WAMC - 3.378 GPA, 497 Baseline MCAT, Considering SMP Before Applying

[kara3.1415]

Hello everyone!
I recently graduated (May 2024) and am considering applying to medical school, with the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities as my top choice. However, I’m unsure whether I should apply this cycle or wait a year to strengthen my application or if it would even be worth it to try.

Stats & Background:
• cGPA: 3.378
I didn’t apply myself as much as I should have in undergraduate and had difficulty applying myself in certain classes. However, I have been working a lot towards developing a growth mindset and new study skills which would serve me well in medical school.
• sGPA: 2.91
• MCAT: My practice baseline score was 497. This was without studying at all - just trying to get an idea of what I need to work on. I am planning on taking the official test in April.
• State of residence: MN
• Undergraduate institution: Luther College, IA

Extracurriculars:
• Shadowing:
250 hours - psychiatry
200 hours - family med. this was an internship I did through my university and received credit for it. I’m not sure if it should go under shadowing or in a different category

• Volunteering:
250 hours teaching swim lessons
50 hours volunteer soccer coach
(Potential) 40 hours Peace Corps. I applied for a virtual peace corps opportunity but am still waiting to hear back

• Other activities:
Luther College Women’s Swim Team, Bell Choir, Pre-Health Club

Current Dilemma:
Should I apply this cycle to see if I get any interviews, or would that hurt my chances if I need to reapply next year with a stronger application? Does my low GPA (especially sGPA) make it unrealistic to even apply?

I am also considering enrolling in an SMP at either the University of Minnesota - Duluth or Bethel University (MN) to strengthen my academic record. Would doing an SMP help make up for my low GPA? Are they worthwhile investments?

Any advice on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

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[Faha]

You could benefit from a SMP but another approach would be to do a DIY post bacc at a local college. You would be screened out at many schools with your sGPA of 2.91. Taken enough undergraduate level science courses to raise your sGPA above 3.0 . Post your MCAT score here when available and we can give you further advice. You also need 150+ hours of non clinical volunteering such as food bank, homeless shelter, etc. before you apply. Your 200 hours of family medicine internship would be clinical volunteering. You should obtain some primary care shadowing.

 

[LunaOri]

Please don’t rush to take the MCAT. A score of 497 will not help you! Since you are going to take a gap year, delay the MCAT until you have maxed out your score on the practice exams.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Look for SMP's with MCAT prep. DO NOT APPLY until you have researched this and connected with their program directors. Find programs with articulation agreements.

Read

How to Choose a Postbaccalaureate or Special Masters Program (SMP) - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

Furthermore, you don't seem to have service orientation activities like food distribution, shelter volunteer, job/tax preparation, legal support, transportation services, or housing rehabilitation. Your activities are extensions of your talent as an athlete. Virtual Peace Corps isn't going to have the impact adcoms want to see. With zero service orientation hours, your application will probably be screened out at most schools. You should consider in-person Peace Corps, Americorps, or similar work with a social service non-profit (as far away from clinic-adjacent as you can) and get at least 150 hours before submitting your application.

 

[kara3.1415]

You could benefit from a SMP but another approach would be to do a DIY post bacc at a local college. You would be screened out at many schools with your sGPA of 2.91. Taken enough undergraduate level science courses to raise your sGPA above 3.0 . Post your MCAT score here when available and we can give you further advice. You also need 150+ hours of non clinical volunteering such as food bank, homeless shelter, etc. before you apply. Your 200 hours of family medicine internship would be clinical volunteering. You should obtain some primary care shadowing.

I’m a little confused about how post bacc’s work. Could you give me more information on how it works or link some resources? If I took the same class at a local college would it replace the old grade? Or would it just add more classes to my gpa? Also, how does it count/get added to my transcript?

 

[Faha]

I’m a little confused about how post bacc’s work. Could you give me more information on how it works or link some resources? If I took the same class at a local college would it replace the old grade? Or would it just add more classes to my gpa? Also, how does it count/get added to my transcript?

You would take undergraduate level science courses that you have not previously taken at a local college.They are just added to your cGPA and sGPA.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I’m a little confused about how post bacc’s work. Could you give me more information on how it works or link some resources? If I took the same class at a local college would it replace the old grade? Or would it just add more classes to my gpa? Also, how does it count/get added to my transcript?

Again, read

How to Choose a Postbaccalaureate or Special Masters Program (SMP) - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

There is no grade replacement. All transcripts will be requested for transcript verification and GPA calculation.