MD Looking for earnest advice, 3.65 cGPA, 3.42 sGPA, 35 MCAT

[ThatcherChaudhry]

Hi, I'm looking for a lot of advice, and this might be a bit of read, but I'm going to try to keep it organized as best I can!

• cGPA: 3.65
• sGPA: 3.42
• MCAT: 35 (Took it 3 times)
• Standing: Senior
• Major: Life Sciences Education, Secondary Schools Endorsement

I started College well off, and by the end of sophomore year, had a 3.75, with dean's list all semesters. During Junior year, I started dealing with a bout of depression because I broke up with my S.O. of nearly 2 years. My junior year cGPA was around a 3.3. Senior year, I've picked it up again, and expect an average GPA of around a 3.8, finish University with a 3.65-3.68. My sGPA took the biggest hit since I took many science courses during my Junior year.

Question #1: Should I apply this summer, or enroll in an SMP or do a DIY post-bacc to raise my cGPA/sGPA before application?

I also took my MCAT that year. My cousins were all applying (going through their cycles right now), and my parents wanted me to run with them. My dad drove me to the testing center, and I literally didn't give to flips. After I told him I thought I'd bombed it, he made me sign up again, and retake it. This was my fault. I'm really ashamed of the person I was at that time, I didn't want to do anything for myself. My dad's a good guy, he just wanted me to realize my dream, of being a doctor, and he knew how sad I was over everything. Anyways, I got identical scores on my 2 exams, 25's, same in all sub sections. In September, I took 18 credits, started training for a triathlon, and studying 6 hours a day for my MCAT. I wanted to prove to myself I could do it. I ended the semester with a 3.75 GPA, ran my triathlon, and earned a 35 on my MCAT. Really put me back into thinking I could apply for Medical School.

Question #2: Should I mention my depression or break-up in essays or interviews? I feel like it sounds...childish and cowardly.

Currently, I'm finishing my Education degree. In college, I wanted to do something I was passionate about, and teaching is it! Right now, I teach 6th grade science at an Elementary School, and it rocks! Kids are the best, my staff is so supportive, and I've been hired to return for next year.

Question #3: Should I wait to apply and work as a teacher for a year to show adcoms I have work experience?

Research: Done TONS of education research, been to 10+ conferences, and 1 first author. Did a summer med program at Wake Forest.
EC's: Been president of a bunch of things, wrote for school newspaper, served on Sanctions council
Medical Experience: Shadowed 1 doctor for about 100 Hrs, done 2000+ Hrs at Hospital
Non-Medical: Worked for 3 summers at a camp for child with Aspergers as a Camp Counselor! My brother has Aspergers, and I care about the Aspergers Community.



Last question: Am I competitive Applicant? I live in a state with no Medical Schools (Maine), and if I could go anywhere, it'd be UT-San Antonio, because my S.O. is from Texas and wants to return to family. I've also been out there a few times and love the Texas vibe.

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[ThatcherChaudhry]

38 and nothing?

 

[gyngyn]

38 and nothing?

Have you made a list? Your gpa is ok and your last MCAT is good.
Many of us average multiple MCAT scores.
TX has more IS preference than any other state with a statute that requires at least 90% IS matriculants for public schools.

 

[ThatcherChaudhry]

Have you made a list? Your gpa is ok and your last MCAT is good.
Many of us average multiple MCAT scores.
TX has more IS preference than any other state with a statute that requires at least 90% IS matriculants for public schools.

So I shouldn't feel compelled to go for an SMP?

I have made a list of 35 MD programs, and 2 MD/PhD programs. All of the schools, other than the MD/PhD programs, have median GPA's that are close to mine (other than Duke, but, I love Duke hah).

I'm just really worried about my sGPA. I don't know if that or the 3 MCATs is worse.

 

[Goro]

Apply this summer. Your GPAs are fine.

Question #1: Should I apply this summer, or enroll in an SMP or do a DIY post-bacc to raise my cGPA/sGPA before application?

NO. Bring it up ONLY if asked. You probably will be asked about the 3 MCATs. Just be honest.
Question #2: Should I mention my depression or break-up in essays or interviews? I feel like it sounds...childish and cowardly.

Nope.
Question #3: Should I wait to apply and work as a teacher for a year to show adcoms I have work experience?

Yes. keep in mind that the average MD acceptee has a 3.6 GPA. The avg. MCAT is 31. But forget TX...they're heavily IS-biased.

You will need to do your homework and find out what schools take the most recent MCAT, and don't average (like mine...but a 35 is nothing to sneeze at). MSAR Online is your friend. Target schools whose median numbers are closest to your own.

 

[ThatcherChaudhry]

Apply this summer. Your GPAs are fine.

Question #1: Should I apply this summer, or enroll in an SMP or do a DIY post-bacc to raise my cGPA/sGPA before application?

NO. Bring it up ONLY if asked. You probably will be asked about the 3 MCATs. Just be honest.
Question #2: Should I mention my depression or break-up in essays or interviews? I feel like it sounds...childish and cowardly.

Nope.
Question #3: Should I wait to apply and work as a teacher for a year to show adcoms I have work experience?

Yes. keep in mind that the average MD acceptee has a 3.6 GPA. The avg. MCAT is 31. But forget TX...they're heavily IS-biased.

