Realistic expectations

[mwharris22]

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So I started my post-bacc this fall semester at UGA and plan to start medical school in Fall 2013. Based on the following information, what MCAT score range do I need to fall in to be competitive in the top 20 schools? Obviously the higher the better, but at what point does my score turn my application into a very good one?

Graduated in 2009 in Banking & Finance with an overall 3.8 GPA at UGA
Worked in Investment Banking for 2 years
Volunteer experience like everyone else has
I plan to get in some research work in next year

I'm telling myself that I'll be competitive at a lot of good schools but then again, what do I know? I think I have a great story to tell in regard to my path from IB to medicine, but I have to look good enough on paper so I can get a chance to tell my story. I'm doing great so far in Chemistry and Physics (lowest grade I have made on anything is 98), and I'll consider it a failure if I don't make all A's while in post bacc (this would put my overall GPA in the 3.9 range and my "sciene" GPA close to 3.95).

With that being said, I understand med school applicants with a 3.9 GPA and a knockout MCAT score are a dime a dozen. What I would like to know is how valuable my "uniqueness" is? I have come here before for advice and loved what I heard so I'm back again. This board actually played a big part in my decision to leave finance and pursue a career in something I have a passion for. Here's to hoping it comes through for me again.

Thanks in advance

 

[LUCPM]

So I started my post-bacc this fall semester at UGA and plan to start medical school in Fall 2013. Based on the following information, what MCAT score range do I need to fall in to be competitive in the top 20 schools? Obviously the higher the better, but at what point does my score turn my application into a very good one?

Graduated in 2009 in Banking & Finance with an overall 3.8 GPA at UGA
Worked in Investment Banking for 2 years
Volunteer experience like everyone else has
I plan to get in some research work in next year

I'm telling myself that I'll be competitive at a lot of good schools but then again, what do I know? I think I have a great story to tell in regard to my path from IB to medicine, but I have to look good enough on paper so I can get a chance to tell my story. I'm doing great so far in Chemistry and Physics (lowest grade I have made on anything is 98), and I'll consider it a failure if I don't make all A's while in post bacc (this would put my overall GPA in the 3.9 range and my "sciene" GPA close to 3.95).

With that being said, I understand med school applicants with a 3.9 GPA and a knockout MCAT score are a dime a dozen. What I would like to know is how valuable my "uniqueness" is? I have come here before for advice and loved what I heard so I'm back again. This board actually played a big part in my decision to leave finance and pursue a career in something I have a passion for. Here's to hoping it comes through for me again.

Thanks in advance

Once you get past the number games, most schools ask "Why medicine?" and it is more convincing if you have some clinical experience or exposure to back up your statement. And don't get too hung up on grades; this is a long journey and might as well enjoy. Best of luck to you.