My story...

[Redo]

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Hey guys,

I'll try not to bore you with details and keep it short and sweet.

I finished undergrad 5 years ago with a science gpa of ~2.0/4.0 and overall gpa of ~2.5/4.0. Long story short, my life was in choas for years struggling with severe depression (I'm talking suicidal) and living at home with a disfunctional family. I finished undergrad with a computer science degree, even though I was a bio major for the first 2.5 years of school.

Fast forward three years after completing undergrad, I started volunteering again at the same hospital from my premed days and I developed a burning desire to pursue med school. I retook all my premed classes as well as several upper level bio/biochem course at various 4 year public/private colleges in my area earning a 4.0 gpa while working an average of 50 hours per week. I did this over 3 years while earning an average course load of 20-25 credit per year. At the end of this, it brought up both my overall and science gpa to ~3.0/4.0.

After those three years, I enrolled in a 1-year/30 credit hour non-thesis MS program in molecular biology at a reputable private university, where I take my classes at night while working 50 or so hours a week. Currently I've got all A's and will complete the degree in May. I'm anticipating that I'll finish my MS with a 4.0 gpa.

Now, my question to you guys is...if I get an MCAT score of 30 or above coupled with the grades above, what are my chance in getting into med school?

By the way, I have over 5+ years of volunteer experience.

 

[Phil Anthropist]

Sounds like you've made an amazing recovery! 👍 I would definitely give it a shot. You may want to address the extenuating circumstances of your undergrad years in your personal statement (not to make excuses, but to address the problems you faced at the time and how you've turned your life around). You've got a perfect postbac gpa, you're on your way to a perfect grad gpa in a demanding program, you have plenty of volunteer experience, and you've overcome suicidal depression-- there will be medical schools that will give you a chance. I wish you luck!

By the way, any chance you're referring to Tulane's MS cell/molecular program?

 

[chopper]

I would also recommend putting in effort to really nail the MCAT. If you do just OK, alot of schools may not look 'past the numbers' and the progression of your grades. If you knock the MCAT out of the park, I think they ADCOMS are more likely to look closer at your package. And when they really delve in, I think they will be impressed.

This seemed to work for me - so/so grades (granted, I started at 3.0 instead of 2.0, but I didn't have as many post bacc classes as you) but a really good MCAT. I've been accepted to 2 schools so far.

 

[my alias]

A lot of us have been where you are, but no one on this board knows the answer to your question better than you. The best advice I got during my long and arduous pursuit of medical school was that if I want it badly enough, I'll find a way to may it happen. I did. If you can earn the grades you described, then I think you can find a way to make it happen too. Good luck.

 

[Redo]

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I really appreciate it. I can't begin to tell you what a long and hard fought struggle it's been for me over the years. Overcoming my problems has been, by far, the hardest part. Working 50+ hours a week while going to school almost fulltime and doing well in my classes has been a walk in the park for me compared to the hardships I had to plow through.

In the end, it has made me a much stronger person and I know I have something to offer as a physician. I just hope that adcoms will give me a chance.

By the way, after I finish my remaining classes, I'm going to take the next year to study for the MCAT in '06. I'm hoping that I can hit it out of the park.

thank you all.

 

[Redo]

Sounds like you've made an amazing recovery! 👍 I would definitely give it a shot. You may want to address the extenuating circumstances of your undergrad years in your personal statement (not to make excuses, but to address the problems you faced at the time and how you've turned your life around). You've got a perfect postbac gpa, you're on your way to a perfect grad gpa in a demanding program, you have plenty of volunteer experience, and you've overcome suicidal depression-- there will be medical schools that will give you a chance. I wish you luck!

By the way, any chance you're referring to Tulane's MS cell/molecular program?

Hey Phil,

I'm not in Tulane's program. Good luck to you too!

regards