What Are My Chances and Other General Questions

BU Medical Sciences
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Status
Not open for further replies.
Members don't see this ad.
Hey so here goes,
I'm a Junior applying to medical School from Rice U. in Houston.

GPA: 3.63

Science GPA: approx. 3.55

MCAT: 31R BS 10 VR 10 PS 11 WS R

Good Rec. Letters from research prof, couple science profs, total of 4-6 people.

I am an officer in a couple organizations consistently, research (no publications but I have presentation experience), my GPA improved from an average of 3.3-3.4 my Freshman year to 3.5 my soph. year to a 3.8-3.9 my junior year.

I have a 3.9 upper division science GPA. My main problem was making B's in some intro classes because I took it easy and barely missed the A mark.

I am retaking the MCAT so I hopefully pull a 36 and get some better odds. I took Kaplan over the Spring semester to boost my odds.

I did some volunteering with children, internships, research, hospital volunteering

I don't have a particular thing with getting into an Ivy school but any school that is decent is fine.

I had some adversity with my uncle passing away and I broke my leg and had to walk on crutches for some of my junior year but I still pulled a 4.0 my fall semester junior year.

Only obviously bad marks I have are that I withdrew from my first time I took gen. chemistry but transcript says I was passing and I made a C in ochem II but it was during a particularly tough semester. I made up with an A+ in biochem. and some upper division courses.

What do you all think? Please be honest and serious. Thanks.
 
Just picked up my MCAT scores today, so I figured I'd post and see what I might be in for.

GPA: 3.6, Science GPA: 3.5. Honors Biology/Chemistry

Due to my honors thesis, I should graduate with high or highest distinction.

In an honors biology program at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, max enrollment of 15 students. Have to take a year of organic chem, a year and a half of calc, statistics, and intensive labs. We did stuff like RNAi, really cutting-edge work.

In the campus honors program at school. Nothing super intensive, just need to keep a GPA over 3.5 consistently and finish an honors project every semester. Honors projects are things like literature reviews.

MCAT: 37R, 13V, 11P, 13B

Extracurriculars:
-Speakers coordinator in a global health club for a year, organized 2 speaking conferences focused on integrating several professions into healthcare
-Lab member at a cell biology lab for 1.5 years, working ~20hrs/week. Writing my honors thesis on phthalate poisoning of stem cells.
-Lab member at environmental science lab for 1.5 years, working ~20hrs/week. Listed author on one publication
-Hospital volunteer in ER & Oncology for 2 years, plus another 2 years in HS, 4-6hrs/week
-Internship at the Global Student Health Survey at the World Health Organization this summer. Staying in Switzerland and working at the main office there.
-Special Undergraduate Research on the Environment fellow 2 years running. Provides research funding in exchange for a conference poster presentation
-First place at a research conference poster exhibition.

I should have 3 strong rec letters. One from the biology program coordinator, one from my research head, and one from my WHO supervisor.
 
BCPM = 3.53, overall = 3.76, MCAT = 28,

what are my chances? This is my second time taking the MCAT and I scored a frustrating 28 again (how disappointing, I know). I'm a non-science major and already taking time off. My science GPA dipped 2nd year to, like, a 3.2 (family issues) but senior year was a 3.7 or something so there's an upward trend.

To my knowledge, I have solid rec letters, extracurriculars, and volunteering. I'm really worried that the 28 will hold me back, though.

Feedback, anyone? I appreciate honesty but diplomacy is great, too. Thx.
 
Hestabbedbasil said:
Just picked up my MCAT scores today, so I figured I'd post and see what I might be in for.

GPA: 3.6, Science GPA: 3.5. Honors Biology/Chemistry

Due to my honors thesis, I should graduate with high or highest distinction.

In an honors biology program at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, max enrollment of 15 students. Have to take a year of organic chem, a year and a half of calc, statistics, and intensive labs. We did stuff like RNAi, really cutting-edge work.

In the campus honors program at school. Nothing super intensive, just need to keep a GPA over 3.5 consistently and finish an honors project every semester. Honors projects are things like literature reviews.

MCAT: 37R, 13V, 11P, 13B

Extracurriculars:
-Speakers coordinator in a global health club for a year, organized 2 speaking conferences focused on integrating several professions into healthcare
-Lab member at a cell biology lab for 1.5 years, working ~20hrs/week. Writing my honors thesis on phthalate poisoning of stem cells.
-Lab member at environmental science lab for 1.5 years, working ~20hrs/week. Listed author on one publication
-Hospital volunteer in ER & Oncology for 2 years, plus another 2 years in HS, 4-6hrs/week
-Internship at the Global Student Health Survey at the World Health Organization this summer. Staying in Switzerland and working at the main office there.
-Special Undergraduate Research on the Environment fellow 2 years running. Provides research funding in exchange for a conference poster presentation
-First place at a research conference poster exhibition.

