Need Help Picking Schools to Apply to...

[yanks26dmb]

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I'm not sure how to gauge myself and where I should be applying...in other words, how high should I set my "reach" schools?

My cumulative GPA is lower than the 10th percentile for pretty much all schools; I have a 3.0 cGPA.
My sGPA is above median for most schools; I have a 3.7 sGPA
I'm taking the MCAT in June, lets just assume I pull a median score for most schools, i.e. 31-32.

My X-factors are non-trad, 4.0 post-bacc, serious upward trend (3.5 over my last 120 hrs), great EC's.

So basically, a ****ty freshman/half of soph year 11 years ago has put me in the cGPA hole I'm in. How do I gauge what's a reach, and where I may actually have a halfway decent shot of gaining an ii?

 

[Microglia]

I'm not sure how to gauge myself and where I should be applying...in other words, how high should I set my "reach" schools?

My cumulative GPA is lower than the 10th percentile for pretty much all schools; I have a 3.0 cGPA.
My sGPA is above median for most schools; I have a 3.7 sGPA
I'm taking the MCAT in June, lets just assume I pull a median score for most schools, i.e. 31-32.

My X-factors are non-trad, 4.0 post-bacc, serious upward trend (3.5 over my last 120 hrs), great EC's.

So basically, a ****** freshman/half of soph year 11 years ago has put me in the cGPA hole I'm in. How do I gauge what's a reach, and where I may actually have a halfway decent shot of gaining an ii?

Tough question. You want schools that don't autoscreen out a 3.0. Not sure which those are though..

 

[yanks26dmb]

Would it be prudent to simply email schools and straight up ask if they would autoscreen me out based on the above? Can I expect an honest answer?

 

[wiloghby]

Apply broadly and you should be able to get in somewhere. The context of your bad grades will be understood at many places, and your sGPA speaks for itself. An MCAT above a 33 would really help make your case, but I know that's not always attainable.

Just apply broadly to schools that have the lowest/widest GPA ranges in the MSAR that you would attend if accepted.. and apply to at least 20 schools. You should definitely get some IIs as long as you have some research experience and some good ECs.

 

[yanks26dmb]

I have zero research experience, but I do have entrepreneurial background, along with two successful start-ups, one of which is a non-profit providing health assessments to at risk and disadvantaged populations.

 

[gettheleadout]

Would it be prudent to simply email schools and straight up ask if they would autoscreen me out based on the above? Can I expect an honest answer?

I can't imagine it would hurt to try.

 

[SN12357]

I have zero research experience, but I do have entrepreneurial background, along with two successful start-ups, one of which is a non-profit providing health assessments to at risk and disadvantaged populations.

With a history of working with at risk populations you should target schools that particularly value public service and working with said populations. They will be the most likely to overlook your GPA if you are a particularly good fit with their mission.

You should also apply DO as well as MD with that GPA.