How good/bad are my chances?

[alsaire]

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Hi everyone! I've been lurking for a while and finally decided to make an account. What better (or worse) way to start off my account with a chances thread!

GPA: 3.2
MCAT: (36R) 13P 13V 10B
State: CA

ECs:
2008 Summer Microbiology research at Academica Sinica Gov't lab in Taiwan
2008 physics paper co-authored, published and presented at WCECS in Berkeley
-Patent granted
2009 Summer Neuro research at Stanford
2010 Summer+Fall Clinical research on spinal fusion at Cedar Sinai
2010-2012 (predicted) biochem/med research at UCLA (maybe publication)
2010-2012 On the referrals committee of a healthcare club that collaborates with the school of medicine and the school of nursing to provide free health screenings and promote health ed. to the poor areas of LA county.
2011 Co-founded nonprofit org for organ donors
2009-2011 UCLA hospital volunteering
2006-2012 Co-founder/president (2006-2007) of org that raises awareness and donations for crises in other countries (e.g. darfur). Sponsored by World Vision

I might be missing a couple ECs but those are the major ones that I can think of off the top of my head right now.


I have a low GPA and a slightly above average MCAT score. I was planning to apply next year (2012 cycle). I know I have no chance for upper tier med schools, but do I have a chance of getting in anywhere? Or should I take next year to do grad school/post-bac? If so, does anybody have any suggestions on where I could go? I'm a so-cal resident if that makes any difference in suggestions. Thanks everyone!

 

[stolen_biscuit]

My MSAR (a year old) gives 3.2/36 a 60% chance of getting in, so that's about average. I would bet yours is higher as your ECs are awesome. Maybe throw some shadowing on there to prove you know what you're getting into.

Is your sGPA by chance higher? Your MCAT is above average of all the CA schools. The GPA is lower, but a couple of the schools' 10th percentile GPAs are 3.3 or 3.4, so there must be a few people in your situation there.

I think if I were you, I'd still apply OOS too.

 

[alsaire]

Unfortunately, my sGPA is actually lower. I just haven't really done well in my biochem classes. I've also shadowed; I did it the same time that I did the research at Cedars Sinai.

So according to you I should apply next year? I was definitely planning to apply OOS, as two of my top choices are actually Albert Einstein in NY and Case Western in Cleveland. I was thinking that if I could get into those, then I wouldn't try for a post-bac.

 

[stolen_biscuit]

Hmmmm.....Maybe an upward trend in grades?
Can you take a few upper level science courses this spring? If so, I'd do that to show you can succeed at them.

Case is 3.5c/3.4s for 10th percentile while Albert Einstein is 3.5/3.5. So those are a bit higher than where you are.

Have you seen the LizzyM calculator? You can search for it on here. That gives you a good idea of where you might have a chance at interviews. You may be able to see where you are in regards to those specific med schools.

I'd probably base my decision on how badly I wanted a specific school. If you are happy just getting an MD, I would say apply broadly in 2012. If you want a specific school, call their admissions and ask them what they think. If your chances are low, you can put off your application and work on a more competitive GPA.

 

[Catalystik]

GPA: 3.2
MCAT: (36R) 13P 13V 10B
State: CA

ECs:
2008 Summer Microbiology research at Academica Sinica Gov't lab in Taiwan
2008 physics paper co-authored, published and presented at WCECS in Berkeley
-Patent granted
2009 Summer Neuro research at Stanford
2010 Summer+Fall Clinical research on spinal fusion at Cedar Sinai
2010-2012 (predicted) biochem/med research at UCLA (maybe publication)
2010-2012 On the referrals committee of a healthcare club that collaborates with the school of medicine and the school of nursing to provide free health screenings and promote health ed. to the poor areas of LA county.
2011 Co-founded nonprofit org for organ donors
2009-2011 UCLA hospital volunteering
2006-2012 Co-founder/president (2006-2007) of org that raises awareness and donations for crises in other countries (e.g. darfur). Sponsored by World Vision

I might be missing a couple ECs but those are the major ones that I can think of off the top of my head right now.


I have a low GPA and a slightly above average MCAT score. I was planning to apply next year (2012 cycle). I know I have no chance for upper tier med schools, but do I have a chance of getting in anywhere? Or should I take next year to do grad school/post-bac? If so, does anybody have any suggestions on where I could go? I'm a so-cal resident if that makes any difference in suggestions. Thanks everyone!

If you already have 2-3 semesters of recent steep upward grade trend, you are more likely to end up on the positive side of the success figure for your stats. It is concerning that your BCPM GPA is actually lower than a 3.2. If you don't have recent excellent grades, you need to prove your capability with upper-level science before a med school will take a chance on you. See SDN's Postbaccalaureate Programs forum, attention to Dr Midlife's sticky at the top, for a list of SMP and Postbac programs.

 

[XOT]

Hi Catalystik,

I notice that you are not accepting private messages. I was wondering if you are willing to receive a message from me concerning a current dilemma I am in. The question has to do with my current post-bach classes.

Thanks

If you already have 2-3 semesters of recent steep upward grade trend, you are more likely to end up on the positive side of the success figure for your stats. It is concerning that your BCPM GPA is actually lower than a 3.2. If you don't have recent excellent grades, you need to prove your capability with upper-level science before a med school will take a chance on you. See SDN's Postbaccalaureate Programs forum, attention to Dr Midlife's sticky at the top, for a list of SMP and Postbac programs.

 

[Catalystik]

@XOT: see your old thread, so as not to hijack this one.