Should I apply

[Itisnottoolate]

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I am contemplating applying this cycle even though I am taking the MCAT this summer. I have read negative and positive feedback about this. Opinions? My state school I am really wanting to go to says to apply and put future date in AMCAS.
What is everyone's thoughts.

 

[curbsideconsult]

I don't think anyone can tell you for sure without knowing your sGPA and activities. And what do you mean by "summer"? There's a big difference between submitting your app in late June vs. early September.

I looked through some of your old posts and see that you have an upward sGPA trend. How did you do in orgo? Also, did all of those science classes you listed include labs? Do you have any math classes or do the schools you're applying to not require them?

Did you ever end up doing any volunteering?

 

[Itisnottoolate]

I don't think anyone can tell you for sure without knowing your sGPA and activities. And what do you mean by "summer"? There's a big difference between submitting your app in late June vs. early September.

I looked through some of your old posts and see that you have an upward sGPA trend. How did you do in orgo? Also, did all of those science classes you listed include labs? Do you have any math classes or do the schools you're applying to not require them?

Did you ever end up doing any volunteering?

Hi, thank you for the reply. I know I should have specified what I mean by summer! I was thinking august, but now maybe thinking early July to take.
I do have a positive upward GPA trend. I am currently taking both orgo and biochem. Those classes are both beast, especially trying to balance that with a new baby! I currently have a high B in orgo with one test and a final left. I could potentially pull off an A if I do well on those. I have a B+ in biochem, but have two test and two assignments left.
I have a few math classes from about 15 years ago, B, B, and A in those.
The only volunteering I have is working with 5 year olds for children's church. I am also very involved with my church and we are working with recovering addicts. Not sure if this will count.
I do have lots of clinical experience. Six years as an emergency room nurse and about 2.5 years as a nurse practitioner. I am hoping that helps some. Thank you for your reply and I looked forward to your advice!

 

[DocJanItor]

Still not enough info. If you want a decent assessment, you need to give as much information as possible: cGPA, sGPA, how many hours of volunteering, how many hours of clinical and shadowing experience, etc. Then list the schools that you're interested in applying to so people can evaluate your stats with those particular schools.

Also, I may be getting the wrong vibe on this, but it sounds like you're very intent on going to your state school. Don't count on that. Even with great stats and a great interview, your chances of going to any one school are low. Better to cast a wide net and maximize your chances than spend a whole year just to get rejected from one or a few schools.

 

[curbsideconsult]

I agree with DocJanItor (great name btw), but I also think you've given additional other information that points me to saying you should probably wait to apply. I don't know what kind of support system you have, but med school with a toddler is going to be roooooough. I'm not saying it's impossible, but it's going to be very hard.

The work with recovering addicts is good and you should probably focus more of your limited time on that. I don't think the work with the 5 year olds at church will help much at all in terms of your application.

You need to work on getting A's in your current classes and study hard for the MCAT. You might want to take your time, take the MCAT in August/September, and wait to apply until next year when you have more hours built up with the recovering alcoholics' group.

 

[Itisnottoolate]

Still not enough info. If you want a decent assessment, you need to give as much information as possible: cGPA, sGPA, how many hours of volunteering, how many hours of clinical and shadowing experience, etc. Then list the schools that you're interested in applying to so people can evaluate your stats with those particular schools.

Also, I may be getting the wrong vibe on this, but it sounds like you're very intent on going to your state school. Don't count on that. Even with great stats and a great interview, your chances of going to any one school are low. Better to cast a wide net and maximize your chances than spend a whole year just to get rejected from one or a few schools.

With looking at just a GPA I don't have the best stats. My cGPA is 3.172 and sGPA is 3.052. I have had major GPA repair based on poor grades 15 years ago. My graduate GPA is 3.8. All my recent science grades have been A's except for 1 B.
There are three allopathic schools in SC and one DO.
I have somewhere close to 20000 clinical hours with direct patient care. Plus, about 1000 hours shadowing a MD. I don't think I am lacking there. I know it is my GPA that is subpar. I have a great upward trend. My sGPA would be higher for a DO school because I believe they calculate nursing classes as science.
I know the MCAT is the final teller on where I stand.
I am thinking about applying early decision at the one state school I really want to go to. If I take an early July MCAT, my score will be in before the deadline to have everything turned in.
Thoughts?
I have already come to the conclusion that medical school acceptance is competitive and I may have done all this without even being accepted. I am trying my best!

 

[Itisnottoolate]

I agree with DocJanItor (great name btw), but I also think you've given additional other information that points me to saying you should probably wait to apply. I don't know what kind of support system you have, but med school with a toddler is going to be roooooough. I'm not saying it's impossible, but it's going to be very hard.

The work with recovering addicts is good and you should probably focus more of your limited time on that. I don't think the work with the 5 year olds at church will help much at all in terms of your application.

You need to work on getting A's in your current classes and study hard for the MCAT. You might want to take your time, take the MCAT in August/September, and wait to apply until next year when you have more hours built up with the recovering alcoholics' group.

I think we must have been posting at the same time. Did you see my last post?
Thank you for the input. I will consider waiting until next year

 

[DocJanItor]

With looking at just a GPA I don't have the best stats. My cGPA is 3.172 and sGPA is 3.052. I have had major GPA repair based on poor grades 15 years ago. My graduate GPA is 3.8. All my recent science grades have been A's except for 1 B.
There are three allopathic schools in SC and one DO.
I have somewhere close to 20000 clinical hours with direct patient care. Plus, about 1000 hours shadowing a MD. I don't think I am lacking there. I know it is my GPA that is subpar. I have a great upward trend. My sGPA would be higher for a DO school because I believe they calculate nursing classes as science.
I know the MCAT is the final teller on where I stand.
I am thinking about applying early decision at the one state school I really want to go to. If I take an early July MCAT, my score will be in before the deadline to have everything turned in.
Thoughts?
I have already come to the conclusion that medical school acceptance is competitive and I may have done all this without even being accepted. I am trying my best!

Yeah, I know there's a strong allure to staying in-state with SC because the tuition is so low (and ungodly high for OOS, which they hardly accept anyway). Generally speaking, your GPA would normally be too low to apply anywhere except SC. However, given the fact that you have a good graduate GPA and are a healthcare worker you might have a shot.

If I were you, I'd schedule a meeting with the admissions office at one or two of the schools and talk to them about your situation. I knew a PA in SC who had great grades but just couldn't get the MCAT score needed to be accepted, so being in healthcare will only get you so far.

Depending on what they tell you it may be necessary to do a graduate post-bacc or SMP in order to be accepted. I just had a friend who finished an SMP and now is accepted to USC Columbia.

 

[curbsideconsult]

I think DocJanItor has some pretty good advice.

I still think you should probably wait a year or two, maybe take a few more upper level science courses to try to boost your GPA, and then apply. But if you're going to apply this summer, bust your tail to get your MCAT as high as possible and good luck.

 

[Ad2b]

SC schools... so, can't say how "I know" but I agree with @DocJanItor about talking to the admissions offices of the schools including Greenville. Your stats from 15 years ago, with those schools, will not matter. That you are from SC, understand the different aspects of SC culture and your current grades are good + healthcare work...

Get 510+ on the MCAT, apply no later than July 1... I would say, apply when it opens and be verified so that when you have an MCAT score, your file will be complete.

Again... people in the know about SC schools gave me the advice above... take that for what you will and best of luck!