Wait a year? Should I apply?

[SBenni]

Hi Everyone! I would like some input about if I should wait a year before applying to medical school (I'm a junior and was going to apply this spring) and my chances. I'm just really worried about my lower grades and if I have a chance or not.

Major: Biology and Environmental studies with a certificate in Global Health
GPA: 3.344
attend a Big 10 university; Bs in most of my science classes (including Ochem)

Work: I have been a lifeguard since I was 16 and have worked as a CNA for a couple with cerebral palsy 6hrs/week. I also play the organ at church

Volunteer: Veterans hospital (Escort and ER Aide); various volunteering with Girl Scouts; volunteering at an assisted living facility that specializes in memory care

Research: 1 semester doing behavioral analysis; 1+semesters doing research on air pollution using computer models

MCAT: taking it in a few months!

Leadership: I am the vice-president of Campus Girl Scouts (we plan events for local Girl Scout troops), secretary for an outreach science organization in rural areas, mentor for a learning community for women in STEM

Other: I am a Girl Scout Gold Award recipient (like the Boy Scout's eagle award); I am pursuing my pilot's license; I am a registered CNA, lots of job shadow experience; I've studied abroad in Belize and going to China this summer

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Goro]

Get that GPA > 3.4 and score at least a 30 on the mCAT and you'll be fine for a good number of MD programs. The ECs look great. For DO programs, you're fine as of right now.

Hi Everyone! I would like some input about if I should wait a year before applying to medical school (I'm a junior and was going to apply this spring) and my chances. I'm just really worried about my lower grades and if I have a chance or not.

Major: Biology and Environmental studies with a certificate in Global Health
GPA: 3.344
attend a Big 10 university; Bs in most of my science classes (including Ochem)

Work: I have been a lifeguard since I was 16 and have worked as a CNA for a couple with cerebral palsy 6hrs/week. I also play the organ at church

Volunteer: Veterans hospital (Escort and ER Aide); various volunteering with Girl Scouts; volunteering at an assisted living facility that specializes in memory care

Research: 1 semester doing behavioral analysis; 1+semesters doing research on air pollution using computer models

MCAT: taking it in a few months!

Leadership: I am the vice-president of Campus Girl Scouts (we plan events for local Girl Scout troops), secretary for an outreach science organization in rural areas, mentor for a learning community for women in STEM

Other: I am a Girl Scout Gold Award recipient (like the Boy Scout's eagle award); I am pursuing my pilot's license; I am a registered CNA, lots of job shadow experience; I've studied abroad in Belize and going to China this summer

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Acosi]

.

 

[Catalystik]

Hi Everyone! I would like some input about if I should wait a year before applying to medical school (I'm a junior and was going to apply this spring) and my chances. I'm just really worried about my lower grades and if I have a chance or not.

Major: Biology and Environmental studies with a certificate in Global Health
GPA: 3.344
attend a Big 10 university; Bs in most of my science classes (including Ochem)

Work: I have been a lifeguard since I was 16 and have worked as a CNA for a couple with cerebral palsy 6hrs/week. I also play the organ at church

Volunteer: Veterans hospital (Escort and ER Aide); various volunteering with Girl Scouts; volunteering at an assisted living facility that specializes in memory care

Research: 1 semester doing behavioral analysis; 1+semesters doing research on air pollution using computer models

MCAT: taking it in a few months!

Leadership: I am the vice-president of Campus Girl Scouts (we plan events for local Girl Scout troops), secretary for an outreach science organization in rural areas, mentor for a learning community for women in STEM

Other: I am a Girl Scout Gold Award recipient (like the Boy Scout's eagle award); I am pursuing my pilot's license; I am a registered CNA, lots of job shadow experience; I've studied abroad in Belize and going to China this summer

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

An extra year of science grades in the 3.7+ range (for a total of 3-4 terms) would give you a much better shot at MD if that's important to you. Ideally, some of these would be med school relevant, like Physiology, Genetics, Cell Bio, Biochem, etc.

 

[alpinism]

An extra year of science grades in the 3.7+ range (for a total of 3-4 terms) would give you a much better shot at MD if that's important to you. Ideally, some of these would be med school relevant, like Physiology, Genetics, Cell Bio, Biochem, etc.

Yep.

OP it depends where you're thinking of applying.

For UW straight out of undergrad accepted students typically have a 3.7/32 average with good ECs (yours look good). However, the school really likes well rounded applicants and people who've taken a couple yrs off after college to do research, teaching, or humanitarian work. In that case, accepted students often get in with scores around a 3.5/30.

MCW is more stats-centered and the average accepted student (regardless of ECs) has a 3.7/32.

To have a decent shot at MD (assuming you apply early and broadly) you'll likely need a 33+ MCAT without an extra year of grades.

You should be fine for DO as long as you a get a 27+ MCAT.