MD/DO or Post Bacc? cGPA 3.1 sGPA 3.0 URM in TX

[ninabina]

I'm planning to apply either in the 2021 or 2022 cycle depending on how much I need to repair my GPA.

I am a black female (URM). I'm also Hispanic and speak Spanish. Just graduated in 2019 from Emory.

My stats are as follows:

cGPA: 3.1
sGPA: 3.0
MCAT: 522 (130, 131, 130, 131)
WedgeDawg applicant score: 77

Lack of focus + personal and familial health issues in the beginning. But strong upward trend over the last year for both.

I'm planning on taking classes at the University of Houston (I'm from TX) for at least two semesters and possibly applying for a post bacc program either this or next cycle.

Clinical Experience:
- Volunteer AEMT (500+ hours, plus more to come once coronavirus stuff is over)
- Hospital, clinic, hospice volunteering (100+ hours, but from 4-5 years ago)

Non-clinical volunteering:
- Two medical internships in Thailand over the course of two years, with a leadership position the second year. I taught basic first aid and did a research project on Thai Traditional Medicine.
- Tutoring (particularly helping refugees with English)

Research:
- 2 years of neuroimmunology research during undergrad (1 poster and presentation)
- 4 months of public health/traditional medicine research in Thailand
- Also, thinking about working in a clinical research lab over the course of the next year? I'd appreciate thoughts on whether or not that would be helpful.

Shadowing: 50+ hours

I'm planning on applying to all the Texas State schools (including DO), and I've seen Goro's guide to reinvention and am planning to apply to many of the schools that they list there. Also curious about NY schools b/c I have family up there.

I'd really appreciate some help determining if I should take another couple of years to improve my GPA or if I should just go ahead and try my luck. For the record, I would definitely prefer to start med school earlier rather than later, but I'd rather apply to med school once if possible.


Thanks for your time!

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[Faha]

A year of classes at University of Houston would help if you are able to increase your cGPA and sGPA to 3.2 . The GPA-MCAT grid shows almost a 100% acceptance rate for black applicants with a GPA of 3.2 and a MCAT above 517.

 

[ninabina]

@Faha Oh wow. That's definitely a game-changer.

Would you mind pointing me to where you found that data? I've found the data looking at the median GPAs and MCAT scores for matriculants broken down by race, but not the grid!

 

[Faha]

It is in this section on the right under Sticky Threads- Success rates for applicants 2017 edition ( your MCAT is equivalent to the old 38). My actual data is from AMCAS but similar. The success rates are higher now since there are more medical school spots available since several new medical schools have opened in the previous 5 years.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I'm planning to apply either in the 2021 or 2022 cycle depending on how much I need to repair my GPA.

I am a black female (URM). I'm also Hispanic and speak Spanish. Just graduated in 2019 from Emory.

My stats are as follows:

cGPA: 3.1
sGPA: 3.0
MCAT: 522 (130, 131, 130, 131)
WedgeDawg applicant score: 77

Lack of focus + personal and familial health issues in the beginning. But strong upward trend over the last year for both.

I'm planning on taking classes at the University of Houston (I'm from TX) for at least two semesters and possibly applying for a post bacc program either this or next cycle.

Clinical Experience:
- Volunteer AEMT (500+ hours, plus more to come once coronavirus stuff is over)
- Hospital, clinic, hospice volunteering (100+ hours, but from 4-5 years ago)

Non-clinical volunteering:
- Two medical internships in Thailand over the course of two years, with a leadership position the second year. I taught basic first aid and did a research project on Thai Traditional Medicine.
- Tutoring (particularly helping refugees with English)

Research:
- 2 years of neuroimmunology research during undergrad (1 poster and presentation)
- 4 months of public health/traditional medicine research in Thailand
- Also, thinking about working in a clinical research lab over the course of the next year? I'd appreciate thoughts on whether or not that would be helpful.

Shadowing: 50+ hours

I'm planning on applying to all the Texas State schools (including DO), and I've seen Goro's guide to reinvention and am planning to apply to many of the schools that they list there. Also curious about NY schools b/c I have family up there.

I'd really appreciate some help determining if I should take another couple of years to improve my GPA or if I should just go ahead and try my luck. For the record, I would definitely prefer to start med school earlier rather than later, but I'd rather apply to med school once if possible.

Thanks for your time!

My question is on the non-clinical volunteering experience in Thailand... so it's not a medical mission trip? It has a little bit of research, but I'm just curious about that opportunity.

Were you ever a participant in any academic enrichment programs? As an Emory grad, you should have a strong committee letter. What was their advice about your application strategy? How about advisors at Houston? I do think that you have a good shot with an improved GPA to stay in Texas. Make sure you do some networking with the LMSA and SNMA chapters at all the Texas schools.

 

[ninabina]

My question is on the non-clinical volunteering experience in Thailand... so it's not a medical mission trip? It has a little bit of research, but I'm just curious about that opportunity.

Were you ever a participant in any academic enrichment programs? As an Emory grad, you should have a strong committee letter. What was their advice about your application strategy? How about advisors at Houston? I do think that you have a good shot with an improved GPA to stay in Texas. Make sure you do some networking with the LMSA and SNMA chapters at all the Texas schools.

Sorry for the lack of clarity about the Thai trip! It was an interesting set up in that it was essentially a completely open-ended internship. As interns, we were able to meet and speak with a community liaison at an NGO. Then, each person could create our own project. Some people taught English, others did video projects, etc. So my first year I decided to teach basic first aid at the NGO, and my second year my main project focused on collecting and studying traditionally used medicinal plants/herbs in the community.

In terms of academic enrichment-- I did an online program the summer before starting university that allowed me to start doing research early on in my undergrad career. I also met with a learning specialist that my school provided a few times, which definitely helped contribute to my upward trend. The general recommendation from Emory is to do a post bacc program. However, I've heard conflicting information from some community mentors in Houston (who are doctors that have apparently been on admission committees in the past) who believe that I should just apply now.

I will definitely look into LMSA and SNMA, thank you for the recommendation!