Low MCAT but Unique Story

[ftslboy]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I graduated with a 3.57 GPA.. I took the MCAT and scored 17N, (7B, 6P, 4V). I retook it and scored 25Q (11P, 8B, 6V). I am an underrepresented minority and I am originally from Africa. I moved to the states four years ago and enrolled in college soon after i arrived. I have won several awards and honors.. I am cofounder, and deputy executive director for a student-led international non-profit organization and I have worked on several projects in Africa. I recently completed two projects through a 10 weeks summer volunteer project in Africa through my organization. The projects involved serving the underserved in health and education. I also completed three scientific research projects in undergrad and I am currently pursing research at NIH through a very prestigious postbac program. I worked full-time throughout my undergraduate years and I was an assistant manager at my job. I have shadowed a physician for about 200+ hours.. I have pretty strong letters of reccommendations and I have just submitted my secondary applications. I will like to get your advice on my chances of getting into medical schools. Please note that i came from an economically and medically disadvantaged background. Any thoughts?

 

[J ROD]

URM may give you a shot with all those ECs.

In-state would be your best shot. I know URMs that have gotten in with 24 MCATs.

DO would be another option...

 

[Stratego]

I agree with J DUB, provided you are a permanent resident of the US and not applying as an international applicant. That verbal of 6 may hurt you unless English is your second language (and maybe even then). The shadowing looks good (hopefully of US physicians), but you haven't really specified your clinical experience. If it soley consists of those two ten week projects, that may not be enough. Your leadership, research, and shadowing appear particularly strong. Congrats of the excellent MCAT improvement and maintaining a decent GPA despite all your challenges.

 

[J ROD]

I agree with J DUB, provided you are a permanent resident of the US and not applying as an international applicant. That verbal of 6 may hurt you unless English is your second language (and maybe even then). The shadowing looks good (hopefully of US physicians), but you haven't really specified your clinical experience. If it soley consists of those two ten week projects, that may not be enough. Your leadership, research, and shadowing appear particularly strong. Congrats of the excellent MCAT improvement and maintaining a decent GPA despite all your challenges.

I agree you need the other things Stratego mentioned too!!

I just assumed English was your second language....

 

[ftslboy]

yes, english is a second language for me and my shadowing experience is totally different from my summer projects..I am a permanent resident.

 

[Stratego]

What exactly is your clinical experience (not including the shadowing)?

 

[InanelyHighNut]

I hope you get in. You have great ECs.

The process is hard enough for me already, and I was born here. 🙂

 

[J ROD]

yes, english is a second language for me and my shadowing experience is totally different from my summer projects..I am a permanent resident.

More good news for you!! Talk to some schools and see what they say too!!

 

[caseofthemndays]

Wow, amazing. I'm rooting for you and I think you will get in somewhere!! You might want to check out Howard, Meharry and Morehouse. Exhaust all options before going DO just because I am not sure about working overseas with a DO degree, and it sounds like that is something you may be concerned about. GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[J ROD]

Wow, amazing. I'm rooting for you and I think you will get in somewhere!! You might want to check out Howard, Meharry and Morehouse. Exhaust all options before going DO just because I am not sure about working overseas with a DO degree, and it sounds like that is something you may be concerned about. GOOD LUCK!!!

Yeah, def put down the three historically black colleges!! 🙂

 

[neuro raqs]

An amazing story! I'm going to say that the fact that you are from Africa and have taken a leadership role in working in Africa could help you greatly. At one of my interviews the Dean or director of diversity said that the main reason that urm status is important is because studies have shown that urm doctors are the most likely to go back to their communities and serve them. It is also well known that many countries in Africa have extreme shortages of physicians. Since you have shown interest in serving your community, you could be a really attractive candidate for this reason.

Maybe in your essays you can stress your commitment to serving communities in Africa. Just a thought. Good luck!

 

[flip26]

I think you should contact several med schools in advance of the app cycle - go talk to the admissions director, or a dean of admissions - so that they will be on the lookout for your app and not allow it to be screened out by computers, etc.

 

[ftslboy]

I think everyone has been positive so far...I will keep my fingers crossed...

 

[musafirah]

you're a shoe-in for D.O. most definitely!
for MD its hard to be sure but you have some chance.

 

[riverjib]

I agree with those who encouraged you to apply to traditionally black colleges. But I think that with your experience, the numbers game won't apply to you in the way it does to other applicants. If you look at the admissions stats to even the best med schools, most applicants hover pretty closely to the "average" of that school, whether it's a 30, a 32, or a 37. There are a select few who were well under 30, but demonstrated that they had so much more to offer. IMO, you fall into that category. Good luck!!