cGPA: 3.89 sGPA:3.85 Top 20 Medical School

[ds912]

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Hey everyone!

I am junior who is going to start applying for medical schools for this summer and wanted to know my chances for getting into a top 20 medical school.

My stats:
I go to a top 10 university
Major: Biology
cGPA: 3.89
sGPA: 3.85
MCAT: taking in may but have been scoring around 34 on practice exams

Volunteer Experience:
-Worked at University hospital as volunteer for 2 years: 80+ hours
-Taught English to migrant children in China for an entire summer before Junior Year through University sponsored program
-Work at career center to help students improve resumes and cover letters

Shadowing Experience:
-Have shadowed 6 doctors (different specialties) for a combined total of 80 hours

Research Experience:
-3 years in NIH SIP program (2 in one lab and 1 in another)
-1 year working in University Lab
-Will work at NIH SIP again this summer (different lab)

The problem is the projects I have been given have never been too extensive although I am very well versed in different lab protocols and techniques. The lab I do research in on campus is very competitive and they spend over a year training students before giving them a project. This may be a weakness of my application.

LORs- most likely not amazing, just good or slightly better than average

EC:
Treasurer of club sailing team
Teach a university approved class about social inequality in China

Maryland resident, 20, Male, Asian

What are my chances at a top 20 med school? Or what do I need to score on my MCAT in May to have a good chance?

I appreciate the advice. Good luck everyone!!

 

[red doctober]

Top 10: 38+
11-20: 36+

 

[Meihua]

34 is a bit on the low side for an Asian aiming for the top 20, but not too bad; if you can bump it up to a 36ish you'll be at the point where it neither hurts nor helps you. I don't see any real weaknesses in your application - on paper it's solid but unexceptional (as mine was), so you'll have to make yourself stand out with your personal statement and your activity descriptions.

 

[Alejandro]

I mean, in response to your question-as high as you can!

There's no precise algorithm that will let you apply to top tier schools, mainly because there is still a lot of subjective evaluation involved. What works for one, definitely does not guarantee it works for another.

But of course you probably want a number. above 35. The higher the number, the more realistic it becomes.

Besides, once you get the interview, I think the biggest factor by that point is to win the admissions committee over, not your grades.

 

[Catalystik]

Hey everyone!

I am junior who is going to start applying for medical schools for this summer and wanted to know my chances for getting into a top 20 medical school.

My stats:
I go to a top 10 university
Major: Biology
cGPA: 3.89
sGPA: 3.85
MCAT: taking in may but have been scoring around 34 on practice exams

Volunteer Experience:
-Worked at University hospital as volunteer for 2 years: 80+ hours
-Taught English to migrant children in China for an entire summer before Junior Year through University sponsored program
-Work at career center to help students improve resumes and cover letters

Shadowing Experience:
-Have shadowed 6 doctors (different specialties) for a combined total of 80 hours

Research Experience:
-3 years in NIH SIP program (2 in one lab and 1 in another)
-1 year working in University Lab
-Will work at NIH SIP again this summer (different lab)

The problem is the projects I have been given have never been too extensive although I am very well versed in different lab protocols and techniques. The lab I do research in on campus is very competitive and they spend over a year training students before giving them a project. This may be a weakness of my application.

LORs- most likely not amazing, just good or slightly better than average

EC:
Treasurer of club sailing team
Teach a university approved class about social inequality in China

Maryland resident, 20, Male, Asian

What are my chances at a top 20 med school? Or what do I need to score on my MCAT in May to have a good chance?

I appreciate the advice. Good luck everyone!!

Top schools aim to train future leaders in medicine. What peer leadership will you list to convince med schools that you have this potential?

Non-terrific LORs will be another handicap.

And as a comment, your active clinical experience is below average, though the shadowing is above average. Your teaching and mentoring activities look good, and ideally the mentoring is of at least a year's duration.

 

[ds912]

Thanks everyone for the input. I think I will stress my teaching experiences in my personal statements and interviews because it has been such a big portion of my college career.