Need to be Chanced for Med school

[deleted601349]

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Hello all,

I am very interested in med school, I have a a few schools in mind. Harvard, Vanderbilt, U of Miami, USUHS, and UF. I ranked them from dream school to reality.

I have 3.25 g.p.a undergrad Economics/ 3.89 pre-med post-bacc gpa

MCAT 38

2 year clinical research and shadowing Cardiovascular Surgery

5 letters of recommendation from ( Director and Founder of Cardiovascular surgery of 2 U.S Ranked top 15 hospitals, CEO and President of a top 10 U.S ranked hospital, Chief Surgeons, Lieutenant Colonel of Air Force)

Have 2 published research works alongside the Director and Founder of Cardiovascular Surgery( Harvard Medical School Alumni)

Underrepresented Minority

Fluent in 5 languages.

what are my chance in going in to Harvard first round.

 

[supermintyfresh]

The 10th percentile of Harvard's accepted GPA range according to MSAR is 3.71. I feel that your low undergrad GPA is the only setback. I think you have very good chances at the other schools though due to your stellar MCAT, EC's and URM status. Best of luck

 

[Spinach Dip]

Assuming you aren't auto-filtered for the GPA, I think you stand a good chance at any school in the country.

 

[knv2u]

What is your GPA all together including the post bac? I could see the GPA potentially being an issue for you.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Good application, but I don't think it screams Harvard. You are missing volunteering and leadership.

 

[Spinach Dip]

Good application, but I don't think it screams Harvard. You are missing volunteering and leadership.

38 MCAT
2 years research
5 amazing LoRs
URM
speaks 5 languages

but rejected because no volunteer experience?

Excuse me while I go bash my head against the wall.

 

[terp720]

38 MCAT
2 years research
5 amazing LoRs
URM
speaks 5 languages

but rejected because no volunteer experience?

Excuse me while I go bash my head against the wall.

or because LOR requirements were not met.

Serious question though, because these LORs sound like they could be great, but if they don't meet Harvard's LOR requirements, is it just ignored because the letters are great or is it seen as though OP didn't follow the directions?
(unless those people are your science and non-science professors and all your research supervisors, which is great)

 

[deleted601349]

What is your GPA all together including the post bac? I could see the GPA potentially being an issue for you.

My gpa all together is a 3.33

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

or because LOR requirements were not met.

Serious question though, because these LORs sound like they could be great, but if they don't meet Harvard's LOR requirements, is it just ignored because the letters are great or is it seen as though OP didn't follow the directions?
(unless those people are your science and non-science professors and all your research supervisors, which is great)

It's Harvard. Any misstep can be fatal. We're talking about the most elite applications around the world going to Harvard Med.

38 MCAT
2 years research
5 amazing LoRs
URM
speaks 5 languages

but rejected because no volunteer experience?

Excuse me while I go bash my head against the wall.

Yes, the MCAT is great, and I don't think anyone would doubt your ability to succeed in medicine. However, your application doesn't say medical student at all. If you were applying for a PhD, I'd say people would jump hoops to get you, but you have not shown any altruism, medical or non-medical. You also haven't shown any leadership, which is what Harvard and top schools like that search for in candidates. I'm not saying your application won't find success in the cycle. You will at many programs, but you're asking for the upper echelon. Besides, your cumulative GPA is going to hurt you. They have enough kids that have never made mistakes.

Lets play the comparison game for a little bit. OP vs me. This is what I have: URM, 3.7 PB w/3.2 cGPA at the end when undergrad is factored in. I speak 3 languages. 2 years of volunteer work in medical and non-medical settings. 2 years of tutoring. 3 years research experience between 2 top schools generating 3 international poster presentations, one powerpoint presentation, one publication, one submitted manuscript, 2 letters from top faculty (+5 letters from other faculty and physicians), 1 year medical work experience, I play an instrument, 2 years leadership at a club I started. Now for fairness I do have 10 points less on the MCAT and did PB at a CC. I'm going to DO school. Now think about it. You don't think there's a young kid out there that can combo the best of our applications? I sure do. This is a good time to start really evaluating where your app is strong before you lose money.

