High MCAT Lower GPA, Should I Apply?

[Beefyboi7]

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[deleted972488]

We have similar stats and I was given a similar list by people on here.

 

[candbgirl]

Your ECs are currently very weak. Although you can project hours on your application, the projection carries very little(if any) weight. We all know that frequently life happens and the best laid plans are abandoned or altered and the projections don’t get done. So applying with 60 hours of clinical volunteering isn’t smart. Your nonclinical volunteering isn’t much better. Of the 40 hours shadowing is any with a primary care doc ? If not get some. And you only need about 50 hours total of shadowing. Did you present at the National Convention listed under research? If so that’s a good addition to your application. If not I’m not sure how impressive that really is.
Your GPAs are a bit below average for matriculated students(3.7+). But very nice MCAT. Congrats on that score.

 

[Faha]

I suggest adding these schools:
California University
Vermont
Eastern Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth
Arizona (Tuscon and Phoenix)

 

[Beefyboi7]

Your ECs are currently very weak. Although you can project hours on your application, the projection carries very little(if any) weight. We all know that frequently life happens and the best laid plans are abandoned or altered and the projections don’t get done. So applying with 60 hours of clinical volunteering isn’t smart. Your nonclinical volunteering isn’t much better. Of the 40 hours shadowing is any with a primary care doc ? If not get some. And you only need about 50 hours total of shadowing. Did you present at the National Convention listed under research? If so that’s a good addition to your application. If not I’m not sure how impressive that really is.
Your GPAs are a bit below average for matriculated students(3.7+). But very nice MCAT. Congrats on that score.

I have primary care shadowing but I did not present at the convention. I know my hours are low but I feel like I have a lot to say in my PS and activities. Should I take another gap year to boost my hours or is it okay to continue them through the application cycle?

 

[yourFutureDoktur]

You are good to apply and should hear back from a lot of schools. Apply on time, write excellent personal statements and essays. In terms of academic qualifications, everything is done. Your MCAT is excellent. GPA isn’t bad and I think your mcat will make up for the shortage in your GPA. So precisely,
-be punctual and effective in your essays
-increase the hospital volunteering as much as you can, try to hit 100.
-Apply early! And submit secondaries on time(2-12 days)

 

[Beefyboi7]

You are good to apply and should hear back from a lot of schools. Apply on time, write excellent personal statements and essays. In terms of academic qualifications, everything is done. Your MCAT is excellent. GPA isn’t bad and I think your mcat will make up for the shortage in your GPA. So precisely,
-be punctual and effective in your essays
-increase the hospital volunteering as much as you can, try to hit 100.
-Apply early! And submit secondaries on time(2-12 days)

Glad to hear, thank you! Do you think its okay to pick up another clinical volunteering gig at a different hospital?

 

[yourFutureDoktur]

Glad to hear, thank you! Do you think its okay to pick up another clinical volunteering gig at a different hospital?

Consistency is better. But whatever opportunity you can do is better than nothing. Just keep track of examples that occur that really inspire you which you can talk about in medical interviews.

 

[stairway2seven]

I had a pretty similar app (CA, ORM male, very similar MCAT/GPA, also with upward trend)

Your volunteering and clinical experience are weak and as a result, I think your school list is a little top heavy. Contrary to popular opinion, you don't need clinical volunteering (I had none and got 6 IIs) but you do need clinical experience. Pretty much all of mine was paid and that didn't seem to be a problem.

I'd remove Kaiser as it doesn't seem like you fit their mission (primary care, service to the community) and UC Davis unless you have strong NorCal ties AND fit their mission (primary care). USC Keck values sustained volunteering as well but it's still worth a shot IMO.

You're ready to apply but you've got quite a few reaches in your list (Stanford, Vanderbilt, Dartmouth to name a few). I suggest taking some of them out and adding Faha's suggestions + Quinnipiac.