gpa trajectory and application chances

[medshoes]

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Hi all,
I have several questions to address:

1. I enrolled in a formal post bacc program in NYC. If I get all As in the classes, I'll raise my 2.8 gpa to a 3.3 gpa. Should I take 6-8 more classes at Harvard Extension or UC Berkeley extension to raise my GPA to a 3.4? Would it be possible for me to get into a MD school with a 3.3 gpa after post bacc? Or should I raise it to a 3.4? On SDN calculator, it says the chances of getting to med school with a gpa above 3.4 is above 70% while under is only 50%... I expect to do well on the MCAT with targeted and optimized studying, I usually do well on standardized tests, I'm targeting 520+ on the MCAT.

2. I didn't do well in undergrad 5-10 years ago bc of myriad reasons (sexual assault, mental health issues, financial/family problems) but I feel I'm so much stronger now and am confident I will do well going forward. But I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, would that negatively impact my chances of being a cardiologist as in residency programs/med schools would view me in a negative light, so should I not disclose that information? I don't plan on disclosing to med schools before admission, but residency programs might ask...

3. Can anyone remark on the chances of my application? I plan to apply in 2025. I would really like to get into a MD school to be competitive for more prestigious cardiology fellowships in future... Goal is to be cardiologist at an academic institution in east coast such as Boston or NY.

ECs:
Top 10 private university, major in biology and chemistry
President/founder of global health volunteering club in college - 300 hrs
Wet lab research for half a year in cardiology stem cell research
Translational research in cardiology - co author of abstract, will be co author on upcoming publication, planning on being coauthor on at least 2-3 more pubs
Machine learning research in neurodegenerative disorders - hopefully will be coauthor on a publication in future
Clinical research - internship in GI, worked as research coordinator for 10 months
Worked as software engineer in healthcare/nonprofit sector
Hospital volunteer - 200 hrs, planning on going back to volunteering at hospital after pandemic restrictions lift
crisis line volunteer
Applied to volunteer as EMT/dispatcher on ambulance, haven't heard back yet
Shadowing cardiologists, surgeons - 160 hrs

How can I strengthen my application in the next 4 years so I'll be more competitive for MD schools?

Thank you!

 

[Saleem_Rakeem]

Have you considered a MPH or other Master's degree program? What was your undergraduate degree in? I will address your question about disclosure.

There really are 2 questions, in terms of disclosure. Whether or not to disclose, without being asked or prompted, your diagnosis. The next question is whether to disclose once you are in medical school or in residency, particularly if additional support is needed which medical school or the residency program might be able to offer.

The American With Disabilities Act (ADA) makes it illegal to discriminate against a person because of disability, and when medical schools, residencies, and for that matter, employers of any kind in general have placed questions on applications to seek disclosure of privacy protected information like this, it has been designated a violation of federal law, with a VERY big exception. (See last 4 paragraphs)

First of all, unfortunately, there are negative stigmas that usually come up with mental health challenges or disability, which may not (we all know there is still discrimination against people with physical disabilities, too.) always be the same for physical disabilities.

I am enclosing several articles on this point. Federal law, in theory protects you from being discriminated against for disclosing your diagnosis.

But, that is laughable, due to the pure subjectivity that is actually used to deny admission (supposedly) on other grounds, which makes enforcement darn near impossible, AT THE APPLICATION stage. (I would be a little surprised for for someome to admit you were denied admission based upon disability.

Disclosing in medical school (confidential, but no system is infallible), there are more protections once you are an enrolled student.

Bipolar Disorder can be notoriously difficult to keep constant control over. I would suggest you find the right mix of medicine/treatment modality that works for you in advance, and as I am sure you currently have now.

But also, you MUST expect and already have a plan in place with your doctor, to switch up meds and stress management on the fly, knowing you may have to deal with some rough patches, until you can find enough of an equilibrium again.

