Looking for Input

[Hrodgar]

Im looking for people to rate me and to give advice. The following is my breakdown. It takes into consideration where I think I will be at the time of application (Ive estimated grades for this sem). Im looking to apply in the upcoming cycle. It's a long post. Pick and choose. My questions are in bold. Thanks for your time.

3rd year Microbiology and Immunology
cGPA: 3.46
BCPM: 3.40

I realize that my GPA is low. Am I more than 1 standard deviation below the median? (assuming its around 3.7)

Also, the following is my breakdown by semester:

Freshman Fall: 3.57
Freshman Winter: 2.90

Freshman Winter I took 18 credits, and it was a mistake. I got sick during my final schedule and had to defer my stats exam till after summer. I got a D. This was due to outside factors. I retook the class and got an A. I am getting a LOR from my second statistics professor who knows me well, and can probably attest to the fact that I didn't fail because I couldn't handle the material.

Sophmore Fall:2.98 (This was a bad semester for personal reasons.)
Sophmore Winter: 3.74

Junior Fall: 3.6-3.7 (All my grades havent come out)
Junior Winter: Well, Im aiming for a 4.0. Although I dont have a track record to back this up, it is more possible for various reasons.

Does my record constitute a significant upward trend? In general, how (if) do adcoms consider poor semesters if there is an explanation?

I have not taken the MCAT yet. I am aiming for 35+ to compensate for my GPA. I am taking a course.

ECs:
8 months of cumulative research experience at a hospital. (4 months clinical project and 4 months basic science project over the last 2 summers)
I submitted an abstract to the journal Gastro as first author for the clinical project this December after continuing to work on it throughout. I might get 1 or 2 second or third authorships for my involvement.

around 30 hrs of OR shadowing. Ive seen a lot of different surgeries. (Surgery is a big interest of mine)

Should I talk about my interest in surgery?

around 80 hours volunteering (at time of app) at a hospital geriatrics dept spread over the past 2 years.

Intramural Soccer (3 yrs)

Table Tennis Club VP (3 yrs)
Chess Club VP (3 yrs)
(Soon to be president of both)

I am capable of garnering up to 3 LORS from the surgeons and labs Ive been a part. Is this overkill?

Again, thanks for your time.

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[chessknt]

While it shouldnt be a focus point of your PS persay, your interest in surgery could come up there, in secondaries, and during interviews PROVIDED that you can demonstrate an understanding of it and a good reason as to why which is sort of difficult from just watching I think but I could be wrong.

 

[Mobius1985]

Personally, I think it is not necessary or desirable to mention an interest in a certain medical specialty, as adcomms know that 80% change their minds during med school, and there is more of a push to produce primary care docs than specialists these days.

Having a good explanation for a poor GPA is fine, but it doesn't excuse you from redeeming it.

The mean acceptee GPA is 3.66. Granted that a spectacular MCAT could compensate for a low GPA if the rest of the application is superb, but you will have only 1.5 years of rising GPA trend (seems to me, two is preferred, and you aren't pulling straight As, though I do congratulate yoiu on the recovery you have made so far). You will have less than the average amount of research experience by this coming summer (though having publications is a big plus) and your clinical experience is a bit thin. The only leadership you have so far is VP of a club. Can you convincingly write an essay about how you were a leader in this position?

If I were you, I'd strongly consider applying after another year of building your ECs to make them stronger and raising your GPA further.

None of my schools requested a physician LOR, so I didn't acquire one. Having one on tap, just in case you need it is a good idea, but three does seem like overkill. Having a letter from the person directing your research effort is considered necessary.

 

[Hrodgar]

Thanks for your input.

I could probably get my volunteering up to 100 hours if that would make a difference.

Additionally, this summer Im trying to get a PA position at a hospital. Its an internship type thing.

In terms of my trend, Im thinking that if I do well senior year fall I would have the 2 years of improvement (and could update schools with this).

Barring anything getting in the way of my plans, I will probably try to apply this cycle because I don't want to take a gap year if I can help it.

Im thinking of about 14 middle tier schools (avg median gpa around 3.6). Does this seem unreasonable?

 

[Mobius1985]

Im thinking of about 14 middle tier schools (avg median gpa around 3.6). Does this seem unreasonable?

It would be easier to advise you after the MCAT score is in, but 6 of the lesser-selectivity schools added to your list would enhance your chances considerably.

An average amount of listed clinical experience is about 150 hours, so certainly getting closer to that number by application time is desirable.

 

[Hrodgar]

As a Massachusetts resident I would be really happy at UMass. Is there any specific advice based on this?

Also, I know major and school dont account for much but Im at a highly ranked school and have only taken 3 non science courses. In fact, Ive taken all of the subjects that are found in the first 2 years of med school and done well (B+ or higher): Genetics, 2 sems Biochem, Virology, Microbio, Immunology, Cell biology, anatomy, pathology...

Are factors like this able to push me over in an adcoms mind? or is it pretty standard to not really consider classes taken?

Also, my research was 8 months straight (It was on a volunteer basis but I treated it like a job: 9-5) and I continued to work on the research during the school year. I taught myself regression analysis and other statistics to do the project during the sem.

I understand why gpa is considered the most important criterium and I agree with the reasoning. However, can the things I have described be considered compensatory?

Finally, there are concrete reasons for the 2 semesters in which I didnt do well. How do I go about explaining these without sounding like Im making excuses? Which I guess I essentially am. I dont really like the whole situation, but its undeniable that the circumstances affected my performances.

 

[Mobius1985]

It's impossible to give you a reassuring generalization that would be true for all schools. But most commonly, schools have thousands of applications to sort through, and few will look at more than your numbers until you pass the cut. After that they might appreciate the intensity of your research experience, the density of upper-level science classes, and your explanation for your variable academic performance in the secondary essays (yes, most schools give an opportunity for explanations). Getting subpar grades while attending a highly-ranked school is not going to help you.

I'd consider UMass a very-selective school. If you want to go there, raise your GPA, or get an astounding MCAT score.