Lots of W's

[blarney]

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I have 17 W's.

I had family-related difficulties during college, I had to support a disabled family member. I worked 2 jobs throughout most of undergrad.

After graduation, the family situation resolved, and I went back and took 2 years of science classes, made a 4.0 on these with no W's.

cGPA at 3.45. sGPA at 3.72. MCAT at 32. 6 years as a paramedic. One year on the SGA in undergrad.

Chances?
Retake MCAT?
Abandon all hope?

Thanks...

 

[Mobius1985]

Of those applying through AMCAS for the last three years with your stats, 63.2% got an acceptance. Do not abandon hope.

Yes, you have more Ws than I've ever heard of on your transcript, but you have a good explanation, and the situation is resolved. The recent steep upward trend is in your favor. You have excellent clinical experience. I think you'll be excused a lack of community service early-on, due to the altruism exhibited by assisting a needful family member, but have you done anything recently? Research is desirable, but not required. Shadowing a doc, however briefly would be good to list. Do you have anything for leadership? With the lower GPA, it would help a lot if the rest of your application is as solid as possible. To enhance chances of an acceptance somewhere, apply to DO schools also..

 

[sling787]

Holy crap my school only allows 2 withdrawals per 60 credits.

I think with that many you will need a good explanation, which you do have, but it isn't as bad as getting C's or less in them. Again, you will need to explain it.

Your stats seem slightly below average, your MCAT is slightly above average but if you apply broadly, I'm sure you will get in somewhere.

Edit; NVM, you stats are actually pretty good, I think ADCOMS are mostly concerned with your science GPA which is pretty good.

 

[blarney]

I actually had to quit mid semester three times and start back later, this is where they came from.
As far as leadership, I did a year in the SGA in undergrad. I'm starting volunteering with the Make-A-Wish foundation soon.
Is this enough?
I go to a small regional school, not alot of research opportunities here, aside from maybe lending a hand to a prof's summer project. Virtually no chance of publication.

 

[Mobius1985]

SGA? Student Govenment Association? Wasn't sure what it meant.

Even a summer helping a prof would count as a "research Experience." Consider it, if you have the time. Make-A-Wish Foundation would be an excellent community service.

Get in some physician shadowing as well, unless this could reasonably be worked into your description of what you did as an EMT, and you're good to go.