What Are My Chances and Other General Questions

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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so here's the dilemma:

senior graduating in may, gpa 3.5 w/ science of 3.4 gpa.

originally pre dental but now hesitant- decided im takin a year off to build my application to either dental or med school. with more research, medicine is really attracting me, is this do-able with my gpa? i'm not the greatest test taker so a 36 on the mcat is out of the question. any ideas for plans for next year to build up my app?

btw: what % of people take a year off in between undergrad to med school?
 
qtMD said:
what do you guys think of my stats? any input would be awesome!

GPA: 3.484
science gpa: 3.2
MCAT: 10's in each section = 30R

extracurriculars:
year and a half of research
TA for human phys
served on the exec for three organizations -- all health related
been a mentor for multicultural freshman the last two years
will be shadowing the rest of this semester to get some experience
this summer i'll be in london working in a hospital...

honors:
part of national collegiate scholars and international scholars laureate

schools i'm looking at:
in state: west virginia schools
george washington
tufts
boston
georgetown
maybe nyu (but honestly doubt i'd get in)
emory

i'd really like to apply to california schools and penn mostly out of whim... should i even try?
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Id say your shot at the WVA schools is pretty good, but the rest of them...not soo much and mostly because of your GPA, especiallly your SciGPA.
 
iubloomingtondg said:
so here's the dilemma:

senior graduating in may, gpa 3.5 w/ science of 3.4 gpa.

originally pre dental but now hesitant- decided im takin a year off to build my application to either dental or med school. with more research, medicine is really attracting me, is this do-able with my gpa? i'm not the greatest test taker so a 36 on the mcat is out of the question. any ideas for plans for next year to build up my app?

btw: what % of people take a year off in between undergrad to med school?
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Your GPA isnt so low that you would need a 36, but you definitely a 30 or higher. You need to get some clinical experience so that the Adcoms know that YOU know what you are getting into. Thats probably the biggest thing.


As far as what %..not sure but I know its pretty high.
 
iubloomingtondg said:
so here's the dilemma:

senior graduating in may, gpa 3.5 w/ science of 3.4 gpa.

originally pre dental but now hesitant- decided im takin a year off to build my application to either dental or med school. with more research, medicine is really attracting me, is this do-able with my gpa? i'm not the greatest test taker so a 36 on the mcat is out of the question. any ideas for plans for next year to build up my app?

btw: what % of people take a year off in between undergrad to med school?
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Your uGPA is a bit below average, but not far. I don't think it should be a problem so long as you apply broadly. Priority now is to score as well as possible on the MCAT. And as amwatts said, clinical experience is a must.

I don't know about the %, but the average matriculant is 24. So that is a couple years later than the average college graduate. Taking time off is a really great thing; it gives you a chance to build up your app, and get some things done you have always wanted to do. It's win win.
 
Most important things for you:
1) volunteer at a hospital as well as some random non-hospital related volunteer work. Just that you care. Shadowing physicians also helps you answer the "why medicine" question.

2) get at least a 30 on the MCAT, a 35+ is really, really recommended because of your low GPA.
 
Hey! I got in with a 3.51 GPA (same for sci), so it can be done. 32 on the MCAT (took it 11 days after graduation). Taking a year off has been great for the most part, as I have done some medically related work and pursued other interests.

I'd start looking for a research job of some sort (clinical or lab bench). Also, if you aren't already, start doing some volunteering. You want to get some of this stuff started before you fill out your primary application (June). That's the hardest thing about taking a year off is that you can accomplish a lot in that time span, but you need to already have something there to entice med schools to interview you (you can send update letters, but some schools reject pretty quickly).

If there are any non-medically interest, your year off is definitely the time to do them. They also give you something to talk about during interviews. I trained for my first 1/2 marathon this past fall, and it was the discussion of my interview for my one acceptance.
These are great ways to make you stand out and also allow you to show continuity. For example, did you write for the school newspaper? May try to write some articles for newspapers in your town or submit something snarky to an alt. weekly.

Best of Luck (you can check out my mdapps to get a gauge of schools).
 
Since you're applying to NYU, i have to ask: why not other NY schools, like SUNY upstate, downstate, Buffalo, and Albany? Also, have you thought of retaking the MCAT? a 30 is good, generally speaking, but considering your GPA, a higher score would help. In general, you list of schools is kind of short. I would add atleast just a few more less competitive schools. Good luck!!
 
