Do I have a shot at a MD program?

[John Q]

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I am a 22 year old african american male that went to a "southern IVY league school" where I had a 3.1 GPA. I attended grad school there for a year and also had a 3.1 GPA. I graduated from grad school in the summer with a masters degree in a biological science and now I work in clinical research at a medical school in the south. I should be apart of 2-3 publications within the next year.

My best friend and roommate passed away at the end of my sophomore year in college and I had a huge drop in academic performance for 3 semesters (spring 09 to spring 10). Instead of taking taking incompletes and finishing in the fall, I was so over school that just took the exams and bombed them. In retrospect, I shouldn't have but I wasnt in the best state of mind. I was down and out for a year as I tried to cope with my loss living in the 2 BR apartment that meant for my buddy and I. I recovered for senior year, and my GPA if you subtract those bad semesters is 3.35

I have 3 publications (2 of which I am the first author), have volunteered alot, traveled to South America to do service work, and worked as a medical scribe in emergency pediatrics and general ER for 2 summers in undergrade.

I also participated in a NIH sponsored, minority undergraduate biomedical research programs geared towards serving underrepresented communities for 5 summers, from high school to my senior year in college. I've worked in underrepresented communities as a tutor and as a health educator (HIV/AIDs and STD awareness/prevention) and most of my service work has been with youth and underserved communities.

I have yet to take the MCAT (studying currently) and I would like to attend a US MD school. I am willing to go anywhere in the country to do so.

Do I have a remote chance? And if so, what MCAT score/range would make me more attractive as an applicant (33-35?). Also, if I am a legitimate candidate, which schools do I have the best shot at getting into?

Thanks guys,

Q

 

[John Q]

I also have shadowed surgeries for 60+ hours and gain countless clinical experience every day at work.

 

[Lollygag]

You may have better luck posting in the What are my chances forum. What is your total GPA? Because that is the number medical schools will see. If you do extremely well on the MCAT though, I think you will still have a shot but it depends on that GPA

 

[survivordo]

Dicey my friend, Dicey. With a strong MCAT and your history of research/shadowing you certainly stand a chance if you apply broadly but I think it may be a harrowing experience.

Survivor DO

 

[iave9963]

What the guy above me said. Just try to study your butt off for the Mcat and be sure you are at your peak before taking it. To answer your question, apply def to state school if you have one and ALOT of low to mid tier schools. Hell if you beast the Mcat maybe even a select few in top 30.

 

[John Q]

I know by my grades, that some of the top schools may be out the picture, but that's just a reality of the situation. I work daily with residents in our prestigious residency program and they matriculated from the "worst" schools to some of the "best" schools.

Ill be applying at all my state schools and ones I feel my stats will be competitive at, and some higher tiered ones.

I'm currently using exam cracker books and Princeton review books. Are those recommended?

 

[ChemEngMD]

I think the biggest concern is that you didn't turn it up a notch in graduate school. My undergrad GPA wasn't the best but I've got a 4.00 so far in my grad program so I've been told by adcomms that it will help boost me because it's my most recent coursework and I'm taking some courses similar, but more in depth than I would in med school (biochem, bacterial pathogenesis, immunology)

https://www.aamc.org/download/321520/data/2012factstable25-5.pdf

According to this if you can get into that 33-35 range your chance of getting in somewhere is ~65%...that's better than the national average...gotta whoop that mcat tho!

And yes low and mid-tier schools are good...if you have any work with underserved communities you may be able to try some higher schools that specifically cater to them.

Good luck!

 

[iave9963]

I know by my grades, that some of the top schools may be out the picture, but that's just a reality of the situation. I work daily with residents in our prestigious residency program and they matriculated from the "worst" schools to some of the "best" schools.

Ill be applying at all my state schools and ones I feel my stats will be competitive at, and some higher tiered ones.

I'm currently using exam cracker books and Princeton review books. Are those recommended?

I and mostly everybody I know used Exam Krackers. Turned out okay.

 

[krixux]

I and mostly everybody I know used Exam Krackers. Turned out okay.

Especially for Verbal

 

[The Beyonder]

I know by my grades, that some of the top schools may be out the picture, but that's just a reality of the situation. I work daily with residents in our prestigious residency program and they matriculated from the "worst" schools to some of the "best" schools.

Ill be applying at all my state schools and ones I feel my stats will be competitive at, and some higher tiered ones.

I'm currently using exam cracker books and Princeton review books. Are those recommended?