I should have 3 strong rec letters. One from the biology program coordinator, one from my research head, and one from my WHO supervisor.
Click to expand...


If not for your GPAs, you could apply to a top tier medical school and have a competitive edge. I'd say that you are a shoe-in for an M.D. program, though I can't say that you will get into a top tier school. Maybe a Mid-tier school is likely but a low-tier school should be guaranteed with your MCAT, ECs and good LORs.
 
chiquita888 said:
BCPM = 3.53, overall = 3.76, MCAT = 28,

what are my chances? This is my second time taking the MCAT and I scored a frustrating 28 again (how disappointing, I know). I'm a non-science major and already taking time off. My science GPA dipped 2nd year to, like, a 3.2 (family issues) but senior year was a 3.7 or something so there's an upward trend.

To my knowledge, I have solid rec letters, extracurriculars, and volunteering. I'm really worried that the 28 will hold me back, though.

Feedback, anyone? I appreciate honesty but diplomacy is great, too. Thx.
Click to expand...

What state are you applying from? Your numbers indicate that you are competitive for some interviews but, like you said, getting an acceptance with a 28 is tricky. What do you need to improve on for the MCAT? Take a prep course or get a tutor. Anyways, I know a guy who got off the waitlist for a low-tier allopathic school with a 3.8/28. I'd say its a toss-up but best of luck to you!
 
Hey, this is my first post here. I'm a Junior at SUNY Binghamton, and I was contemplating applying this June for medical school.

Here are my main problems and concerns:

- my cum GPA is low (3.2) because after my first semester of freshman year, I had a 2.35 GPA which includes a D in intro chem I and a C in intro bio I

- since I've been running division I track the past 3 years, I've had no time to study for the MCAT so I have to take it this August, but I have confidence in my future performance.

I'm not sure if I have a chance (since I'm in NY and NY schools seem to be competitive)

How much will it help that I've run and excelled at track and field (which consumes 30+ hrs a week due to practice, traveling, and competition) and have shown a major improvement since my freshman year?

Also, I have strong LOR's from my coach, professors, and academic advisors. I'm also interning next semester in an emergency room (through my school for credits), I've been a teaching assistant for organic chemistry, I'll be doing volunteer work starting within the next two weeks, and I think I'm a pretty genuine and interesting person 😀

Any suggestions would help. My mom insists that I apply anyway while I think taking a year off and bettering myself would be the way to go. Does it hurt me if I apply and then reapply some months later?

Thanks in advance!
 
If you are confident that your future performance will improve (ie. senior year classes), then it would probably be good to take a year off. That will improve your GPA before you start the application cycle. While you can always update schools during senior year if you are applying then, it's not the same. Those grades come later in the cycle and second semester isn't a factor.

In fact, many people take a year or more off before going to medical school. Most people do not regret it at all. I kind of wish I had taken a year off myself.

If your grades have been improving since freshman year, then that is a positive. It doesn't negate the damage done, but at least you can highlight that it "woke you up" and you started working harder.

Extra-curriculars are important, but probably not as important as the the amount of time they take up unfortunately. But I think if you do ECs because you truly enjoy and want to do them, it shows and does help. More than if you are doing it for resume padding. It's probably hard to tell, but real passion for something definitely shows through during interviewing and/or personal statement.

Make sure you study hard for the MCAT. I had grades on the lower side but a pretty decent MCAT, so I think that balanced out a bit. Clearly not completely though.
 
Sorry if this is a really silly question but I am a little confused in the differences between an osteopathic vs. allopathic schools. I read the general definition off this website but it was not very specific. I did see the portion of osteopathic medicine that focused on "additional specialty training in the art and science of musculoskeletal therapy". Is this a specialty degree for those looking to go into orthopedic medicine? Why would someone choose one of these Schools over another. (Please know I am not looking for the who is better responses... I realize both programs have their strengths I am actually just trying to understand what makes each one unique). Thanks is advice!
 
Can someone take a look at my MDApps and tell me if the range of schools I am applying to is broad enough for someone with my profile.

Thanks
 
DenaliView said:
Sorry if this is a really silly question but I am a little confused in the differences between an osteopathic vs. allopathic schools. I read the general definition off this website but it was not very specific. I did see the portion of osteopathic medicine that focused on "additional specialty training in the art and science of musculoskeletal therapy". Is this a specialty degree for those looking to go into orthopedic medicine? Why would someone choose one of these Schools over another. (Please know I am not looking for the who is better responses... I realize both programs have their strengths I am actually just trying to understand what makes each one unique). Thanks is advice!
Click to expand...

