LoR's, is it possible I can get those and to addition of 1 Internal Medicine MD and 2 Cardiologist Lor's? or is 6 too much and over kill?

Can you also do me one huge favor Catalysk? And tell me everything YOU think I should do to make my chances as close to 100% as possible to getting into these state schools. ( I also have heard they heavily prefer in-state students over out of state, but i will not depend on that! something to do with "giving back" when they are physicians )

 

[Catalystik]

https://www.aamc.org/data/facts/applicantmatriculant/table24-mcatgpa-grid-3yrs-app-accpt.htm You can see from these statistics accumulatd by AMCAS over the last three years, that even if you retake the MCAT and get a 43, your chances will never be 100% for an acceptance.

For New Jersey schools, 3.7 and 32 are the median stats for those accepted. With a 3.5 and 34, you'll have a decent shot if everything else is optimal: Personal Statement, LORs, ECs, and interview skills. Your shadowing is more than sufficient. I've already mentioned above the ECs for you to develop. Most important would be to address the weak clinical experience where you work one-on-one with sick people, ideally on a weekly basis, and the weak community service (only 47 hours overall). You can combine these two critical areas into a volunteer situation in a clinical environment, like hospital, clinic, nursing home, or hospice, among others, maybe just continuing in the hospital position you mentioned if it gives you enough patient contact. Having 1.5 years of this is typical for applicants. Start as soon as you can. I'd try to add more nonmedical community service too. I love the hair cuts in the homeless shelter.

It's been my experience that physician LORs are rarely helpful and not usually asked for, except by DO med schools. It won't hurt to have one. If the physician is your PI, that's different and will be useful, as important commentary can be made about your work ethic and inquiring mind, contributions to the project, etc. Some schools limit the number of LORs you can submit, so you will need to prioritize.

Read these forums widely and you'll get ideas for a Leadership activity that suits your personality. With a year and a half before you apply, you should be able to build a strong activity in this area.

 

[DALee33]

How did you do in your intro bio classes? Seems as though you have done relatively well in your pre-med pre-rec classes.

Any ways, it looks like you have a pretty solid app. & a great MCAT score in my opinion.

I don't see any reason why you wouldn't get into one of the state schools of your choice--apply broadly & who knows--you may be surprised. I say that b/c you have a 30+ MCAT.

Best of luck.