good grades...kind of sketchy past

[Mike7704]

Here is my story;

graduated from UMass-Amherst

3.7 Cum GPA
3.9 Science GPA
38 MCAT 13 PS, 11 VR, 14 BS

3 years Microbio research
numbers HHMI awards, no pub, only posters
run small business
3 years ER volunteer
6 years childrens cancer organization volunteering

heres the catch,

I didn't go right to school after high schol because I had to get knee surgeries. During recovery I took a few online classes at the Univ of Phoenix, and when I went back to school it was at the community college. Finished up the last 3 years at UMass and took all pre reqs except Bio 1 at UMass

got my worst yearly gpa at the community college and then upward trend the next three years. will be applying at the end of senior year so I plan on taking a year off.

The thing is, is that I am unsure what range of schools I should be applying to. It doesn't matter to me where I go to medical school but I would like to go to the best school possible because I didn't have the chance after high school.

One of my top choices is the UPenn but I am not sure if I should even bother applying.

Question; Do you think I have a chance at any top 20 schools given my freshman year? Also, what do you think I could do to better my application

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[SDN2013]

dude chill you got nice GPA, nice MCAT, and great EC's you are set, don't explain the first year unless they ask, just send the transcript and hope they overlook it and dont bother asking u

 

[Mobius1985]

I am unsure what range of schools I should be applying to.

One of my top choices is the UPenn but I am not sure if I should even bother applying.

Question; Do you think I have a chance at any top 20 schools given my freshman year?

You have an excellent application. You will be considered wherever you apply. You have a good explanation for the first college year. But the usual advice of "apply broadly" always applies, as you never know what your letters of recommendation say, how your PS comes across, or how you'll be judged at interviews.

 

[Mobius1985]

Also, what do you think I could do to better my application

You are strong in leadership, research, and community service. Your clinical experience is fine. Consider shadowing a few types of specialists during this next semester (big chunks of time over spring break is fine, if you don't have time to fit in something regular) for maybe 8-40 hours for 2-3 types of docs.

 

[Confection]

Hey There!

I don't think it's a sketchy past! I was expecting something like "committed a bank robbery" or "murdered someone" ... yes, too many movies/books.

And wow to you to having a small business. What is it that you do? I could never handle business, although I always wanted to sell pottery.. don't ask

But anyway, I think you have a great chance, as you have terrific stats, despite that first year. And like someone said, I don't think you need to do explaining for those grades, but it might be a good idea if you mentioned it within a few sentences in your personal essay

 

[Mike7704]

And wow to you to having a small business. What is it that you do? I could never handle business, although I always wanted to sell pottery.. don't ask

Thanks for your response;

Well after high school as I was recovering from my surgeries I got my tax checks back and obv. had nothing to spend them on. I had just been to a bunch of graduation parties and heard all my friends and family complain about how expensive the party tents were to rent. So I thought what the heck, I spent the tax checks on a big party tent and then began to market and put those up for friends, and then it branched out into strangers because we were much cheaper than the local renting company. Every summer we expanded and now we have about 8 tents and it has pretty much become a full time venture. We are fully licensed and I have like 4 of my friends that help. It has been a great idea and worked out very well.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Here is my story;

graduated from UMass-Amherst

3.7 Cum GPA
3.9 Science GPA
38 MCAT 13 PS, 11 VR, 14 BS

3 years Microbio research
numbers HHMI awards, no pub, only posters
run small business
3 years ER volunteer
6 years childrens cancer organization volunteering

heres the catch,

I didn't go right to school after high schol because I had to get knee surgeries. During recovery I took a few online classes at the Univ of Phoenix, and when I went back to school it was at the community college. Finished up the last 3 years at UMass and took all pre reqs except Bio 1 at UMass

got my worst yearly gpa at the community college and then upward trend the next three years. will be applying at the end of senior year so I plan on taking a year off.

The thing is, is that I am unsure what range of schools I should be applying to. It doesn't matter to me where I go to medical school but I would like to go to the best school possible because I didn't have the chance after high school.

One of my top choices is the UPenn but I am not sure if I should even bother applying.

Question; Do you think I have a chance at any top 20 schools given my freshman year? Also, what do you think I could do to better my application

I'd say your 'sketchy past' could actually serve as a motivational personal statement type deal ... definitely not something to worry about/hide (I opened the thread expecting to say you were an ex-drug mule or something). Your MCAT and GPA are stellar, apply where ever.

 

[Ailleurs]

Thanks for your response;

Well after high school as I was recovering from my surgeries I got my tax checks back and obv. had nothing to spend them on. I had just been to a bunch of graduation parties and heard all my friends and family complain about how expensive the party tents were to rent. So I thought what the heck, I spent the tax checks on a big party tent and then began to market and put those up for friends, and then it branched out into strangers because we were much cheaper than the local renting company. Every summer we expanded and now we have about 8 tents and it has pretty much become a full time venture. We are fully licensed and I have like 4 of my friends that help. It has been a great idea and worked out very well.

Wow that is the most unique venture I have ever heard of thus far. Keep at it! But how do you manage it?

 

[cbrons]

Well after high school as I was recovering from my surgeries I got my tax checks back and obv. had nothing to spend them on. I had just been to a bunch of graduation parties and heard all my friends and family complain about how expensive the party tents were to rent. So I thought what the heck, I spent the tax checks on a big party tent and then began to market and put those up for friends, and then it branched out into strangers because we were much cheaper than the local renting company. Every summer we expanded and now we have about 8 tents and it has pretty much become a full time venture. We are fully licensed and I have like 4 of my friends that help. It has been a great idea and worked out very well.

You're a smart man, I love the entrepreneurial spirit