Getting Cold Feet

[MedSchoolChica]

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So I've been working on my application, studying for the MCAT and prepping for everything else that needs to be done to apply this year...and then I got my grades for the semester. My AMCAS GPA is as follows:
Overall: 3.62
BCMP: 3.49 (Due to a D in Calculus that I retook and got a B+ in, and a few B's)
All other: 3.86

So...my question...Do I even stand a chance anymore? I'm suddenly not feeling as confident as I was with this drop in my GPA, and with Duke being my dream school, and this years MSAR numbers, I'm getting cold feet. Anyone want to offer their two cents?

 

[AtmaWeapon]

Those numbers are still very good, I'm sure you'll be given a good look at most, if not all schools....most MSTPs don't have hard cutoffs THAT high (3.5ish) do they?

like they say, rock everything else (MCAT) if you're not feeling confident 🙂

 

[vector07]

Of course GPA matters alot, but perhaps even more important is your commitment to research. Have you worked in a laboratory for a number of years? What have you done in the lab? And most importantly, can you speak & write in a structured and thoughtful manner about the research you've done? If so, you'll be fine! At the same time, make sure to apply to lots of schools of all different caliber, as you'll never be able to predict who wants you and who is not interested.

 

[MedSchoolChica]

Of course GPA matters alot, but perhaps even more important is your commitment to research. Have you worked in a laboratory for a number of years? What have you done in the lab? And most importantly, can you speak & write in a structured and thoughtful manner about the research you've done? If so, you'll be fine! At the same time, make sure to apply to lots of schools of all different caliber, as you'll never be able to predict who wants you and who is not interested.

I've been doing research for the last 2 years, doing 2 different projects (one's neurotoxicology the other is Infectious Disease work) and will be continuing through this year to write a senior thesis that's entirely based on original research. I've gone to 4 conferences, all of which I was a presenting author, and I may have a publication or two by the time I interview. I personally feel my background in research is strong, and I'll have a strong LOR from my PI. I just hope it's strong enough.

Seriously I love research and it was my participation in these projects that got me interested in doing a PhD, because if you had asked me when I set out on this journey (back in high school) if I would want to do this, I might have laughed at you, but that was before I got a feel for what it was all about. It kinda just dawned on me that I would love to combine lab work with working with patients and doing something I saw as having an impact. I want this more than anything else, and with my sudden GPA drop, and not really having family support and this impending MCAT (Which I won't be able to take until July, which means I'll be applying later than many of my fellow applicants it seems), I'm having second thoughts if I can really get in this year. I feel like I have to reconcile with this thing I really want, and with the reality that maybe I won't get it, and it's stressful and upsetting.

Thanks Atmaweapon and Vector for answering me. I do feel a bit better, and maybe with the work I've done and some divine intervention I stand a chance. I really really don't want to get cold feet and give up after coming this far.

 

[QofQuimica]

How is your MCAT prep coming along? If you're scoring 30+ on multiple practice tests, you're in the ballpark. Don't give your GPA another thought (assuming you're done with classes for the summer). What's done is done, and right now you need to put your time and energy into dealing with the things that are still under your control. If you're serious about doing an MD/PhD, you will make it happen. The only thing I would say to you is not to have your heart set on one school at this point. Duke is a great school, but there are lots of great schools. Apply to lots of programs and go on your interviews with a wide-open mind. to you. 🙂

 

[solitude]

How is your MCAT prep coming along? If you're scoring 30+ on multiple practice tests, you're in the ballpark. Don't give your GPA another thought (assuming you're done with classes for the summer). What's done is done, and right now you need to put your time and energy into dealing with the things that are still under your control. If you're serious about doing an MD/PhD, you will make it happen. The only thing I would say to you is not to have your heart set on one school at this point. Duke is a great school, but there are lots of great schools. Apply to lots of programs and go on your interviews with a wide-open mind. to you. 🙂

Also, keep in mind that your MCAT score can really skyrocket if you study hard in the last few weeks before the exam. So try to replace these feelings of inadequacy with motivation to study--then you can rock the MCAT and you'll no longer feel inadequate!

 

[MedSchoolChica]

My MCAT review has been slow but going well. I'm throwing myself into it up to when I take the exam. I'm not giving up and I appreciate all of your encouragement.

Regarding the schools to apply to, you all say to apply broadly, to all sorts of programs, so does that mean that I should not weigh the GPAs published in the MSAR too heavily in the decision of where to apply? What do you consider in choosing schools if there is such variability? I've been considering schools based on GPA/MCAT scores, as well as what each individual program and its curriculum has to offer. Should I be considering schools based on other critera at this point? Or is it all just a gamble and you apply where ever and see what you catch?

Again, thanks to everyone who has responded, you've given me the extra boost I really needed.

 

[solitude]

At least anecdotally, it seems that once applicants meet a certain threshold (say, 3.6 GPA and mid-30's MCAT), the GPA and MCAT are not going to get you in or keep you out. It seems that you have the numbers to compete at almost every school. But, I have to warn you that your dream school, Duke, has a reputation for being a numbers *****.