Osteopathic medicine is NOT a reiteration of orthopedic medicine. It is a fringe or alternative method of treatment that is gaining mainstream attention. All you have to know is that allopathic medical schools are the traditional schools that are respected, they are the first choice of the wide majority of applicants, and the wide majority of D.O. students are usually those that did not make it into allopathic medicine. In terms of pay, it is arguable that the pay is very similar between D.O. and allopathic doctors. However, the respectability of allopathic medicine and its greater range of attracting a variety of fields, both surgical and clinical, gives the advantage to the allopathic doctor. It is more difficult to get into a residency, certainly a competitive one like surgery or dermatology, if you are a D.O.
 
Thanks that is helpful and makes more sense. So if a person chooses and osteopathic program they will not have an MD titile but instead a DO...even though they still go through medical school? It almost sounds like a medical doctor with more of an alternative medicine approach....
 
california resident and went to a UC

32P 8VR 12PS 12BS
BCPM 3.94
CUM. 3.90

2 summer research at a small biotech company
1 summer research in a academic lab with foundation work to a paper (didn't finish)
2 years post college working at a large biotech in oncology research
100 hours emergency room clinical research
100 hours pediatric patient care
4 years campus ministry (leader 3 years, president 1 year)
7 letters of rec (3 bosses, 2 science prof's, 1 science prof/major advisor, 1 social science prof)
various awards/academic achievements blah blah blah


question being, do i have a chance at certain top tiers still with a freakin 8 in VR?
 
disorder said:
california resident and went to a UC

32P 8VR 12PS 12BS
BCPM 3.94
CUM. 3.90

2 summer research at a small biotech company
1 summer research in a academic lab with foundation work to a paper (didn't finish)
2 years post college working at a large biotech in oncology research
100 hours emergency room clinical research
100 hours pediatric patient care
4 years campus ministry (leader 3 years, president 1 year)
7 letters of rec (3 bosses, 2 science prof's, 1 science prof/major advisor, 1 social science prof)
various awards/academic achievements blah blah blah


question being, do i have a chance at certain top tiers still with a freakin 8 in VR?
Click to expand...

If I'm getting this correctly, you have already graduated and are working? In any case, I think that you shouldn't be too worried about getting interviews, even at some name brand schools. The caveat is that I wouldn't aim for Harvard, Stanford, or Hopkins but some respectable mid-tier schools. You'll have to present yourself well in the interview to show that you can communicate confidently and effectively. That should dispel any problems that a committee would have with your verbal score. You should, however, be able to raise that score with some effort. Good luck!
 
lilPhysician said:
If not for your GPAs, you could apply to a top tier medical school and have a competitive edge. I'd say that you are a shoe-in for an M.D. program, though I can't say that you will get into a top tier school. Maybe a Mid-tier school is likely but a low-tier school should be guaranteed with your MCAT, ECs and good LORs.
Click to expand...

Thanks a bunch for the analysis, I really appreciate it. Do you think it would be a good idea for me to wait a year and build my GPA? You make it sound like my chances at a mid-tier are sketchy at best and I don't want my whole app to be anchored down by my GPA.
 
I'm a junior in a competitive honors program.

GPA: 3.63

Science GPA: approx. 3.55

MCAT: 31R BS 10 VR 10 PS 11 WS R. The scores are all balanced and in double figures, so I don't necessarily have a huge strength but no weaknesses.

Good Rec. Letters from research prof, couple science profs, one Md/ PhD, one who is faculty at a med school and is a visiting prof that I took a class with, total of 4-6 people.

I am an officer in a couple organizations consistently, research (no publications but I have presentation experience), I did an internship in health policy at a research institute, and my GPA improved from an average of 3.3-3.4 my Freshman year to 3.5 my soph. year to a 3.8-3.9 my junior year.

I have a 3.9 upper division science GPA. My main problem was making B's in some intro classes because I took it easy and barely missed the A mark.

I am retaking the MCAT so I hopefully pull a 36 and get some better odds. I took Kaplan over the Spring semester to boost my odds.

I did some volunteering with children, internships, research, hospital volunteering and I'll be EMT certified next year. I'm also taking summer classes to boost my GPA.

I don't have a particular thing with getting into an Ivy school at all but any school that is decent is fine.

I had some adversity with my uncle passing away and I broke my leg and had to walk on crutches for some of my junior year but I still pulled a 4.0 my fall semester junior year.

