What Are My Chances and Other General Questions

[ChubbyChaser]

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Hi i am a junior in college right now and my grades are pretty bad(2.57). i tried improving but i still get crappy grades i am thinking of transfering to another "easier" school and still do pre med or should i stay my school? what else can i do besides give up? i am getting discouraged...any adivce would help

Unless you are at MIT or CAL tech, chances of you significantly improving that GPA are slim especially if you are trying hard at it. My best bit of advice would be to consider other careers in healthcare and not be too hard on yourself.

 

[bellaepie]

Hey everyone!

So I've already gotten one acceptance (so, I'm not completely spazzing out, but I am a little unsure of what to do), but I'm waitlisted and deferred at the two other schools I've been interviewed at.

I got one C in a 300-level bio class, but two A-'s, one A, and a B+ (one A- in an upper-level bio class and the B+ in a grad-level bio class..the other two A's were in somewhat "easier" classes). Anyways, my question is, should I send these grades to the schools I'm waitlisted/deferred at (Tulane and UMich), or wait until the end of April for my current semester's grades to be out? That C is pretty glaring, so I don't want that to be a reason why they turn me away for good, and I'm pretty confident that I can do better this semester, to balance it out a bit more.

Thanks! I'm sorry if this is crazzy/freaking-out sounding. 😛

 

[aenguyen]

Hi everybody!

I have a 3.31 GPA and scored a 31Q on the MCAT. I am just hoping to get into any medical school in the U.S. I'm worried because my gpa is a bit low and was wondering if I would have a shot if I applied this coming June. Also, I was thinking about retaking the MCAT but don't know if its worth the risk of having it drop.

(EC's: 160 hours of volunteering at the ER and OR)

any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[sairam84]

Hello everyone! I need your advice and all the help!
My stats are poor but should i hold a beacon of hope for getting into an American MD school specially Howard, Meharry, Morehouse and Downstate?
My stats!
GPA 3.42, Science 3.3
MCAT 22: V8, PS7, BS7
I have excellent LORs and extensive research and 200+ volunteering.
I appreciate all your help!
Thanks in advance

 

[amph119]

If anyone can take a look at my MDApps and toss me some advice, I'd appreciate it.

 

[starlight00]

I am currently a graduating undergrad.Senior in Neuroscience

Due to certain mishaps in my life I've not succeeded in doing well overall in regards to a cum. GPA of 2.8. I've had a 32 on my MCAT

I have just one more semester left and I doubt it can raise much at all.

My question is if I should apply for grad school than to medical school.

I've published a book during my sophomore yr and I've completed 3 years of Research at a hospital while being a Teachers Assitant for one year. I've all established a foundation that assits with philantrophic duties.

I need help. I don't think one semester can bring it to a 3.0

Please someone give me some advice.

 

[mattng]

So it's the middle of January and haven't heard anything besides rejections and holds. I've submitted all my secondarys in November-ish as I was waiting for my MCAT score (took it August 14th) Please let me know what you think. Thanks!

http://mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid=9660

 

[Piyush]

Your VR score might hurt your chances at some places. Your GPA seems fine. Also, you can do earlier than novemberish.

 

[Lokhtar]

You have a good GPA and your ECs look fine, but your MCAT will hurt, and since you're applying late, you may not get in. You should really apply to a lot more schools - the later you start, the more broadly you need to apply.

 

[Revenant]

underwhelming MCAT
Average EC's
Good GPA
verdict: borderline

 

[mattng]

I was told by my pre-med advisor just to apply to those schools. I mean, I think it's too late now to apply to any other schools now, so I guess I'll just have to wait it out...

 

[ChubbyChaser]

I think Univ of MD is your best shot, do you know if they welcome LOIs?

 

[mattng]

I think Univ of MD is your best shot, do you know if they welcome LOIs?

Yea, U of M is my first choice and my app was placed on hold. At least it isn't a rejection. What are LOIs?

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Yea, U of M is my first choice and my app was placed on hold. At least it isn't a rejection. What are LOIs?

Letters of Interest/Intent - Do a search there is a lot of info on it. It may help or it may not, and usually depends on the institution.

