MD & DO How do I treat bad dual enrollment?

[alienu]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi all,

I’m preparing to apply in this upcoming 2026 cycle, and my question is regarding impact of hs dual enrollment classes. When looking at matriculant data for schools my cumulative GPA seems disheartening.

The following table is organized amcas style with BCPM then AO then cumulative.

MA: 800 hrs (2k anticipated)
Research: 600 hrs 1st author poster
Other: Eboard positions, 250 hrs in group home for ppl with disability
Nonclin volunteer: ~80 my known weak spot
TA: about 250 hrs in cell bio and 50 in molecular neuro
Mcat: in progress (aamc fls around 512-514)

My current understanding is to look at the lower 25% of schools accepted gpas, and to avoid service heavy schools.

I apologize if this post is convoluted, but I appreciate any insight on school selection or how to approach addressing this in primaries 🙂

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Have you asked schools how they would treat your high school dual enrollment coursework? Clearly your true undergraduate record is a better measure.

Otherwise, you know your weaknesses in experiences. Work on those before you submit an application. If you are shooting for brand name schools, you need at least 250 hours of non-clinical community service or you might get screened out, even if you post a 520+ MCAT.

 

[doc_J61]

What about shadowing? I agree with what Mr.Smile12 said above re: dual enrollment coursework. Did you go to college independently of dual enrollment, or is what's above the extent of your college experience? Be prepared for questions about that if you haven't anticipated them already.

Obviously the MCAT will be super important. More important than volunteering, really.

Your app needs some kind of theme or cohesive hook in order to tie it all together. Even the most outstanding GPAs/MCAT scores need this kind of thing.

I'm trying to be tough on you so that you have the best chances. You need to focus hard on the MCAT, get some shadowing in if you haven't already, start drafting your PS, maybe develop some ECs that reflect who you are as a person/what you bring to various schools, and make sure that your interview skills are solid. Focus #1 on your state schools, and OOS schools that take a lot of OOS students (I would say low to mid-range as far as competitiveness goes) 3.7 or so is the minimum GPA to get into allo schools these days. I know that that's not what you wanted to hear, but I hope that it at least helps somehow.

 

[alienu]

Thanks for the honest feedback, I will try to get as much shadowing as possible in though I hope my extensive work as an MA may help with that. My dual enrollment courses are just the top row of grades everything else is in college. I appreciate your feedback on the PS I will begin drafting that ASAP.

What about shadowing? I agree with what Mr.Smile12 said above re: dual enrollment coursework. Did you go to college independently of dual enrollment, or is what's above the extent of your college experience? Be prepared for questions about that if you haven't anticipated them already.

Obviously the MCAT will be super important. More important than volunteering, really.

Your app needs some kind of theme or cohesive hook in order to tie it all together. Even the most outstanding GPAs/MCAT scores need this kind of thing.

I'm trying to be tough on you so that you have the best chances. You need to focus hard on the MCAT, get some shadowing in if you haven't already, start drafting your PS, maybe develop some ECs that reflect who you are as a person/what you bring to various schools, and make sure that your interview skills are solid. Focus #1 on your state schools, and OOS schools that take a lot of OOS students (I would say low to mid-range as far as competitiveness goes) 3.7 or so is the minimum GPA to get into allo schools these days. I know that that's not what you wanted to hear, but I hope that it at least helps somehow.

 

[doc_J61]

Of course! Best of luck w/everything.