Only obviously bad marks I have are that I withdrew from my first time I took gen. chemistry but transcript says I was passing and I made a C in ochem II but it was during a particularly tough semester. I made up with an A+ in biochem. and some upper division courses.

What do you all think? Please be honest and serious. Thanks.
 
lilPhysician said:
I'm a junior in a competitive honors program.

GPA: 3.63

Science GPA: approx. 3.55

MCAT: 31R BS 10 VR 10 PS 11 WS R. The scores are all balanced and in double figures, so I don't necessarily have a huge strength but no weaknesses.

Good Rec. Letters from research prof, couple science profs, one Md/ PhD, one who is faculty at a med school and is a visiting prof that I took a class with, total of 4-6 people.

I am an officer in a couple organizations consistently, research (no publications but I have presentation experience), I did an internship in health policy at a research institute, and my GPA improved from an average of 3.3-3.4 my Freshman year to 3.5 my soph. year to a 3.8-3.9 my junior year.

I have a 3.9 upper division science GPA. My main problem was making B's in some intro classes because I took it easy and barely missed the A mark.

I am retaking the MCAT so I hopefully pull a 36 and get some better odds. I took Kaplan over the Spring semester to boost my odds.

I did some volunteering with children, internships, research, hospital volunteering and I'll be EMT certified next year. I'm also taking summer classes to boost my GPA.

I don't have a particular thing with getting into an Ivy school at all but any school that is decent is fine.

I had some adversity with my uncle passing away and I broke my leg and had to walk on crutches for some of my junior year but I still pulled a 4.0 my fall semester junior year.

Only obviously bad marks I have are that I withdrew from my first time I took gen. chemistry but transcript says I was passing and I made a C in ochem II but it was during a particularly tough semester. I made up with an A+ in biochem. and some upper division courses.

What do you all think? Please be honest and serious. Thanks.
Click to expand...
You would probably get in without retaking...but since you are going to definitely make sure you improve more than jsut 1 or 2 points...good luck
 
Hestabbedbasil said:
Thanks a bunch for the analysis, I really appreciate it. Do you think it would be a good idea for me to wait a year and build my GPA? You make it sound like my chances at a mid-tier are sketchy at best and I don't want my whole app to be anchored down by my GPA.
Click to expand...

You have nothing to lose by applying. I think you can get into an allopathic program the first time around, but its up to you on which route you prefer. By staying a year and making A's, you can end up with around a 3.7-3.8 and look fantastic. I think that seals you in for a mid-tier school given a good interview and hey, maybe with some luck, you can make a top-tier school in your state. Remember that if a school's avg GPA is 3.8-3.9, there are people with 3.7 GPAs with excellent Apps that do get in too. By the way, can you critique my post on my chances? And what did you do to score a 37? How did you prepare and what prep books did you use? Thanks.
 
ChubbyChaser said:
You would probably get in without retaking...but since you are going to definitely make sure you improve more than jsut 1 or 2 points...good luck
Click to expand...

Thank you for responding...what did you do to make a 40? My friend made a 40 or 41 and I really model myself after that kind of strategy, in the sense that I don't have the best GPA but a stellar MCAT performance can get me into some respectable interviews and acceptances. Once again, I am not trying to get accepted into Ivies, but if I can get decent schools then I'll be very satisfied. What prep course/ books did you use? How often did you study? Is there a particular study strategy that was helpful? I was happy yet disappointed the first time I took it and I know I can do better, I just need some assistance from an experienced and successful pre-med. Thanks a lot.
 
lilPhysician said:
You have nothing to lose by applying. I think you can get into an allopathic program the first time around, but its up to you on which route you prefer. By staying a year and making A's, you can end up with around a 3.7-3.8 and look fantastic. I think that seals you in for a mid-tier school given a good interview and hey, maybe with some luck, you can make a top-tier school in your state. Remember that if a school's avg GPA is 3.8-3.9, there are people with 3.7 GPAs with excellent Apps that do get in too. By the way, can you critique my post on my chances? And what did you do to score a 37? How did you prepare and what prep books did you use? Thanks.
Click to expand...

From what I can tell, you look like you're in pretty good shape already. I think your GPA might be solid for the range of schools I think you're applying to. Is the research you're doing at all applicable to med, or is it in another discipline? Can you actually talk about what you're doing?

