GPA: 3.35, MCAT ? ?

[Coffee_addict77]

Hello, so I have been studying for the MCAT for a while now (6+ months). My original test date was on 3/27 but was recently rescheduled to 5/9 due to the pandemic. I am debating whether I should apply to Masters for 2020 admissions while applying for DO applications at the same time. I am really concerned about my uGPA. This is my story:

Academics:
uGPA: 3.35
sGPA: 3.1

MCAT score: none (last 4 practice scores are 508, 510, 506, 515) worried that my score might be lower now due to pandemic.

Research Experience:
McNair's Scholar- worked in an addiction lab for 3 years, presented at 3 regional and national conferences (one included at Harvard Medical School)

Clinical Experience:
Medical Scribe at a surgery clinic (5 months)
Medical interpreter/assistant as a part of mission trip to the third world country (about 500 hours, did it for 4 years)- I taught people how to floss, translated between patients and doctors, assisted with acupuncture, etc
Floor Assistant and Clinical Rounder at a Emergency, orthopedic and cancer floor at a hospital (about 60 hours)- went into each patient room rounding, worked directly with pharmacist to deliver oxygen tanks, assisted nurses, etc)
Clinical Navigator for several clinics at a hospital (about 100 hours)- screen families and children of their social needs (transportation, security, food, and other basic needs) and connect the resources with families

Shadowing Experience:
Pediatrician (MD) , Internist (MD), Emergency Medicine (DO)

Community Experience:
Student Intern abroad educating people about abortion rights, sanitation, etc in rural areas
Volunteer at Emergency shelter working with homeless, help prep meals, etc

Leadership Experience:
CoFounder and Vice president of a club (we help reallocate medical supplies from local hospitals and distribute our shipments to third world countries)
Undergraduate teaching assistant for chemistry
tutor for Spanish and psych (4 years)

Asian female, economically disadvantaged. Resident of IL.

I have been discouraged to apply to medical schools due to my gpa. My undergraduate GPA is low due to a family emergency that happened, but there is an upward trend from junior year to senior year. I don't have an MCAT score either. Do you think I have a shot at med schools if I were to apply now? Should I do a Masters during my gap year while applying to med schools? Which med schools would I have a shot at?

Thank you so much for your response and I really appreciate it!

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[Mr.Smile12]

Hello, so I have been studying for the MCAT for a while now (6+ months). My original test date was on 3/27 but was recently rescheduled to 5/9 due to the pandemic. I am debating whether I should apply to Masters for 2020 admissions while applying for DO applications at the same time. I am really concerned about my uGPA. This is my story:

Academics:
uGPA: 3.35
sGPA: 3.1

MCAT score: none (last 4 practice scores are 508, 510, 506, 515) worried that my score might be lower now due to pandemic.

Research Experience:
McNair's Scholar- worked in an addiction lab for 3 years, presented at 3 regional and national conferences (one included at Harvard Medical School)

Clinical Experience:
Medical Scribe at a surgery clinic (5 months)
Medical interpreter/assistant as a part of mission trip to the third world country (about 500 hours, did it for 4 years)- I taught people how to floss, translated between patients and doctors, assisted with acupuncture, etc
Floor Assistant and Clinical Rounder at a Emergency, orthopedic and cancer floor at a hospital (about 60 hours)- went into each patient room rounding, worked directly with pharmacist to deliver oxygen tanks, assisted nurses, etc)
Clinical Navigator for several clinics at a hospital (about 100 hours)- screen families and children of their social needs (transportation, security, food, and other basic needs) and connect the resources with families

Community Experience:
Student Intern abroad educating people about abortion rights, sanitation, etc in rural areas
Volunteer at Restoration Health Ministries working with homeless, help prep meals, etc

Leadership Experience:
CoFounder and Vice president of a club (we help reallocate medical supplies from local hospitals and distribute our shipments to third world countries)
Undergraduate teaching assistant for chemistry
tutor for Spanish and psych (4 years)

I have been discouraged to apply to medical schools due to my gpa. My undergraduate GPA is low due to a family emergency that happened, but there is an upward trend from junior year to senior year. I don't have an MCAT score either. Do you think I have a shot at med schools if I were to apply now? Should I do a Masters during my gap year while applying to med schools? Which med schools would I have a shot at?

Thank you so much for your response and I really appreciate it!

It's too hard to give you solid advice without an official MCAT score. The problem you know is your low sGPA which needs to a boost. If your goal is to get into an MD program, you should do the SMP first before you worry about the MCAT... or at least see which programs will provide MCAT prep or help set aside some time to study. Of course if you get a great score, never mind.

Keep your connections through the McNair Scholars Program. I'm guessing some messages telling you to wait to apply could be coming from them?

 

[Coffee_addict77]

It's too hard to give you solid advice without an official MCAT score. The problem you know is your low sGPA which needs to a boost. If your goal is to get into an MD program, you should do the SMP first before you worry about the MCAT... or at least see which programs will provide MCAT prep or help set aside some time to study. Of course if you get a great score, never mind.

Keep your connections through the McNair Scholars Program. I'm guessing some messages telling you to wait to apply could be coming from them?

yea, and my academic advisors from undergrad. I was even told to change my career to something else but I can't see myself becoming anything but a doctor. How about applying to DO applications?