 

[crimsonkid85]

It's Harvard. Any misstep can be fatal. We're talking about the most elite applications around the world going to Harvard Med.

Yes, the MCAT is great, and I don't think anyone would doubt your ability to succeed in medicine. However, your application doesn't say medical student at all. If you were applying for a PhD, I'd say people would jump hoops to get you, but you have not shown any altruism, medical or non-medical. You also haven't shown any leadership, which is what Harvard and top schools like that search for in candidates. I'm not saying your application won't find success in the cycle. You will at many programs, but you're asking for the upper echelon. Besides, your cumulative GPA is going to hurt you. They have enough kids that have never made mistakes.

Lets play the comparison game for a little bit. OP vs me. This is what I have: URM, 3.7 PB w/3.2 cGPA at the end when undergrad is factored in. I speak 3 languages. 2 years of volunteer work in medical and non-medical settings. 2 years of tutoring. 3 years research experience between 2 top schools generating 3 international poster presentations, one powerpoint presentation, one publication, one submitted manuscript, 2 letters from top faculty (+5 letters from other faculty and physicians), 1 year medical work experience, I play an instrument, 2 years leadership at a club I started. Now for fairness I do have 10 points less on the MCAT and did PB at a CC. I'm going to DO school. Now think about it. You don't think there's a young kid out there that can combo the best of our applications? I sure do. This is a good time to start really evaluating where your app is strong before you lose money.

He has a fair shot, given his URM status. Otherwise, his application would be a joke.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

He has a fair shot, given his URM status. Otherwise, his application would be a joke.

I don't think so for Harvard. There are many qualified minorities.

 

[darkjedi]

Unfortunately your GPA precludes you from places like Harvard. A 3.3 is going to be incredibly difficult to overcome. Due to your disparate GPA and MCAT scores it's very likely that both top tiers and low tiers will snub you. Mid tiers is probably your best bet with a good number of safeties in your list. I would apply to at least 15 schools with your stats.

 

[knv2u]

My gpa all together is a 3.33

I'm still on the fence about your application. Every now and then there is an applicant with an exceptional extracurricular record that involves significant research experiences, and I have seen Harvard and similar schools go down to about 3.6 or so. URMs are also given leeway; however, I am not sure that they are going to give you that much leeway. This is one of those scenarios where I don't think anyone will be able to give you a good estimate of your chances. I would pay a $100 to roll the dice if I was in that situation.

 

[crimsonkid85]

everyone is so hard on the OP, lol. looks like for once i'm the nice guy.
look OP, you're definitely going to get interviewed. harvard interviews 1000 people/year for ~160NP slots and ~35hst slots.
harvard doesn't just look at stats. they look for 'types' of people. in other words, if you are a URM from Texas who majored in chemistry and wants to go into surgery, you have to hope that there is not another Texas URM who majored in chemistry who wants to go into surgery better than you. if there is, you're tough outta luck. basically, you will be his replacement on the waitlist. and unless he DIES or something, you won't get in.

 

[ThisCouldBeYou]

OP, you sound a bit too polished. Your MCAT is wonderful, and so is your research experience, but several key components are missing that could spell WL. Yes, you're an under-represented minority, but I think you may be counting on that to give you much more leeway than you realize. I'll start with your gpa. Your post-bacc is good, but with an UG gpa of 3.3 with an economics major, you probably have lots of holes in your transcript, as in W and Cs. And if you can get a 38 on your MCAT, why didn't you do better in UG? Do you have a "story" to explain? Then what's with your LoRs? Are those titles trying to impress us? If so, where are your professors who should be writing about you? That's what med schools are asking you to provide.

So my vote is: troll. Too many inconsistencies in your profile. Great research, MCAT, PB gpa, 5 languages, URM…. and … low UG gpa, NO leadership or volunteering and weird LoRs. (hint: you can't get a 38T in your MCATs btw.)

 

[knv2u]

(hint: you can't get a 38T in your MCATs btw.)

Yes you can, or at least you could prior to 2013 when the test included the writing section. It is not unusual to take the exam a year or two before applying.

 

[ThisCouldBeYou]

That's true. But when did he/she take the MCAT? Before doing the PB? I'm actually waiting for the OP to come back and refute my "troll" comment.

