Chances for early decision at UMDNJ NJMS? (3.506, 32R)

[ravupadh]

Hey all. I'm a Masters student at the graduate school in New Jersey Medical School. I'm planning to apply this upcoming cycle to NJMS after being waitlisted during the current cycle. I actually want to do early decision since the school is my first choice. They allowed me to take two medical school courses at NJMS. I got an A in Molecular and Genetic Medicine and a B+ in Physiology. Do I have a good chance if I apply through early decision?

Here are my stats:
MCAT: 32R (14 BS, 10 PS, 8 VR)
cGPA: 3.506 (3.484 from college, 3.676 from the NJMS Master's program)
Science GPA: 3.287 (3.208 from college, 3.676 from the NJMS Master's program)
History/Biology Major at Rutgers University
NJ Resident
Volunteered at the emergency room of a hospital for 6 months (108 hours total).
Shadowed a Family Physician for 2 months.
Did community service through a fraternity and UNICEF.
Had a leadership position for student housing during college (Assistant Vice President).
Performed research in an Evolutionary Molecular Biology lab for one year (20 hours a week). I made a poster for a symposium and we published a paper (I have second authorship).
I've been working on a research thesis at a laboratory in NJMS since November.
I have 5 LORs (2 science, 1 non-science, 1 research advisor, and 1 physician shadowed) and possibly another one from my current PI.

I realize my science GPA is holding me back but I'm hoping that me doing well in two 1st year medical courses (out of the total 4 courses that first year medical school students take) could partially compensate for that problem. Is early decision viable for me? Thanks everyone!

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[notbobtrustme]

EDP is a big gamble. You have decent stats, but for EDP, the consensus seems to be you need excellent stats.

I'd much rather apply early than EDP.

 

[ravupadh]

EDP is a big gamble. You have decent stats, but for EDP, the consensus seems to be you need excellent stats.

I'd much rather apply early than EDP.

Well NJMS guarantees an interview to Master's students (EDP or not) if they have above an MCAT score of 28 and at least a 3.5 GPA. So I am definitely going to get an interview but it's getting in that matters of course. From what I've gathered by asking others it's that a lot of Master's students at UMDNJ have applied to NJMS through early decision with good success. I'm guessing the medical school has a preference for well-performing Master's students within the graduate school, but that's just a hunch. I have set up a meeting with the dean but unfortunately it's not until June 21st (couldn't get an earlier date) and I want to submit my application on June 5th.

 

[alexrgross]

I suggest talking to someone in admissions other than the dean, about your chances of going EDP.

 

[waterpolo480586]

Make sure that auto interview invite isn't for a 3.5 Undergrad GPA. Schools do not factor a masters GPA into the undergrad GPA and it would suck if you were auto screened for having less than a 3.5.

 

[notbobtrustme]

Make sure that auto interview invite isn't for a 3.5 Undergrad GPA. Schools do not factor a masters GPA into the undergrad GPA and it would suck if you were auto screened for having less than a 3.5.

I believe this is a SMP affiliated with NJMS, so that the 3.5 grad GPA would count towards his automatic interview. In fact, undergraduate GPA might not even play a factor in obtaining the interview, depending on how the program is structured.

 

[ravupadh]

Yep it's just based on the SMP GPA. So I should be fine. But unfortunately getting an interview of course is never a gaurantee of acceptance.

 

[notbobtrustme]

Yep it's just based on the SMP GPA. So I should be fine. But unfortunately getting an interview of course is never a gaurantee of acceptance.

True, but thinking about it, you should be fine without applying EDP. You already have a guaranteed interview. That's half the battle with this admissions game. I don't think EDP will significantly improve your chances to warrant the risk.

 

[ravupadh]

True, but thinking about it, you should be fine without applying EDP. You already have a guaranteed interview. That's half the battle with this admissions game. I don't think EDP will significantly improve your chances to warrant the risk.

Yeah I believe it wouldn't be worth it if they did get back to you in October. However I've heard that if you apply through EDP to NJMS and do it the first day you can send your AAMCAS, you get an interview and decision before the end of June. This is based on a friend's experience but I plan to ask the dean/admissions people if this is actually true. If they did get back to me before June was over would EDP still be worth it?