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[344]

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Hi guys I am a senior with 100 credits and 3.46 GPA. I have no volunteer hours and no research. But I want to apply to med school. Do you guys think I have any chance of getting in to medical school?. If not what steps need to be taken to make myself more competitive?I grew up in really low income house my father was on worker compensation for almost 10 years and he started working again against his doctor's advice and he makes 19000 dollars after taxes and our household size is 5. We live in a rented apartment and I was wondering if my circumstances make disadvantaged student.

 

[huskydock]

A bit of perusing will answer a lot of your questions (especially in the "What are my chances" threads).

First and foremost, are you even a science major? Have you taken all the pre-reqs? If so, how is your science GPA?

Secondly, 3.46 isn't bad. It's on the low end, but people have been accepted with lower in MD and DO.

Lastly, you just need to study and take the MCAT and get your ass on volunteering and research.

So answer to your question, yes you have a chance...but a long way to go.

 

[Jloyay]

Hi guys I am a senior with 100 credits and 3.46 GPA. I have no volunteer hours and no research.But I want to apply to med school.Do you guys think I have any chance of getting in to medical school? if not what steps need to be taken to make my self more competitive?

Bump gpa to 3.5+, mass email profs (preferably those in clinical research) to give you an undergraduate research project or position, volunteer in a hospital clinic over the summer, and do the MCAT early in the spring. Aim for 30+.

Then, come June, mass-apply. You'll be set.

 

[BKN89]

Hi guys I am a senior with 100 credits and 3.46 GPA. I have no volunteer hours and no research.But I want to apply to med school.Do you guys think I have any chance of getting in to medical school? if not what steps need to be taken to make my self more competitive?

Yes you have a shot, but you have a long road still ahead of you.

Your GPA isn't even the main concern: you need to start working on extracurriculars, because those take a while and they are just as important to your application as a GPA or MCAT score. It also takes a while to get letters of recommendation. With zero volunteer work or research, you may need at least 1 year (maybe 2) to get all that stuff done and ready to apply. Obviously if you haven't taken prerequisite classes, you'll need even more time. One more rule when selecting EC's: quality over quantity any day.

 

[344]

A bit of perusing will answer a lot of your questions (especially in the "What are my chances" threads).

First and foremost, are you even a science major? Have you taken all the pre-reqs? If so, how is your science GPA?

Secondly, 3.46 isn't bad. It's on the low end, but people have been accepted with lower in MD and DO.

Lastly, you just need to study and take the MCAT and get your ass on volunteering and research.

So answer to your question, yes you have a chance...but a long way to go.

Yes my major is Biology. I have taken all pre-reqs except physics 2. My science gpa is 3.345. Since I don't have any research I will be taking an independent research class next semester and do a research program with CDC. I am in a college based program which volunteers aboard and next year they are going to Ghana and I am planing to go there.

 

[Aerus]

Yes my major is Biology. I have taken all pre-reqs except physics 2. My science gpa is 3.345. Since I don't have any research I will be taking an independent research class next semester and do a research program with CDC. I am in a college based program which volunteers aboard and next year they are going to Ghana and I am planing to go there.

You'll need to find some time for the MCAT. That and your EC's are your main concern. Your GPA will go up if you're adding an easy research class.

 

[344]

Bump gpa to 3.5+, mass email profs (preferably those in clinical research) to give you an undergraduate research project or position, volunteer in a hospital clinic over the summer, and do the MCAT early in the spring. Aim for 30+.

Then, come June, mass-apply. You'll be set.

I am trying to bump it up to 3.5. I am currently working on getting in to research next summer. I will volunteer this winter spoke to some hospital in the borough waiting for their reply. I am starting the Mcat prep course this Monday so I will more time to study.

 

[344]

Yes you have a shot, but you have a long road still ahead of you.

Your GPA isn't even the main concern: you need to start working on extracurriculars, because those take a while and they are just as important to your application as a GPA or MCAT score. It also takes a while to get letters of recommendation. With zero volunteer work or research, you may need at least 1 year (maybe 2) to get all that stuff done and ready to apply. Obviously if you haven't taken prerequisite classes, you'll need even more time. One more rule when selecting EC's: quality over quantity any day.

