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DuncanUFL

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Hi everyone,

I'm currently applying for medical school, and my uGPA is a 3.5 with a 513 MCAT score as of this May. I believe my chances are low into getting into a medical school because of my GPA. But I wanted to ask, I went through a lot during my undergrad career. I did four years of chemotherapy along with a bone marrow transplant my junior year of college. Along with my treatments, I worked as a research associated at UF cancer center in the directors lab for the center for 3 years, He gave me along with other colleagues great letters of rec and he suggested i apply MD/PhD. Do you think my experience and background story could help with getting in? Whats your advice?
 
People get into med school with a 3.5 GPA and lower all that time. There’s more than that that goes into your application and it won’t make or break you, especially when you have outstanding circumstances that help explain it.
 
Better suited for the pre-med forums.

But I got in with basically those same stats.

Per the AAMC grid, you have ~55% chance of matriculating.

Your circumstances should help.
 
Your MCAT is competitive. Sounds like you have research experience and at least one strong LOR, so that's good, too. I think incorporating your experience with cancer into your secondaries/PS will show that you have resilience. Also, 3.5 is not necessarily that bad, your science GPA is a factor, as well as the trend of your grades and where you went to school. I would apply with those stats. Just focus on strengthening E.C.'s/Shadowing and getting strong LORs, and you should be good. 🙂
 
Your GPA is definitely not amazing but it is not going to keep you out of MD programs. Apply broadly... you have an amazing story... I don't think you have much to worry about.
 
Unless you want to spend 80% time in lab and 20% in patient care, don't apply MD/PhD. Also consider that it adds years to your time to degree. It isn't a good trade-off unless you NEED the PhD to do what you want to do with your career.

Well targeted, you may get some traction with your application, particularly given your life experiences.
 
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