I think you have it right--I chose my schools based on each individual program and the curriculum. Frankly, the grading system during the med school years is pretty important to me. Also, location played a large part in my choices (e.g., I don't want to stay at Duke for another 8 years, don't want to live in the South, would love to be in Cali). I think you have the right criteria, but should nevertheless apply broadly (i.e., to schools of variable competitiveness, not necessarily variable location/curriculum/research strengths) because you just never know.

My MCAT review has been slow but going well. I'm throwing myself into it up to when I take the exam. I'm not giving up and I appreciate all of your encouragement.

Regarding the schools to apply to, you all say to apply broadly, to all sorts of programs, so does that mean that I should not weigh the GPAs published in the MSAR too heavily in the decision of where to apply? What do you consider in choosing schools if there is such variability? I've been considering schools based on GPA/MCAT scores, as well as what each individual program and its curriculum has to offer. Should I be considering schools based on other critera at this point? Or is it all just a gamble and you apply where ever and see what you catch?

Again, thanks to everyone who has responded, you've given me the extra boost I really needed.

 

[meowkat444]

I'm not taking till July either--want to stress out together? 🙂

Unless I pull a great score on a practice test and decide to go earlier, that is.

I'm still wanting ot hear from people who were complete in Aug and got in.

 

[QofQuimica]

At least anecdotally, it seems that once applicants meet a certain threshold (say, 3.6 GPA and mid-30's MCAT), the GPA and MCAT are not going to get you in or keep you out. It seems that you have the numbers to compete at almost every school. But, I have to warn you that your dream school, Duke, has a reputation for being a numbers *****.

I think you have it right--I chose my schools based on each individual program and the curriculum. Frankly, the grading system during the med school years is pretty important to me. Also, location played a large part in my choices (e.g., I don't want to stay at Duke for another 8 years, don't want to live in the South, would love to be in Cali). I think you have the right criteria, but should nevertheless apply broadly (i.e., to schools of variable competitiveness, not necessarily variable location/curriculum/research strengths) because you just never know.

Right, this is what I meant.

Chica, I wasn't suggesting that you apply to schools randomly and see what you get. Choose several schools of varying competitiveness that you think you might like to attend, and apply to them. Ideally, you would like to have your numbers be above average at most of your schools, or at least around their average. If you really want to apply to a few that have average stats higher than yours, you still can. Just don't make it the majority of them.

 

[ThatOne]

I'm still wanting ot hear from people who were complete in Aug and got in.

I submitted my AMCAS application in late August and got in to a number of places. However, a number of places (where I didn't even get interviewed) told me that I should have applied earlier to _really_ be considered. So, it's not ideal, but it's possible. Don't wait for the secondaries to come in to get the ball rolling on LORs etc, move as quickly as you can, and you should be fine.

 

[MedSchoolChica]

Thanks for all your advice! I'm giving it a shot! Good luck to everyone else who's applying.

 

[bubbachuck]

i would add that you want to make sure your LORs are excellent because IMO those are the real deal breakers. no one knows your aptitude for research like your mentors. if you can, make sure your mentors understand your motivations. if you really enjoy and are proficient research, you should be fine.

 

[Maebea]

i would add that you want to make sure your LORs are excellent because IMO those are the real deal breakers. no one knows your aptitude for research like your mentors. if you can, make sure your mentors understand your motivations. if you really enjoy and are proficient research, you should be fine.

Agreed. Above a certain point (say 3.4 GPA and 32 MCAT), the LORs are the thing that determine whether you get an interview at top programs.

Here is data provided by the AAMC for 2006 applicants to MD-PhD programs:

Number/ Mean BCMP GPA/ Mean Other GPA/ Mean BS/ Mean PS/ Mean V
Matriculants 520/ 3.7/ 3.76/ 11.7/ 11.5/ 10.7
Non-Matriculants 1019/ 3.42/ 3.6/ 10/ 9.7/ 9.4

MSAR should be taken with a grain of salt regarding the applicability of the numbers to MD-PhD matriculants at individual schools. In general, when the MSR reports relatively low GPA & MCAT averages for the entering class, MD-PhD matriculants at that school will have higher averages than the MD cohort. For institutions that list relatively high averages in the MSAR, MD-PhD matriculants will generally match those averages, or even be lower than the average posted by MD-only matriculants. Do not let the high averages for places like Harvard, Hopkins, Penn, WashU, etc. scare you away from applying to those schools (unless you fall below 3.2 or 30). If you have done great research, these schools are not out of reach for you.

 

[MedSchoolChica]

So in addition to my already faltering confidence, my grandmother (the same grandmother from January if any of you remember) took a turn for the worst, and I spent the last week up in Canada, helping with funeral arrangements and the like in preparation for if she died, which doctors said was very possible this past week. She's doing better though, and has been given 3-6 months, although all she needs is another infection to wipe her off her feet, and she's so delirious and disoriented, that at this point it feels like a waiting game as horrible as it all sounds.

I appreciate all of your encouragement recently, and previously in December/January. I have however decided, for several reasons, not to apply this cycle after all. Good luck to everyone who is applying! I sincerely hope that the application cycle treats you relatively well!

Cheers!