What Are My Chances and Other General Questions

[Law2Doc]

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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?

We need more info. What is your BCPM? Are any of your bad grades in the prereqs? Is the masters a SMP, a science masters or what? Truth of the matter is your GPA is going to be a hurdle for med school. You may want to consider some additional undergrad courses to bring it up.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

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.

You look eerily similar to me, so hopefully we will be ok!! Just apply broadly

 

[SlalomMess]

Quick question. I will begin by saying that I have not taken the MCAT yet. Without that score, and I know its not safe to assume a score, what kind of challenge am I facing when I apply this summer. In particular I'm concerned about my chances at Jeff:

Overall: 3.48, BCMP: 3.46
Possibly, assuming a 4.0 for the semester (12 credits): 3.54/3.52
PA resident
100 Hours of Katrina relief work
50 or so hours were under my direction (leadership)
50 Hours of Habitat work
100+ clinical volunteer hours
50+ shadowing hours
Orientation Leader (Freshman orientation): 3 years
One year as head OL
Student Gov Senator
Campus Activities Board (Planned most campus events sponsored by SGA)
Admissions Calling
First Year Experience Committee
I have had several interesting jobs, too.

I am big on school spirit/promotion as you can see.

I'm not a disadvantaged student nor a minority.

 

[John Hops]

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.

My father was an engineer, he came to the states for graduate school, never left. 🙂

It is indeed rare for a Turk to leave the country and STAY out of the country, I've noticed. All of our family on his side still lives in Istanbul or Ankara or thereabouts.

Good luck with the application process!

 

[ARoseIsARose]

This is my first time applying so I know just as much as you do.

However, if the school where you are doing your masters has a medical school, I imagine that research can get your foot in the door. 🙂

If you become invaluable to a med prof's lab, i'm sure he'd write a glowing letter of rec that may hold significant weight at his own school! Perhaps he'd even make a personal appeal or a phone call on your behalf. I haven't actually heard of this happening for a med applicant. But it happens all the time for PhDs

good luck

 

[RySerr21]

My question is, with my low GPA, is there a chance I can get into medical school? 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?

look into going to a DO school. the GPAs are lower and there many people getting with 3.0s and decent MCAT scores (28)

 

[Vihsadas]

...And what should I be aiming to get on my MCAT's to guarantee entrance?

You probably already realize this, but I thought it should be re-emphasized anyway: There are no guarantees.

With your low GPA even if you score godly high on the MCAT some schools may still question whether you can handle the tough course load and time demands of medical school. After you master's degree I would suggest looking into an SMP program while applying to medical schools, and aim higher than 36 on the MCAT. You should really be aiming to try for a 95% or greater in terms of right/total questions on the MCAT. If you can get 95% of the questions right consistently, you'll pretty much be guaranteed a 38 or higher if you perform similarly on your real test...It's possible.

 

[BMBPSU2008]

You probably already realize this, but I thought it should be re-emphasized anyway: There are no guarantees.

With your low GPA even if you score godly high on the MCAT some schools may still question whether you can handle the tough course load and time demands of medical school. After you master's degree I would suggest looking into an SMP program while applying to medical schools, and aim higher than 36 on the MCAT. You should really be aiming to try for a 95% or greater in terms of right/total questions on the MCAT. If you can get 95% of the questions right consistently, you'll pretty much be guaranteed a 38 or higher if you perform similarly on your real test...It's possible.

Don't listen to that; seems someone just wants to brag. It it was such a possible feat, more than 1% of the test takers would be doing it....

To the OP, have you looked into DO?

 

[Maxprime]

Don't listen to that; seems someone just wants to brag. It it was such a possible feat, more than 1% of the test takers would be doing it....

To the OP, have you looked into DO?

I don't think he/she was bragging.

To the OP, with a killer MCAT and EC's - it's been done. Check out mdapplicants.com and you can search for similar cases.

 

[BMBPSU2008]

I don't think he/she was bragging.

To the OP, with a killer MCAT and EC's - it's been done. Check out mdapplicants.com and you can search for similar cases.

