Seeking some advice for 2013-2014 application cycle

[Dynamo24]

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Hi everyone, after having a bit of a rough semester, I had a few questions regarding my application for this coming cycle. I have NOT taken the MCAT yet (April 27th), so that is a pending issue. Here is a run down of what my stats WILL be when I apply in June:

29 yr old male URM (African american) from Nebraska (born and raised, current resident.)

First generation college student

Married, one child (5 mo's old)

GPA: 3.65-3.7 cgpa/3.45-3.51 sgpa (both worst and best case scenarios there)
Neuroscience major

2 years working as an EMT

Volunteered through church for last two years helping teenage kids prepare for global journeys and various other (short term) volunteer projects.

One semester of tutoring

8 months of research at a molecular bio lab that is located on the medical school campus, no pubs.

Worked directly with the head of the Neuroscience department to start a Neuroscience club on campus.

I'm mostly concerned about my science gpa, I feel that is garbage. The only defense I have for it is that I would raise my grade from a B to an A in each science course from the first semester to second semester. I know my MCAT pretty much holds the key at this point. If If I get an "okay" score, say 26-27, should I apply to MD or should I focus more on DO schools? Trust me my goal is not a 26, but I know people can s**t the bed on test day. Anyway, any advice on strengthening my application or if it even stands a chance would be much appreciated. Thanks everyone!

 

[anguisette]

I think your sGPA is slightly below average, but not detrimentally so. Like you said, the MCAT will be a big piece of your application--so focus on doing well in that. Report back after you get your score and then we can discuss school lists 🙂

 

[Girly X]

Yep, looks like you are doing all the right things. Your gpa will be fine. Your MCAT score will determine where you will get in, so really give it your all.

Get some great lors and APPLY EARLY. Congrats on making this decision! You'll do just fine.

 

[RegisBioMedMS]

Take a good look at both MD and DO schools and choose where to apply based on how you feel you are a match for them. I feel that it isn't so much an MD vs. DO question as it is an individual school fit for you. Time you MCAT well too, so that you can indeed apply early, as was suggested above. Line up solid LORs now and store them on Interfolio or at your undergrad schools letter service for when the time comes so you are certain they all get in on time.

And, without being defensive, you may want to briefly address your lower science GPA in your essay. Explain what you've learned since then and why you feel you won't struggle academically in med school.

 

[psychkub]

I think your GPA is fine. People place so much emphasis on number averages that they forget the application process is SO much more. Do well enough on your MCAT to show how you compare against other applicants on a standardized measure and you will be fine.

Regardless of how you do, I would apply to both MD and DO programs. Apply broadly! When I applied, my goal was to become a doctor. I did not set out to specifically become an MD or a DO. Not until the acceptances began to trickle in did I have the luxury of picking whether I wanted to go the MD or DO route.

...and as was mentioned above, apply early!

 

[Esquire]

75% to 81% of blacks with a 26 MCAT and your GPA are accepted to MD schools:

https://www.aamc.org/download/157594/data/table25-b-mcatgpa-grid-black.pdf

 

[hopeful22213]

U. of Nebraska is an excellent school to apply to as a state resident. Something like 2 out of 3 NE applicants gets interviewed. Take a look at the MSAR to see their admissions stats, but even with an MCAT ~26/27, I think you should consider applying there. Best of luck regardless

 

[ErrantWhatever]

Like the above poster notes, I think your IS status for UNMC will really be a benefit. I don't think your GPA is damningly low, but yes, as all have acknowledged, the MCAT will be the kicker. The only thing that catches my eye in terms of fit for you and UNMC is your clear interest in neuroscience. If I remember correctly, UNMC seemed to place a lot of people for neurosurgery residency slots, but their explicit and demonstrated focus is primary care. So if you were to get an interview and your app was in review before the adcom, they may look at all of your interests and say, "He's clearly looking to specialize. Would he be a fit for us?" I think a simple countermeasure to that reasoning would be to shadow a family practice doc and/or an internist a few times. That way, if it came up, you would have demonstrable evidence that you are open to primary care or specializing. In fact, have you shadowed at all? You clearly have exposure to medicine, but I think shadowing a PCP would really round out your app. Take it or leave it--I think you've got a great resume already. Also, you've got two DO schools within a few hours' drive (DMU and KCUMB).

Good luck man.

 

[Dynamo24]

Thanks everyone for your response. The one thing I can say that may be an advantage about being a non-trad is that if I get into medical school its with an open mind. I hear my younger peers always say "I want to be a cardio-thoracic surgeon!" without ever seeing ortho, ENT, rads, etc. I personally can't wait to touch every part of medicine and see what I enjoy the most. Other than that I am lining up shadowing a PCP and a neurosurgeon that actually works at UNMC. So I think that will really help during my app cycle, esp to UNMC. Plus I'm sure I can get a LOR from both if needed (PCP is my best friends wife's dad and I worked with the neurosurgeon's wife). Anyway, I'll probably reboot this thread or start a new one when I get my MCAT score and then we can go from there. Again, thanks everyone's time and input.

 

[jessicachhk]

ur gpa is OK although not the best, mcat >>30 and GOOD LOR would greatly help, make sure you try to demonstrate that you continue to be involved in the medical field throughout the last few years. Good luck!

 

[Pons Asinorum]

ur gpa is OK although not the best, mcat >>30 and GOOD LOR would greatly help, make sure you try to demonstrate that you continue to be involved in the medical field throughout the last few years. Good luck!

The OP spends most of his time in the PA forum now as I think he may have had a change of heart; this thread was pretty dead before now.