You will need to do your homework and find out what schools take the most recent MCAT, and don't average (like mine...but a 35 is nothing to sneeze at). MSAR Online is your friend. Target schools whose median numbers are closest to your own.

@Goro Thanks for the advice. How would I go about figuring out which schools average and which don't? Like your school, do you all advertise on your websites and over the phone that you average? Should I manually call every school or is that available on MSAR?

Thanks!

 

[gyngyn]

So I shouldn't feel compelled to go for an SMP?

I have made a list of 35 MD programs, and 2 MD/PhD programs. All of the schools, other than the MD/PhD programs, have median GPA's that are close to mine (other than Duke, but, I love Duke hah).

I'm just really worried about my sGPA. I don't know if that or the 3 MCATs is worse.

I don't think an SMP is indicated.
What are you using as your MCAT to choose schools?

 

[ThatcherChaudhry]

I don't think an SMP is indicated.
What are you using as your MCAT to choose schools?

I'm using a 35. I'm not trying to apply to any schools that publicly say they average and I've only found around 5 schools that do that from scouring SDN. Also, there's about a year between my first 2 MCAT attempts and my 35, so I hope adcoms take that into consideration.

 

[gyngyn]

I'm using a 35. I'm not trying to apply to any schools that publicly say they average and I've only found around 5 schools that do that from scouring SDN. Also, there's about a year between my first 2 MCAT attempts and my 35, so I hope adcoms take that into consideration.

You should expect that all schools are going to idiosyncratically evaluate your multiple scores. Your perceived score is going to be somewhat less than your best score no matter what the official stance on multiple MCAT's is.
My school and many others will "holistically" consider your MCAT to be about 31, I'm afraid.
You will still be a good candidate as long as you shoot for the right target schools, though.
Some reach schools where your best MCAT is the median is fine as long as the majority are a bit lower.

 

[ThatcherChaudhry]

You should expect that all schools are going to idiosyncratically evaluate your multiple scores. Your perceived score is going to be somewhat less than your best score no matter what the official stance on multiple MCAT's is.
My school and many others will "holistically" consider your MCAT to be about 31, I'm afraid.
You will still be a good candidate as long as you shoot for the right target schools, though.
Some reach schools where your best MCAT is the median is fine as long as the majority are a bit lower.

Really? I'm curious as to how you came upon a 31, as the average is a lot lower.

Also, I called up schools like UVA and Tech and they were adamant in telling me the most recent score is judged, would individual committee members do otherwise?

 

[gyngyn]

Really? I'm curious as to how you came upon a 31, as the average is a lot lower.

Also, I called up schools like UVA and Tech and they were adamant in telling me the most recent score is judged, would individual committee members do otherwise?

Individual evaluators (of which there are many) will view multiple scores very differently.
There is no way to make them hold any particular party line, though the recommended interpretation by the developers of the test is to average scores. This is considered best practice.

If a school accepts you they will be motivated to include the highest score as their chosen metric. They are also likely to give this as their methodology when asked, as it increases their applicant pool.

At our school, we would be likely to see the first two attempts as poor preparation followed by bad judgement. We can't know which person is going to show up. The one who prepares badly, shows weak judgement or the one that requires three tries and a few years to achieve the desired score. No matter which one it is, it's not the same as the one that got it right the first time.

There are many schools where you will be considered a good candidate. You just need to identify them.

 

[midweststudent1]

Goro and gyngyn have good advice. A 35 is a great score and you should be proud of it--it's going to get you into medical school somewhere. But, I wouldn't apply to too many schools with that as their average, as your GPA will probably be below their average. Apply broadly to some of the privates there in the NE and also consider the DO schools up there, or anywhere for that matter. You would probably be a lock for most of them, and places like PCOM and UNECOM have great match lists.

And apply early!! You'll be golden. Good luck!

 

[Goro]

You have to call up the Admissions Deans and ask.

@Goro Thanks for the advice. How would I go about figuring out which schools average and which don't? Like your school, do you all advertise on your websites and over the phone that you average? Should I manually call every school or is that available on MSAR?

Thanks!

 

[ThatcherChaudhry]

You have to call up the Admissions Deans and ask.

Awesome, thanks for the advice. Btw, is that your cat? I just got an exotic shorthair I'm slightly obsessed with!

 

[Goro]

My daughter's actually. Mine is anti-social.

Awesome, thanks for the advice. Btw, is that your cat? I just got an exotic shorthair I'm slightly obsessed with!

 

[Stlblues17]

My daughter's actually. Mine is anti-social.

My daughter wants a cat. She is 2, I told her no.

 

[Faha]

You would be very competitive for your Maine DO school so definitely apply there. Because of the uncertainty of how admissions committees will view your multiple MCAT scores I suggest applying to many private schools where an average MCAT in the low 30's would be considered. So consider Quinnipiac, Hofstra, New York Medical College, Albany, Drexel, Temple, Jefferson, Commonwealth (PA), GW, Georgetown, Wake Forest, Oakland Beaumont, Western Michigan, Rosalind Franklin, Loyola, Rush, St. Louis, Creighton, Tulane and any new medical schools that open up in 2016. You should receive some interviews from that group. Also Tufts and BU would be worth applying to as they may have some regional preference.

 

[Omppu27]

My daughter's actually. Mine is anti-social.

That cat always freaks me out with its glowing eyes...

 

[Goro]

The cat is very loving and affectionate!

That cat always freaks me out with its glowing eyes...