I agree I am still thinking about applying to med school next year but now I don't think that is a good idea.

 

[344]

You'll need to find some time for the MCAT. That and your EC's are your main concern. Your GPA will go up if you're adding an easy research class.

true I am starting mcat prep course this Monday. By the way I have 2 C and both of them are in mathematics should I retake them. If I do retake these classes how do they look on the application. I have three W for one class( chem lab, workshop and class) would that count as one or three separate W.

 

[occams_razor]

I don't think your GPA is the concern, as others have said a 3.46 isn't bad (provided you also do well on the MCAT). what I would be more concerned with is being a senior and having no EC's. you'll need clinical and non-clinical volunteering before you apply. even people with very high GPAs that have no volunteering usually have problems when they apply.
also, if you can get some research in before applying that would be ideal.

As for the 2 C's, I would not retake a C, especially since you only have 2 on your transcript. my advisor always says don't retake a C, only re-take if you got lower than a C. it would really only help for DO schools anyway, since MD schools don't do grade replacement.

 

[344]

I don't think your GPA is the concern, as others have said a 3.46 isn't bad (provided you also do well on the MCAT). what I would be more concerned with is being a senior and having no EC's. you'll need clinical and non-clinical volunteering before you apply. even people with very high GPAs that have no volunteering usually have problems when they apply.
also, if you can get some research in before applying that would be ideal.

As for the 2 C's, I would not retake a C, especially since you only have 2 on your transcript. my advisor always says don't retake a C, only re-take if you got lower than a C. it would really only help for DO schools anyway, since MD schools don't do grade replacement.

I agree

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

I agree

I second that.

 

[344]

My adviser told me to postponed my graduation by a semester and do a minor. I spoke to my cousin's brother in law who is a doctor he said the exact same thing. Any ideas

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

My adviser told me to postponed my graduation by a semester and do a minor. I spoke to my cousin's brother in law who is a doctor he said the exact same thing. Any ideas

You can do that but you don't have to add a minor, they aren't very important or not important at all in the admissions process.

 

[Praefectus]

Get some ECs in and apply broadly. Realistically, your safe schools might be DO depending on your MCAT score. Hopefully you're comfortable with that.

 

[344]

Get some ECs in and apply broadly. Realistically, your safe schools might be DO depending on your MCAT score. Hopefully you're comfortable with that.

If I am not mistaken Do doctors need to take exams and other stuff when they go outside of USA.

 

[zipnogg]

My understanding is that the U.S. M.D. degree is recognized worldwide whereas U.S. D.O. degree is not (though D.O.s can practice OMM outside the U.S.)

 

[344]

my understanding is that the u.s. M.d. Degree is recognized worldwide whereas u.s. D.o. Degree is not (though d.o.s can practice omm outside the u.s.)

yes and by the way what do you guys think about a post bac program? Will that help me get in to medical school.

 

[kasmir8199]

By the way I have 2 C and both of them are in mathematics should I retake them. .

I'd say that's up to you. I have a couple of Cs (one in physics and the other in bio 2) that I plan on retaking, mainly because I want a better understanding of the subject matter for MCAT purposes. I know MD schools won't replace grades but they will count all attempts, so if you do better, it can increase your sGPA just a smidgen. You could take other upper-level science/math courses to try to raise your sGPA too.

Again, I'd only do it if it'll help out in some other way, (i.e. with the MCAT).

 

[kasmir8199]

yes and by the way what do you guys think about a post bac program? Will that help me get in to medical school.

I've heard a few people say that a special masters program or post bacc program helped them get into med school. It's definitely something to look into.

 

[487806]

Hi guys I am a senior with 100 credits and 3.46 GPA. I have no volunteer hours and no research.But I want to apply to med school.Do you guys think I have any chance of getting in to medical school? if not what steps need to be taken to make my self more competitive?

Well, try to get a 31+ on the MCAT (65+ LizzyM score) on the first try. Avoid applying to Top 20 and apply broadly. You should also consider DO schools.

