Chances of getting in? Should I do a post-bacc?

[SeetaRaj]

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Hey everyone,

Just want to know how my stats sound, especially since I kind of have one major fault in my application. I've decided not to apply until next cycle, and I just want to be led into the right direction on whether or not I should apply straight to med school or take a post-bacc (preferably an SMP sort of thing).

Here's my info in a nutshell:

cGPA: 3.77
sGPA: 3.83
Major: Biological Sciences from UC Irvine
Practice MCAT scores thus far: 31R (11V, 10B, 10P), 34T (11V, 11B, 12P), and 36T (12V, 10B, 13P)

Work/Research Experience:

-24 Hour Fitness for 2 years as a manager (shows leadership experience, and that I'm interested in health/wellness)

-Lab Assistant at UCI School of Medicine for particular lab. The PI is actually the Dean of the SOM and Associate Chair of the MD/PhD program at UCI. I have an LOR from him.

-Undergrad Research Assistant at UCI SOM-focused on epigenetics of epilepsy. Two awards out of this: UROP Grant ($1000), and Excellence in Research Award with abstract published.

-Research Associate at UCI SOM-out of which I will be published on 3 papers and 4 abstracts by the end of this year. Research focus is on the epigenetics of temporal lobe epilepsy. We were primarily concerned with transcription factors that would alter the expression of a specific ion channel heavily involved in brain activity and function. Also another LOR from this lab PI.

Clinical/Volunteer Experience:

-Clinical Care Extender at Hoag Hospital for 2 years

-Committee Chair at American Red Cross for 1 year (helped organize blood drives, and other volunteer events)

-Medical Internship in Chitwan, Nepal for one month (helped clean up OR, shadowed a neurosurgeon and GP, prepped patients for surgery). Got an LOR from the head neurosurgeon of the Chitwan Cancer Hospital.


Affiliations and Memberships:
(These are conferences where my abstracts/publications have been or will be presented)

-Society for Neuroscience

-American Epilepsy Association

Now here's the huge dilemma...I actually FAILED a class, ironically the last one I needed before graduating. It was a lower division degree requirement (Physics 3C, if it matters), and I'm really freaking out about applying straight to med school for the next cycle or if I should think about doing a post-bacc. I'd most likely want to do a post-bacc that involves getting a Masters (in Physiology or Medical Sciences) so I get something out of spending another $20-30K on classes. I need advice on this, so if anyone can help me out, that'd be much appreciated! 🙂

 

[SeetaRaj]

**Correction on the last MCAT score: should say 13V

 

[MedPR]

You're fine. If you don't get in it's because you're weird.

 

[gmcguitar4]

on your practice tests..how do you have the writing sections graded??

 

[SeetaRaj]

Haha oh no! I'm pretty weird...88Z MCAT huh?

 

[SeetaRaj]

The teacher for our class grades them, so it is kind of a shot in the dark. However, I do plan on taking the MCAT in January 2013, so no writing section. I ignore it anyways...

 

[Davidasaurus]

I wouldn't worry about the writing scores too much, focus more on increasing your numeric MCAT score.

Your GPA's are fine. Usually SMP/Post-Bacc's are for students who have <3.4 cGPA's and are trying to prove to adcom that they can handle the course load with a steep upward trend (post-bacc) or by performing well in med school classes (SMP). That being said, with a 3.77 cGPA/3.83 sGPA you shouldn't worry about more schooling, but instead focus on your MCAT. A 30+ should get you interviews with ease.

As for the failed class, retake it, that simple. Yes it will look bad on your transcript but your GPA's are both still strong, EC's are excellent, and hopefully your MCAT will be solid. You'll probably need some sort of explanation since it will be sticking out like a sore thumb on what would've been an otherwise excellent application.

 

[SeetaRaj]

Yeah, I forgot to mention that I did retake it, and got an A...but again, the repeat is seen on my transcript and I guess there's no avoiding that. It is my fault, I missed a midterm in that class and was ready to be done with school, but still no excuses.

I wanted to see if I could do anything else that would make me stand out in a better way. Maybe become an EMT for awhile? Or another global internship possibly?

 

[Goro]

Oh, quit fussing, you're fine. So what if you don't get into Harvard or Stanford...you'll have plenty of other top-tier schools to choose from. The F even shows that you're, God forbid, human.

Hey everyone,

Here's my info in a nutshell:

cGPA: 3.77
sGPA: 3.83
Major: Biological Sciences from UC Irvine
Practice MCAT scores thus far: 31R (11V, 10B, 10P), 34T (11V, 11B, 12P), and 36T (12V, 10B, 13P)

Now here's the huge dilemma...I actually FAILED a class, ironically the last one I needed before graduating. It was a lower division degree requirement (Physics 3C, if it matters), and I'm really freaking out about applying straight to med school for the next cycle or if I should think about doing a post-bacc. I'd most likely want to do a post-bacc that involves getting a Masters (in Physiology or Medical Sciences) so I get something out of spending another $20-30K on classes. I need advice on this, so if anyone can help me out, that'd be much appreciated! 🙂

 

[SeetaRaj]

Thanks for the feedback.