In a tough bind, would like some opinions.

[SpaceHamsterBoo]

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Summary:

• first gen pakistan born US citizen
• first generation college student
• male, formerly obese, ex muslim

Education:

• 3.73 gpa at community college (aced Gen Chem, Organic Chem, Physics, English, Math), school is associated with a rigorous RN program.
• 3.11 gpa after transferring to a 4 year university (have a C in Ecology, Histology, Physiology, Biochemistry and Inorganic Chemistry)
• BS in Biology with a minor in Chemistry
• Researched epigenetic regulation of a GPCR subunit and its association with Head/Neck/Pancreatic cancers in a mouse model, won a grant, a prize and am in a school-sponsored commercial
• did poorly in school due to depression and loss of support system and went to a rural school in middle of nowhere pennsylvania

Work Experience and Volunteering/Shadowing:

• shadowed >60 hours total, have seen Emergency, Trauma, Family Medicine (both in patient and out patient)
• volunteered 40 hours total at an ER, left because I felt I could be doing more meaningful work as an employee
• worked at a pharmacy for a year, learned about how pharmacists and doctor relationships work and how many patients are under/ill-informed about medications
• worked at a nursing home for 3-4 months, as a PCA, taking care of my grandmother is what originally pushed me into medicine
• worked for 1.5 years preparing chemistry labs for chem I and II at my 4 year university
• worked over the summer as a paid research associate
• did research for credit for one semester and volunteer research for another semester
• currently working at an emergency department as a tech

My biggest concern is my low gpa, low number of volunteer hours and lack of ECs. I had a tough family situation, polygamist/absent/abusive father to a family of 6 kids. I also need to take the MCAT; I've got two months to study for the September date and get my LORs in check. It's a tough call. I don't think I'm competitive for MD schools as my GPA would average out to a I think a 3.42 or a 3.48 if i remember correctly. I'm really only considering DO schools.

Should I apply for this cycle? Should I apply to Post Baccs? Should I do an SMP? Should I even consider MD schools?

 

[FutureD0C17]

I highly doubt you'll have much luck with MD simply b/c your grades dropped tremendously after transferring. That doesn't look good, at all, and will likely raise the concerns of any(do/md/other professional) school that you apply to. IMO, you're going to need more work that shows your capability with rigorous courses. I'm sure others will come along with more specific advice. GL!

 

[Doctor_Strange]

Was it a community college or state college?

Regardless, a drop from 3.7 to 3.1 is--frankly--massive. That either speaks to institutional variance or work ethic. I'll say a combination of the two was at play.

I would take a gap year, and get As/A-s from here on out.

I got a B at a state college while I am a student at a liberal arts school, and I feel concerned about that. In your case, and in my opinion, it is of a much greater concern.

 

[mathnerd88]

I would wait another year and apply then. You'll probably need to do some GPA repair, depending on your MCAT score. Also, taking your MCAT in September means you won't know your score by October, which is starting to get late in the cycle. I would NOT apply until you actually get your score.

If you get a good MCAT score, I would apply this cycle. If you get an average/low MCAT score, I would definitely wait until next year. However, I suspect you're going to need to wait a year anyways.

 

[Doctor_Strange]

Certainly, all the personal stuff is another additional variable, but you cannot overcome the low GPA.

 

[mathnerd88]

Certainly, all the personal stuff is another additional variable, but you cannot overcome the low GPA.

Well, he mentioned his average GPA would be around a 3.4-3.5, so it should be good enough/competitive for some DO schools. He just needs to do decent on the MCAT. However, he's going to get his score late in the cycle which will hurt his chances.

 

[hyperDO]

Firstly, I sympathize with your family situation, but you definitely need to identify the reason for your considerable drop in performance and straighten it out. Unless you have already started studying and have been doing well on practice tests, I would recommend skipping the MCAT for now. Either way, by the time you get your score it'll be too late to apply this cycle.

Your GPA is competitive for DO schools, but the huge drop from CC to university is alarming. To be frank, CC is high school difficulty (I took most of my prereqs at a CC too lol). Adcoms may think that you aren't able to handle upper-div bio coursework/med school curriculum which would be a red flag. I think it would be wise to retake those C grade upper div classes in order to prove to them otherwise, unless you're strongly inclined to go MD in which I would recommend you to do a postbac or SMP. Then once you've straightened out your problems academically and are more confident you can take on the MCAT.

Your ECs are very good and I don't think you should be concerned. Continue to work as a tech and do some shadowing with a DO and get a letter. By next year your clinical ECs should be sufficient. Good luck!

 

[radian313]

Summary:

• first gen pakistan born US citizen
• first generation college student
• male, formerly obese, ex muslim

Education:

• 3.73 gpa at community college (aced Gen Chem, Organic Chem, Physics, English, Math), school is associated with a rigorous RN program.
• 3.11 gpa after transferring to a 4 year university (have a C in Ecology, Histology, Physiology, Biochemistry and Inorganic Chemistry)
• BS in Biology with a minor in Chemistry
• Researched epigenetic regulation of a GPCR subunit and its association with Head/Neck/Pancreatic cancers in a mouse model, won a grant, a prize and am in a school-sponsored commercial
• did poorly in school due to depression and loss of support system and went to a rural school in middle of nowhere pennsylvania

Work Experience and Volunteering/Shadowing:

• shadowed >60 hours total, have seen Emergency, Trauma, Family Medicine (both in patient and out patient)
• volunteered 40 hours total at an ER, left because I felt I could be doing more meaningful work as an employee
• worked at a pharmacy for a year, learned about how pharmacists and doctor relationships work and how many patients are under/ill-informed about medications
• worked at a nursing home for 3-4 months, as a PCA, taking care of my grandmother is what originally pushed me into medicine
• worked for 1.5 years preparing chemistry labs for chem I and II at my 4 year university
• worked over the summer as a paid research associate
• did research for credit for one semester and volunteer research for another semester
• currently working at an emergency department as a tech

My biggest concern is my low gpa, low number of volunteer hours and lack of ECs. I had a tough family situation, polygamist/absent/abusive father to a family of 6 kids. I also need to take the MCAT; I've got two months to study for the September date and get my LORs in check. It's a tough call. I don't think I'm competitive for MD schools as my GPA would average out to a I think a 3.42 or a 3.48 if i remember correctly. I'm really only considering DO schools.

Should I apply for this cycle? Should I apply to Post Baccs? Should I do an SMP? Should I even consider MD schools?

depends on your mcat. If you do well, >505 youll get in somehwhere, but that said as others have said, you usually see upper trends, so that is a concern.

Timeline is okay for DO schools but two months may not be enough. Even if you get your scores back in october, you can still get in somehwhere, just wount be at your top choice school.


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[Medical Bear]

I would suggest to re-take some of your C's to raise your GPA a bit. Also do well on Mcat.

 

[Ukpremed]

You took all of the required classes at a CC that is a Red flag to me.

 

[SpaceHamsterBoo]

Firstly, I sympathize with your family situation, but you definitely need to identify the reason for your considerable drop in performance and straighten it out. Unless you have already started studying and have been doing well on practice tests, I would recommend skipping the MCAT for now. Either way, by the time you get your score it'll be too late to apply this cycle.

Your GPA is competitive for DO schools, but the huge drop from CC to university is alarming. To be frank, CC is high school difficulty (I took most of my prereqs at a CC too lol). Adcoms may think that you aren't able to handle upper-div bio coursework/med school curriculum which would be a red flag. I think it would be wise to retake those C grade upper div classes in order to prove to them otherwise, unless you're strongly inclined to go MD in which I would recommend you to do a postbac or SMP. Then once you've straightened out your problems academically and are more confident you can take on the MCAT.

Your ECs are very good and I don't think you should be concerned. Continue to work as a tech and do some shadowing with a DO and get a letter. By next year your clinical ECs should be sufficient. Good luck!

Coupled with the lack of a support system as a transfer student, I lost discipline, I used to the model student who'd be working 2 jobs, volunteering and acing all his courses and all of a sudden I transferred and my routine fell apart; that's the simplest explanation.

My concern is currently, even if I do retake 4-5 C's at a state university, I need to find work that pays more than $12 per hour as a tech. I need to hurry up and get into school is really what I need to do :\

 

[hyperDO]

Aren't you already an emergency tech? Maybe two classes each quarter is doable on top of that.

You could force your app in this cycle. Two months for the MCAT might be tough, your app will be a bit late and your downward trend might hurt you. You're the only one who can decide what you want to do.

Just wanna make sure you make the best bet possible. If your mcat practice tests aren't cutting it, don't take that unnecessary risk. Don't want to rush things and dig a bigger hole.

 

[mathnerd88]

If I were you, I would just apply next cycle. Spend the next couple of months practicing the MCAT. Take one in March or April. Some people take more than 2 months to prepare and get a decent score.

 

[SpaceHamsterBoo]

Aren't you already an emergency tech? Maybe two classes each quarter is doable on top of that.

You could force your app in this cycle. Two months for the MCAT might be tough, your app will be a bit late and your downward trend might hurt you. You're the only one who can decide what you want to do.

Just wanna make sure you make the best bet possible. If your mcat practice tests aren't cutting it, don't take that unnecessary risk. Don't want to rush things and dig a bigger hole.

Yes I just got hired as a tech this month. I think now is the time to get all my LOR's together?

 

[Goro]

Asked and answered in the other forum where you posted the same questions.

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

OP the major thing is to get your **** together.

Retake your classes while adding other courses like micro and anatomy and stuff and ACE everything. Take your MCAT when you're ready and get solid clinical experience and you can spin your whole scenario into something positive hopefully. Own up to all your faults and show the adcoms how you've matured.

It's never over til it's over.

 

[ortnakas]

OP's downward trend is discouraging, but his cumulative GPA (3.4-3.5ish) isn't too bad. He's a little short on volunteering but at least always has some research and clinical experience. The retakes and/or post-bacc aren't a bad idea, of course, but I think with a solid MCAT he has a chance.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Lol why is formerly obese and ex Muslim part of the description?

 

[Grace184]

Lol why is formerly obese and ex Muslim part of the description?

I've been holding back sooooo hard on saying something! So glad you did! Grasping at straws for URM status?

 

[costales]

Fit infidel is not URM.

 

[echo87]

To give him the benefit of the doubt, he probably just wanted to hint at his life story. We all know that adcoms love an interesting story.
To the OP though, I doubt your struggles with obesity or your spiritual progression will make for too compelling of a story, unless there were some unique/crazy events in there.

But who am I to say, I'm not adcom and most likely, neither are any of these people.