Maybe/Maybe not. Of course its possible, It is just a little unrealistic and a bit rash. You and Visahdas are quite the minority with ~3.0 GPAs and 40 MCATs.

 

[fifteen1]

I have a 3.1 over all GPA . Im graduating this semester with a bachelors degree in Chem. I am going to do some post bacc work. Primarily taking several advance biology classes. Then take the MCATS... 😀

 

[kent christoph]

obvious bad stuff out of the way: OTH military discharge at 19😡. Two withdrawals and an "F" freshman year, first semester in human biology.(retaken, got an A)

age:26(spent 4 years working menial jobs. Started school @ 22)

ugrad: Kent State University

major: psychology

gpa:3.807

GPA with "freshman forgiveness" policy:3.91

science gpa:3.7(A's in everything short human biology course, as stated above)

MCAT:33

other: Lots of volunteer work, particularly with local nursing homes. State certified EMT, 2 years.


thoughts? Thanks so much

 

[PanicAttack]

obvious bad stuff out of the way: OTH military discharge at 19😡. Two withdrawals and an "F" freshman year, first semester in human biology.(retaken, got an A)

age:26(spent 4 years working menial jobs. Started school @ 22)

ugrad: Kent State University

major: psychology

gpa:3.807

GPA with "freshman forgiveness" policy:3.91

science gpa:3.7(A's in everything short human biology course, as stated above)

MCAT:33

other: Lots of volunteer work, particularly with local nursing homes. State certified EMT, 2 years.


thoughts? Thanks so much

One note: If you want to compare apples to apples, you need to include your "forgiven" classes in your GPA - every time you took them. This will be the AMCAS GPA that schools get, even though your school's policy might say that they "disappear" from your transcript.

 

[Twosacroud]

Figured I would throw my numbers in here, although seeing mdapps is making me nervous.

I'm definitely not a traditional applicant. It's been a real long road, and in retrospect I really wish I had not gone to college when I did. Loooong story, but a good one in the end (personally). I just hope it hasn't kept me from a life as a doctor.

Currently 24
UG GPA: 3.04, with the science GPA about the same. Psych major, Bio minor
Killer thing is 2 C's in orgo, which I am retaking this summer. All this at UofRochester
Master's program at Roswellpark- gradGPA-4.0

MCAT- 30P 11B 9V 10PS

EC's
2 year's as chaperone for youth group
1 year tutoring GED science to nonviolent offenders
1 year research at the UG level
2 years grad research (hopefully publication)
2 summers interning for Medicaid office as meet-and-greet guide
1 year as pharm tech
1 year as TA of a graduate course that is required for all phD and master's students at Roswell
40hours shadowing at UG level
Secretary for GSA at Roswell

Currently:
Getting EMT-B certified with plans to work for a year (very interested in being an ER doc)
Shadowing a neurologist
Volunteering at children's hospital and an elderly care facility (4 hours a week, each)


Thinking of retaking the MCAT's a year from this spring. Do I have any shot at MD school or do I require a solid post-bacc to bring the GPA up?

Any advice is really appreciated.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

I think MD is out of the question with a 30/3.0. You have a shot for DO, texas got in with a 2.7

 

[Twosacroud]

Seems so. Guess a post-bacc is next.

Thanks though!

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Seems so. Guess a post-bacc is next.

Thanks though!

Yeah I guess it will help, but if you cant get it above a 3.5 you are still a stretch with a 30. Honestly I wouldntlimit yourself just to MD, DO is pretty much the same thing.

 

[Twosacroud]

Probably going to re-take that as well. It's a do-over party!

 

[ChubbyChaser]

well good luck!! If MD doesnt work out, I strongly encourage you to consider other routes.

 

[TwiggyFig]

I've achieved a 3.8 GPA with semesters of straight A's.

However, I accumulated an F and a C on my transcript on non-prereq INTRO classes in the first year; and I retook the F to get an A.

How will an F and C in the transcript, with otherwise a decent GPA and wonderful MCAT score, be perceived?

