Is my racial background going to hurt my chances?

[tompi90]

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Ok so this maybe a completely idiotic and totally neurotic question, but its something thats been bothering me.

Ive posted my story before so I wont bore anyone with details, but basically its been 3 semesters now and my overall gpa sucks (and there's a family incident that occurred, not bcoz i chose to get drunk every weekend lol). It really really sucks. its a 2.8 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁.

This semester ive been doing much better (might even pull off a 4.0) but im not getting too comfortable.

Point is, that I know this may seem to be totally out of line here, but im indian (born in India but a U.S. citizen now) and i know that its a stereotype when people say all indians are smart, but thats kind off become an unwritten expectation now. I mean that if you are Asian or Indian, do they expect you to have a 4.0 gpa and a 45T MCAT? cuz im screwed then…..fml

 

[Raryn]

By all statistics, the *average* MCAT score for people of Asian descent (which Indians count as for these purposes) is higher than all other ethnic groups, though not by much. (see various charts at http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/start.htm including the one at http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/applicantmatriculant/table19-mcatpgaraceeth09-web.pdf ) The GPA is pretty much the same as white applicants, and higher than minorities.

Now, averages aren't individuals, and I can tell you right now that your GPA would hurt you whether you were Indian, white, black, or lime green. If you can bring it up, your racial background won't *help* you, but in no way is it going to hurt your chances. You'll be evaluated on your own merits, not just compared to other Indian folks.

 

[Daedra22]

A 2.8 is pretty low no matter who you are. Even with a great MCAT score, you will probably need to raise your GPA (post bacc/retakes) and consider DO schools. DO schools will replace bad grades with new, better grades. This is not a matter of race... it's a matter of numbers.

 

[brygguy1]

By all statistics, the *average* MCAT score for people of Asian descent (which Indians count as for these purposes) is higher than all other ethnic groups, though not by much. (see various charts at http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/start.htm including the one at http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/applicantmatriculant/table19-mcatpgaraceeth09-web.pdf ) The GPA is pretty much the same as white applicants, and higher than minorities.

Now, averages aren't individuals, and I can tell you right now that your GPA would hurt you whether you were indian, white, black, or lime green.

What about purple with pink polka-dots?

 

[tompi90]

I want to do an MD, and I know its possible for people with one bad year of college to still get into med school. I know that its happened before and I calculated that if I keep my A game up for rest of college (with an additional semester) I could bring it up to a 3.55 (not counting summer classes) which is still very low but at least its a consolation.

Will being Indian raise red flags if im still in that situation?

 

[mfrizzo3]

the only red flag will be your total lack of reality

 

[tompi90]

Look im not saying that this going to magically just work out. I know that this is going to be an uphill battle for me and its going to be very hard. I have no choice at this point but to salvage what I can. I know I don't want to do a DO and im sure that there are people who have had a bad year of school under their belt but still manage to get in to a top med school by doing an extra semester, or taking time off etc. Im willing to do that and get my GPA as high up as I can as well as ace my MCATs.

The question still remains how my Indian ethnicity is going to be viewed and whether or not that will raise certain expectations?

 

[chessknt]

Look im not saying that this going to magically just work out. I know that this is going to be an uphill battle for me and its going to be very hard. I have no choice at this point but to salvage what I can. I know I don't want to do a DO and im sure that there are people who have had a bad year of school under their belt but still manage to get in to a top med school by doing an extra semester, or taking time off etc. Im willing to do that and get my GPA as high up as I can as well as ace my MCATs.

The question still remains how my Indian ethnicity is going to be viewed and whether or not that will raise certain expectations?

 

[TooMuchResearch]

What about purple with pink polka-dots?

I hate those jerks with their sharp fashion sense and rock music. Every last one of them 😛

But seriously, a 2.8 will hurt the OP because it's too low, not because he's an American of Indian descent.

 

[TooMuchResearch]

I want to do an MD, and I know its possible for people with one bad year of college to still get into med school. I know that its happened before and I calculated that if I keep my A game up for rest of college (with an additional semester) I could bring it up to a 3.55 (not counting summer classes) which is still very low but at least its a consolation.

Will being Indian raise red flags if im still in that situation?

The question has been answered. If you continue to ask, the masses will shout "Troll!"

 

[tompi90]

Oh yes sorry, I apologize for that, thats what happens when you read too fast lol….whoops haha

 

[Catalystik]

You posted your stats last May and haven't improved substantially since then. Why do you think you'll be able to turn your grades around now? Have the family problems evaporated, never to return?

Being a consistent underperformer is the only red flag I'm seeing.

 

[tompi90]

well so far this semester i have a 4.0, and im gonna keep that up so maybe things are starting to get a little better….

 

[He2]

can i just make it clear that 1 year of 2.7/2.8 is not that bad? I had a 2.7 my freshman year.....

 

[Daedra22]

.

