Chances and Advice??

[NeuroV1]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Does anyone have an idea of my chances of getting in med school? And any advice?


CGPA: 3.411, sGPA: 3.23
I plan to take the MCAT in the spring. I'm currently studying for it...unfortunately, I'm not so great with standardized tests.


I have one more semester to go at the University of Minnesota (any recommendations for med schools in the area?). I did great in my freshman year. In my sophmore year, I got sick for a 2 months so my grades (for bio & ochem & ochem lab) were mainly Bs. That put me off so I wasn't sure about med school anymore. So for the spring semester, my grades were mainly Bs too since I accumulated a lot of doubts about getting in med school and worries about the profession, and such so I had less motivation to do great in classes. In the fall of my third year, I continued this (mainly B to A-) trend still debating the medical school path.


Throughout this time, I was volunteering at a hospital where I worked alongside with the nurses and NAs. I really enjoyed the opportunity to be involved in direct patient care. For many reasons, I've always wanted to practice medicine. Throughout my undergraduate years, I've been hesitant in pursuing this path due to my low grades and my worries on whether I would make a decent physician (or any kind of health care provider). But my desire go for it (I can't imagine doing anything else!) has always been there.


So this last spring semester, I decided that I would give med school my all. I did pretty well this semester (with the exception of an ok grade in cell bio-retaking in fall). I even did better than I hoped in a graduate level course. I received great advice from professors and med students which helped me think things over in a different perspective and make my decision.


This upcoming fall semester is my last chance to prove that I can do better under a load of 4 science courses (and lab). Along with this, I'll be volunteering at a hospice, preparing for MCATs, and continuing a part time job.


Does anyone have any recommendations on what to work on? Should I do additional research (I have done 6 months so far)? I haven't done much to show leadership skills so any advice on that? And any advice on shadowing (I have been unsuccessful in finding available physicians so far...)?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Catalystik]

The mean GPA for those accepted to allopathic med school is 3.66 (and MCAT 30.8). You are far below that. Your priority needs to be excellent grades to boost it higher, especially since standardized tests have been a problem for you in the past, even if it means delaying graduation or doing additional postbac work after you graduate. With a 3.4ish cGPA, you'd need a correspondingly higher MCAT score to compensate, like a 33+. You can see from this chart how your chances of an MD acceptance improve as your cGPA and MCAT rise:
http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/applicantmatriculant/table24-mcatgpagridall2007-09.pdf


You might consider applying to DO med schools as well where a 3.48 is the average for entering students, along with an MCAT of 26.09.

As far as ECs go, don't let them take your focus away from your coursework, as grades are more important right now. If you'll have 1.5 year of clinical experience, you'd be about average. Nonmedical community service is also valued, ideally for a cause you care about. Research is more valued at some schools than others; about 60% list it. Of those that do, about a year is average, but having any is helpful. Teaching, leadership, and shadowing are other areas to gain experience in.

Have you considered asking your own physician if you can shadow? After that, the next most productive approach is asking docs where you volunteer.

 

[NeuroV1]

Thank you for the response. I really do appreciate it. I'll look in to DO schools in my area and doing additional postbac work. I've made an MCAT study schedule up to the point when I plan to take the MCAT. As for shadowing, none of the physicians at my clinic are available at the moment. They told me to get in contact with them again in the fall which I will do. Would it be advisable if I ask to shadow an old friend's father who is a physician?

 

[Catalystik]

Would it be advisable if I ask to shadow an old friend's father who is a physician?

Absolutely. The physicians of close relatives are also fair game to ask. Shadowing doesn't need to be a regular activity. You could get in a lot over school breaks or weekends and have enough by the time you apply. (About 50 hours is average. I suggest trying for 60-80, split among 2-3 docs if you can manage it, of which one should be in primary care.)