ARE MY CHANCES FOR HARVARD SHOT WITH THAT F?

 

[Jathin]

 

[TheRealMD]

That's not gonna be enough.

 

[crazy_cavalier]

Oh nvm you're being facetious

 

[RaVen777]

Oh nvm you're being facetious

I'm not sure why, but that word has always bugged me. I think it goes back to one of my professors that used it at least 6-10 times over the course of a semester. That word (to me) is a low use word.

 

[DoctorPardi]

I am merging this into the stickied WAMC thread where all of these questions belong.

 

[TwiggyFig]

*3.8 GPA* My bad.

And no, I was asking a serious question. For more info, I think I have every other credential in terms of awards and papers to aim high. Are there 2 grades still irrefutable handicaps for a top10 future?

 

[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'! 🙂

No thoughts? From anyone?

...Anything? 🙂

 

[Vihsadas]

No thoughts? From anyone?

...Anything? 🙂

I'll let you know after my application season is over, and we can compare notes.

 

[RadJon]

Great stats, but not many people have OTH discharge...

 

[strivingdoctor]

..

 

[Gresh]

Hi, I have quite a long story.

I am a transfer student to UCLA, however there are a few things of consideration:

My Community College GPA is around 3.34 due to Family problems I had to deal with in the first two years (Which I will also note on my application essays if needed).

However, my UCLA GPA will turn out around 3.60 area during application time (also to note this is my 4th year in college and I just want to get the application process over with). So my total university GPA should come up around the 3.45 to 3.49 area.

My Experience: I have been doing research for 2 years in the same lab, volunteered one summer at a hospital, currently working at a local hospital for a small project to improve healthcare and a few other smaller clubs. I will also attain killer letter of recommendations.

I have not taken my MCAT yet, but I hope I will score in the range of 31 to 34.

I am keeping my options open to everything (I am only concerned about Primary Care Medicine, so any school in the US should suffice for me), including the Caribean (I might have a good chance at the top Caribean schools?). I need some advice since my GPA is of concern to me and I am extremely stressed out about this.

 

[atomi]

I will be 24 at time of application, so slightly non-trad.

I am mostly interested in attending a state school, ranking doesn't matter that much too me; I am just interested in getting into most any allopathic school.

I graduated a few years ago with an engineering science degree (4.0 gpa) with honors designation. I had numerous scholarships and awards in school. I studied abroad multiple times. I have a minor in a liberal arts subject. I did/supported research as an undergraduate, but did not publish anything. I have fairly extensive (given my age) work experience with numerous major international engineering firms.

Pretty much nothing I have done to date has been medical-related (nothing in school anyways). I didn't decide I wanted to apply until last year. I volunteered at a free clinic one semester during school. I am currently volunteering in the ER assisting patients, which I should have ~100 hours of by the time of application. I am finishing all my remaining pre-reqs (bio and chem) at night at a community college (my only option since I work full-time), which I am making A's in.

So, in summary:
-4.0 GPA overall including 4.0 GPA BPCM (bio and chem taken nights at CC, ochem and physics at 4-year). Extremely rigorous math and engineering coursework.
-Relatively little volunteer experience (~150 hours), some shadowing (~30 hours).
-Limited community service (~30 hours)
-No relevant research
-Extensive professional experience
-Numerous ECs (non-medical related)
-Currently working full-time, taking 8 credits, volunteering, and studying for MCAT (I hoping my schedule will excuse the CC stigma).
-Ok letters of recommendations (normal, nothing extraordinary, no committee letter).

What should be my target score (the score to which I should study)? Because of my schedule, I won't be able to go all out on studying and need to be as efficient as possible (i.e, not spending an extra 3 hours each day trying to get from 36 to 37). I am thinking 30 as a minimum and 34 for a high target. By minimum, I mean at least getting into one school. I only plan on applying to my state schools (4) and at most 1 or 2 out of state.

 

[Phoenix.]

