How good a program can I get into as a smart kid with a so-so undergrad record?

[msdeezee]

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I'm a bit of an idiot when it comes to judging how good a candidate I am for things. Please help?

I am planning on doing a career changer post-bac program. Right now I am still researching different programs and preparing to apply.

Here's me:
- Graduated from an insignificant small private university with a degree in English in 2009. Minor: sociology. Went there on a full scholarship as a National Merit Semi-finalist (thanks, PSAT).
- Undergrad GPA was 3.7.
- Took Bio and Chem 1 but blew them off at the time and got Bs.
- SAT math=710, 740; verbal=770, 720. ACT was...I think 32?
- Served in AmeriCorps with the National AIDS Fund doing HIV prevention direct service in a testing clinic. (This is probably my most attractive attribute as an applicant.)

I want to go somewhere in the Northeast (open to other places though). With my lack of wondrous grades, I just don't know the likelihood of getting into a well-known, well-established program like Bryn Mawr or Goucher or something. Who can guide me?

 

[johnnyscans]

Not too sure about the specifics of those programs, but I know that many programs require that you have not taken the classes before. Is that a 3.7 AMCAS GPA or university GPA? What other science classes did you take and how did you do in them i.e. what is your BCPM GPA?

That said, if your AMCAS GPA is a 3.7, you should be pretty competitive for most programs (as long as they don't have any stipulation in regards to the fact that you've already taken two out of the eight "MCAT classes").

I feel like anyone who can give you specific information is going to want the answers to these questions, so I hope this helps you out.

 

[msdeezee]

3.7 university GPA. Are the BCPM and AMCAS GPAs different? I feel like that's a stupid question but I have very little guidance here! I can't figure out by googling. Is AMCAS just with retakes factored in?

My BCPM GPA is something like 3.13 because those courses I took are literally the only science and math I took in college (and I wasn't even required to take them, so boo that I did that to myself). Though, does statistics for social sciences count? 🙂 I got an A in that.

 

[johnnyscans]

AMCAS GPA does not allow grade replacement and follows +/- grading.

I think it's safe to say you're competitive for the top programs.

 

[cms5402]

I'm at Bryn Mawr now, and an undergrad GPA of 3.7 is more than enough. Your test scores and GPA are higher than mine and I did not have trouble getting in. Definitely go for it! I love it here.

 

[b05010445]

I'm in Boston University's MAMS program, I strongly believe you can get in here especially if you apply early. Its an intensely hard program, but a wonderful atmosphere.

 

[msdeezee]

Oh thanks, all! I'm sorry I didn't respond sooner. Life got weird and I had to move twice in two months--urgh. Anyway, it's good to know I'm worrying in vain. I've never been able to decide how much my GPA was worth since I didn't try very hard as an undergrad...I was an English major after all, and writing comes naturally to me. Plus I got lucky and had professors that liked me AND didn't mind that I did my work late.

Thanks again! I am really hoping I can get into a pretty rigorous post-bac program--we'll see if I can whip my work ethic into shape. So ready to be back in school after three ugly years in the real world. 🙂

 

[johnnyscans]

A 3.7 is very competitive for the good programs. Your experience only adds to your attractiveness as an applicant. What are your goals out of a program - structure, reputation, cost effectiveness, location?

 

[msdeezee]

A 3.7 is very competitive for the good programs. Your experience only adds to your attractiveness as an applicant. What are your goals out of a program - structure, reputation, cost effectiveness, location?

Structure and strong advising are probably what I need most out of a program. I would also prefer to enter a respected/recognized program as I would like to limit my potential/mobility as little as possible!

Location: strongly prefer the Northeast, looking specifically at Philadelphia as it seems to have loads of medical education opportunity in the vicinity and the boy I love is in NYC. 🙂 (I would prefer to have a little distance to keep my distraction down, and a 2 hour bus ride seems like the perfect amount.) Also open to Boston, Baltimore, etc.

As far as the 3.7 goes, I guess I was just worried because given how little work I had to do to achieve that, I felt like the grade wouldn't mean much coming from my unknown Midwestern university. Grade inflation and all. I don't know how much that factors into admission decisions....

Any other thoughts? What's your story?

 

[wasabee]

hey, sorry for stealing the thread, but what if our university doesn't have a +/- system? and all grades (even on official transcript) are recorded without +/- system?

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[darkjedi]

hey, sorry for stealing the thread, but what if our university doesn't have a +/- system? and all grades (even on official transcript) are recorded without +/- system?

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Typically if your school does not do +/- then A's would be 4.0's B's would be 3.0's C 2.0's etc.

 

[DMBSatellite]

You definitely have a shot at top programs, and you SAT scores help you more than you know (standardized test scores are given heavy weight). Write a cohesive, convincing application essay. Be ready to explain "why medicine, why now." Apply early.

 

[msdeezee]

I'm getting all anxious again. More specific question about my sGPA:

Just calculated the GPA for my 2 undergrad sci courses (both with lab) to be 3.125. That makes me worried because I know the better programs want to be sure they can get their students into med schools. If I do super well while *in* the programs it shouldn't be a problem (and I think I can--bad grades from before were from lack of motivation, not lack of ability). But I'm not sure how big a black mark that is to adcoms. Any thoughts?

I didn't figure in the credits I got from IB/AP tests because they weren't graded, which I assume was correct. I do have graded college credit from taking a dual-enrollment Anat&Physio class in high school...should I include that?