Regarding undergrad publications

[SSerenity]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I'm finishing my last year of undergrad. I'm a self-taught bioinformatics programmer.

I've published 8 papers in peer reviewed journals (3 of them first author papers) and the rest of them 2nd authorships. I also run a website dedicated to transport protein research, which is the field all my papers are in.

I'm about to write my MCAT in 5 days, Im realistically looking at a ~31 based on my AAMC practice tests.

Unfortunately I have a rather low GPA (3.3) which can either go up or down depending on how this semester works out.

I've read a lot of mixed reviews about the significance of pubs. How much do you think this can really help my application despite my low GPA?

 

[Thego2guy]

They will help you out a lot in research heavy schools.....

However....

Your GPA > 10 Publications

And in this case, its going to be very difficult for you to get interviews at research heavy schools. 3.3 is not a death sentence, and neither is a 31.... but when paired up together, its going to be very difficult squeezing out interviews from ANY allopathic school. Unfortunately most of the really research heavy schools (which your application is definitely geared toward) have GPA averages around 3.8 and MCAT averages around 35. All of the non-research heavy schools will appreciate all your research but would question if you are the right fit for their agenda. Still, its something most applicants don't have. Use it as your curve ball.