chances for 3.6c, 3.3s, two time MCAT

[shinymk36]

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What are my chances? Applying for 2014 Fall.

Graduating from private university in OH, Psychology and Biology BA (May 2013 graduation)
NY resident, 3.6 cgpa, 3.3 sgpa, 22 mcat (1st), 33 mcat (2nd)

I understand that I have a low gpa. My family had major financial trouble my soph year (became financially independent now) and that's when my academics started slipping. I also have 2 C's (in Bio 2 and Orgo 2). But since 1st semester of junior year, I've maintained at least 3.8 each semester.

Extracurriculars:

• Research for 2-3 years, no publication
• on leadership for sorority and a faith based organization for ~3 years
• 100 hours of volunteering
• 30 hours of shadowing
• Urban ministry mission trip for a week
• Worked at law school circulation desk (nearly worked 13 hours per week every year)
• teacher assistant for microbiology lab course
• mentoring high school students from low income neighborhoods who are interested in medical career for about 3 years
• Relay for Life for all 3 years, volunteered at about 10 health screenings
• will be working as a scribe at a hospital during my gap year and more shadowing.

LORS: Microbiology professor, Ecology professor, Ethics professor, Pre Health Committee letter, organization advisor, employer from law school library

List of schools I am considering to apply to:

Case Western, Boston, Chicago Franklin, Creighton, Emory, Jefferson, Loyola, Ohio State, St. Louis, SUNY Downstate, SUNY Upstate, SUNY Buffalo, Stony Brook, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Rochester, Virginia Commonwealth, Wake Forest, West Virginia, Wright State

Planning to apply as soon as AMCAS is available.

Do you guys have any suggestions on schools I should be applying to? Or what I can do to improve during my gap year?

Thank you! 🙂

 

[aspiring20]

What are my chances? Applying for 2014 Fall.

Graduating from private university in OH, Psychology and Biology BA (May 2013 graduation)
NY resident, 3.6 cgpa, 3.3 sgpa, 22 mcat (1st), 33 mcat (2nd)

I understand that I have a low gpa. My family had major financial trouble my soph year (became financially independent now) and that's when my academics started slipping. I also have 2 C's (in Bio 2 and Orgo 2). But since 1st semester of junior year, I've maintained at least 3.8 each semester.

Extracurriculars:

• Research for 2-3 years, no publication
• on leadership for sorority and a faith based organization for ~3 years
• 100 hours of volunteering
• 30 hours of shadowing
• Urban ministry mission trip for a week
• Worked at law school circulation desk (nearly worked 13 hours per week every year)
• teacher assistant for microbiology lab course
• mentoring high school students from low income neighborhoods who are interested in medical career for about 3 years
• Relay for Life for all 3 years, volunteered at about 10 health screenings
• will be working as a scribe at a hospital during my gap year and more shadowing.

LORS: Microbiology professor, Ecology professor, Ethics professor, Pre Health Committee letter, organization advisor, employer from law school library

List of schools I am considering to apply to:

Case Western, Boston, Chicago Franklin, Creighton, Emory, Jefferson, Loyola, Ohio State, St. Louis, SUNY Downstate, SUNY Upstate, SUNY Buffalo, Stony Brook, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Rochester, Virginia Commonwealth, Wake Forest, West Virginia, Wright State

Planning to apply as soon as AMCAS is available.

Do you guys have any suggestions on schools I should be applying to? Or what I can do to improve during my gap year?

Thank you! 🙂

your 33 MCAT is great, but that first 22 might raise eyebrows.

now, the key thing is whether a 3.6 cGPA/3.3 sGPA and a 33 MCAT (2nd try) is enough for MD acceptance. your upwards trend will definitely help, and your story is compelling.

i have friends with 3.3 sGPAs that have gotten into good schools with MCAT ranging from a 33 to a 37. they also had excellent ECs

you do have a compelling personal story, so i am hopeful for you.

good luck!

 

[aspiring20]

and OP, we will probably be stat twins when i apply...so i am simultaneously wishing you luck and vicariously "applying" through you this cycle. 😀

another thing: you may want to apply to more schools than what you listed.

 

[Dbate]

and OP, we will probably be stat twins when i apply...so i am simultaneously wishing you luck and vicariously "applying" through you this cycle. 😀

another thing: you may want to apply to more schools than what you listed.

This. You want to ensure that you will not have to reapply. Not getting in this cycle essentially costs you 200K in lost physician income, so apply broadly.

There are a number of other schools you should consider:

Tulane (has a low gpa, high mcat combo)
Drexel
GWU
Georgetown
Rush
Albany Medical School
New York Medical College
Temple
Thomas Jefferson

These are just a few, but you should definitely get the MSAR and see where you might be competitive.

 

[shinymk36]

This. You want to ensure that you will not have to reapply. Not getting in this cycle essentially costs you 200K in lost physician income, so apply broadly.

There are a number of other schools you should consider:

Tulane (has a low gpa, high mcat combo)
Drexel
GWU
Georgetown
Rush
Albany Medical School
New York Medical College
Temple
Thomas Jefferson

These are just a few, but you should definitely get the MSAR and see where you might be competitive.