I took both courses and preferred PR. It depends on how much prep you need. Exam cracker’s course material was a brief overview; PR’s material was more comprehensive.

 

[Lollygag]

I took both courses and preferred PR. It depends on how much prep you need. Exam cracker’s course material was a brief overview; PR’s material was more comprehensive.

Yea it seems like you have to choose a course depending on where you personally are at with the material. If you are fresh out from taking the pre-req's or have the material down very well then go EK, if you need a refresher then PR, If you want to waste your money, then Kaplan

 

[iave9963]

If you want to waste your money, then Kaplan

Hell yes!

 

[John Q]

I'm debating on the July 13th test date or the July 25th/26th date.

Should that be more than enough time, if I start studying this weekend? (I work 40 hrs a week, but it's a very manageable 40 hrs with no overtime)

 

[John Q]

My other question is that I see the average MCAT scores for some of the HBCUs to be in the mid twenties...what are my chances with my résumé/CV and 29-35 MCAT at those schools?

 

[The Beyonder]

I'm debating on the July 13th test date or the July 25th/26th date.

Should that be more than enough time, if I start studying this weekend? (I work 40 hrs a week, but it's a very manageable 40 hrs with no overtime)

Secondaries start going out at the beginning of July. It takes thirty days for your mcat score to come back. Schools will not process your application until your scores come in. It is in your best interest to have everything submitted as soon as possible. Having said that, the mcat is going to be a crucial part of your application.

My other question is that I see the average MCAT scores for some of the HBCUs to be in the mid twenties...what are my chances with my résumé/CV and 29-35 MCAT at those schools?

This is a hard question to answer. I think this table could be helpful (https://www.aamc.org/download/321514/data/2012factstable25-2.pdf). There seems to be a greater chance of acceptance with rising MCAT score at your GPA.

 

[Lollygag]

My other question is that I see the average MCAT scores for some of the HBCUs to be in the mid twenties...what are my chances with my résumé/CV and 29-35 MCAT at those schools?

Well you wouldn't be at a disadvantage at those schools just because your MCAT is higher if that's what you're wondering. But like the above poster said, it's hard to judge your chances at one particular school. But I would think that if you have demonstrated work in underserved populations, then that would help since that tends to be the mission for the HBCU's

 

[RockChalkJayDoc]

I am a 22 year old african american male that went to a "southern IVY league school" where I had a 3.1 GPA. I attended grad school there for a year and also had a 3.1 GPA. I graduated from grad school in the summer with a masters degree in a biological science and now I work in clinical research at a medical school in the south. I should be apart of 2-3 publications within the next year.

My best friend and roommate passed away at the end of my sophomore year in college and I had a huge drop in academic performance for 3 semesters (spring 09 to spring 10). Instead of taking taking incompletes and finishing in the fall, I was so over school that just took the exams and bombed them. In retrospect, I shouldn't have but I wasnt in the best state of mind. I was down and out for a year as I tried to cope with my loss living in the 2 BR apartment that meant for my buddy and I. I recovered for senior year, and my GPA if you subtract those bad semesters is 3.35

I have 3 publications (2 of which I am the first author), have volunteered alot, traveled to South America to do service work, and worked as a medical scribe in emergency pediatrics and general ER for 2 summers in undergrade.

I also participated in a NIH sponsored, minority undergraduate biomedical research programs geared towards serving underrepresented communities for 5 summers, from high school to my senior year in college. I've worked in underrepresented communities as a tutor and as a health educator (HIV/AIDs and STD awareness/prevention) and most of my service work has been with youth and underserved communities.

I have yet to take the MCAT (studying currently) and I would like to attend a US MD school. I am willing to go anywhere in the country to do so.

Do I have a remote chance? And if so, what MCAT score/range would make me more attractive as an applicant (33-35?). Also, if I am a legitimate candidate, which schools do I have the best shot at getting into?

Thanks guys,

Q

Hey there. A lot of folks on here are giving you some realistic advice. I just want to point out, that your passion for what you're doing is commendable, and definitely marketable. Do your best, and forget the rest! Don't ask if you have a shot! Just do your very best, shake every hand, apply, and see what happens. You obviously show a great passion for medicine, and research. Sell it! Your stats may not blow people away, but just be sure to apply to a good range of schools, especially in-state (as others have pointed out). Don't go into the process thinking you are any less of an applicant! If you have medicine in your bones, and want it for yourself, YOU will make it happen. The main thing is getting that interview. If you get to that step, then you can definitely showcase how much passion and respect for medicine you have. It's up to your dedication, desire, and determination. The 3 D's! Good luck!