 

[vadd0]

I want to apply for matriculation for an MD in 2009. My vitals are as follows:

3.84 GPA
34O MCAT (12,11,11)
BS Biochemistry from Ohio State (projected SP09)
Over 125 volunteer hours logged at Hospital
2 years experience in a Biophysics group (second author on a paper)
1 year experience in Structural Biology group (part of NIH REU)
Chemistry tutor in 2006
Resident Advisor
First Generation College Student

I am applying to Ohio State's medical school and Harvard's medical school, but are there other locations where I could be competitive? Also, since my family lives in poverty, which school has the best financial aid. I want to start applying in for 2009 in June, but I want to make sure I am not overlooking anything.

 

[nevercold]

There's so much that is unpredictable about the Med School application process, but your MCAT score and GPA are both solidly above average and you have good experiences. Really you should be competitive to at least interview at most places you choose to apply as long as your personal statement and letters of recommendation are strong. I don't think the nuts and bolts of your application will make you a bad candidate to any school, but what will matter in terms of what tier you are competitive for is how you express your drive and readiness for medicine and how well you package your accomplishments on your AMCAS application.

US News and World Report rankings are kinda silly, BUT maybe consider having a few schools on your list in the top 20, a few more in the top 50 and a few below the top 50 just to give you an idea. You can apply to those top schools, but I would recommend definitely have a few second tier and lower tier schools as well to keep your options open!

Oh and to matriculate in fall of '09 your application cycle starts in June '08.

 

[flaahless]

I want to apply for matriculation for an MD in 2009. My vitals are as follows:

3.84 GPA
34O MCAT (12,11,11)
BS Biochemistry from Ohio State (projected SP09)
Over 125 volunteer hours logged at Hospital
2 years experience in a Biophysics group (second author on a paper)
1 year experience in Structural Biology group (part of NIH REU)
Chemistry tutor in 2006
Resident Advisor
First Generation College Student

I am applying to Ohio State's medical school and Harvard's medical school, but are there other locations where I could be competitive? Also, since my family lives in poverty, which school has the best financial aid. I want to start applying in for 2009 in June, but I want to make sure I am not overlooking anything.

You are competitive anywhere. So apply broadly to wherever your heart desires.

As far as financial aid goes, stick with your state school. I will most likely be the cheapest school you apply to. I've also heard that Mayo offers excellent financial aid, so you may want to consider them.

 

[LizzyM]

In some cases, after scholarships and other aid are factored in, your state school might not be the least expensive.

You seem to have a good shot at almost any school. You should get your hands on the MSAR and look over the schools to find those that offer what you want (pass/fail vs. grades), teaching style (mostly lectures/ mostly self-directed learning & small groups/ combination), format (organ based or not), location (urban, suburban, rural), distance/travel time from "home" or other support network. Keep in mind that some state schools are not friendly to out-of-state applicants. Work your way through the book until you narrow the list to 13-20 schools. Consider applying for a fee waiver. Consider checking the box as someone who grew up "disadvantaged" (if you did) to bring that aspect of your application to the adcoms' attention.

 

[1956Goldtop]

You have a solid application especially with your strong research experience. I also agree that you are competitive anywhere. You can get a copy of the MSAR and look through the various state schools and see how many people they take from out of state to gauge your shot at those schools. I know that SUNY schools in particular accept many out of state students and you can apply for instate tuition after one year. Hope this helps, and best of luck on figuring out what schools to apply to!.

 

[armybound]

I want to apply for matriculation for an MD in 2009. My vitals are as follows:

3.84 GPA
34O MCAT (12,11,11)
BS Biochemistry from Ohio State (projected SP09)
Over 125 volunteer hours logged at Hospital
2 years experience in a Biophysics group (second author on a paper)
1 year experience in Structural Biology group (part of NIH REU)
Chemistry tutor in 2006
Resident Advisor
First Generation College Student

I am applying to Ohio State's medical school and Harvard's medical school, but are there other locations where I could be competitive? Also, since my family lives in poverty, which school has the best financial aid. I want to start applying in for 2009 in June, but I want to make sure I am not overlooking anything.

with your strong application you may be a compelling candidate for a school to give a full scholarship to. if not, you may have to succumb to loans like the rest of us.