 

[deleted601349]

I know my application sounds inconsistent. I didn't do too good in undergrad due to family problems( my father), so I made it my priority to do great in the other areas. I do have LORs from a few science professors and assistant dean of the post bacc program at my university. As well a package from the pre-med committee. Not a troll, just someone seeking feedback.

That's true. But when did he/she take the MCAT? Before doing the PB? I'm actually waiting for the OP to come back and refute my "troll" comment.

ow

 

[deleted601349]

This is great thank you for your feedback.

It's Harvard. Any misstep can be fatal. We're talking about the most elite applications around the world going to Harvard Med.

Yes, the MCAT is great, and I don't think anyone would doubt your ability to succeed in medicine. However, your application doesn't say medical student at all. If you were applying for a PhD, I'd say people would jump hoops to get you, but you have not shown any altruism, medical or non-medical. You also haven't shown any leadership, which is what Harvard and top schools like that search for in candidates. I'm not saying your application won't find success in the cycle. You will at many programs, but you're asking for the upper echelon. Besides, your cumulative GPA is going to hurt you. They have enough kids that have never made mistakes.

Lets play the comparison game for a little bit. OP vs me. This is what I have: URM, 3.7 PB w/3.2 cGPA at the end when undergrad is factored in. I speak 3 languages. 2 years of volunteer work in medical and non-medical settings. 2 years of tutoring. 3 years research experience between 2 top schools generating 3 international poster presentations, one powerpoint presentation, one publication, one submitted manuscript, 2 letters from top faculty (+5 letters from other faculty and physicians), 1 year medical work experience, I play an instrument, 2 years leadership at a club I started. Now for fairness I do have 10 points less on the MCAT and did PB at a CC. I'm going to DO school. Now think about it. You don't think there's a young kid out there that can combo the best of our applications? I sure do. This is a good time to start really evaluating where your app is strong before you lose money.

 

[ThisCouldBeYou]

I know my application sounds inconsistent, I took my MCAT September 2012. I didn't do too good in undergrad to to my father passing, so I made it my priority to do great in the other areas. I do have LORs from a few science professors and assistant dean of the post bacc program at my university. As well a package from the pre-med committee.

Okay, now your profile looks more complete. Sorry about your dad, but since that is certainly a factor as to why your grades aren't so steller in UG, you should be sure to add that explanation. And it helps to know you'll have those profs'. LoRs. My guess, I'm not so sure Harvard med school would be falling over backwards when they get those big names. To paraphrase Goro, HMS or any med school wants to accept applicants who'll be successful in med school, not just the good test takers (or in your case, not someone just because he/she is URM and knows Hospital presidents).

 

[deleted601349]

Okay, now your profile looks more complete. Sorry about your dad, but since that is certainly a factor as to why your grades aren't so steller in UG, you should be sure to add that explanation. And it helps to know you'll have those profs'. LoRs. My guess, I'm not so sure Harvard med school would be falling over backwards when they get those big names. To paraphrase Goro, HMS or any med school wants to accept applicants who'll be successful in med school, not just the good test takers (or in your case, not someone just because he/she is URM and knows Hospital presidents).

What do you suggest i do to be more competitive?

 

[V5RED]

Hello all,

I am very interested in med school, I have a a few schools in mind. Harvard, Vanderbilt, U of Miami, USUHS, and UF. I ranked them from dream school to reality.

I have 3.25 g.p.a undergrad Economics/ 3.89 pre-med post-bacc gpa

MCAT 38T

2 year clinical research and shadowing Cardiovascular Surgery

5 letters of recommendation from ( Director and Founder of Cardiovascular surgery of 2 U.S Ranked top 15 hospitals, CEO and President of a top 10 U.S ranked hospital, Chief Surgeons, Lieutenant Colonel of Air Force)

Have 2 published research works alongside the Director and Founder of Cardiovascular Surgery( Harvard Medical School Alumni)

Underrepresented Minority

Fluent in 5 languages.

what are my chance in going in to Harvard first round.

Are you actually planning to apply without any clinical/nonclinical volunteering experience or any experience working(not shadowing) in a hospital or was this an accidental omission?

 

[Ismet]

Moving to WAMC