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[premed55555]

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Okay, so I've finished my junior year and I have a 3.7ish cumulative, 3.7ish science gpa and 3.6ish BCPM gpa. I have a 34 on the MCAT. However, during my freshman year, I struggled with calculus-based physics. I started with E&M first semester, then I dropped and got a W. Then, I retook it the next semester and got a C. Other than these little blemishes I have all As and a few Bs. How do you think this will effect me in the admissions process? Which schools do you recommend I apply to? What should I do if I don't get in? Thanks in advance!

 

[Ismet]

You're fine.

Schools to apply to: buy the MSAR, so you can see all the school details in one place.

If you don't get in? Improve your weaknesses and try again. A W and a C will not be the cause of not getting in, though.

 

[Rhodes]

If there is ever a time that a grade such as a C or a W are understandable, it's during your freshman year. Medical schools want to see an upward trend during your four years. Your GPA and MCAT look pretty decent. Don't limit your options 👍

 

[premed55555]

Yeah, I'm thinking of applying to 30 schools. Do you guys think that is too little or too much? Also, do you guys recommend retaking the MCAT?

 

[Ismet]

Yeah, I'm thinking of applying to 30 schools. Do you guys think that is too little or too much? Also, do you guys recommend retaking the MCAT?

Don't retake a 34.

30 is a little excessive, IMO, but if you have the money and want to cover all your bases, then go for it. The average number of med schools that people apply to is 15.

 

[premed55555]

So any increase in my MCAT wouldn't really do much at this point?

 

[SmallBlock]

A 34 MCAT certainly isn't going to be the thing that keeps you out of medical school, nor your GPA, even with a rough start. As long as you have decent ECs, you should be fine.

 

[TexasSurgeon]

I'm confused. Why aren't your BCPM and sGPA the same?

 

[Ismet]

I'm confused. Why aren't your BCPM and sGPA the same?

OP may be including engineering classes or something similar in the science GPA, which doesn't count as BCPM. The fact that he was taking calc-based physics in freshman year is a good indicator that he is/was an engineering major.

 

[TexasSurgeon]

OP may be including engineering classes or something similar in the science GPA, which doesn't count as BCPM. The fact that he was taking calc-based physics in freshman year is a good indicator that he is/was an engineering major.

Oh I see.

 

[premed55555]

Okay, thanks. Also, is it ok if I pretty much didn't do anything EC wise freshman year (besides joining a few organizations) but got really involved later on?

 

[ram1senk]

Okay, thanks. Also, is it ok if I pretty much didn't do anything EC wise freshman year (besides joining a few organizations) but got really involved later on?

Yes. You're fine. Do yourself a favor and take a chill pill. Or have a beer.

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Okay, thanks. Also, is it ok if I pretty much didn't do anything EC wise freshman year (besides joining a few organizations) but got really involved later on?

Yes.

 

[premed55555]

Yes. You're fine. Do yourself a favor and take a chill pill. Or have a beer.

lol I'm trying to. But I'm just worried adcoms will think, "Oh he can't do physics", since I ended with a C in the only physics class I ever took in college. Hoping my 12 on the PS section of the MCAT will compensate for this.

 

[mvenus929]

lol I'm trying too. But I'm just worried adcoms will think, "Oh he can't do physics", since I ended with a C in the only physics class I ever took in college. Hoping my 12 on the PS section of the MCAT will compensate for this.

You know how much physics matters in med school? You need to know basic principles of electricity (because it applies to blood vessels), and that's about it. No one is going to care that you got a C in physics during your freshman year. You've clearly demonstrated that you have a solid grasp of the material by your MCAT score.

 

[Cinclus]

Yeah, I'm thinking of applying to 30 schools. Do you guys think that is too little or too much? Also, do you guys recommend retaking the MCAT?

DO NOT retake a 34. It's a good score, and you definitely don't want to risk lowering it. Your GPA is fine. Thirty schools is a bit much, but as Ismet said, if you have the resources to apply to that many, and you wish to do so, go for it. But if you'd like to pare it down, you would likely do just fine applying to fewer; just choose schools wisely.

 

[premed55555]

DO NOT retake a 34. It's a good score, and you definitely don't want to risk lowering it. Your GPA is fine. Thirty schools is a bit much, but as Ismet said, if you have the resources to apply to that many, and you wish to do so, go for it. But if you'd like to pare it down, you would likely do just fine applying to fewer; just choose schools wisely.

Yeah, people tell me there's no need to apply beyond my home state (Texas), but if I don't get in anywhere here, I will feel bad knowing I have to wait a whole year to reapply when I could have maybe gotten in somewhere OOS.

 

[CoxMD]

My 34 and 3.55/3.45 got me three MD acceptances and 2 wait lists. Don't retake and try to stay relaxed. I applied to 21 schools. 30 seems excessive. Buy an MSAR and don't waste money applying to schools that will discriminate against you being OOS.

 

[Cinclus]

Yeah, people tell me there's no need to apply beyond my home state (Texas), but if I don't get in anywhere here, I will feel bad knowing I have to wait a whole year to reapply when I could have maybe gotten in somewhere OOS.

If you're a TX resident, I have little doubt that you'll get into a TX school.

 

[premed55555]

If you're a TX resident, I have little doubt that you'll get into a TX school.

What makes you so confident?