Finally, medical schools, hospitals, and all employers in general (specific to medicine, of course, the health and safety of the patients, staff, etc.) do have a vested interest in seeking disclosure of any psychological or physical impairment, illness or disability, that reasonably could endanger the health, treatment, level of care and/or lives of the patients, staff, the proper and safe administration of the medical school, hospital, etc.

And seeking such disclosures in advance(with an ongoing and continuing duty to disclose, including any updates or changes in status or condition), is NOT a violation of federal law, and is a necessity.

THE LAST ARTICLE MAKES A POINT OF DISCLOSING BEFORE A PROBLEM, so again, before you enroll, the contingency plan and current situation must be under control. (presuming non disclosure when you applied, a legally protected right with the EXCEPTION WHERE YOU MUST DISCLOSE)

(That is different than asking (and saying no, based on the current situation) " is there any disability or impairment you wish to disclose so that accommodations and support may be offered." That is a statement offering resources, which can also be made accessed after you are a medical student, resident, etc. You can certainly disclose, OR NOT on that question.)

I wish you success and blessings.

Ignoring Advice, He Disclosed His Bipolar Disorder in Apps

Session 295 If you're struggling with mental illness and you're debating whether or not to put that in your application to medical school, today's

medicalschoolhq.net

Medical Licensure Questions About Mental Illness and Compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act

Substantial numbers of medical students and physicians live with some form of mental illness. Over the years, many medical licensure boards have asked physician medical licensure applicants with Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees intrusive questions about whether they have any psychiatric history...

jaapl.org

Medical Students Residents and Fellows Need to Properly Disclose Medical Disabilities in advance of problems

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law We are often retained

www.thehealthlawfirm.com

 

[Bonne Nuit]

1. If you do very well in your formal postbac, then that will, in a sense, "replace" your uGPA. I don't think adcoms will completely ignore your uGPAs after an SMP, but getting a 4.0 (or close to it) will in and of itself prove your medical school worthiness. So, no, if you excel in your SMP, you shouldn't have to take any further classes to raise your uGPA.

2. I am so sorry to hear about all you went through. I have to say that you did pretty well in UG despite your challenges. Regarding your bipolar disorder - DO NOT disclose to anyone anywhere along your path to being an attending. Not in med school, not in residency, not during fellowship application. It's unfair, but there still exists a stigma against physicians with mental illness, especially mood/personality disorders. I'm sorry that this is the way it is. In all fairness, I think there are a lot of admins who wouldn't care (and might even admire you) for being open about your diagnosis, but there will be some people who discriminate against you for it - and these people may end up being quite important to your career trajectory.

One word of advice about this - please make sure your mental health is absolutely rock solid before you start medical school. Ensure your meds are working, you have a strong support system in place, you have built a good self-care routine, and your medical team is looped in. Lots of medical students live with mental illness and go on to become successful physicians, but they have to remain diligent about protecting their health.

3. Your ECs look great, so far. Excellent research. You could benefit from some more nonclinical community service hours. Community organizations like Big Brother Big Sister, Best Buddies, homeless outreach, food/clothing banks, and afterschool programs for disadvantaged youth are all great places to look. With a few more of those hours, a stellar SMP, and a good MCAT, I'd say you have very solid chances for MD.

Couple general/unsolicited pointers:

- It's great to have cardiology as a goal, and you can certainly talk about this interest in your primary/secondaries/interview, but take care to not box yourself in too tightly into any one specialty at this stage. I have heard anecdotal evidence that being too dead-set on a specialty as a premed can read as naive or inflexible. Adcoms know medical students change their minds all the time, so ensure you're communicating openness.

- Given your low uGPA, you will need to be flexible about where you end up. Plan on applying to as many MD programs as you can and be open to relocating out of state/region. It shouldn't be too difficult to match IM back in the northeast from any MD school - it might not be MGH, but you should be able to get into a solid NE academic IM residency from any USMD school, so long as you have a strong application.