help with decision...

[jjsmalls]

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i have been reading posts on here long enough to know that everyone gets really annoyed with "are my grades good enough" posts, but i know that there are some really good opinions out there, so...

i have all b's and c's in my science pre-reqs but my major is not science-oriented, so i concentrated on my major more, and have almost all a's in my non-science classes. is it impossible to get accepted with c's in the pre-reqs? should i hold off on applying this year and try post-bacc, or should i just try to apply? my number 1 would be lecom, so if anyone knows how they are about accepting lower GPA students, please let me know.

any help is appreciated. thanks, everyone~

 

[luckystar]

MCAT scores are also a big factor. How do your extracurriculars look, especially the healthcare related ones? Do you have solid LORs from your professors? I'm not sure about LECOM, but many schools require at least one from one of your science professors.

I'm sorry I can't give you a more complete answer, but there are just so many other things to take into consideration when it comes to acceptances. If you want to post more information, I'm sure somebody can give you more suggestions/opinions.

Good luck!

 

[sophiejane]

My story sounds a lot like yours. On the first try I didn't get in, then I took a few more science classes and kicked some a#$ and things started looking up!

I would really recommend biochemisty, cell biology or microbiology, histology, genetics, and anatomy and physiology if you haven't taken these already. Get A's in them. Take them one or two at a time if you have to. They will understand that you were concentrating on your major, but they will also want to see that you can handle the science, too.

Of course a strong MCAT helps. Just FYI, I had a 3.1 science GPA, 3.7 overall, and a 24 MCAT (...plus a really good interview, a good bit of relevant clinical experience and a lot of life experience....)

but as I always say, stats are a lie....everyone has a story about people who defy the odds--that person might just be you...

 

[LP1CW]

Sophie, where did you get in at? How many schools did you apply to and how many interviews/acceptances did you get?

My best friend applied to many schools this year. He's not happy with his MCAT. He got, and I'm not sure exactly, but I think a 27 or 28 with an 8 in one section. His first try. He thought about not applying, but I told him that I thought he had a chance. Our advisor said that his GPA was strong enough to off set this. And he has good recs, activities. He is still filling out secondaries. So, I'm glad to see that others with comparable stats are getting in.

 

[sophiejane]

I am an MS-1 at TCOM.

That is BS about a 27 or 28 being not good enough. I know SO MANY people with MCATs below 30 and GPAs around 3.4-3.5 who got in on the first try. They may not have gotten into their #1 choice, but they are in good schools and will be good doctors in a few years. Now 22 is probably too low, but 24 and up is fair game (this is what I was told by admissions directors at several Texas schools--allopathic and osteopathic). The "MCAT 30 and above"-required- to-get- into-medical-school-myth is a MYTH (here I go on my soapbox) propogated by ill-informed pre-med advisors, The Princeton Review, and Kaplan. Do not believe it unless you aspire to an upper-tier school. If you are normal and not a genius and are fine with a state school or less famous private school, you do not need a 30 on the MCAT. What you do need is solid grades (or at least an upward trend) a good interview, and good LORs from people who actually know you.

Good luck.

 

[OSUdoc08]

Hey peoples,

For all of those complaining about GPA's & MCAT's:

My science GPA is 2.90
Overall GPA is 3.35

MCAT is 24 (7 verbal, 8 phys, 9 bio)
------------------------------------------------

I just got accepted to AZCOM this week!

So don't worry! It's doable!

Oh yeah and this is my first try for med school, off my first MCAT. I don't graduate til this Dec.

 

[WillowRose]

Originally posted by sophiejane
The "MCAT 30 and above"-required- to-get- into-medical-school-myth is a MYTH (here I go on my soapbox) propogated by ill-informed pre-med advisors, The Princeton Review, and Kaplan.

I agree completely! This is why I couldn't understand why Quinn's pre-med advisor told her she'd never get into an MD program! Even if 27 or 28 are "very average" now...I think Quinn has to be close to my age and I got into an MD program with exactly the same kinds of numbers she had. (And yes, it was one of the school's in the state where I was a resident, but it was still a very good school).

You're going to have more options if you have higher scores, but you aren't sunk if you have high 20's on the MCAT. For many schools, the MCAT and GPA are a way of deciding who gets an interview. The interview probably plays a greater role in determining who gets in than most people realize. (no pressure there, huh?)

Back to the original poster, I would definitely try to get some more science classes under my belt and get A's or at least B's in those classes. Cell bio, micro, biochem are all good classes to have as is physiology. You don't necessarily have to do a post-bacc program. Just take some individual classes, if you can. There are several advantages to this plan: 1) you can raise your science GPA, 2) you get a better base for the MCAT, 3) you might get a LOR from a prof, 4) you show the adcom that you are committed to studying medicine and that you have taken the initiative to build up those possible weak spots from your undergrad.

Good luck to you!

Will~

 

[Elysium]

As others have stated above, I know that it is possible to get accepted into medical schools with an MCAT below 25 and a science GPA around 3.0. I made C's in a lot of my pre-reqs (well, 2 of them, I guess. Stupid physics!) and did really well in all my non-science courses. I graduated with a communications degree and then went back a couple of years later to do the pre-med thing. I'm definetly more of a reader/writer than a scientist, but I managed to basically do all right in most of the courses.

That said, here's how it all came down:

GPA:3.5
Sci SPA: 3.0
MCAT: 23 (10-VR, 6-PS, 7-BS, S-WS)
2 years of clinical/volunteer experience; "life experience" (I suppose)
I'm 30 years old

Interviewed at: LECOM, Western/COMP, Touro, and UTMB
Accepted: LECOM, COMP, Touro
Waitlisted: UTMB
Attending: Touro (early accepted for 2008)

So, have faith and keep at it. You'll get there!

 

[irish79]

BUmedic, Congrats on your acceptance to AZCOM!

 

[Amy B]

Numbers aren't everything. I will tell you I got a 6 in PS section of the MCAT. It was my lowest score and I really thought it was going to keep me out of med school.

I also had 4 C's total due to a death in my family that hit during final exams on semester. I did finish with a science GPA 3.3 and a final GPA of 3.34. Those C's did kill my previous GPA of 3.6.

Lower stats, or a few C's are not going to keep you out of school.

However, just make sure your EC's are very very good and your LOR are superb and they will help offset any bad marks on your overall application.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!