chances with low gpa

[ptg813214]

hi im just trying to figure out if i have any shot to go to a top 25 medical school with these stats:

-3.51 cGPA, 3.63 sGPA (top 20 school)
-35 MCAT
-3 years of lab research in the cardiology department of the medical school for an assistant professor
-2 summers department of defense laboratory research in infectious disease lab
-3 years of clinical research in universities hospital
-1 year of biology greenhouse assistant
-2 years of shadowing an ENT/anesthesiologist/surgeon
-1 year of being vice president of fraternity
-2 years mentor to elementary school kid
-2 years assistant scout master of boyscout troop
-Did a 3 week medical trip to africa

What are my chances at top 25 schools such as UVA, UNC, Georgetown?

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[aSagacious]

Well, I'd certainly encourage you to apply to a few of them (but, obviously, don't limit yourself to only top tier schools). No candidate, however solid their stats, is a shoo-in at a top 25 school. The volume of candidates is just so enormous that even the best of the best are lucky to get in. You, specifically, have very good ECs but a weak GPA/MCAT for a top 25 school.

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

Well, I'd certainly encourage you to apply to a few of them (but, obviously, don't limit yourself to only top tier schools). No candidate, however solid their stats, is a shoo-in at a top 25 school. The volume of candidates is just so enormous that even the best of the best are lucky to get in. You, specifically, have very good ECs but a weak GPA/MCAT for a top 25 school.

what are you talking about? OP's stats are average for UNC (considering they are in-state)


http://www.med.unc.edu/admit/faqs

 

[aSagacious]

what are you talking about? OP's stats are average for UNC (considering they are in-state)

Yes it would certainly help if the top 25 was in his/her home state. But staying with UNC, for example, 120 OOS were interviewed out of 3800 applicants. Do you think the OOS interviewees actually had a 3.7/33? Not likely. Even if one were OOS with a 3.7/33, superficially they look competitive, but due to the number of applicants their odds of being accepted are very poor. (On a side note, I think it is OP's GPA, not his/her MCAT that is the limiting factor).

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

Yes it would certainly help if the top 25 was in his/her home state. But staying with UNC, for example, 120 OOS were interviewed out of 3800 applicants. Do you think the OOS interviewees actually had a 3.7/33? Not likely. Even if one were OOS with a 3.7/33, superficially they look competitive, but due to the number of applicants their odds of being accepted are very poor. (On a side note, I think it is OP's GPA, not his/her MCAT that is the limiting factor).

the flip side is true, UNC interviews ~50% of IS applicants....making someone with a 3.2-3.5 30+ competitive for an interview.....

 

[aSagacious]

the flip side is true, UNC interviews ~50% of IS applicants....making someone with a 3.2-3.5 30+ competitive for an interview.....

Yes, but this would only be the case for (at best) one school. How many top 25 schools are in each state (and public --> IS preference)?

 

[Catalystik]

Georgetown and UNC are in your target zone, stats-wise. UVirginia is a reach.