 

[Yoyomama88]

http://mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid=08740

I graduated early and took the hardest load I have ever had in college this fall. My grades are the following:

(last fall) 3.68

(last spring)3.54

This fall semester was a 3.6

ENGL 411 Group Tutorial, Undergraduate 1.00 A-
MATH 231 An Introduction to Probability 1.00 A
MB&B 321 Biomedicinal Chemistry 1.00 B
MB&B 383 Biochemistry 1.00 B+
MUSC 452 Javanese Gamelan--Advanced 1.00 A
PHED 122 Swimming for Fitness 0.25 CR

I also applied a little late, I had my primary verified in early october, secondaries out later. Also there is an issue with my MCAT, first time (8,8,9) my second score was a (10,10,11) but I took it a third time, and I did much much worse. (8,9,9).

So right now, Im still waiting to hear back from the one school I interviewed at. However, I did not apply to that many schools...so the question is, what do I do if im not accepted?




Is additional course work neccessary for me? Grad school, or Post BACC? If Post BACC, does anyone think I should be looking into programs for this spring semester, since I graduated early?

Do I have to take the MCAT again? Should I just get a job? Any suggestions...

 

[THH]

Apply early and broadly next year. Do something during the gap year, but your stats aren't terrible by any means.

 

[dd128]

Yeah you're stuff looks pretty good IMO (gpa may be slightly below average but nobody's perfect), congrats on the interviews too. I wouldn't give up just yet either, I know it sucks waiting you start imagining all the horrible things adcoms are saying about you. I've been doing the same thing, wondering what I'm going to do if I don't get in this time around either.

It would be a lot of trouble to take the mcat a 4th time because I think you need special permission and 31 is not bad by any means, so you may just want to stick with what you have. If you don't get in I'd just keep yourself occupied, and apply very broadly and early next year. I've heard you shouldn't go to grad school just for the sake of going, and only if you think you really want to. Post bac may be a descent idea, but you need to decide if it's worth the time and money.

 

[shiftingmirage]

OP-
Looking at your MD Apps, it appears you are still waiting to hear back from several schools. I would not give up hope. There are still 4 more months in the interview season. If you're done with school, I would find a job that is in some way science or caring for others related. If you don't get in, you can keep the job and add it to your app for the following year. Although you did not apply to many schools, I think you are on par with the schools you applied to. Your biggest issue is probably taking the MCAT 3 times and that your score went down the third time. Do not take it again. When did you apply? Some schools do take 3-4 months to get back to you. Wait until the end of Feb. and if things aren't looking good, then consider post bac.

 

[scowdeva]

Depending on how many credits you have total, doing some post bacc work can really raise that GPA. One semester of me getting a 3.91 with 13 credits raised my GPA in this way: sGPA was 3.26 now is 3.34...GPA was 3.39 now 3.46! And thats just one semester! I chose my classes, did it informally, so it wasn't as expensive as a formal program. Also, you can take as many or few that you think you can rock (if I would have had any more money I would have taken another class, but that is the max I could borrow).

I agree with the other posters to wait out this season, but look into getting involved with a job and maybe taking some more classes and applying again. DO NOT RETAKE THE MCAT!! Your score of 31 is good, and some schools will overlook your lower third take (my second take was lower than my first, and I'm getting some love). Just get your apps in on the first day next year and you should at least get looked at by your state schools. Good luck!

 

[whateva07]

Do schools look at your most recent mcat? or your highest? how does it work?

 

[1956Goldtop]

It differs by schools. Some will take the highest from each section, some only look at the highest overall sitting, the latest sitting, and some take the mean. The school websites should be able to provide more details on this.

 

[Begaster]

Why'd you retake with a 31?

 

[MDAdam]

Click and post a comment or comment in the thread. I know this ultimately comes down to which goals I want to pursue, but I want to go ahead and receive comments from you; I am already considering taking a year off before medical school, so should I go ahead and withdraw my applications to these schools and retake the MCAT with hope of scoring higher, and thus applying to more (prestigious) schools? I am uncertain if I want to do research once I am out of medical school and the schools that I applied to are not as research focused as I would like.

