On the Fence for MD

[kayserdw]

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[aSagacious]

Congrats on the solid post-bac effort. The sGPA (the more important of the GPAs) is very good, your MCAT is average for VCU and many other MD schools, and your ECs are good. Yes, you should try to shadow a few docs if at all possible.

I think you will do well this application cycle, both at VCU and many low-to-mid range MD schools.

 

[kayserdw]

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[Catalystik]

Graduated with a psychology degree (history minor) w a 3.35 GPA. Bad Freshman year (2.5gpa), but have strong upward trend.

Just finished premed postbacc in which I took all the required sciences that I didn't take during undergrad (BIO (2), CHEM (2), ORG (2), Calc and Phys). Because I didn't take any undergrad sciences, my postbacc and BCPM GPAs are both 3.85, and by cGPA has risen to a 3.44 w/ a 31 MCAT.

I have been a research assistant for two years (35 hrs/wk - 1 publication) at a graduate/medical school, working on a study in which I get significant clinical experience (take participants blood pressures, height, weight, communicate daily with daily, etc.) I was also the community service cooridinator of a 40 person organization in college for two years, in which I organized and participated in a variety of fundraising and community service events (very involved/community oriented leadership experience). I also played club soccer for a couple years in college, tutored kids at an elementary school (2 years).

I am a Virginia resident, and am shooting for VCU's MD program (I know they show some preference to in-state kids). My undergrad GPA is pretty low, but my BCPM/postbacc GPA is solid and it brought my cGPA up a decent amount. Is there anything else I can do to bolster my application? I would like to take a few more upper level BIO courses, but they ain't cheap. Should I do any physician shadowing? How would I stand if I applied next cycle?

Your ECs look pretty good, but I would definitely plan to get in some formal shadowing time. It's fine if this is "last minute". Try to get in at least the average of 50 hours split among a few types of doc including primary care.

I could be more confidently reassuring about your chances were your MCAT score a bit higher, say a 33. Your strong recent grades are nice to see, an adcomm would likely be more reassured at seeing similar grades in additional upper-level Bio classes and Biochem. Against the possibility of an unsuccessful application cycle, unless you plan to include some DO schools, I strongly suggest you continue taking postbac courses through the application cycle, sending in grade updates in case adcomms are on the cusp regarding your application.

Since you specifically wish to target a favored school, you might consider calling to make an appointment with a VCU dean (in person or on the phone) to discuss your application and ask what you can do to become more competitive. More feedback about your GPA issues could be immensely reassuring, or could tell you that an application at this time would be premature.

In general terms, if you apply broadly to 15-20 MD schools, say, with a 3.44/31, AAMC stats grid extrapolations suggest that your chances would be 38%. With an MCAT score of 33, 48%, and with a 35, perhaps 55%. Good ECs, a recent steep upward grade trend, and possibly unnamed moderating factors improve those odds, but to what extent would be a guess.