opinions welcome

[hikerfan]

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Just wanted some input on how my overall application looks relative to potential acceptance to med school. I know the AMCAS stats but am looking for input regarding the overall application. Thanks

BCMP 3.47
overall 3.47
upward trend 3.0, 3.4, 3.6, 3.8

MCAT 31R

May 09 graduate with double major in neuroscience and bio

Semester abroad Junior year 4.0 but doesn't count in above GPA's - received honors award for international students

Varsity Lacrosse 2 years until back surgery
Math tutor
Research 1 year neuroscience with presentation at conference
Volunteer tax advice to local community (formal program)
One semester one on one clinical experience at nursing home
I semester volunteer work at organic farm providing research assistance
Currently doing one year of bio research and hospital volunteer in cancer ward 10 hours per week- will continue all year
32 hours shadowing - 4 different specialties both hospital based and private practice based

 

[Stratego]

I won't comment on the stats as you have a tool that gives you a realistic approximation of your chances on that basis for MD schools.

If you are applying this cycle, I'd have concerns about the sparse clinical experience. Your other ECs look fine. Waiting a year so that all the proposed additions are also on your application would greatly strengthen your candidacy, not just in the clinical experience realm, but also by getting your research experience above average.

Why didn't your semester abroad count? If the credits were transferred to your home school and accepted, they'd be on your transcript and thus accepted by AMCAS. If you got As, that would be a good thing. If not, then it's all to the better.

Any plans for additional post-bac work to raise the cGPA further?

 

[Anesthetic]

Im also confused at why your abroad education wouldnt count for AMCAS... If you completed coursework for your major then it should count in your GPA.

Your stats look alright, a little bump in your GPA would be awesome this semester. Your research experience doesnt look bad, seems like you have more than most anyways. More clinical experience is always a plus, shows you really are willing to give your time for medicine.

 

[hikerfan]

My school counts the credits for the study abroad but lists them on the transcript with no grade assigned. It hurts because I got the equivalent of a 4.0 for the semester. I have mentioned this in my application.

Thanks for the input.

 

[camaras2480]

My school counts the credits for the study abroad but lists them on the transcript with no grade assigned. It hurts because I got the equivalent of a 4.0 for the semester. I have mentioned this in my application.

Thanks for the input.

What a stupid system. Why bother sending students abroad if you won't accept their grades? 👎

 

[Anesthetic]

yea thats ******ed, what a waste of semester. well maybe AMCAS will look at it differently? If you school wont give you a letter grade, but you did the work then it has to be worth something more than just a line on your application

 

[whimsical]

What a stupid system. Why bother sending students abroad if you won't accept their grades? 👎

You mean most schools don't do that? Mine has the same system, depending on the program.

 

[camaras2480]

You mean most schools don't do that? Mine has the same system, depending on the program.

Yeah, almost all schools accept the foreign grades. Study abroad programs are established based on an understanding with the foreign school that their curriculum is equivalent to the US school. So there I'm not sure I fully understand the reasoning behind not accepting, in essence, grades from classes at your "own" school.

 

[Stratego]

Since your home school gives you credit for takingthe coursework, I wonder if submitting a transcript from the foriegn school would get the letter grades included. Normally AMCAS doesn't accept foriegn transcripts, but this might be worth a phone call to AMCAS to find out, if it would make a big GPA difference for you.