WAMC T20

[trivix]

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So basically, I had a really bad semester of college due to covid. My university allowed everyone to pass/fail all those classes but I didn't (i had a 2.4gpa that semester due to the pandemic.) Basically, without that semester I have a 3.7 gpa but with it it goes down to like a 3.5. Do I still have a chance to get into T20 or should I just forgot about that and apply to lower tier schools.

 

[RunnerDad]

I recommend using the WAMC template and posting this in the WAMC subforum. It's difficult to say, based on the limited information you've provided.

 

[trivix]

I recommend using the WAMC template and posting this in the WAMC subforum. It's difficult to say, based on the limited information you've provided.

WAMC?

 

[RunnerDad]

What Are My Chances (WAMC) is a subforum of this SDN Pre-Medical (MD) forum. There's a sticky explaining how to format your post so that you can get the best possible advice from experienced adcoms who are on SDN (LizzyM, Goro, Mr.Smile, Faha, et al.)

 

[trivix]

GPA: 3.55 (3.7 w/o one fluke semester during covid) at a top undergrad program (not ivy tho)

MCAT: 52X

NY Resident

Clinical Hours: 2k hrs scribing (projected)

Research Hours: 1k hrs basic science 1 low tier pub

Non-clinical volunteering: 200 hrs food pantry

Shadowing: 2k hrs in the ED (projected concurrent w/ scribing)

 

[Med Ed]

Basically, without that semester I have a 3.7 gpa but with it it goes down to like a 3.5.

So you have a 3.5 GPA.

Unless you have some type of ace up your sleeve, you should be happy to get into any medical school.

 

[trivix]

So you have a 3.5 GPA.

Unless you have some type of ace up your sleeve, you should be happy to get into any medical school.

Not sure if this is an "ace" but I basically have a 3.7 scratch one semester during the pandemic which I flunked due to mental health. I also went to a semi-prestigous undergrad and plan on accumulating 2k hrs scribing.

 

[Med Ed]

Not sure if this is an "ace" but I basically have a 3.7 scratch one semester during the pandemic which I flunked due to mental health.

The rules don't include dropping the lowest semester. So you have a 3.5.

I also went to a semi-prestigous undergrad and plan on accumulating 2k hrs scribing.

You just described half the applicant pool.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Please format your profile to the template.

*~*~*~*IMPORTANT: How to Format Your WAMC Thread for Optimal Results and More!!*~*~*~*

Hello, and welcome to the What Are My Chances (WAMC) forum. The purpose of this forum is to Post threads about your chances of acceptance to MD and/or DO schools Have your school list critiqued and modified by other members of SDN Determine how to strengthen your current application General...

forums.studentdoctor.net

 

[chilly_md]

OP’s threads were merged to keep information in one place.

 

[jvquarterback]

See if you can retroactively switch to p/f. Not much else you can do.

 

[Goro]

OP, why didn't you take an LOA due to COVID?

 

[karaya]

I believe that T20 schools are so inundated with stellar applicants (with 3.9s and 520s) that you really need an X factor to comfortably secure a seat. Something like URM, professional athlete, veteran, Peace Corps, Fulbright / Rhodes / Gates, or consistent publication in Q1 journals. There are certainly others. I've noticed great applicants are "pointy," very accomplished in one or two things. But 2k hours of scribing won't cut it. One "low tier pub" won't cut it. (And by the way, projected hours don't matter at the time of submission, and you can't double dip scribing as shadowing--at least, not on a 1:1 ratio).

I am often surprised how much applicants fixate on this vaunted T20. Medicine isn't like law, where only the top schools guarantee a well-paying career. You will be a doctor whether you attend Harvard or Podunk SOM. Take it from someone who just escaped a grueling cycle with a single A. The most important decision you can make in your application is your school list. Do not apply to all T20s. Sow your seeds according to your WARS score.

 

[Goro]

"I am often surprised how much applicants fixate on this vaunted T20."

You'd be surprised how many premeds tie their self-worth to prestige.
They also don't get that there are at least 30 schools in the "T20s.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I believe that T20 schools are so inundated with stellar applicants (with 3.9s and 520s) that you really need an X factor to comfortably secure a seat. Something like URM, professional athlete, veteran, Peace Corps, Fulbright / Rhodes / Gates, or consistent publication in Q1 journals. ...

There are no magic bullets in med school admissions. You have to have the fundamentals for the X factors to help you. It doesn't compensate for a lack of clinical experience. This may be the case for hiring into academic positions but not getting into medical school.

 

[candbgirl]

It used to be getting into a T10-20 med school was a crapshoot. Now a days, getting into any med school is a crap shoot. Only 40% of all applicants are accepted anywhere and of that number about half are accepted to one school. That means 60% are outright rejected. This includes applicants with stellar applications.
Why did you elected to not use P/F for that semester?
No medical school is going to ignore your bad semester so you are applying with a 3.5.
Yes you should apply to “lower tier” med schools and if you don’t hear from any of the schools you apply to by say October, apply to some DO schools. (If you really want to be a doctor and not just a MD.)
IT WOULD HELP IF YOU FILLED IN THE WAMC grid that @Mr.Smile12 posted. From what you shared, it seems that those 2000 hours of scribing might be in the works and not completed.
When are you applying ? The current cycle(25) or next cycle(26) or beyond. This all makes a difference.

 

[trivix]

Why did you elected to not use P/F for that semester?

Poor judgement.

From what you shared, it seems that those 2000 hours of scribing might be in the works and not completed.

Yeah, I just got hired at scribe america and I calculated how many hours I think I will have before May '25.

When are you applying ? The current cycle(25) or next cycle(26) or beyond. This all makes a difference.

Im applying to the cycle starting may 2025 to matriculate in 2026.

 

[Med Ed]

Yeah, I just got hired at scribe america and I calculated how many hours I think I will have before May '25.

The rule of thumb is that a year of standard (40 hours/week) employment nets 2000 hours. So you'll have a gap year of employment as a scribe, which is a pretty common move these days.

Did you actually take the MCAT, or is 52X a projected score?

I wouldn't double count your work hours as shadowing.

 

[LeaveNoTrace]

The rules don't include dropping the lowest semester. So you have a 3.5.


You just described half the applicant pool.

That really depends...that might show poor judgment, etc. but if it was freshman or maybe sophomore year it might be excused somewhat. Struggling as a college freshman is pretty common. On paper, the OP stands a puncher's chance at top-20s, an okay-to-not-great chance at midtiers, and is in the running for state MD schools. They're a strong DO applicant, however.