As for what I did, I bought a secondhand set of Kaplan MCAT prep books and focused mainly on the spots that I knew needed shoring up. I studied on and off for about 5 months. Near the end I felt like I was going over everything for the seventh or eighth time, but I guess that's just the way it is. I mostly studied by myself, as I tried studying in a group and it just wasn't effective. As for the essays, I actually barely studied or practiced for those at all, except for a couple of outlines. I usually skipped the essay portions on my practice exams. In my opinion, as long as I knew the format I'd be able to handle most anything thrown at me. On the actual test, my essays were pretty brief but to the point. All in all, I'd taken 8 practice tests before I tackled the real one.

I'm sure someone's going to show up and tear my method apart, but that's the way she goes.
 
Hey Fellas

I posted in this thread before and received some great feedback. I just wanted to ask a question about EDP. Keep in mind I am a canadian applicant. All things considered, I tried to be really honest with myself and made a list of schools that I would want to attend in the US if I did not get accepted in canada but did get accepted in the US in this upcoming cycle.(keeping practicality in mind)
Pretty much narrowed it down to:

Case
Dartmouth
Mt. Sinai
UVa
UVM
SUNY upstate

Very very short list I know - but I wouldn't mind trying a second year if canada doesn't work and I have a pretty decent shot there, and I didn't want to apply to a bunch of schools I would have no intention of attending. I also didnt want to try to get a deferral and then try again in canada because that looks pretty unprofessional.

Should I consider EDP for any of these? if anything, it would be CASE (family + program) and then possibly Dartmouth.

My reasoning was I am not applying broadly, so that's one big EDP 'con' that doesn't apply to me. My stats are 34R and 3.88, with research, very short int'l volunteering, and a collection of ECs: clinical and nonclinical - I'd say average on paper but some very useful personal experiences. Would I be an EDP candidate? ie is this what it's for?

I would greatly appreciate additional info/feedback


Realized my mistake - I would have to necessarily accept the EDP offer so that would put me out of the running for US schools. I'm starting to get the feeling that its unprofessional to back out on an EDP offer anyways.
 
chad5871 said:
Just a quick bit of advice - you shouldn't apply to a single school unless you would realistically go there.
Click to expand...

Yeah i know thats why I had a short list (as I said i wanted to apply to schools I would realistically want to attend) and that's why I mentioned EDP.
 
So here it goes... I was wondering if my school list was appropriate, and if I should be applying to anymore/different schools

41 mcat (15, 15, 11 VR)
3.93 gpa, close to 4.0 science
the core of my ec's are: 2 years as a lab assistant, 2 years as a clinical research assistant in the ER, been a ta on 4 occasions, ~50 hours shadowing experience

I'm really looking to go primary care, with little to no interest in research
with that note, my first choice is yale (yes I know they require a thesis but I think the academic environment would be ideal for me), the other schools i'm looking at are

harvard
wash u
michigan
columbia
cornell
upenn
brown
hopkins
rwjms

Any ideas?
 
See MD apps plz. The schools marked with a ">?" are obviously reaches for me and I am questioning whether I should bother applying or not. My problem is that without them I am only applying to like 18 schools. I am old enough as it is, and do not want to reapply. Input?
 
okay,

32M MCAT 11PS, 11VR, 10BS

3.6/~3.3 science with an upward trend

I'm not looking to apply to any research heavy schools. I went to school in Iowa. I'm trying to decide if a retake of the MCAT would be worth it. I was scoring 34-37 on AAMCs, and I have NO idea what happened with the writing sample. Should I shrug off the 32M and try to put together a good application as it stands?? I am not planning on applying to D.O. schools.

ECs are I would say slightly above average. Medical mission trips, two pending publications, leadership roles in orgs, several long standing volunteer positions.

If I go ahead and apply....any ideas on what schools I should be shooting for? Any help is REALLY appreciated. Thanks
 
Here are my stats, any advice is much appreciated.

UG major: Neuroscience (bioengineering minor)
UGPA: 3.22
BCMP: 3.09
Very upward trend.

Masters in Biotechnology from Hopkins.
GPA: 3.9

MCAT: 31P 11V 10BS 10PS

First author on one publication, co-author on 3 others.
Lab research every summer. Been working doing research at Hopkins for 1 year full time, while completing the masters.

EC's: Volunteer at a hospital for 100 hrs. Captain of undergrad sports team (not d1). Undergrad mentor to new students. Founded a non-profit fund raising organization for health related causes. Great LORs.

I would really like to go to Georgetown, or GWU because I am from DC.

What are my chances?

Thank you in advance.
 
bludFOlife said:
See MD apps plz. The schools marked with a ">?" are obviously reaches for me and I am questioning whether I should bother applying or not. My problem is that without them I am only applying to like 18 schools. I am old enough as it is, and do not want to reapply. Input?
Click to expand...

what post bac did you do?
 