First the bad part:

Junior Year, GPA 3.1, Science 3.0
Biology/Public Health
Attending a top public university

The good part:

MCAT VR: 13 BS: 13 PS: 11 R
Hospital Volunteer work
Involved with several humanitarian organizations
Faulty GPA earlier due to an excess of work, familial obligations (I hardly partied, it was just the sadness I has had for the last two years)

Anything I should do during my last two quarters before I apply? This whole thing makes me nervous. Should I focus on a post bacc?

If you have a strong upward trend and a "friendly" state school, you've got a good shot. If you don't have a strong upward trend or a friendly instate school, you could still apply and might get lucky, but I think you should also make post-bac/SMP plans. What you'll need to demonstrate is that you can do well in your pre-med or upper level science courses (if you've already taken the pre-med classes and didn't do very well). Good luck!

EDIT: Check out my advice in the post below regarding DO schools as well.

 

[Phoenix.]

Hi, I have quite a long story.

I am a transfer student to UCLA, however there are a few things of consideration:

My Community College GPA is around 3.34 due to Family problems I had to deal with in the first two years (Which I will also note on my application essays if needed).

However, my UCLA GPA will turn out around 3.60 area during application time (also to note this is my 4th year in college and I just want to get the application process over with). So my total university GPA should come up around the 3.45 to 3.49 area.

My Experience: I have been doing research for 2 years in the same lab, volunteered one summer at a hospital, currently working at a local hospital for a small project to improve healthcare and a few other smaller clubs. I will also attain killer letter of recommendations.

I have not taken my MCAT yet, but I hope I will score in the range of 31 to 34.

I am keeping my options open to everything (I am only concerned about Primary Care Medicine, so any school in the US should suffice for me), including the Caribean (I might have a good chance at the top Caribean schools?). I need some advice since my GPA is of concern to me and I am extremely stressed out about this.

If you do well on the MCAT and the rest of your application is solid, AND you apply both early and broadly I think you have a good shot. A 3.4 gpa isn't the best, but it's fine for many schools. If that's your only weakness, and you can show that you've done well in all of your recent science courses/pre-reqs, you're in decent shape. Being a CA resident doesn't help though, since getting into a CA is notoriously difficult. Thus, you'll really need to apply broadly. Also, since you're considering both US MD and carib schools, have you considered DO schools? If you're interested in primary care, that might be a great option - they tend to be more forgiving of earlier bad grades if you've improved them, and don't calculate grades for classes that you retook (so your gpa might be higher for applying to DO schools). Check out the pre-osteopathic forum on SDN if you're not as up on applying to DO schools or the difference between getting a DO and an MD.

 

[Phoenix.]

I will be 24 at time of application, so slightly non-trad.

I am mostly interested in attending a state school, ranking doesn't matter that much too me; I am just interested in getting into most any allopathic school.

I graduated a few years ago with an engineering science degree (4.0 gpa) with honors designation. I had numerous scholarships and awards in school. I studied abroad multiple times. I have a minor in a liberal arts subject. I did/supported research as an undergraduate, but did not publish anything. I have fairly extensive (given my age) work experience with numerous major international engineering firms.

Pretty much nothing I have done to date has been medical-related (nothing in school anyways). I didn't decide I wanted to apply until last year. I volunteered at a free clinic one semester during school. I am currently volunteering in the ER assisting patients, which I should have ~100 hours of by the time of application. I am finishing all my remaining pre-reqs (bio and chem) at night at a community college (my only option since I work full-time), which I am making A's in.

So, in summary:
-4.0 GPA overall including 4.0 GPA BPCM (bio and chem taken nights at CC, ochem and physics at 4-year). Extremely rigorous math and engineering coursework.
-Relatively little volunteer experience (~150 hours), some shadowing (~30 hours).
-Limited community service (~30 hours)
-No relevant research
-Extensive professional experience
-Numerous ECs (non-medical related)
-Currently working full-time, taking 8 credits, volunteering, and studying for MCAT (I hoping my schedule will excuse the CC stigma).
-Ok letters of recommendations (normal, nothing extraordinary, no committee letter).

