Need Advice for Application

[mgitms786]

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Currently a Junior:

Major: Biology
Minor: Psychology

Overall GPA: 3.68
BCPM GPA: 3.48

Experience:
EMT-B, 70 hours volunteering as nurse at community clinic
100 Hours shadowing
35 hours volunteering at nursing home

Clubs:
AMSA for 2 years
Other volunteer clubs

Took Kaplan course, plan on taking MCAT this summer and getting 30+

I understand my GPA is low, and I could use more clinical hours. My concern is that I haven't done any research so far. I have a position to do research 2nd semester of senior year but I am worried if I apply this cycle, I will not be able to put it on my application. There is a good chance that I will have to reapply because of my GPA. Is it bad if I try this semester anyways and reapply if I don't get in? And can I put down any activities I do senior year for my applications?

Any advice is appreciated!
Thanks.

 

[medicalman123]

Your GPA is fine. It's average, if not above average for MD acceptances. You need to really focus on scoring a 30 or above on the MCAT with a fairly balanced distribution (nothing lower than a 9). In terms of research, it's very important and although you may not be able to put it on your app, it's something you can talk about during interviews which is huge. What state are you from?

 

[mgitms786]

Okay, I think I am going to go ahead and do the research then! And I am from Illinois. Thanks for your advice!

 

[Missamoora]

Your GPA is not terribly bad. I know that sometimes even people have a GPA on the lower end (3.2 or 3.3),they may have a shot at getting in by having a high MCAT score and really good E.C`s. It may be a bit late now but maybe getting any sort of work experience other than volunteering at a hospital. Have you ever had a job? Getting any kind of job where you are interacting with patients would help. Research would definitively be a good one. I don`t think its bad that your applying now and then reapplying if you don`t get it.

You could apply to DO schools! You probably would be able to get in.
Do you have any other E.C or long term-work experiences, leadership experiences, anything that was meaningful that you could talk about in your interview?

Because imagine if you were an ADCOM and your going through thousands of applications and they had all volunteer experience on there. Doing research would help you to stand out a bit!

You have a decent shot. Good Luck!