Low GPA, okay MCAT. Should I wait another year?

[ieatvegetables]

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Sorry for starting another "chances" thread, but I really would appreciate the feedback!

Senior at top university
3.3 cGPA
3.0 sGPA
35 MCAT (retaken from 32)

4 years (2000+ hours) volunteering as an EMT
2 months shadowing
3 years research (2 publications)

I plan on taking classes to boost my GPA the summer and fall after graduation. Should I apply this cycle (taking one gap year), or wait another cycle (2015, two gap years)? I understand my GPA is weak, but I'm aiming for schools such as Drexel and Temple. Would being a PA resident help my chances?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Juan Solo]

Is there an upward trend in your GPA? Also how did you do in your pre req science courses? Is it similar to your averaged science GPA?

 

[Silverflash]

Congrats on the MCAT score, that's excellent. I fear that your GPA will keep you out of most med schools though. If you have a strong upward trend you *might* be able to get in somewhere with that MCAT, but even then it's a but iffy. I'd recommend a post-bacc or SMP to bring that GPA up.

 

[cosbiker]

I

 

[Goro]

You're fine for any DO program, but no chance for any MD. Your GPAs are way below avg, even for Drexel (avg 3.6) or Temple (3.7). Your stellar MCAT will not make up for the low GPAs.

Sorry for starting another "chances" thread, but I really would appreciate the feedback!

Senior at top university
3.3 cGPA
3.0 sGPA
35 MCAT (retaken from 32)

4 years (2000+ hours) volunteering as an EMT
2 months shadowing
3 years research (2 publications)

I plan on taking classes to boost my GPA the summer and fall after graduation. Should I apply this cycle (taking one gap year), or wait another cycle (2015, two gap years)? I understand my GPA is weak, but I'm aiming for schools such as Drexel and Temple. Would being a PA resident help my chances?

Thanks for the help!

 

[skais595]

I have taken my MCAT last year and got a score of 30Q
My cumulative GPA is 3.3 and I shall be graduating this year with a bachelors degree in Biology and minor in Chemistry and Medical Anthropology.
My BPCM GPA is 3.2.

I have a lot of research experience in the last 4 years and have been published twice. I volunteer at the hospital and have shadowed doctors.

I know my GPA and MCAT score is low therefore perhaps I should not even try applying to any medical schools this year. I am planning on retaking my MCAT this year once again.

What I would like advise is that what should I do during this one year? Should I enroll for a masters program, or continue doing research which I am getting a good opportunity? I would like to apply to med schools next year in 2014. What would look good on my application? Also, since i would have graduated from college what recommendation letters would be good besides my research mentor? Would my undergrad instructors still be good to write the rec letters or would they? I am totally new to this process and am a first generation college student from my family. I would sincerely be grateful for any advise. I am a US citizen. Thanks

You should start your own thread.

 

[xffan624]

Sorry for starting another "chances" thread, but I really would appreciate the feedback!

Senior at top university
3.3 cGPA
3.0 sGPA
35 MCAT (retaken from 32)

4 years (2000+ hours) volunteering as an EMT
2 months shadowing
3 years research (2 publications)

I plan on taking classes to boost my GPA the summer and fall after graduation. Should I apply this cycle (taking one gap year), or wait another cycle (2015, two gap years)? I understand my GPA is weak, but I'm aiming for schools such as Drexel and Temple. Would being a PA resident help my chances?

Thanks for the help!

I would try USF Select. They seem to give some leeway with lower GPA if you have good EC's that demonstrate leadership capabilities (My GPA and MCAT were comparable to yours and I just got accepted).

The PA resident will be a bonus for that despite it being a Florida school as the second half of the program is in PA.

Post bacc could help or perhaps just redo some of the pre-reqs you did the worst in at a CC.

 

[SixStringPsych]

You're fine for any DO program, but no chance for any MD. Your GPAs are way below avg, even for Drexel (avg 3.6) or Temple (3.7). Your stellar MCAT will not make up for the low GPAs.

I know you're an admissions officer Goro, but I wouldn't say OP has no chance for MD. It's a slim chance, but his GPAs fall within the 10th percentile at a handful of low tier MD schools like Tulane, Albany, etc according to the MSAR and his MCAT is above average.