Thank you so much for replying and the encouragement! and aspiring 20, good luck to you as well!

I was considering those schools you've listed, but I wasn't sure if it was worth it if I can't financially afford a lot of those schools (they are pretty expensive...).

 

[aspiring20]

This. You want to ensure that you will not have to reapply. Not getting in this cycle essentially costs you 200K in lost physician income, so apply broadly.

There are a number of other schools you should consider:

Tulane (has a low gpa, high mcat combo)
Drexel
GWU
Georgetown
Rush
Albany Medical School
New York Medical College
Temple
Thomas Jefferson

These are just a few, but you should definitely get the MSAR and see where you might be competitive.

while this is technically true, it really isn't healthy/meaningful to think this way. i am taking gap years out of necessity, and if i go about thinking lost annual income everyday, i'll drive myself nuts.

 

[Dbate]

Thank you so much for replying and the encouragement! and aspiring 20, good luck to you as well!

I was considering those schools you've listed, but I wasn't sure if it was worth it if I can't financially afford a lot of those schools (they are pretty expensive...).

It is financially difficult to apply. Try to see if you qualify for the Financial Assistance Program through AMCAS. The FAP pays for 14 medical schools and most schools will waive their secondary fee as well.

Also, just applying to medical school is a very expensive process, so don't be afraid to take out loans.

Taking out a 2K loan to apply is alot cheaper and better than applying to a few schools and not getting admitted.

Having to reapply costs alot more in lost income* and emotional stress.

*Lost income is important to think about in terms of any economic dimension because opportunity costs and the time value of money should be integral to acurately accessing the costs of chosing certain actions.

If it costs you 5K now to apply and you end up gaining 200K in physician income on the other end (from the extra year of work), you are actually saving yourself a substantial amount of money.

 

[gyngyn]

Thank you so much for replying and the encouragement! and aspiring 20, good luck to you as well!

I was considering those schools you've listed, but I wasn't sure if it was worth it if I can't financially afford a lot of those schools (they are pretty expensive...).

Are you referring to tuition or the application process?

 

[October88]

I'm sure she is referring to the cost of attending. Just applying does not mean you have to attend - they could just be back up. I would go with the most affordable option.

Also, I took my MCAT multiple times and saw a dramatic increase similar to yours, and my lower scores did not impact me so that is something I would not worry about. You're GPA could hold you back a little bit though.

I think you're activities look really good though!

I think you have a good chance, especially if you apply to more schools. Good luck!

 

[aspiring20]

I'm sure she is referring to the cost of attending. Just applying does not mean you have to attend - they could just be back up. I would go with the most affordable option.

Also, I took my MCAT multiple times and saw a dramatic increase similar to yours, and my lower scores did not impact me so that is something I would not worry about. You're GPA could hold you back a little bit though.

I think you're activities look really good though!

I think you have a good chance, especially if you apply to more schools. Good luck!

^this.

more specifically, the sGPA is the only thing on your app that could hold you back; everything else is solid to great.

make sure to apply early and broadly, and keep us posted!

 

[Goro]

Do NOT apply to those state schools unless you're a resident of those states.

Suggest adding NYMC, Tulane, Mercer if you live in GA, Hofstra.

DO programs will cut you some slack on the 2 MCAT takes, and the much lower than avg sGPA.


Case Western, Boston, Chicago Franklin, Creighton, Emory, Jefferson, Loyola, Ohio State, St. Louis, SUNY Downstate, SUNY Upstate, SUNY Buffalo, Stony Brook, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Rochester, Virginia Commonwealth, Wake Forest, West Virginia, Wright State

Planning to apply as soon as AMCAS is available.

Do you guys have any suggestions on schools I should be applying to? Or what I can do to improve during my gap year?

Thank you! 🙂[/QUOTE]

 

[shinymk36]

Do NOT apply to those state schools unless you're a resident of those states.

Suggest adding NYMC, Tulane, Mercer if you live in GA, Hofstra.

DO programs will cut you some slack on the 2 MCAT takes, and the much lower than avg sGPA.


Case Western, Boston, Chicago Franklin, Creighton, Emory, Jefferson, Loyola, Ohio State, St. Louis, SUNY Downstate, SUNY Upstate, SUNY Buffalo, Stony Brook, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Rochester, Virginia Commonwealth, Wake Forest, West Virginia, Wright State

Planning to apply as soon as AMCAS is available.

Do you guys have any suggestions on schools I should be applying to? Or what I can do to improve during my gap year?

Thank you! 🙂

[/QUOTE]

I am NY resident, which is why I am applying to SUNY schools. I was considering Hofstra but looking at how they are only accepting ~60, would it be worth it?

In terms of cost, I am worried about applying and taking out loans for expensive schools. I couldn't apply for FAP (they were asking for my parents' tax information... which currently they don't have).

Also, I don't know if it is best to consider the cost as avg or expensive based on school tuition alone or the average cost (+living, health insurance and etc.) they placed on MSAR.

What do you guys think? How do you guys consider what's expensive or not?