 

[lonewolf1513]

Not a D.O. huh, well i use to say the same thing. I did my masters aced it, got published and did decent on my MCAT. Got into an MD school and chose D.O. over it. Just because it was a better/cheaper med school overall. So the lesson is never say never. None the less good luck on your apps overall. Also stop being so damn vain, nobody expects you to ace **** b/c you are indian. On a side note a **** load of Caribbean students tend to be Indian just to get an "MD", look it up buddy. BTW i'm Indian as well 🙂.

 

[tompi90]

hey He2 can I PM you with questions?

 

[He2]

go for it

 

[tompi90]

omg lonewolf, im not being vain man….I know that no one expects me to ace anything based on the color of my skin. Im just wondering if med schools generally expect an Indian student to have higher overall numbers? but people have already answered that question so im not gonna be a troll about it.

 

[Daedra22]

Not a D.O. huh, well i use to say the same thing. I did my masters aced it, got published and did decent on my MCAT. Got into an MD school and chose D.O. over it. Just because it was a better/cheaper med school overall. So the lesson is never say never. None the less good luck on your apps overall. Also stop being so damn vain, nobody expects you to ace **** b/c you are indian. On a side note a **** load of Caribbean students tend to be Indian just to get an "MD", look it up buddy. BTW i'm Indian as well 🙂.

I didn't think I would go DO either, but I'm so glad I added DO schools to my application and shadowed a DO. In your case, OP, if you want to be a doctor it would behoove you to add DO schools to your application. It can't hurt to try.

 

[He2]

I would argue mentality is important here. OP doesn't have alot of wiggle room, so perfection is a necessity.

I would say shoot for the moon for now, then worry about details later

 

[Catalystik]

well so far this semester i have a 4.0, and im gonna keep that up so maybe things are starting to get a little better….

Well, a 4.0 would be lot better, and it's where you need to be. Good Luck on maintaining your current level of success, because that's exactly where you need to be for the next 3-4 semesters. I agree with He2's words, that perfection is a necessity.

 

[schrizto]

Ok, the title of this thread is ridiculous. It should be, "Is my gpa going to hurt my chances?" not "Is my racial background going to hurt my chances?" The OP is worrying about the wrong things.

 

[Narmerguy]

Ok, the title of this thread is ridiculous. It should be, "Is my gpa going to hurt my chances?" not "Is my racial background going to hurt my chances?" The OP is worrying about the wrong things.

Somehow everything always comes back to race on SDN. The racial tension on this forum is amazing.

 

[4X4MD]

Ok, the title of this thread is ridiculous. It should be, "Is my gpa going to hurt my chances?" not "Is my racial background going to hurt my chances?" The OP is worrying about the wrong things.

upward trends speak louder than skin😀

(i hope that makes sense...it sounded good in my head sitting through this terrible lecture)

 

[Poopoo]

If anything, being born in Indian will only increase your chances of acceptance... I would use it to my advantage in your personal statement and secondary essays.

I'd worry more about your grades and MCAT to be honest.... sounds like your priorities need to be realigned.

 

[tompi90]

Ok guys, I just want to clarify that I obviously know that the color of my skin isn't a big deal for me atm. I know that my academics are weak and thats what im focusing on, I guess this was just something I was curious about since most Indian/Oriental students tend to have higher than average gpa and mcat scores (no racial stereotype intended). of course there are always exceptions….

 

[CUSEguy88]

Just to be straight with you and avoid all the P.C. responses.

Your GPA right now hurts your regardless of your race, but it hurts you substantially more because you are Indian. Statistics clearly show that asian minorities are held to higher standards than other racial groups in admissions (and to say otherwise just means you are out of touch with reality). So the best thing I would say you could do is up your GPA and take part in activities that would be considered unique so that you can stand out in admissions.

 

[deleted74029]

Anedotal I know, but I know an Indian girl who was accepted to our state medical school with a 23 on the MCAT. She was waitlisted until mid may though.

 

[sustentacular]

Am I the only one who hasn't heard of this "Indians are smart" stereotype?

 

[stevesavi]

Am I the only one who hasn't heard of this "Indians are smart" stereotype?

you are not alone. Im on board with the se asian smart stereotype, but indian is new to me. Def not the stereotype at my little state school.

 

[Brigade4Radiant]

The avg GPA and MCAT for the HBCUs are

Morehouse 3.5 27

Meharry 3.5 26

Howard 3.5 26

So unless you do really well on the MCAT and have experience volunteering in undeserved communities its going to be an uphill battle.

 

[Jrsharp70]

Just use your super "indian powers" to change the laws of math. Didn't you know that people with brown skin don't really work their tails off to get into school? Different melanin concentrations allow spacetime to shift and alter the reality of GPA, just keep posting and by next year your sdn ranking will begin to increase your stats, so you won't even have to belittle yourself with a D.O. Degree or even have to know what it means! There are definitely NO Indians in my class. They all got good enough grades to be a real doctor by asking lots of questions on forums. Nope, not one Patel in the whole class...