What should be my target score (the score to which I should study)? Because of my schedule, I won't be able to go all out on studying and need to be as efficient as possible (i.e, not spending an extra 3 hours each day trying to get from 36 to 37). I am thinking 30 as a minimum and 34 for a high target. By minimum, I mean at least getting into one school. I only plan on applying to my state schools (4) and at most 1 or 2 out of state.

I think you're in a good position here. Just be sure that the clinical experience you are getting are ones that you're passionate about or really interested in, and will shine through in your essays when you talk about what you're learning from them. But I think that your limited clinical exposure won't be a bar if the rest of your app is up to snuff. As for the MCAT, just aim for as high as you can. Study as much as you can. Take a practice test and project from there. Sure, I could tell you that a 30 might be enough. Or it might not. It depends on a lot of other factors, the primary one being the rest of your app (LORs, stats, personal statement, how you come across at an interview, etc.), but the other big part is your state schools. If your state of residence is CA, you can't bet on anything. If it's somewhere more reasonable (TX, FL, OH), great. Sorry I don't remember off-hand which state has four schools. Anyway, the bottom line is just to study as much as you can for the MCAT (while not letting other things slide too much), and do the best you can. Hopefully your best will be good enough for this cycle. The higher you score on the MCAT, the better your chances, of course. I think you'll probably be fine, and most of the engineers I know did very well on the MCAT.

 

[DrBodacious]

No thoughts? From anyone?

...Anything? 🙂

You are money. Schools will likely consider the competition at U of M when they look at your GPA. You have a rock star MCAT and have not been a total bum otherwise. You should get in to a good school.

 

[Phoenix.]

You are money. Schools will likely consider the competition at U of M when they look at your GPA. You have a rock star MCAT and have not been a total bum otherwise. You should get in to a good school.

I agree that you're sitting pretty john hops. 👍 Good luck!

 

[Wildcats3]

I'm not sure if this is the exact place to post this, but here it goes..

I'm currently a senior Finance major at a pretty respectable public university. I will be staying an extra year to finish up and I plan to apply for the 2009 class. I've finished the basic requirements for med school, of which only one is an upper level science (cell bio and physio.) However, I do feel that I have some things that are going to set off some alarms when adcoms will start to look at my profile. I started at a CC and transferred after a year. The problem is that not only did I do gen chem in that year, I also went back and did orgo I and II over the summer after transferring. I did do pretty well overall in all my science classes (bcpm - 3.90) but I'm not sure it makes up for the stigma of taking those classes in the fashion I did.

In addition to this, I've taken roughly 12-13 credits every semester during college. I came into college with about 20 credits from HS, but since we didn't have AP classes, they were done through a local university and the grades I received were pretty bad (all Cs and Bs.) My overall AMCAS GPA with them is a 3.65 and would be a 3.82 without them. I've essentially been trying to boost my GPA from day 1 of college b/c of those classes that I didn't even know at the time had to be transferred (dumb, I know.)

I have a pretty large slate this upcoming semester w/a research fellowship thats ~15 hrs/week, shadowing, some other extra curriculars, as well as continuing w/my Kaplan prep class. I'm planning on taking the MCAT on June 13th. With this in mind, I had planned on taking 12 credits to allow for sufficient time to study for the MCAT, since I haven't had genetics and limited physio. My pre-med advisor suggest I take genetics or biochem and take more credits to show schools that I can handle a large course load. However, it would be hard to fit those into my finance courses and still have enough time to study to do well on the MCAT. I think I might be able to fit another business course in there but I'm still hesitating on that because I really want to focus on MCAT for this semester.

So my questions are: how will adcoms view the science pre-reqs I've taken at the CC and the course load I've been taking? What suggestions do you have for me to do this semester to impress the adcoms based on my situation? Should I be thinking post-bac at all?

Sorry if this is wordy but I would really need any feedback I can get 🙂 Thanks!

 

[Phoenix.]

I'm not sure if this is the exact place to post this, but here it goes..