 

[344]

I'd say that's up to you. I have a couple of Cs (one in physics and the other in bio 2) that I plan on retaking, mainly because I want a better understanding of the subject matter for MCAT purposes. I know MD schools won't replace grades but they will count all attempts, so if you do better, it can increase your sGPA just a smidgen. You could take other upper-level science/math courses to try to raise your sGPA too.

Again, I'd only do it if it'll help out in some other way, (i.e. with the MCAT).

I was thinking the same thing but than again they dont look at your sGPA after you retake the course they calculate it based on your first grade. And I spoke to my advisor about the retaking the course he advised me not repeat. And yes I agree with you that post bac program would make a student more competitive.

 

[344]

Well, try to get a 31+ on the MCAT (65+ LizzyM score) on the first try. Avoid applying to Top 20 and apply broadly. You should also consider DO schools.

Thanks I will but MCAT is not easy. Any tips about MCAT.

 

[image187]

you need 1) at least some clinical experience, research, or volunteering, 2) an MCAT score, 3) prereqs completed, and 4) a decent GPA probably around 3.5 at least. The GPA you have isn't so bad however. If you apply DO, they replace grades earned with retaken grades. I found examkrackers to be great for the MCAT... allow about 2 to 2.5 months to study for it at least 3 hrs every day. Shoot for at least 30 if you can. You can probably squeeze a lot of clinical experience in between now and the time you apply, including during time you study for the MCAT. Depending on how fast you can do this and if you have prereqs done already, maybe apply next cycle? When you apply, make sure you submit AMCAS the first possible day you can and get your secondaries in ASAP

 

[487806]

Thanks I will but MCAT is not easy. Any tips about MCAT.

This should help you plan out for MCAT preparation Good luck!

 

[supafly0]

I would suggest postBac or SMP since we don't have an MCAT to base anything off of besides that GPA.

Just btw, did you plan on medical school since the beginning?

 

[344]

This should help you plan out for MCAT preparation Good luck!

yeah I looked at it seems very informative. I will read the whole thing later and let you know thanks

 

[344]

I would suggest postBac or SMP since we don't have an MCAT to base anything off of besides that GPA.

Just btw, did you plan on medical school since the beginning?

Yeah I am thinking about a post bac program. I did not plan on going to med school since the beginning. But I wanted to do a major in science and I like bio so I decided to do bachelors in biology but my end goal at beginning was something related to automotive industry eventually. I did think about becoming a doctor at one point in my life when I was 8 years old my father had an accident at work and he had some bad injuries because of that accident he couldn't work for almost 10 years and he underwent so many surgeries to fix that problem but he is not getting any better but the surgery did help him get a new job but the pain is still there. When I was in my sophomore year my mother was diagnosed with cervical cancer and that was the point when I decided to go medical school.

 

[Koosalagoosagoo]

>do master program
>start research NOW!
>start clinical volunteering NOW!
>take mcat very soon...

 

[344]

you need 1) at least some clinical experience, research, or volunteering, 2) an MCAT score, 3) prereqs completed, and 4) a decent GPA probably around 3.5 at least. The GPA you have isn't so bad however. If you apply DO, they replace grades earned with retaken grades. I found examkrackers to be great for the MCAT... allow about 2 to 2.5 months to study for it at least 3 hrs every day. Shoot for at least 30 if you can. You can probably squeeze a lot of clinical experience in between now and the time you apply, including during time you study for the MCAT. Depending on how fast you can do this and if you have prereqs done already, maybe apply next cycle? When you apply, make sure you submit AMCAS the first possible day you can and get your secondaries in ASAP

thank you for the advice I am thinking about doing a post bach program and volunteer for a whole year and do research so I have that i have some EC's. And by the way can I apply as a disadvantaged student. If I do will that help me or no.

 

[344]

>do master program
>start research NOW!
>start clinical volunteering NOW!
>take mcat very soon...

I am going to do research next semester I am currently filling up papers for the research and I will do a post bac program.And I am going to apply for volunteering next week after my finals. I am studying for mcats and I will take the test soon.

 

[Koosalagoosagoo]

I am going to do research next semester I am currently filling up papers for the research and I will do a post bac program.And I am going to apply for volunteering next week after my finals. I am studying for mcats and I will take the test soon.

👍👍

 

[344]

👍👍

thanks

 

[344]

bump