low cGPA, average MCAT please advice

[farh33n]

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Hi,
I am planning to apply to medical school in the U.S and Carribbean as an International student. I am studying in Canada but I am not a resident.
So here are my grades....I already know my chances are low but I still want an opinion

cGPA=2.90
sGPA=2.79
MCAT= 28 Q (BS-10; PS-9; WS-9)

No biomedical research experience. However, I have loads of volunteer experiences in hospitals, clinical research, social science related fields etc.

What are my chances?
Should I even bother this year?
Do I have a chance in the carribean?

Please feel free to be brutal with your advice. I am really confused as to what I should do and time is running out.

Thanks!!

 

[Stratego]

As an international applicant applying to US allopathic med schools you'd have zero chance with your current stats. I don't know the requirements for Caribbean schools, but you can find more information in SDN's International Medicine>Caribbean Forum.

 

[bellakk]

I agree with the above post. Wait another year and hike up your stats. Its too late in the application process for people with excellent stats, let alone those below the minimum. Most americal medical schools require a 3.0 for applications. There are a couple DO schools that will take a 2.75, but its even hard for american students to get in w/o a 3.3

 

[roaming]

I agree. International students have it rough...about 1 - 5 seats per medical school. That's fighting the odds. I say take a post-bacc and fix that 2.9. If you get mostly A's in your post-bacc, it will help your GPA and show adcoms that you can handle harder science classes. Then, after the post-bacc, re-take the MCAT. The post-bacc will undoubtfully help you on the MCAT. Do not apply right now to allopathic. I know almost nothing about DO or carribean, but I believe DO will require a higher GPA.

 

[roaming]

Also, right now it's too late. I'd say this timeline:

Post-bac 1 year
Take MCAT summer after
Research/volunteer/work 1 year
Apply EARLY JUNE.

With low stats, it is even more important to apply as early as possible.

This timeline will force you to take 2 years off, but it will be worth the effort, I think. If you really want to be a doctor, I think this would be the best way to go.