I'm currently a senior Finance major at a pretty respectable public university. I will be staying an extra year to finish up and I plan to apply for the 2009 class. I've finished the basic requirements for med school, of which only one is an upper level science (cell bio and physio.) However, I do feel that I have some things that are going to set off some alarms when adcoms will start to look at my profile. I started at a CC and transferred after a year. The problem is that not only did I do gen chem in that year, I also went back and did orgo I and II over the summer after transferring. I did do pretty well overall in all my science classes (bcpm - 3.90) but I'm not sure it makes up for the stigma of taking those classes in the fashion I did.

In addition to this, I've taken roughly 12-13 credits every semester during college. I came into college with about 20 credits from HS, but since we didn't have AP classes, they were done through a local university and the grades I received were pretty bad (all Cs and Bs.) My overall AMCAS GPA with them is a 3.65 and would be a 3.82 without them. I've essentially been trying to boost my GPA from day 1 of college b/c of those classes that I didn't even know at the time had to be transferred (dumb, I know.)

I have a pretty large slate this upcoming semester w/a research fellowship thats ~15 hrs/week, shadowing, some other extra curriculars, as well as continuing w/my Kaplan prep class. I'm planning on taking the MCAT on June 13th. With this in mind, I had planned on taking 12 credits to allow for sufficient time to study for the MCAT, since I haven't had genetics and limited physio. My pre-med advisor suggest I take genetics or biochem and take more credits to show schools that I can handle a large course load. However, it would be hard to fit those into my finance courses and still have enough time to study to do well on the MCAT. I think I might be able to fit another business course in there but I'm still hesitating on that because I really want to focus on MCAT for this semester.

So my questions are: how will adcoms view the science pre-reqs I've taken at the CC and the course load I've been taking? What suggestions do you have for me to do this semester to impress the adcoms based on my situation? Should I be thinking post-bac at all?

Sorry if this is wordy but I would really need any feedback I can get 🙂 Thanks!

First off, you don't need to take genetics and cell bio for the MCAT. But regardless, since you did a bunch of your pre-reqs at CC even after you'd transferred away, I think you should definitely be taking as many upper level science courses now as possible to show that you definitely can do well outside of a CC in the sciences. I also think that you should take less business courses if you can (i.e., if you don't need them for your major) in order to take more upper-level science courses. I think that's really what some adcom will look for in evaluating you. Obviously how you do on the MCAT will play a large part in how you do with applications (as well as your LORs, personal statements, clinical experiences, etc.), but what state you're a resident of will also have an impact. If it's CA, it'll be harder. If you have a state with friendlier public schools, it may be easier. I'd say go for it and apply for 2009, but keep in mind an SMP as a back-up plan if it doesn't work out. And obviously, apply early and broadly.

 

[amph119]

I'll try to keep this short. I'm applying in June, and I'm looking at anything possible to improve my application by then. Thanks for any input, and I will try to return the favor! 🙂

GPA: 3.76... up to a 3.8 after this semester (by the time I apply)
BCPM: 3.72
Age: 20
Race: as white as they come 😛
Residency: Suburban Chicago
Major: Chemistry @ U of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, graduating with departmental distinction in May, 2009
MCAT: taking in May, 2008. I'm predicting a 33 or so at worst (hitting that on practice tests without studying really... lol) with a goal of 35+.

-Research in an organic chemistry lab anywhere between 15-60 hours a week depending on classwork and having a social life 🙂 will culminate in a JACS publication and a senior thesis

-Volunteering in an ER, an oncology department, and a cardiac cath lab over the course of a year that will total about 150 hours+ when I apply

-Campus Honors Program at UIUC (basically it's top 0.5% of your class where you will "graduate with honors" after taking various honors courses, a seminar, attending a play dress rehearsal, and participating in 4 leadership workshops)

-Dean's List 5/5 semesters... National Dean's List 2007 whatever the heck that means 🙂

-Honor caddy 5 years running

-Tau Beta Pi

-Orgo tutor

-Orange Krush and Illini Pride member (student cheering sections at U of I that raise money and whatnot)

-Very good LOR's (research groups give ya connections what can I say)
_

I know I need more clinical experience without a doubt. I'm working on shadowing a surgeon this semester.

