Texas State Schools: 35S MCAT (incl. 2.65 Yale GPA) 2.92cGPA 3.26sGPA

[Yale2Houston]

What are my chances of getting into UT-Houston, UTMB, UT-SA, UT-SW, or Texas A&M?
Do I need to apply to some out of state back-up schools (like Meharry/Howard/Morehouse)?

I graduated from Yale with a 2.65 GPA (Psychology major). I started out pre-med, and took a few science classes there. I graduated and started taking post-bacc pre-med classes at University of Houston and have a 3.7 post-bacc GPA (all math/science, re-took pre-req classes from Yale). TMDSAS doesn't separate out post-bacc from undergrad so my cGPA is 2.92 and my sGPA is 3.26.

I got a 35 S on my first try with the MCAT (11 BS, 11 PS, 13 VR), but I have very little recent medically related/volunteer ECs (worked around 20hrs per week while at Yale and worked full time while taking night/weekend classes until Jan 2010 so had no time for ECs until recently).

-20 hours at hospital emergency volunteering
-8 hours MD shadowing (since High School - did about 40 hours in different hospital departments while in high school)
-taking care of terminally ill father until his death
-taking care of mother with serious illnesses

-lots of tutoring (including disadvantaged middle and high school students)
-LGBT group president (Yale)
-leadership positions at student jobs while at Yale
-other fun ECs (belly dance, alto saxophone)

Oh, and I'm a URM 25 year old female with an economically disadvantaged background (hence the working).

Any honest input is welcome, as I am freaking out a little. I just submitted my application at the beginning of August. I haven't submitted the AMCAS application, because until looking at the forums, I thought it wasn't necessary.

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[Catalystik]

I would be interested in knowing what your pre-health advisor thinks. Here is the Texas matriculant data from last year: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=762547

As you can see, the data for those with a GPA like yours isn't very encouraging. However, I honestly feel it is reasonable for you to apply. You are diverse in many ways and have overcome a lot of issues to ultimately demonstrate remarkable GPA and MCAT success.

You have little clinical experience and shadowing, which would be generally considered a major handicap in an application, yet have cared for two very-ill family members. I have seen it happen that an acceptance came thorough in an identical situation. I hope you communicated all your medically-related experience on your application.

And you have other interesting ECs.

I think your chances are better than what seems apparent. I can't give you your odds for texas schools as you are in a unique position. Applying to the AMCAS schools mentioned is a good plan. Applying to TCOM's SMP-like program to help override your low GPA is a good backup plan if you don't get an acceptance anywhere.

Don't "freak out." What will be, will be. But always think ahead to a back up plan. And keep on trying.

 

[Yale2Houston]

Thanks Catalystik! Anyone else have an opinion?

I would be interested in knowing what your pre-health advisor thinks. Here is the Texas matriculant data from last year: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=762547

As you can see, the data for those with a GPA like yours isn't very encouraging. However, I honestly feel it is reasonable for you to apply. You are diverse in many ways and have overcome a lot of issues to ultimately demonstrate remarkable GPA and MCAT success.

You have little clinical experience and shadowing, which would be generally considered a major handicap in an application, yet have cared for two very-ill family members. I have seen it happen that an acceptance came thorough in an identical situation. I hope you communicated all your medically-related experience on your application.

And you have other interesting ECs.

I think your chances are better than what seems apparent. I can't give you your odds for texas schools as you are in a unique position. Applying to the AMCAS schools mentioned is a good plan. Applying to TCOM's SMP-like program to help override your low GPA is a good backup plan if you don't get an acceptance anywhere.

Don't "freak out." What will be, will be. But always think ahead to a back up plan. And keep on trying.

 

[canjosh]

Accurate advice is going to be difficult here. You've got numbers all over the place, and then the URM thing going for you.

You have very little clinical/shadowing experience, which may hurt your app (beef this up if possible).

I'm puzzled as to why you didn't apply to the other Texas schools.

It wouldn't hurt to apply to those OOS schools, if that's something you're interested in...but the cost of secondaries and travel can add up quickly.

 

[Reaction]

I think you have a shot.. just try to get a better gpa and more ecs

 

[Yale2Houston]

Canjosh (and anyone else),

Do you know how to go about finding shadowing experience in Houston? I have tried calling hospitals/departments directly and calling private practice doctors to no avail.

Thanks🙂

 

[canjosh]

Canjosh (and anyone else),

Do you know how to go about finding shadowing experience in Houston? I have tried calling hospitals/departments directly and calling private practice doctors to no avail.

Thanks🙂

Not in particular. Just call more doctors. Do you have a PCP? If so, ask him/her. If not, what about a family member's PCP? If office staff are being obstructive, try being a little more assertive maybe.

You might also try finding a Yale grad too (UG or med). Perhaps the alumni affairs people at Yale have a list.