Do I have a realistic shot?

[Humble1]

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I am a senior at a Florida school. I wish to remain in state however I will go where accepted😕.

My stats are a 36Q on the MCAT.
MD GPA of 3.17
sciGPA of 3.23
DO GPA 3.4

I have done 100+ hours volunteering at a hospice.
Shadowed an orthopedic surgeon for 40+ hours
Involved in a directed independent study.
I am a volunteer with the Big Brothers & Big Sisters
I work as a literacy coordinator for a county library. Teaching those new to our country how to speak english and also tutoring grade school children(for free of course)
Founder of a nonprofit organization. (Only 3 months old but still)

I have a strong upward trend. For the past 60 credits my GPA has been a 3.6 and my science GPA during that time a 3.5.

What are my chances at an MD or DO program?

Thanks for your replies.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Not sure about MD. Your gpa is way low but your mcat is way high and your ECs are about average. I would say that you are sitting pretty solid for DO as your DO gpa is slightly below average and your MCAT is awesome for DO. I would say apply to both and hope for the best. worst case you will definitely get into a DO program (assuming your PS statement is good and your LORs don't torch you).

 

[Humble1]

Also what are the chances of me being granted an interview from MD schools?

 

[Mazdave]

Based on past data, people who applied with a GPA of 3.00-3.19 and an MCAT of 36-38 were accepted 42.4% of the time. Interestingly, in the next GPA category of 3.2-3.39, the acceptance rate jumps to 61.1%. Do your grades have an upward trend? What would be the effect if you took another year of classes and the grades were As (if you have your heart set on MD, maybe a post-bacc would help)? Florida has a couple of friendly state schools, and you would probably be set for DO regardless without taking a post-bacc.

 

[Catalystik]

Based on past data, people who applied with a GPA of 3.00-3.19 and an MCAT of 36-38 were accepted 42.4%

Of course, a significant number of these probably were members of special populations: veterans, Peace Corps or Teach for America, SMPers, etc.

In your favor is that some schools weight the GPA in various ways. Some will give less weight to freshman year, others, more weight to the last two years. They may even throw out one bad semester completely. So, besides applying broadly to mostly schools in your target range, add a few dream schools, too.

 

[Goro]

OP, realistically, your chances of getting an interview at an MD school are nil. Your GPA are simply too low.

Those percentages that some people bounce around here too freely are, in actuality, people who have some "in" with the admissions process, like, being related to donors or the Dean. We call them "specials" here; others call them "legacies". you're not competing against other people with 3.1/34, you're really competing against 3.6/35+'s

You're fine for any DO school.

Of course, a significant number of these probably were members of special populations: veterans, Peace Corps or Teach for America, SMPers, etc.

In your favor is that some schools weight the GPA in verious ways. Some will give less weight to freshman year, others, more weight to the last two years. They may even throw out one bad semester completely. So, besides applying broadly to mostly schools in your target range, add a few dream schools, too.

 

[Humble1]

In regards to interviews though, what are my chances of being granted an interview at an MD school? Not to sound overly confident, but I feel that if I am given a chance to portray myself as more than numbers I believe I can be successful in gaining admission. So what are the chances of being invited to an interview?

 

[Catalystik]

Numbers get your application looked at. ECs, LORs, and PS help determine whether you'll be invited for an interview. You don't give enough detail to judge whether your Experiences are in the "excellent" or "very good" range, as they probably need to be.

I think your MCAT score is enough of a stand out that your application will be looked at more closely, provided the school doesn't have computer screened cutoffs for GPAs that are above your numbers.

Someone with more insights into the practices of Florida schools will have to answer as to your chances of an interview there. I'd suggest you also apply to Wayne, which is known to primarily consider most recent GPA. You might also target schools with SMPs, as they are likely to do the same.

 

[0919mmk]

OP, realistically, your chances of getting an interview at an MD school are nil. Your GPA are simply too low.

Those percentages that some people bounce around here too freely are, in actuality, people who have some "in" with the admissions process, like, being related to donors or the Dean. We call them "specials" here; others call them "legacies". you're not competing against other people with 3.1/34, you're really competing against 3.6/35+'s

You're fine for any DO school.