Thanks for any input... especially on:
-where I'll be competitive
-how I could be more competitive at what become "reach" schools

Best of luck to my fellow 2008 cycle applicants!

 

[CanadianPharm]

Hello Everyone, I am new to this site, any help I can reveive would be very much appreciated.

Currently I am a pharmacy student (expected graduation 2009) who is seriously considering applying to medical school once I am finished pharmacy school. Here is a list of my credentials, please let me know what your opinion is on my chances to get into med school (I am only applying to Canadian Schools)

a) Pharm GPA: 3.95 (I also have an honours bio degree, GPA:3.67)
b) MCAT: 31-T (11BS, 10PS, 10VR)
c) Tonnes of clinical experience (including rotations that I will be completeing next year)
d) Leadership skills include president of our pharmacy honours society, tutor, initiated a mentorship program
e) Research Experience in transplant patients
f) Community service activities that include helping the underserved population and the elderly
g) Solid reference letters from very willing professors

Thank you very much

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Hello Everyone, I am new to this site, any help I can reveive would be very much appreciated.

Currently I am a pharmacy student (expected graduation 2009) who is seriously considering applying to medical school once I am finished pharmacy school. Here is a list of my credentials, please let me know what your opinion is on my chances to get into med school (I am only applying to Canadian Schools)

a) Pharm GPA: 3.95 (I also have an honours bio degree, GPA:3.67)
b) MCAT: 31-T (11BS, 10PS, 10VR)
c) Tonnes of clinical experience (including rotations that I will be completeing next year)
d) Leadership skills include president of our pharmacy honours society, tutor, initiated a mentorship program
e) Research Experience in transplant patients
f) Community service activities that include helping the underserved population and the elderly
g) Solid reference letters from very willing professors

Thank you very much

You look in good shape, if you can show ADCOMS why you decided against Pharm

 

[gumby42384]

I graduated in 2006 with a fairly low GPA to due lack directions. I now know what I want, I just need to know how to get it. I'm taking courses at community colleges and at UW ranging from, phlebotomy, anatomy and physiology, linear algebra, immunology. I intend on retaking o chem 1.
For reference, I was a huge slacker in college but still managed to graduate with a biochem degree. When I try I can get high grades. Unfortunately, other than a few times in college, I have only started trying after my undergraduate degree.
My question is, will high grades in post-undergraduate course work offset my low undergraduate GPA?
If MCAT scores and Extracurricular are above average, how can I get admissions to look past a low undergraduate GPA?

 

[ChubbyChaser]

I graduated in 2006 with a fairly low GPA to due lack directions. I now know what I want, I just need to know how to get it. I'm taking courses at community colleges and at UW ranging from, phlebotomy, anatomy and physiology, linear algebra, immunology. I intend on retaking o chem 1.
For reference, I was a huge slacker in college but still managed to graduate with a biochem degree. When I try I can get high grades. Unfortunately, other than a few times in college, I have only started trying after my undergraduate degree.
My question is, will high grades in post-undergraduate course work offset my low undergraduate GPA?
If MCAT scores and Extracurricular are above average, how can I get admissions to look past a low undergraduate GPA?

There is a certain point where itisprobably an automatic rejection regardless. If you can get it above a 3.2 you have a shot if everything else is stellar. You may also look intoOsteopathic because they actually erase grades off your transcript if you retake.

 

[John Hops]

You are money. Schools will likely consider the competition at U of M when they look at your GPA. You have a rock star MCAT and have not been a total bum otherwise. You should get in to a good school.

I agree that you're sitting pretty john hops. 👍 Good luck!

Thanks guys!

Good luck with all your apps and/or work as well!

 

[amph119]

I'll try to keep this short. I'm applying in June, and I'm looking at anything possible to improve my application by then. Thanks for any input, and I will try to return the favor! 🙂

GPA: 3.76... up to a 3.8 after this semester (by the time I apply)
BCPM: 3.72
Age: 20
Race: as white as they come 😛
Residency: Suburban Chicago
Major: Chemistry @ U of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, graduating with departmental distinction in May, 2009
MCAT: taking in May, 2008. I'm predicting a 33 or so at worst (hitting that on practice tests without studying really... lol) with a goal of 35+.

