Getting into medical school in the United States with questionable academic qualifications

[Absolute Zero]

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So first a little bit about my self. I was born and raised in the northern hills of South Africa (where all of my family still lives today) and moved to the United States when I began to attend university there at age 18. I performed well in many aspects of my coursework, however my overall GPA was right on the line at (3.6c/3.55s) by the time of graduation. That combined with my 31MCAT, my advisors told me not to apply. So I complied and completed a years worth of volunteering and clinical research over the next year. I then went on to get a masters, only to then, subsequently, get rejected last cycle from every single school that I applied to. I seriously do not know what else I could have done to better my chances, nor do I understand what these people are really trying to get out of me at this point. Has anyone else been in a situation like this and if so what is your advice. Part of my feels like giving up now, but I also feel like I have come too far to do so. My American citizenship will be completed within the next two months, and this is the only factor that I feel could possibly make an impact if I were to apply again next cycle.

 

[Goro]

You're going to have to retake the MCAT since your old score has expired. Having American citizenship it will make a big difference as long as you have a good Target list for schools.

 

[The Knife & Gun Club]

American citizenship is a HUGE factor...what’s your current status. Many schools don’t sponsor visas, and a good number just blanket reject anyone who’s not a US citizen or Greencard holder.

Other things to consider:
Where did you apply? If you’re heart set on being a doctor you should be applying DO and applying to many low tier and new schools with those stats.

What’s your race? White South African won’t get any admissions bump, but if you’re black you will get a substantial bump in your chances.

How’s your writing? If your essays were poorly written or your spelling/grammar were atrocious then that can go against you.

 

[DrStephenStrange]

A 31 MCAT!!! Dude we switched to a new 3-digit (472 to 528) MCAT scoring system since 2015. Your MCAT must have expired at least 2 years ago.

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[Absolute Zero]

American citizenship is a HUGE factor...what’s your current status. Many schools don’t sponsor visas, and a good number just blanket reject anyone who’s not a US citizen or Greencard holder.

Other things to consider:
Where did you apply? If you’re heart set on being a doctor you should be applying DO and applying to many low tier and new schools with those stats.

What’s your race? White South African won’t get any admissions bump, but if you’re black you will get a substantial bump in your chances.

How’s your writing? If your essays were poorly written or your spelling/grammar were atrocious then that can go against you.

I am in the last stages of the citizenship process. Should be finalized by early december at the latest. I applied very broadly to both MD and DO schools with no interviews during the cycle I applied several years ago. I forgot to mention in my first post that I did retake the new MCAT last year and got a 509.
Why would race make a difference in admissions (I am white btw (Afrikaner/English decent))? I thought there were measures in place to prevent preferential judgement based on things like this. Could my African background work to my advantage in any circumstance considering that I have spent most of my life there any can speak 2 indigenous languages fluently (Zulu and Xhosa)?
As for writing, decent I guess. English is my first language if that is what you were asking. I don't think there were any problems in my essay with spelling/grammar as I had it proofread my several individuals before I submitted it.

 

[DrStephenStrange]

1) You applied as international student with below average stats. International need to be well above average to pique interest of admissions committee
2) It is not the grammar of the essays, rather your application needs to be a coherent, concise, and compelling narrative showing a strong pattern of motivation, commitment and achievement.
3) your masters will not impact your UG GPA as not all applicants will have one and schools will judge primarily on undergraduate.

If he has a green card, he's not considered international though. I'm thinking if he's applying for citizenship, he must have had green card.

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[OneTwoThreeFour]

I am in the last stages of the citizenship process. Should be finalized by early december at the latest. I applied very broadly to both MD and DO schools with no interviews during the cycle I applied several years ago. I forgot to mention in my first post that I did retake the new MCAT last year and got a 509.
Why would race make a difference in admissions (I am white btw (Afrikaner/English decent))? I thought there were measures in place to prevent preferential judgement based on things like this. Could my African background work to my advantage in any circumstance considering that I have spent most of my life there any can speak 2 indigenous languages fluently (Zulu and Xhosa)?
As for writing, decent I guess. English is my first language if that is what you were asking. I don't think there were any problems in my essay with spelling/grammar as I had it proofread my several individuals before I submitted it.

Schools appreciate diversity and actively recruit in order to have a more diverse class. One of the ways this is implemented practically is by preferentially admitting students from underrepresented medical communities. Now, you are not allowed to discriminate against individuals specifically based on their race, but if the schools believes it will benefit from diversity or that the student's lived experience merits admission even if their academic statistics are not equal it is allowed.
You will have a much better shot once you're an official US citizen.

 

[Goro]

Schools appreciate diversity and actively recruit in order to have a more diverse class. One of the ways this is implemented practically is by preferentially admitting students from underrepresented medical communities. Now, you are not allowed to discriminate against individuals specifically based on their race, but if the schools believes it will benefit from diversity or that the student's lived experience merits admission even if their academic statistics are not equal it is allowed.

In addition, there are health outcomes riding on this.