URM, Disadvantaged, 3.0 GPA, pending MCAT, CA

[SmartBruh]

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I think I've just been a victim of poor advising. I'm a pretty smart guy, but I didn't balance my load really at all (never took less than 15 units/semester & summer school every year). When I first started, I knew which classes to take, but I never really had a pre-med advisors guidance. I wish I would have knew the thing I know now, it would have made life a lot easier. One semester I took cell bio(+lab), 2nd semester physics(+lab), 2nd semester Organic chem, Organic chem lab, psych writing workshop (extensive lit review) and worked 20 hours a week. Absolutely killed my GPA.

Here is my profile:

Graduated this Spring from a California State U: 3.02 GPA, ~2.8 BCPM
BS Psychology, minors in biological science and chemistry (5 years - 150 units).

At the end of my freshmen year: 4.0 BCPM, 3.39 UGPA
Then I started working significant(20+) hours sophomore - senior year.
Last 30 units: ~3.5, close to graduating with honors in psych, completed biochem with a B.

MCAT last august: 18L (6p/4v/8b) First time taking the MCAT, only prepared 3 weeks 🙁
Retook MCAT this september after studying 8 weeks, waiting on scores (current practice test: 10p/7v/10b)

General Info:
23 years old, African-American, disadvantaged.
Clinical experience: Volunteering 4 hours a week at hospital.
Leadership: Vice-President of psych honor society
Research: Over this past year, I have been able to complete three original, independent research studies and present two at a professional conference. During the conference, I was also honored with a prestigious research award (including a scholarship) as first author, for my research on stress and cortisol in a neuroscience lab. I'm currently working with on publishing this study in a neuroscience journal and I plan on spending this year to continue my research with this lab. I've designed my own protocol within the lab.
Work: Resident Advisor 1 year, Statistics tutor 3 years.

Letters of Rec from Statistics and Neuroscience professor. Department Chair.

Questions: Do I have a realistic shot at MD/PhD or MD given my circumstances? I'm thinking about getting a MPH with a concentration in Biostatistics (and take a couple more upper division bio courses while I am in the grad program) to improve my GPA. Or should I just do a post bac?

I'm really want to pursue a combined MD/PhD Degree, but there is not much data on URM pursuing MD/PhD. Realistically, my GPA is not representative of my academic abilities because I've had to balance school and work to stay afloat.

What should I do?

 

[drdandelion]

I think I've just been a victim of poor advising. I'm a pretty smart guy, but I didn't balance my load really at all (never took less than 15 units/semester & summer school every year). When I first started, I knew which classes to take, but I never really had a pre-med advisors guidance. I wish I would have knew the thing I know now, it would have made life a lot easier. One semester I took cell bio(+lab), 2nd semester physics(+lab), 2nd semester Organic chem, Organic chem lab, psych writing workshop (extensive lit review) and worked 20 hours a week. Absolutely killed my GPA.

Here is my profile:

Graduated this Spring from a California State U: 3.02 GPA, ~2.8 BCPM
BS Psychology, minors in biological science and chemistry (5 years - 150 units).

At the end of my freshmen year: 4.0 BCPM, 3.39 UGPA
Then I started working significant(20+) hours sophomore - senior year.
Last 30 units: ~3.5, close to graduating with honors in psych, completed biochem with a B.

MCAT last august: 18L (6p/4v/8b) First time taking the MCAT, only prepared 3 weeks 🙁
Retook MCAT this september after studying 8 weeks, waiting on scores (current practice test: 10p/7v/10b)

General Info:
23 years old, African-American, disadvantaged.
Clinical experience: Volunteering 4 hours a week at hospital.
Leadership: Vice-President of psych honor society
Research: Over this past year, I have been able to complete three original, independent research studies and present two at a professional conference. During the conference, I was also honored with a prestigious research award (including a scholarship) as first author, for my research on stress and cortisol in a neuroscience lab. I’m currently working with on publishing this study in a neuroscience journal and I plan on spending this year to continue my research with this lab. I've designed my own protocol within the lab.
Work: Resident Advisor 1 year, Statistics tutor 3 years.

Letters of Rec from Statistics and Neuroscience professor. Department Chair.

Questions: Do I have a realistic shot given my circumstances? I'm thinking about getting a MPH with a concentration in Biostatistics (and take a couple more upper division bio courses while I am in the grad program). Or should I just do a post bac?

I'm really want to pursue a combined MD/PhD Degree, but there is not much data on URM pursuing MD/PhD. Realistically, my GPA is not representative of my academic abilities because I've had to balance school and work to stay afloat.

What should I do?

Didn't you post in that UC vs. CSU forum? I feel like I recognize your user name...

For starters, though you are a URM, stop thinking of the "URM" in terms of defining your success in admission and focus more on the objective things that you can improve, like your test scores and GPA. "URM" will only get you to a certain point in the admissions process, but you still have to prove yourself. Having low numbers strongly predicts success in med school, and you'll need to pass your exams in med school REGARDLESS of URM status because you will be responsible for people's lives.

I would say, go ahead and apply to BOTH MD programs and MD/PhD programs. If you get into an MD-only program, you can still do the combined program while you're at the school. Make sure you have STRONG letters of recommendation (2 science, 1 non-science, 1 from research, etc) and a superb personal statement. Perhaps in the disadvantaged section of your application you can talk about having to work to support yourself, etc. Also, if your MCAT score turns out to be lower than what you mentioned you earned on your practice, I highly suggest taking the exam a 3rd time. Some schools may frown upon this, others ONLY look at your best score, others ONLY look at your most recent score...investigate the schools that you apply to! If you take it a 3rd time, you MUST score at least a 35 or higher...or you risk weakening your application...

Doing a graduate program won't increase your AMCAS GPA since the AMCAS GPA is all about the undergrad GPA...if you are truly interested in doing the MPH though, go for it! If not, then I suggest doing some post-bacc work instead to increase your AMCAS GPA.

Lastly, watch out for haters in this forum and in your life! You will get sooo many people discouraging you!!! It's up to you to not suck it in!

Hope that helps!

All the best! 🙂

 

[divajai]

I think looking for advise about what your chances are on this forum isnt a good idea. Ppl cant tell you what the admissions committees want at all. Given your circumstances they really may give you a shot. I think you should talk to advisors and diversity directors at some schools and see what they tell you. But I would apply to both. Applying is a crapshoot process. And Im a URM and my numbers arent high either. But I had circumstances. And Ive had 3 interview invites so far this cycle. So dont give up.

 

[TriagePreMed]

All your numbers and undergrad institution are low. Hopefully you won't be applying as in-state California. You'll have a harder time outside that way, and even then, CSU is not well known at other states. The URM/Disadvantaged status won't help the under 3.0 sGPA. Get all your stats as close to 3.2 and the MCAT to at least 28 and you will have fair chances for MD and very strong for DO.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Your best shot is to get a good mcat + apply to SMP's. Based off of AAMC statistics even if you have a 30+ you'll only have around a 50% chance with your 3.0.

 

[SmartBruh]

Thanks for the advice.


I have another question. Why is it so difficult to get into a California School?

 

[milkycow]

Thanks for the advice.


I have another question. Why is it so difficult to get into a California School?

Large population that want to stay in Cali. Lots of people applying so easy for adcoms to have a large pool of people with really great stats to pull from. Your 18 mcat will hurt you and gpa being everyone else in Cali is competing like crazy for those same spots. Don't rely on URM status for anything, its not an excuse for poor performance. After the initial what they consider decent numbers/your history they will extend interviews.