My mdapplicants profile

 

[Yoyomama88]

i retook because i wanted to apply this year and I didnt know my score yet. I figured if I kept studying one more month there was no way I could do worse...boy was i wrong.

 

[al112987]

So, I'm in a bit of a problem. (its ironic because I promised myself last year that I'd never be one of those over-stressed neurotic pre-meds)

I went to a unique H.S. that allowed us to take college courses for two years at a local liberal arts college that would fulfill our H.S. requirements as well as build some college credit before we actually started at our undergraduate institutions.

Unfortunately, I was a lazy student back in high school and without thinking much about the future, ended up with something like a 3.4 in my classes there. Currently, I'm a sophomore at UNC-Chapel Hill making around a 3.9 in one of the toughest majors at my school (chemistry), but when I factor in the classes I took back in H.S, it pulls down my gpa significantly. I've worked my ass off for the last year and a half for the sole purpose of making up for the classes that I did poorly in back in H.S. but considering these grades came back when I was a foolish, pot smoking, high schooler with no sense of direction, this doesn't kill my chances at being competitive for a top 10 school or anything does it?

Or am I just being paranoid and over obsessive?

 

[PanicAttack]

Or am I just being paranoid and over obsessive?

Yes, you are. The math doesn't make much sense that it would really pull you down very far. Not to mention the "upward trend" card. Calm down.

 

[justme456]

i think you're just being paranoid.

As long as you have that "upward trend" that they always talk about.. you'll be just fine.

 

[al112987]

Haha, ok, I'm not trying to be a "gunner" (as people on this site refer to) or anything its just that ever since I started reading these boards and MDApplicants, I've started to get a little paranoid.

 

[PanicAttack]

Yeah SDN has that effect on people.
When you start to freak out, look at my MDApps and regain hope. I suck and I've gotten 2 interviews 🙂

 

[MorieRo]

could you guys please take a moment to comment on my mdapps profile

it has been quite a while since I applied (2-4 months depending on the school) and it seems to me that it is getting late for the interview invitations to go out.

do you think i'll hear from anyone soon given my stats and experience?

thanks a lot for your time.

 

[mirmaid959]

3.4 MCATS BS 11 VR 10 PS 8

Lots of extracurriculars and leadership, first author paper in JBC

Haven't heard from any schools should I retake the MCATS?

 

[armybound]

3.4 MCATS BS 11 VR 10 PS 8

Lots of extracurriculars and leadership, first author paper in JBC

Haven't heard from any schools should I retake the MCATS?

When and where did you apply?

Your MCAT isn't that great, but it isn't horrible either.. if you could get the PS up to 10 you could easily make yourself a little more competitive. I'd also consider having your PS looked at to make sure it was good and think about whether your LOR writers were able to give you strong recommendations.

 

[CoolRunnings]

Hey all,

I'll be graduating soon with a 3.63, BCPM of 3.79. Good ECs: student council, publication, varsity athlete, shadowing, volunteering. The reason the overall GPA is so low is because I got a 2.1 my freshman fall. Since then I've had one semester of 3.1 and the rest between 3.5-4.0 (with 4 semesters of 4.0). My cum. GPA without my first semester is a 3.80, I believe.

1. What would my MCAT have to be to have a good shot at any school?

2. How important is an upward trend?

Obviously this is far from an exact science...I'm just trying to get an idea of how I'll be sitting.

Thanks for your help.

 

[MarySue99]

Hey all,

I'll be graduating soon with a 3.63, BCPM of 3.79. Good ECs: student council, publication, varsity athlete, shadowing, volunteering. The reason the overall GPA is so low is because I got a 2.1 my freshman fall. Since then I've had one semester of 3.1 and the rest between 3.5-4.0 (with 4 semesters of 4.0). My cum. GPA without my first semester is a 3.80, I believe.

1. What would my MCAT have to be to have a good shot at any school?

2. How important is an upward trend?

Obviously this is far from an exact science...I'm just trying to get an idea of how I'll be sitting.

Thanks for your help.

