Do I have any shot at a MD program?

[HopefulMD1993]

Im a senior year undergraduate. I have a cumulative 3.3 science GPA because of a few bad grades freshman and sophomore year and a busy schedule as a student-athlete. I now have straight A's and hope to do a considerable amount of post bac work within the next year and a half and get a killer MCAT score.

I'm currently a research intern studying pediatric behavior disorders and autism spectrum disorder. I have already shadowed numerous physicians and volunteered in both fundraising and patient care settings.

I realize that I don't have a super competitive GPA but I am extremely passionate about healthcare and I don't want to abandon my dream just yet. I know I am capable of getting straight A's now, and I just wish I had studied harder as a freshman.

Any advice? Do I have any shot of being accepted?

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[Goro]

With a good upward trend and a strong MCAT, you should be. There are schools that value reinvention.

Im a senior year undergraduate. I have a cumulative 3.3 science GPA because of a few bad grades freshman and sophomore year and a busy schedule as a student-athlete. I now have straight A's and hope to do a considerable amount of post bac work within the next year and a half and get a killer MCAT score.

I'm currently a research intern studying pediatric behavior disorders and autism spectrum disorder. I have already shadowed numerous physicians and volunteered in both fundraising and patient care settings.

I realize that I don't have a super competitive GPA but I am extremely passionate about healthcare and I don't want to abandon my dream just yet. I know I am capable of getting straight A's now, and I just wish I had studied harder as a freshman.

Any advice? Do I have any shot of being accepted?

 

[ProudMD]

A 3.3 GPA will not keep you out of MD schools assuming that you have a strong MCAT, great ECs, and an overall excellent application in other aspects.

Goro and I both agree that for MD schools, the "realistic floor" is around a 3.3-3.4. Basically, it means that if your GPA is around this range, the other aspects of your application (especially the MCAT) will have to be stronger than usual in order to compensate for the below average GPA. In this context, "stronger than usual" means going above and beyond the matriculant average in terms of MCAT and EC involvement.

Instead of a 31 MCAT, aim for a 33+

Instead of 150 hours of clinical experiences, aim for 200-300

Also strengthen the other areas of your ECs

 

[Pattycake25]

Im a senior year undergraduate. I have a cumulative 3.3 science GPA because of a few bad grades freshman and sophomore year and a busy schedule as a student-athlete. I now have straight A's and hope to do a considerable amount of post bac work within the next year and a half and get a killer MCAT score.

I'm currently a research intern studying pediatric behavior disorders and autism spectrum disorder. I have already shadowed numerous physicians and volunteered in both fundraising and patient care settings.

I realize that I don't have a super competitive GPA but I am extremely passionate about healthcare and I don't want to abandon my dream just yet. I know I am capable of getting straight A's now, and I just wish I had studied harder as a freshman.

Any advice? Do I have any shot of being accepted?

Absolutely you can do it! Yes, the 3.3 is low, but if you do have straight A's recently, you're salvagable with a good MCAT, potentially even without postbac work (although that will certainly help). You are playing catchup though, so don't shoot yourself in the foot by skipping steps on MCAT prep. You really want to hit as high as you absolutely can to balance things out.