Unsure Applicant... What do you think?

[MDHopefull32]

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Hi All,

Here's a quick synopsis of where I'm at. I'm a Virginia resident and graduated from a pretty good state school in 2010 with a 3.3 cum GPA as a psychology major with a very strong upward trend from freshman to senior year. In the time since graduation (2 years), I've completed all of the science prerequisites at night while working full-time as a research assistant. I've now finished the last of the prerequisites and have a BCPM/postbacc GPA of 3.9, which also raised my cum GPA to 3.45.

I have very strong ECs, including my research experience which primarily consists of community-based research in African-American communities (have shadowed as well, and have various other volunteering experiences). The study I worked on also allowed me to gain clinical experience in these communities doing things such as taking blood pressure readings, etc. No MCAT yet, but expecting around a 31 based on my practice tests.

Here are my questions:
1.) How do I look as an overall applicant?
2.) I'll be applying in June and am looking to stay on the East coast. My goal is to get in to a Virginia state school, but I'm obviously going to apply elsewhere as well to increase my chances. Are there any East coast schools that particularly value research/clinical experience in underserved areas? I'm hoping that some of these schools will value my experiences in these areas and will be able to overlook the lowish cum GPA. Any suggestions of lower-tier schools on the East Coast that value these types of ECs would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time!

 

[MDHopefull32]

Also, here is my school list. Let me know if you have any suggestions.

VCU/MCV
Easter Virginia
Virginia Tech
Marshall Edwards
West Virginia SOM
University of Maryland
George Washington
Georgetown
Howard
Drexel
Penn State
Jefferson
Temple
Commonwealth
University of Kentucky SOM
University of Louisville SOM
Wake Forest
University of South Carolina SOM

 

[Shjanzey]

As long as you perform strongly on your MCAT you will be fine.

On a side note, I noticed my actual scores were several points lower than my practice test scores. Keep that in mind and study hard 😀

 

[Goro]

The post-bacc performance is a very good sign. I've seen posters from here get into VCU and a few other schools nearby (but NOT UVa).

NYMC comes to mind, as does Drexel, possibly Georgetown or GWU (I forget which). East Va MC might work too.

Suyggest some research as to which schools give you the most love for that stellar post-bac performance.

Hi All,

Here's a quick synopsis of where I'm at. I'm a Virginia resident and graduated from a pretty good state school in 2010 with a 3.3 cum GPA as a psychology major with a very strong upward trend from freshman to senior year. In the time since graduation (2 years), I've completed all of the science prerequisites at night while working full-time as a research assistant. I've now finished the last of the prerequisites and have a BCPM/postbacc GPA of 3.9, which also raised my cum GPA to 3.45.

I have very strong ECs, including my research experience which primarily consists of community-based research in African-American communities (have shadowed as well, and have various other volunteering experiences). The study I worked on also allowed me to gain clinical experience in these communities doing things such as taking blood pressure readings, etc. No MCAT yet, but expecting around a 31 based on my practice tests.

Here are my questions:
1.) How do I look as an overall applicant?
2.) I'll be applying in June and am looking to stay on the East coast. My goal is to get in to a Virginia state school, but I'm obviously going to apply elsewhere as well to increase my chances. Are there any East coast schools that particularly value research/clinical experience in underserved areas? I'm hoping that some of these schools will value my experiences in these areas and will be able to overlook the lowish cum GPA. Any suggestions of lower-tier schools on the East Coast that value these types of ECs would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time!

 

[MDHopefull32]

Thanks for the input. Do yall figure that UVA screens out applicants with GPAs below 3.5 or so? I'm not really expecting to apply so I dont waste my time/money, but figure I'll give it a shot if I blow the MCAT out of the water since I'm a VA resident. Any other east-coasters have any suggestions of schools to add to the list?

 

[SOMBound13]

check the OOS admit rate at those OOS publics. I'm guessing that a link to the state, high MCAT or MD/XXX is needed to help with admissions to those.

I think you should apply to SLU and Creighton . They like students who have worked in minority areas.