How on earth did you get your gpa that high after 1 semester with a 2.1 and one with a 3.1? Remember, even if you retook classes, BOTH the original and the retake count in your gpa for md schools. Anyways, good job!

Upward trend is good, especially since your cumulative is pretty good. I don't know what mcat score you need, but definitely above a 30.

 

[CoolRunnings]

Thanks for the kind words! Yes I retook the 2 classes I did poorly in and factored both grades into the GPA. I also transferred so had to take more credits that I would've liked. I think I'll be finishing with about 150 hours (+30 AP hours), which will help to dilute the bad grades!

 

[fisko82]

1. What would my MCAT have to be to have a good shot at any school?

I would aim for a balanced 30 to be competitive for US MD schools, with no individual section's score below an 8. That's just a ballpark number and is by no means set in stone. Many have success with scores lower than that, so take it for what it's worth. However, know that if you're asian/white, the average these days for successful MD matriculants is around the 31/3.7 ballpark http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/2007/mcatgparaceeth07.htm

Additionally, if you're looking at the DO route the situation is a bit different.

2. How important is an upward trend?

It's important, but not any more so than other parts of an application (ECs, MCAT, LORs, personal statement, etc.).

 

[John Hops]

Firstly, forgive me for asking a very specific version of a question that has been asked ad infinitum in this thread and, I'm sure, throughout this forum. Thanks to anyone who responds, as I'm having a lot of sleepless nights lately about med school and my chances of getting into a good school.

So my basic story is this; I go to University of Michigan which, I think, is highly looked upon. I was an honors student for my first two years. My major is Cell Molecular Biology, for which the average GPA is 2.8 here. My GPA is currently a 3.3, and after this next semester I hope for it to be a 3.4 at least (really buckling down, taking a larger than usual credit load, etc). My science GPA is a 3.3/3.4.

My MCAT score is a 38. 14 in physics, 13 in verbal reasoning, 11 in biology. I got an "r" in the writing section.

I am a pretty good writer, and very nearly doubled in english, so I have confidence in the quality of my personal statement and my essays. I also have a number of friends who are excellent writers who can help me.

I am a minority (I know, lame, but I've heard it helps).

I have have been a volunteer tutor since my sophmore year of college (and held a position in an honors volunteer organization here). I am a member of the pre-chemistry fraternity. I have done research every summer since the summer after my senior year of highschool, focusing on cancer most especially. My work will, within the next month, be published in a reasonably well established journal for the type of work I do (I will be second author).

I have done a little volunteering in a hospital, but not much. This summer I will be doing 3 months of volunteer work in Ecuador, in a hospital, in an environment that will give me real hands on experience (a friend of mine did the same thing and delivered babies, stitched people up, scrubbed in for surgeries...all things to that can, at least, be mentioned in essays and personal statements). I will take the upcoming year off to work in my lab (and hopefully publish another paper, this time first authored) and volunteer at the local university hospital.

So, with all that in mind...what are my chances of getting into a GOOD medical school? I'm quite confident that my MCAT score can make up for some of my less than stellar GPA at the lower tier medical schools, but is there any chance at all that I might be expected to get into something in the top, say, 25?

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer this, those of you that do. Whether you say yes or no, you'll be giving a little peace to this restless mind of mine! Its the not knowin' that does th' killin'! 🙂

 

[John Hops]

could you guys please take a moment to comment on my mdapps profile

it has been quite a while since I applied (2-4 months depending on the school) and it seems to me that it is getting late for the interview invitations to go out.

do you think i'll hear from anyone soon given my stats and experience?

thanks a lot for your time.

I could help but notice you had some experience in Istanbul. My father is from Istanbul!

As to your application, not that I am super familiar with these things, but it seems like you have an extremely solid resume. Your scores and grades are good, competitive on their own, but your vast experience really makes you stand out.

You'll be fine, I bet. I have a number of friends who just got interview offers.

 

[Sachiel]

Ok, so i am in a dilemma and I apologize for making this a personal thing but I would really appreciate some advice.

3.8 29Q firstly.

I havent heard any good news but only rejections from six out of 15 schools. I havent heard anything from any in-state schools (FL).

