Tanked my GPA, but I got a 527 MCAT

[GuzzlingAxons]

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I posted this on reddit, so I decided to post here as well.


I could really use some advice and honesty here. I'm currently finishing up my undergrad at a state school (not a big name university) with a cumulative GPA around 3.0–3.1. My GPA took a hit due to mental health issues, but I've made a strong upward trend, and things have been stable and improving.

I recently scored a 527 on the MCAT (but I'm not sure if that would outweigh my GPA). I’m planning to do a DIY post-bacc (just a few targeted science classes to strengthen my GPA further) and then a master’s program with a thesis (in neuroscience) to show academic rigor and research involvement.

Here’s a quick snapshot of my EC's:

• Research: ~1000 hours, no pubs yet
• Clinical: Surgical tech — ~500 hours so far
• Service: Currently doing AmeriCorps

I know the GPA is rough, and I’ll definitely address it in secondaries, but my main questions are:

1. What kind of school list range should I realistically be looking at?
2. Do I have any chance at T20 or T50 schools?
3. Are there any specific schools known to value MCAT more than GPA?
4. What should I prioritize right now to strengthen my app for the next cycle?

Any advice, personal stories, or feedback would be really appreciated. Thanks so much in advance!

Edit 1: I also forgot to add in that I'm ORM.

 

[Faha]

Where is your state of residence? Do you have any in person physician shadowing hours?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

It would be nice if you filled out a WAMC here.

 

[GuzzlingAxons]

Where is your state of residence? Do you have any in person physician shadowing hours?

Alabama. I have about 150 shadowing hours.

 

[GuzzlingAxons]

It would be nice if you filled out a WAMC here.

cGPA/sGPA:

• cGPA: 3.0–3.1 (upward trend)
• sGPA: ~3.3
• Freshman year: 3.1 GPA (15-18 credits per semester)
• Sophomore Year: 2.5 GPA (15-18 credits per semester)
• Junior Year: 1.7 GPA (15-18 credits per semester)
• Senior Year: 4.0 GPA (18-20 credits per semester)
• Fifth Year: 4.0 GPA (20-22 credits per semester)
• Post-bacc: planning a few upper-division sciences (expecting 3.8+ GPA)

MCAT:

• 527 (132/131/132/132) — one attempt

State of residence:

• Alabama (recently moved from Maryland)

Ethnicity:

• ORM, Asian-Indian

Undergrad Institution:

• University of Alabama at Birmingham

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Clinical Experience:​

• ~500 hours as Surgical Technologist
  (Hands-on experience assisting in procedures, sterile field maintenance, OR prep)
  
  
• ~150 hours as ED Aide (prior role)
  
  
• Strong LORs from clinicians I’ve worked with

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Research Experience:​

• ~500 hours in a neuroscience research lab
• ~500 hours as a paid clinical research assistant
• No publications (but I will have one soon)
• 3 poster presentations in a regional conference

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Shadowing:​

• ~150 hours (mix of primary care and surgical specialties)

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Volunteering/Service:​

• AmeriCorps (ongoing) — 1 year commitment focused on public health/education
• ~150 hours of community outreach and education
• Crisis Line Volunteer- 450 hours

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Leadership & Extracurriculars:​

• Founder and president of a student org focused on elder care and advocacy

School list ideas so far (very open to feedback):​

• Pitt
• Michigan
• Einstein
• OHSU
• EVMS
• UVM
• Tulane
• Loyola
• NYMC
• GWU
• Rochester
• Drexel
• Rosalind Franklin
• Temple
• Wake Forest
• Albany

 

[Faha]

You would be better off to concentrate on a DIY post bacc in the coming year rather than a Masters since the latter will not be included in your GPA. If you can increase your cGPA and sGPA to over 3.2 it would help your chances. The GPA-MCAT grid shows you have a ~ 50% chance for a MD acceptance. A high MCAT only partially compensates for a low GPA. Your best chances would be at your Alabama schools.I suggest these schools with your stats:
U Alabama
South Alabama
USF Morsani
NOVA M D
Belmont
Wake Forest
Methodist (when it opens)
Eastern Virginia
George Washington
U Maryland
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
Penn State
Hackensack
New York Medical College
Albany
Vermont
Quinnipiac
Alice Walton
Roseman
TCU
Rosalind Franklin
Medical College Wisconsin
Western Michigan
Oakland Beaumont
Wayne State
Ponce (St. Louis)

 

[Goro]

Add Columbia, Duke, Vandy, U Cincy, Emory, UCSF

Belmont is having financial issues, I can't recommend it.

 

[pigsinacloth]

Do you want DO schools too? They would almost certainly accept you.

 

[Fluidity of Movement]

If you have a strong upward trend I would apply broadly. 527 is extremely redemptive. You don't need every adcom to like your story, just one

 

[ecobio]

agreed ^

i had similar ish stats (3.3 and 520) was able to get love from multiple programs

your list look great to me, make sure to apply to your state programs too, maybe add mcw/uvm/dartmouth/quinnipiac too if interested. you could do DO and get interviews at most of them, but i doubt you’d need to if you arent interested

 

[LeaveNoTrace]

You don't need a postbac, DIY or otherwise. Your victory lap might count as a DIY postbac, to be honest. 60+ credits of 4.0 puts academic doubts solidly to bed, and the 527 seals the deal. You could've not taken things seriously in college and drank beer, then gotten serious; don't mention mental health issues or health issues in general unless you have to. Say you matured/got serious or something.

 

[Dr.Freedman MedEdits]

Based on what you detail here, if I were reviewing your application, it would be crystal clear to me that "something happened" your first three years of college. The 527 MCAT cannot be luck and makes your academic aptitude is obvious. The Americorps experience will be looked upon favorably and you have a wonderful EC/research mix otherwise. What you need to be careful about is how you explain those first three years. People will want to know what the mental illness was so this has to be discussed strategically. If you fib, that won't sit well; someone is likely to get the vibe you are fibbing during interviews and you will get dinged. I would certainly be including the Alabama schools on your list assuming you are a state resident now.