-Research in an organic chemistry lab anywhere between 15-60 hours a week depending on classwork and having a social life 🙂 will culminate in a JACS publication and a senior thesis

-Volunteering in an ER, an oncology department, and a cardiac cath lab over the course of a year that will total about 150 hours+ when I apply

-Campus Honors Program at UIUC (basically it's top 0.5% of your class where you will "graduate with honors" after taking various honors courses, a seminar, attending a play dress rehearsal, and participating in 4 leadership workshops)

-Dean's List 5/5 semesters... National Dean's List 2007 whatever the heck that means 🙂

-Honor caddy 5 years running

-Tau Beta Pi

-Orgo tutor

-Orange Krush and Illini Pride member (student cheering sections at U of I that raise money and whatnot)

-Very good LOR's (research groups give ya connections what can I say)
_

I know I need more clinical experience without a doubt. I'm working on shadowing a surgeon this semester.

Thanks for any input... especially on:
-where I'll be competitive
-how I could be more competitive at what become "reach" schools

Best of luck to my fellow 2008 cycle applicants!

anyone with some ideas? I think I'm actually going to start a student organization focused on volunteering around the community soon.

how do you guys think I'm doing?

 

[John Hops]

I don't see how you could think you are in anything but spectacular shape!

Great GPA from a very tough major at a very tough university, lots of EC's that are community/science oriented, and high expectations on the MCAT.

Assuming a 33-35, you'd be competitive anywhere I should think.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

I would apply to your illinois schools, they should pull through. If you want to apply to "reac" schools then you should have a shot, granted your mcat turns out competitive. I dont think you will have to apply to, too many schools.

 

[dan24272]

Hi everyone. I would like a big favor from you guys. I need to know what's my next step should be for getting into med school. Constructive inputs will be greatly appreciated.

Here are things about me.

1. Neuroscience major and anthropology minor in a top 20 undergrad college in Georgia, currently a junior.

2. I've been in summer premed program for the past 3 summers

3. I've been working as lab assistant, currently involving in a biomedical research in Pharmacology department, working on a protein that lead to a neurodegenerative disease, Charcot-Marie-tooth disease.

4. I'm ESL student - been lived here for 6 years now (both parents can't speak eng). I'm a legal permanent resident. I also took an upper-level freshman English class and recently a creative writing class.

5. 3.54 GPA overall, science GPA is about the same, predicting to end up to about 3.57 or 3.60. Grade range from A to B- (only one B- so far, a few B and B+, lots of A-)

6. My aunt has schizophrenia...which drived me into premed

7. I've been involve in 3 organizations since freshman and currently a vice-president of a cultural club. I also write for the school science magazine.

8. I've been SHADOWED a neurosurgeon for 2 years over the summer and he'll write me the letter of recommendation. I also shadowed an ER doctor and a pediatric.

9. Volunteer in a hospital, a homeless clinic, and some random volunteer projects during the summer.

10. I once a foreign language tutor and TA for general chemistry lab.

11. PLanning to do an honor thesis.

12. I also took Latin as my foreign language and got A and A-

I'm currently studying my butt off for MCAT. I would like to know where I stand in the applicant pool. I want to go to a med. school around the Southeast (Emory, MCG, Duke, Vanderbilt, Morehouse, etc), but really I'd go anywhere that will accept me.

Need suggestion on

1. how to make my application more competitive?
2. What's my chance of getting in?
3. Any recommended school?
4. what should I do?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please help.

 

[robo]

So, I just completed my first-ever semester of college. Woo hoo!

I got my grades back.

2.8. 🙁

Because it's my first semester, I figure that I'm not completely doomed. How do I un-doom myself?

I thought I had pretty good study skills, but I guess, uh, not. 🙄 Anybody wanna share what works for them?