But not everything is bad, which is the problem, NIH recently offered me a post-bac position and they want an answer soon.

Between medical research and getting into med school, i would choose the latter.

So, should i stop hoping this year and take the position is the question, the position requires a two year contract.

Any advice would be soooo greatly appreciated.

 

[centersharpie]

Well the only thing wrong with your stats is that MCAT. If you could take the test over and get above a 30 you should be fine. But I do have a couple of questions:

1. The post bacc at NIH, how long is it?

2. IS it more research oriented since it's the NIH?

3. What's your science GPA?

The only reason why I ask is because if you really want to go to medical school I would honestly raise the MCAT. A postbacc is for ppl who need to raise their science GPA/overall. I could see if your science GPA was less than a 3.4, then I would suggest doing the postbacc. If it isn't I would try beefing up the application for next cycle by retaking the MCAT or adding some EC's and all that jazz.

But since the application cycle isn't over I wouldn't put all of my eggs in one basket.

^Just my 2 cents^

c.s.

 

[Sachiel]

Well the only thing wrong with your stats is that MCAT. If you could take the test over and get above a 30 you should be fine. But I do have a couple of questions:

1. The post bacc at NIH, how long is it?

2. IS it more research oriented since it's the NIH?

3. What's your science GPA?

The only reason why I ask is because if you really want to go to medical school I would honestly raise the MCAT. A postbacc is for ppl who need to raise their science GPA/overall. I could see if your science GPA was less than a 3.4, then I would suggest doing the postbacc. If it isn't I would try beefing up the application for next cycle by retaking the MCAT or adding some EC's and all that jazz.

But since the application cycle isn't over I wouldn't put all of my eggs in one basket.

^Just my 2 cents^

c.s.

Thanks for the reply, that is my science GPA. And the post-bac isnt a GPA raising thing, it is the IRTA program, I would work as a research fellow.

And the postbac offered right now, is two years, which isnt helping my decision.

 

[cetona]

I am will be applying in the upcoming cycle, so I was wondering if there are any major flaws in my application right now that could be worked on during this semester, and what my realistic goals for schools are as of right now.

3.87 overall GPA, 3.89 Science GPA
32Q MCAT (11 PS, 11 BS, 10 VR)

3 Years volunteering as a tutor for low income kids in Chicago - 1 year as a participant, 2 Years as coordinator of the program (6 hrs/week)

2 Semesters research with my organic chemistry professor (3 hrs/week)

1 Semester research in geology (6 hrs/week)

2 Semesters as a Teaching Assistant in a Geology Lab (3 hrs/week)

40 hours shadowing a family doctor

1 summer volunteering in a hospital (20 hrs/week)

Work in the nursery at my local church (2 hrs/week)

Intramural sports every semester (3 hrs/week)


Thanks for any feedback/constructive criticism, it is greatly appreciated.

 

[MorieRo]

I could help but notice you had some experience in Istanbul. My father is from Istanbul!

As to your application, not that I am super familiar with these things, but it seems like you have an extremely solid resume. Your scores and grades are good, competitive on their own, but your vast experience really makes you stand out.

You'll be fine, I bet. I have a number of friends who just got interview offers.

thanks for the support. i am keeping my fingers crossed.. i am from istanbul, also. how did your dad end up in the US? it's really rare to find turkish students going for med school in the US. We are so small in numbers that everybody knows if somebody is going for it.. hehehe

such a pleasant coincidence.

 

[carrare]

Well my undergraduate cumulative GPA is a 3.03. I'm about to start my Masters this semester, which will take three semesters and I'm pretty confident I'll be able to maintain a good GPA. I'm planning to take my MCATs in August, and apply to medical school. (so I'll be applying with one semester of my graduate degree on my transcript) I have done volunteer work and shadowed doctors and am in the process of completing my EMT-Basic certification.

My question is, with my low GPA, is there a chance I can get into medical school? And what should I be aiming to get on my MCAT's to guarantee entrance? Furtheremore, are there specific schools in the US that is known for not weighing so heavily on GPA?😕😕🙁🙁

Please tell me what I need to do or am I trying to fight a lost cause?