I have a friend, a junior, who just got his MCAT results back and he asked me for advice for applying this year. Here are his stats:

GPA- ~3.61 (slightly lower but virtually identical BCPM) Pretty strong upward trend during his college (~3.9 this last year).
MCAT: 30P Overall
PS: 11
VR: 8
BS: 11

From what I got out of him, his letters should be fairly solid; he has good clinical experience and good community volunteering. Not much research experience, though he is doing research now and will probably get a publication sometime next year.

Anyway, what do you guys think? Apply this cycle or wait a year?

Also, he studied alot for this MCAT and he thinks that his reasonable max on the MCAT is a 32, so I think that 2 points is not worth retaking it with a 30 right now.

His goal is to get into either University of Wisconsin or MCW (he wants to stay close to home, which is Milwaukee).
 
I am freaking out.. I just got my MCAT scores back and I did really bad.. Here are my stats:

GPA: 3.4
MCATS: 27 11V 8P 8B - this is the second time i took them and i got a 24 the first time

I have AMAZING ECs, great LORs, and my essay is really good.. I am currently at a top undergraduate university..

Should I take the MCAT again for a third time or should I do early decision to my state school with my current scores?

Any help would be much appreciated!
 
All my info can be seen on my MDapps page on the left... (GPA 3.37/3.19 MCAT 31R)

Changes to my MDapp include:
Employee for lab testing corporation. Regularly work with human blood prodcuts.
100+ hours volunteering in my local hospital in transport
Observed several orthopedic surgeries in the OR
Volunteered under a pathologist and have seen some gross dissection and some biopsies (liver, thyroid). Hopefully, getting in an autopsy before AMCAS deadline.

Applying to:

IL
1.Rosalind Franklin University
LA
2.Tulane University
MI
3.Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
4.Wayne State University
NJ
5.UMDNJ – NJMS
6.UMDNJ –RWJ
NY
7.University at Buffalo
8.Albany Medical College
9.NYMC
10.SUNY Downstate
PA
11.Drexel
12.Temple
13.Jefferson
VA
15.Eastern Virginia MS
16.Virginia Commonwealth University
DC
17.George Washington
VT
18.University of Vermont
OH
19.University of Toledo

Looking to add more schools with lower GPA/MCAT cutoffs. This is my third year so I really need an acceptance. I'm going the DO route as well, but I'm really looking for suggestions as to other schools I might stand a good chance at.
 
Phenol312 said:
All my info can be seen on my MDapps page on the left... (GPA 3.37/3.19 MCAT 31R)

Changes to my MDapp include:
Employee for lab testing corporation. Regularly work with human blood prodcuts.
100+ hours volunteering in my local hospital in transport
Observed several orthopedic surgeries in the OR
Volunteered under a pathologist and have seen some gross dissection and some biopsies (liver, thyroid). Hopefully, getting in an autopsy before AMCAS deadline.

Applying to:

IL
1.Rosalind Franklin University
LA
2.Tulane University
MI
3.Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
4.Wayne State University
NJ
5.UMDNJ – NJMS
6.UMDNJ –RWJ
NY
7.University at Buffalo
8.Albany Medical College
9.NYMC
10.SUNY Downstate
PA
11.Drexel
12.Temple
13.Jefferson
VA
15.Eastern Virginia MS
16.Virginia Commonwealth University
DC
17.George Washington
VT
18.University of Vermont
OH
19.University of Toledo

Looking to add more schools with lower GPA/MCAT cutoffs. This is my third year so I really need an acceptance. I'm going the DO route as well, but I'm really looking for suggestions as to other schools I might stand a good chance at.
Click to expand...

Look into MCW , drexel, and drop Michigan state.
 
^ added. I think I'd throw on the Medical College of Siberia at this point if such a place existed... :laugh:
 
Poiu86 said:
okay,

32M MCAT 11PS, 11VR, 10BS

3.6/~3.3 science with an upward trend

I'm not looking to apply to any research heavy schools. I went to school in Iowa. I'm trying to decide if a retake of the MCAT would be worth it. I was scoring 34-37 on AAMCs, and I have NO idea what happened with the writing sample. Should I shrug off the 32M and try to put together a good application as it stands?? I am not planning on applying to D.O. schools.

ECs are I would say slightly above average. Medical mission trips, two pending publications, leadership roles in orgs, several long standing volunteer positions.

If I go ahead and apply....any ideas on what schools I should be shooting for? Any help is REALLY appreciated. Thanks
Click to expand...