No this is not true. I have a 36P, and a lower GPA than the OP. I got 6 MD interviews and (so far) 2 acceptances. If everything else is in order with your application (ECs etc), that 36 will go a long way towards showing people that you can handle med school. My guess is that if you apply wisely to 20+ MD schools, you will get 4+ interviews.

p.s. I am definitely not a "special", a legacy, or a URM.

 

[Shalashaska]

Ignore all the negative comments above. Here's what you should do my friend:

You have a top MCAT score. However, your GPA can be improved. A good idea would be to apply to a 2nd Bachelors program. I am also a Florida resident and I assume you're a senior at UF or one of the big schools. USF/UCF have 2nd bachelors programs, but other schools may also have one too. UF doesn't. Rolling admissions is closing soon, so apply ASAP if this is what you want. This option is affordable and manageable. I applied in January and was admitted to USF after 3 days. So you can do it too.

In this 2nd bachelors program, your intention is to improve your GPA, not to obtain a "2nd degree". If you can take 1 year of ~30 credits of BCPM and score a 3.7+ overall GPA in that year, you can bring your current stats to a 3.3+.

After this, apply to as many MD schools as you can. This is where the important part comes in: do NOT apply to schools that are out of your reach. Also, do NOT apply to schools that take in less than 20-25% OOS students. Finally, be wary of applying to the traditional URM schools (unless you're a URM): Meharry, Morehouse, and Howard AND the ones in Puerto Rico.

Also, apply to a handful of DO schools.

In conclusion, work hard and you shall be rewarded with success. MD is difficult but not impossible. And since you're in FL, you're lucky - there are 9 total schools (including 2 DO) here, and that's basically almost half the schools you'll be applying to.

 

[Humble1]

Thanks my fellow Floridian. On another note, love the Metal Gear series truly classic games.

Does anyone have school specific information on how they screen? Preferably for Florida schools.

 

[lizdoc]

Hi, This message is for Catalystik. Do the NYC Teaching Fellows fall into the same category as Teach for America, i.e. career changers that taught in underserved communities?

 

[Shalashaska]

Thanks my fellow Floridian. On another note, love the Metal Gear series truly classic games.

SNAAAAAAAAAKE!

Does anyone have school specific information on how they screen? Preferably for Florida schools.

The cutoffs at most schools are 3.0 for c/sGPAs but it's better to check with each individual school.

As a UF senior, I can tell you that UF is pretty much stats based admissions. It's almost impossible for a GPA lower than 3.4 to get in. I'll tell you that when I start my application process, I'll be reluctant to even apply to my alma mater.

I suspect the same goes for UM as well. I haven't seen too many non-trads/low GPAs get accepted into USF (despite excellent post-bacc scores) but it doesn't hurt to apply.

That being said, I've seen some non-trads/low GPAs get accepted into FSU, UCF, FAU, and FIU along with LECOM-B and NSUCOM of course.

Again, because I'm pre-health also, I have no right to give you advice, only to share information that I know. If you need any positive feedback, drop me a message.

 

[Catalystik]

Hi, This message is for Catalystik. Do the NYC Teaching Fellows fall into the same category as Teach for America, i.e. career changers that taught in underserved communities?

Since the midwest sees few of their participants, I can't give you an applicable across-the-board impression. As a participant earns the same salary and benefits as a regular NYC teacher in this alternative path to a teaching career (including covering the much of the cost of a masters degree), it may not. However, any teaching experience is a positive benefit to the application, separate from its social service value. And I think that individual adcomms might give one a bump for choosing to teach in an inner-city environment.

As LizzyM is from the east coast and may see more of this, it would be nice to get her opinion.

 

[On a Mission]

I am a senior at a Florida school. I wish to remain in state however I will go where accepted😕.

My stats are a 36Q on the MCAT.
MD GPA of 3.17
sciGPA of 3.23
DO GPA 3.4

I have done 100+ hours volunteering at a hospice.
Shadowed an orthopedic surgeon for 40+ hours
Involved in a directed independent study.
I am a volunteer with the Big Brothers & Big Sisters
I work as a literacy coordinator for a county library. Teaching those new to our country how to speak english and also tutoring grade school children(for free of course)
Founder of a nonprofit organization. (Only 3 months old but still)

I have a strong upward trend. For the past 60 credits my GPA has been a 3.6 and my science GPA during that time a 3.5.

