I have good stats (3.9 GPA and 523 MCAT) but also have 11 Ws and 1F. How much should I be worried?

[Sejlee09]

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[Dr panda]

Walter where are you??? We finally found someone who matches your Harvard level candidate profile.
Back to the topic, OP, you are not merely platinum, you are the Cullinan Diamond!

 

[Engrailed]

Walter where are you??? We finally found someone who matches your Harvard level candidate profile.
Back to the topic, OP, you are not merely platinum, you are the Cullinan Diamond!

I wish I could like this post 10x

 

[LizzyM]

That is a wild number of Withdrawals. Were you protecting your GPA? Were many of them in the same term and the result of a catastrophic circumstance. Anyone who looks carefully at the list of courses taken (and some will, some won't) might want an explanation. How you explain it will make a difference but otherwise you're application would appear to be golden.

 

[LeaveNoTrace]

Might it be considered youthful immaturity? Especially if he made a first try at college, withdrew a bunch, got one F, and then returned on the GI Bill after the military and aced everything? The timing of those Ws matters. However, LizzyM is right. Not often that we see Special Forces veterans with publications and top stats. You’re a solid candidate at any school in the country; start your list with Harvard.

 

[gonnif]

If OP has 11Ws due to semester withdrawal over car accident, then it should not be an issue. Indeed, it is not an issue no matter what as this the OP will apply with. Focusing about things you cannot change or influence does nothing but increase worry and stress . Move on

 

[LeaveNoTrace]

Yep. And the 4.0 after that plus the military service will put most doubts solidly to bed. OP is an extremely strong applicant, Harvard material for sure. It’s a crapshoot whether he’ll get into Harvard specifically, but he’s one of the strongest applicants to post on these boards in a long time.

 

[907914]

Here are my stats.

One of the top UCs.
1. 3.9 GPA (Including the 1F factored in)
2. 523 MCAT
3. 2 research publications as a co-author and 1 poster presentation
4. Served as an Air Force Pararescue Jumper for 8 years. (Special Forces where we go down to save downed soldiers)

However, my concern is the following.

I have 11Ws and 1F which I replaced with an A from my community college. (car accident, didn't know what I wanted to major in, etc)

Are there any chances of me being accepted to a top 10 or top 20 medical school?

I don't have 11 W's, but 2 straight years of near 3.0 before my "turnaround", much weaker undergrad institution, Similar (but lower) MCAT, much weaker military service (if they even tier military service?), and no publications - but I have still seen plenty of T10 and T20 attention thus far in the application cycle.

If a weaker applicant than you with a somewhat similar background can yield high results, then I think you have nothing to fear.

Congrats on success, OP. Good luck! it is a little late so I would wait until next cycle unless you have already been verified.

 

[Goro]

Here are my stats.

One of the top UCs.
1. 3.9 GPA (Including the 1F factored in)
2. 523 MCAT
3. 2 research publications as a co-author and 1 poster presentation
4. Served as an Air Force Pararescue Jumper for 8 years. (Special Forces where we go down to save downed soldiers)

However, my concern is the following.

I have 11Ws and 1F which I replaced with an A from my community college. (car accident, didn't know what I wanted to major in, etc)

Are there any chances of me being accepted to a top 10 or top 20 medical school?

Chances excellent, despite the early Ws

 

[LeaveNoTrace]

Agreed. @Walter Raleigh would drool over this applicant.

 

[82Scout]

I mean with similar EC's and research, I would take your stats, 11 W's, and 1 F over my mediocre stats with no W's all day. I think you will get into several top 20 schools.