I think you can get in without having to retake. You might want to take a few science courses to boost your science GPA. Other than that, your numbers don't necessarily keep you out categorically. You definitely have a shot at some low-tier and, who knows, maybe a mid-tier school might like you after an interview. Don't apply to many name brand schools (Hopkins, Wash, etc.) and aim for general allopathic schools and you should get in somewhere, I think.
 
SStorm said:
I have a friend, a junior, who just got his MCAT results back and he asked me for advice for applying this year. Here are his stats:

GPA- ~3.61 (slightly lower but virtually identical BCPM) Pretty strong upward trend during his college (~3.9 this last year).
MCAT: 30P Overall
PS: 11
VR: 8
BS: 11

From what I got out of him, his letters should be fairly solid; he has good clinical experience and good community volunteering. Not much research experience, though he is doing research now and will probably get a publication sometime next year.

Anyway, what do you guys think? Apply this cycle or wait a year?

Also, he studied alot for this MCAT and he thinks that his reasonable max on the MCAT is a 32, so I think that 2 points is not worth retaking it with a 30 right now.

His goal is to get into either University of Wisconsin or MCW (he wants to stay close to home, which is Milwaukee).
Click to expand...

I think he stands a shot at some schools. Maybe he might want to retake and show an admisions committee that he can pull a 32-33 on the MCAT but his numbers could still land him some interviews and maybe some acceptances. His GPA is a strong point in that it has been increasing and he has a competitive GPA/MCAT for low-tier schools.
 
ineedhlep911 said:
I am freaking out.. I just got my MCAT scores back and I did really bad.. Here are my stats:

GPA: 3.4
MCATS: 27 11V 8P 8B - this is the second time i took them and i got a 24 the first time

I have AMAZING ECs, great LORs, and my essay is really good.. I am currently at a top undergraduate university..

Should I take the MCAT again for a third time or should I do early decision to my state school with my current scores?

Any help would be much appreciated!
Click to expand...

Has your GPA been getting better as the year's went along or worse? Have you taken a prep course for your MCAT? I think you would want to retake the MCAT with 8's on the sciences because you should be able to do better in those if you are pulling an 11 on verbal (whats your writing sample?). Take a prep course and you should definitely improve into the low 30's at least. Doing better on the MCAT is probably what you should do. What's your major? It may help if it is bioengineering or science heavy and you have a decent science GPA (above 3.5); if not, take some courses to boost it. Try applying and maybe you'll get some interviews but if not then its not the end of the world. Get your MCAT to improve and you'll help yourself out tremendously. Good luck!
 
Could you all check out my MDApps page.
I have two concerns:
1.) I may have too many reach schools (even for having 19 schools on my list).
2.) I would like to save myself application money and remove one or two of the following: Rush, Rosalind Franklin, Loyola, University of Illinois...Any thoughts on which is/are best to eliminate?
 
1) I'm betting that the reach schools you're applying to are going to **** bricks when they see that 8 in VR. Seriously, how did that happen when you got a 27 on the other 2 sections? Even with a balanced 35, you'd be a bit of a reach at the top schools. All that considered, your list is far too reach heavy, as you suspected.

2) I would keep all of those schools, personally. Consider adding some more mid-tier schools, as well.
 
Hey guys,

No flaming please. If you want to help then cool, if not, please ignore this. I spent a couple of days going through the MSAR seeing which schools seem good for me. I have two groups of schools. The first group contains schools which have a pretty high acceptance % of OOS applicants. The second group contains schools with a decent acceptance % of OOS applicants or for other reasons were placed in the "maybe" group. Next to the school name contains the number of residents accepted vs. the number of non-residents accepted reported by MSAR 2008-2009 in this format: "(x:y)".

Any glaring reasons I shouldn't apply to these schools?

Some background on me: Non-trad applicant with computer science degree from UCSD, 3.33 overall GPA, 3.63 BCPM (4.0 Post Bacc), 34O MCAT, California resident, check mdapplicants profile for more details.

