Low GPA, High MCAT, URM

[Forward51]

I will be applying this upcoming summer.

I am a black male (URM) at one of HYP

My stats are as follows:

cGPA: 3.2
sGPA: 3.1
MCAT: 525

Due to my low GPA, I will be attending an SMP program for the upcoming year.

Clinical Experience
- EMT
- Medical Scribe
- PCA
- Hospital, clinic, hospice volunteering (500+ hours)
- Medical outreach trip to Central America

Non-clinical volunteering
- Tutoring, soup kitchens, agency that helps homeless find employment/housing

Shadowing: 100+ hours

Research
- 1 year of neuro research during undergrad (1 poster)
- Public health summer internship in India
- A short clinical research experience

What are my chances for top 10/20 schools?

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[curbsideconsult]

I'd say they're really good. Is there an upward trend in your sGPA?

 

[Forward51]

I'd say they're really good. Is there an upward trend in your sGPA?

There was a slight downward trend early on, but a good upward trend to finish out

 

[878956]

Pretty good. The SMP is over kill to be honest.

Save yourself the money.

 

[curbsideconsult]

There was a slight downward trend early on, but a good upward trend to finish out

Do you even need an SMP? I'm sure the adcoms and more experienced SDNers will give you more accurate advice, but if your trend is 3.4/3.5 and higher each subsequent year, I don't see how you would be turned down for IIs applying this cycle.

 

[candbgirl]

Why are you doing a SMP? It’s very high risk and since you are applying at the same time you are enrolled it won’t help your application at all. I’d apply and continue your activities and see what happens. If you aren’t accepted then do a SMP and apply when you are finished with it. You need a broad list of schools. Congrats on the amazing MCAT.

 

[Dr. Meliodas]

You do not need to do an SMP save the money, and apply to medical school this cycle. That MCAT is beautiful and with the much needed perspective of your URM group you will have plenty of acceptances and offers to chose from even from top 20 schools. The top 10 schools are always a gamble no matter what your stats are but you have a decent chance at those as well. When you apply however, make sure to apply to mid tier schools as well - with the way the application process is nothing is guaranteed.

 

[Walter Raleigh]

It depends on the upward trend: does he have one, or not? A flat 3.2 starts to raise some serious doubts about his academic ability. The fact that he's URM and has such a high MCAT does give him lots of leeway, though.