What are my chances at an MD or DO program?

Thanks for your replies.

Hello !

To be honest I am in far worst conditions, and I am applying with hopes that I will get in. You are in very good standing, Med schools committees and made up of smart people. This is their though:

1. He is a chemical engineering major, which means no easy classes and based on your overall GPA and science GPA most of the classes were science classes which are hard.

2. Not only are you keeping up with the classes but you are working, volunteering, and running and brand new organization, (THAT takes time !!!) While the other kids are studying and relaxing ! you are working and runnign like crazy to get everything done and manage to some how study a little and do decent.

3. TIME is short you do all this things, you love the idea of medicine because you have experience in hospitals.

4. Overall they rather have a bright mind that creates programs and is full of ideas, energy and ambition to do all those things from different fields. Than the typical 3.8 and above that all they can do is get good grades but lack the experience, the humanities, and may be are members of a club.

5. If you look at all the schools and their class profile they all have very good GPA's but guess what even harvard has 35 average MCAT scores. So you see They will deduct, those guys did not do many activities during the school year and on the MCAT they did okay. You finally gave yourself some time to study and devote to it and guess what you got a 38Q which is amazing to the level on the M.D, PhD program at J. Hopkins!!!

NOTE: I mean to offend no body because there are those exceptional students who get the 3.8 and the amazing MCAT score and go to africa and help the poor and sick, plus work a full time job.

So conclusion I am nobody, but I believe in the passion behind medicine and that there are truly great people out there that will see you as an individual and not as a number. Hope anything I said makes since and i apologize in advance for any the grammar mistakes (I was writting this very quickly and out of heart).

Best luck ! ;0

 

[Humble1]

I appreciate the insightful words. Good luck applying!

 

[LizzyM]

Hi, This message is for Catalystik. Do the NYC Teaching Fellows fall into the same category as Teach for America, i.e. career changers that taught in underserved communities?

I have seen NYC Teaching Fellows and I've seen Teach for America veterans and in neither case have they seemed to be "career changers" but most often they are idealistic college grads who want to accept the challenge of teaching in an underperforming school as a temporary job before applying to medical school.

I consider them equivalent experiences when looking at an application.

 

[lizdoc]

Thanks Catalystik and LizzyM !

 

[TriagePreMed]

I think an MD acceptance is definitely possible. The MCAT is simply too good to have your application completely overlooked. For DO, any school you apply to. I'd definitely encourage applying to both MD and DO.

 

[alexrgross]

I think an MD acceptance is definitely possible. The MCAT is simply too good to have your application completely overlooked. For DO, any school you apply to. I'd definitely encourage applying to both MD and DO.

+1, your MCAT is strong and you should feel confident that will outwiegh the GPA. My disparity is less than yours and I was priveleged with a few interviews.

 

[Pattycake25]

I am a senior at a Florida school. I wish to remain in state however I will go where accepted😕.

My stats are a 36Q on the MCAT.
MD GPA of 3.17
sciGPA of 3.23
DO GPA 3.4

I have done 100+ hours volunteering at a hospice.
Shadowed an orthopedic surgeon for 40+ hours
Involved in a directed independent study.
I am a volunteer with the Big Brothers & Big Sisters
I work as a literacy coordinator for a county library. Teaching those new to our country how to speak english and also tutoring grade school children(for free of course)
Founder of a nonprofit organization. (Only 3 months old but still)

I have a strong upward trend. For the past 60 credits my GPA has been a 3.6 and my science GPA during that time a 3.5.

What are my chances at an MD or DO program?

Thanks for your replies.

DO - you're set, as others have said. Go ahead and apply this cycle. In the meantime, look for a DO to shadow, so that you have a LoR from one (required for several DO programs).

MD - you should look into postbac programs and/or SMPs. I had a 3.1 uGPA, 3.3 sGPA, and a 3.44 smpGPA, and I was accepted, so it's doable (my MCAT was also a 35S, so you beat me on that count). Definitely bust ass and pull at least a 3.5 GPA in the PB/SMP though - many schools see sub-3.5 in such a program as a red flag.

Edit: Also - Big Brother since September 2010!!! Isn't it the best?