Group 1 (38 schools)
Albany Medical College – (49:80)
Albert Einstein of Yeshiva University - (93:85)
Boston University - (24:145)
Brown University - (12:75)
Case Western Reserve University - (36:124)
Columbia University - (44:107)
Cornell University - (36:64)
Creighton University - (14:112)
Drexel University - (73:182)
Emory University - (37:73)
Howard University - (2:102)
Jefferson Medical College - (112:137)
Loma Linda University - (74:90)
Loyola University Chicago - (62:78)
Medical College of Wisconsin - (97:107)
New York Medical College - (58:136)
New York University - (61:99)
Northwestern University - (49:118)
Ohio State University - (115:96)
Oregon Health & Science University - (84:36)
Pennsylvania State University - (72:73)
Rosalind Franklin University - (70:101)
Saint Louis University - (44:127)
Temple University - (92:83)
Tufts University - (76:94)
Tulane University - (59:102)
University of California, Davis - (89:4)
University of California, Los Angeles - (150:19)
University of California, San Diego - (111:11)
University of California, San Francisco - My bro went here, hope legecy helps! - (129:24)
University of Chicago - (31:70)
University of Cincinnati - "2 - (115:43)
University of Illinois - (241:83)
University of Pennsylvania - (42:107)
University of Pittsburgh - (46:101)
University of Virginia - (66:73)
Vanderbilt University - (15:84)
Virginia Commonwealth University - (104:79)
Wake Forest University - (47:65)

Group 2 (13 schools)
Baylor College - (127:40)
Dartmouth College - (6:66)
Eastern Virginia Medical School - (71:38)
Meharry Medical College - (18:75)
Mount Sinai School of Medicine - (50:64)
Oregon Health & Science University - (84:36)
Rush Medical College - (100:40)
SUNY Downstate - (142:43)
SUNY Upstate - (96:42)
University of Miami - (135:41)
University of Toledo - (97:58)
University of Vermont - (36:67)
Wayne State University - (229:48)

Is applying to 40+ schools crazy? Thanks guys!
 
Bretzel said:
Could you all check out my MDApps page.
I have two concerns:
1.) I may have too many reach schools (even for having 19 schools on my list).
2.) I would like to save myself application money and remove one or two of the following: Rush, Rosalind Franklin, Loyola, University of Illinois...Any thoughts on which is/are best to eliminate?
Click to expand...
I wrote on your apps...but I would drop Wash U..because they probably wont like that 8, and I would keep all the above schools because you should get into them because they are IS.
 
howard and meharry are HBC's, but if you are cool with that

Brown, columbia, cornell, vandy, nyu, penn, pitt, and emory might be out of reach with your GPA, but keep them if you want.

LLU is religious, and I would drop rush
 
MilkmanAl said:
2) I would keep all of those schools, personally. Consider adding some more mid-tier schools, as well.
Click to expand...

In that case, any recommendations of mid-tier schools in/near big cities that students are generally happy at?
 
Bretzel said:
In that case, any recommendations of mid-tier schools in/near big cities that students are generally happy at?
Click to expand...
It wouldnt hurt to throw them in, but coming from ill I would say your state schools might be good enough, but some that come to mind are RFU, NYMC, AECOM, and Univ of Cinci
 
ChubbyChaser said:
howard and meharry are HBC's, but if you are cool with that

Brown, columbia, cornell, vandy, nyu, penn, pitt, and emory might be out of reach with your GPA, but keep them if you want.

LLU is religious, and I would drop rush
Click to expand...

I'll drop howard and meharry and probably keep LLU since its in state. I'll reconsider those schools you listed as needing a higher GPA and drop if things start getting expensive. Why would you drop rush? Thanks for the quick reply!
 
mrmandrake said:
I'll drop howard and meharry and probably keep LLU since its in state. I'll reconsider those schools you listed as needing a higher GPA and drop if things start getting expensive. Why would you drop rush? Thanks for the quick reply!
Click to expand...
When I looked at USnews/msar I remember RUSh not being very friendly at all.
 
Bretzel said:
Could you all check out my MDApps page.
I have two concerns:
1.) I may have too many reach schools (even for having 19 schools on my list).
2.) I would like to save myself application money and remove one or two of the following: Rush, Rosalind Franklin, Loyola, University of Illinois...Any thoughts on which is/are best to eliminate?
Click to expand...

Stanford seems as big on numbers as WashU as well, so you may want to consider that. But I understand why you'd want to drop one of those 4 Chicago schools if you think you have excellent chances at all of them anyway...unfortunately I know nothing about them other than that they are in Chicago...
 
mrmandrake said:
I'll drop howard and meharry and probably keep LLU since its in state. I'll reconsider those schools you listed as needing a higher GPA and drop if things start getting expensive. Why would you drop rush? Thanks for the quick reply!
Click to expand...

NOT trying to flame, but interesting how many people are not aware that Howard is an HBCU.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

D
What are my chances?
Replies
4
Views
443
Faha
F
S
what are my chances?
Replies
5
Views
1K
skhushu
S
M
What are my chances for MD with 123 CARS?
Replies
2
Views
466
mmssjj
M
M
  • Locked
What are my chances for MD (MCAT pending)
Replies
8
Views
1K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
perfectionist1212
What are my chances?
Replies
12
Views
1K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
Top