 

[MnO4]

Hey there. A lot of folks on here are giving you some realistic advice. I just want to point out, that your passion for what you're doing is commendable, and definitely marketable. Do your best, and forget the rest! Don't ask if you have a shot! Just do your very best, shake every hand, apply, and see what happens. You obviously show a great passion for medicine, and research. Sell it! Your stats may not blow people away, but just be sure to apply to a good range of schools, especially in-state (as others have pointed out). Don't go into the process thinking you are any less of an applicant! If you have medicine in your bones, and want it for yourself, YOU will make it happen. The main thing is getting that interview. If you get to that step, then you can definitely showcase how much passion and respect for medicine you have. It's up to your dedication, desire, and determination. The 3 D's! Good luck!

well put....i think your advice here is something that every applicant should hear

 

[quechua]

Hey there. A lot of folks on here are giving you some realistic advice. I just want to point out, that your passion for what you're doing is commendable, and definitely marketable. Do your best, and forget the rest! Don't ask if you have a shot! Just do your very best, shake every hand, apply, and see what happens. You obviously show a great passion for medicine, and research. Sell it! Your stats may not blow people away, but just be sure to apply to a good range of schools, especially in-state (as others have pointed out). Don't go into the process thinking you are any less of an applicant! If you have medicine in your bones, and want it for yourself, YOU will make it happen. The main thing is getting that interview. If you get to that step, then you can definitely showcase how much passion and respect for medicine you have. It's up to your dedication, desire, and determination. The 3 D's! Good luck!

This.

Seriously. Speaking from personal experience.

 

[ucsfstudents]

You have a shot. Go for it.

 

[aaj117]

The only way you don't have a shot is if you don't try. Work your butt off to get that top MCAT score, then apply broadly. We can't see your whole application, don't know all of your extracurriculars, how you'll be able to explain your situation in a personal statement, etc., but everyone has holes in their application, and if your GPA is yours then you can overcome it with all of the other elements of the application. But if you give up and don't apply because you think you have no chance, then you won't get in. If you apply broadly and can really show your strengths, your commitment, your desire, and why you would be an asset to the school and the profession then you will get in somewhere. Good luck.

 

[martymd]

This is the best. Just the best!

 

[Greenbayslacker]

What the hell are the people in this thread smoking??
If you are black, have a 3.1 GPA, and get even a 30-32 MCAT, you have a 74% acceptance rate. That is ridiculously good.
Add in the fact that you have grad school, publications, NIH research, volunteering abroad, lots of shadowing, and seemingly good contacts, you are golden for a US MD program.
It should not be too hard to get a 30 on your MCAT. There were black people who got in with a 5-14 MCAT. You have a huge advantage in the application process being black, make sure you don't lose the opportunity. You can definitely do this man!

https://www.aamc.org/data/facts/app...mcat-gpa-grid-by-selected-race-ethnicity.html

 

[WolverineDoc13]

Just to add my 0.02 re: interviews. I think with your strong research and clinical profiles you'd have a lot to talk about and contribute during your interviews. With that said, you'll probably get asked about your academic performance-- make sure you bring up what happened during your times of "poor" academic performance (when your best friend died). Many interviewers are sensitive to those issues and understand that applicants are human. Just make sure youre comfortable talking about these issues as well in front of a stranger.

 

[dukekoo]

What the hell are the people in this thread smoking??
If you are black, have a 3.1 GPA, and get even a 30-32 MCAT, you have a 74% acceptance rate. That is ridiculously good.
Add in the fact that you have grad school, publications, NIH research, volunteering abroad, lots of shadowing, and seemingly good contacts, you are golden for a US MD program.
It should not be too hard to get a 30 on your MCAT. There were black people who got in with a 5-14 MCAT. You have a huge advantage in the application process being black, make sure you don't lose the opportunity. You can definitely do this man!

https://www.aamc.org/data/facts/app...mcat-gpa-grid-by-selected-race-ethnicity.html

Help me understand your point here brother. I don't care if you think being black will give this person a better chance but the data you provided indicates the opposite. You said black people got in with 5-14 MCAT and you provided a link. If you carefully look at it, 0.2% black people with that score were accepted. On the other hand 0.3% of whites with that score were accepted. I am just saying your data doesn't support you argument. But being from disadvantaged/minority ethnic group will generally give an applicant a better chance. That includes white women.

 

[BigBoy99]

If you have decent stats you are at a great advantage.