(also for qtMD): since you're nearby, have you considered Virginia schools? VCU and EVMS have GPA averages of 3.5 and 3.44, respectively
 
to isis:
the list i gave is just a preliminary thing -- i'm applying this summer, so am just starting to really think about schools. i'm looking at vcu and some other new york schools, but still have to research those...
and i'll prob retake my mcat 🙁
 
32 mcat (13ps/8vr/11bs)
3.4 undergrad gpa, 3.5 bcmp
3.75 SMP gpa (loyola mams)

i have both clinical research (only 1 summer) and volunteer exp (over a year)

i really really really want to know what my chances are at a cali school
 
Alright, laying it all on the line:

Graduated last May with a 3.74 gpa. Took the MCAT last April: 25Q (8V, 8, PS, 9 BS). Retook the MCAT this January and got a 28S (8V, 9BS, 11 PS). Year and a half of volunteer work with geriatrics, specifically Alzheimer's patients. Have had a year off to work and save up money while I studied to retake the MCAT. Clinical experience is nonexistant - I wanted to wait and make sure I devoted enough time to studying for MCAT between work over the past year. Now I'm looking to get a volunteer job in an ER and hopefully shadow a physician. LORs: Will have one from my boss, one from my volunteer coordinator, and one good one from a psychology professor. Waiting for my physics professor to give me a yay-or-nay on reissuing one he wrote last year, and will be asking another professor for a letter as well for a total of 5. Will be applying to local and out-of-state MD and DO schools.

Long road ahead of me, but any advice is very much appreciated.
 
halekulani said:
32 mcat (13ps/8vr/11bs)
3.4 undergrad gpa, 3.5 bcmp
3.75 SMP gpa (loyola mams)

i have both clinical research (only 1 summer) and volunteer exp (over a year)

i really really really want to know what my chances are at a cali school
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Very slim. GPA is low. Nice MCAT score but it could be higher. Limited ECs. But if you don't apply, your chances are zero.
 
muffinman853 said:
Alright, laying it all on the line:

Graduated last May with a 3.74 gpa. Took the MCAT last April: 25Q (8V, 8, PS, 9 BS). Retook the MCAT this January and got a 28S (8V, 9BS, 11 PS). Year and a half of volunteer work with geriatrics, specifically Alzheimer's patients. Have had a year off to work and save up money while I studied to retake the MCAT. Clinical experience is nonexistant - I wanted to wait and make sure I devoted enough time to studying for MCAT between work over the past year. Now I'm looking to get a volunteer job in an ER and hopefully shadow a physician. LORs: Will have one from my boss, one from my volunteer coordinator, and one good one from a psychology professor. Waiting for my physics professor to give me a yay-or-nay on reissuing one he wrote last year, and will be asking another professor for a letter as well for a total of 5. Will be applying to local and out-of-state MD and DO schools.

Long road ahead of me, but any advice is very much appreciated.
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Your lack of ECs is a concern, perhaps a bigger concern than your MCAT score. But at least you're working on it. Seems like you're applying broadly with both MD and DO schools. Remember to apply early too and you should be OK. Good luck.
 
Dr Roboto said:
Very slim. GPA is low. Nice MCAT score but it could be higher. Limited ECs. But if you don't apply, your chances are zero.
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i have more ECs (tutoring and TAing) but i only listed the ones i felt were relevant

i was mainly wondering how my SMP gpa would affect my chances
 
I'm pretty sure your SMP GPA won't be factored into your undergrad GPA so that doesn't change. But it will be nice to say, with proof, that you can handle the med school workload. By Cali schools, I assume you meant the UC med schools. As far as I know, they're all very competitive with tons of "high GPA, high MCAT" applicants. But make yourself shine and hope for the best. This process is more than numbers, but none of us should underestimate its contribution.
 
Dr Roboto said:
I'm pretty sure your SMP GPA won't be factored into your undergrad GPA so that doesn't change. But it will be nice to say, with proof, that you can handle the med school workload. By Cali schools, I assume you meant the UC med schools. As far as I know, they're all very competitive with tons of "high GPA, high MCAT" applicants. But make yourself shine and hope for the best. This process is more than numbers, but none of us should underestimate its contribution.
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yeah UC + usc med schools

thanks though, appreciate the input.
 
halekulani said:
yeah UC + usc med schools

thanks though, appreciate the input.
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Average GPA and MCAT for 2005:
UC Davis - 3.61 / 10.3
UC Irvine - 3.65 / 10.6
UCLA - 3.71 / 10.8
UCSD - 3.73 / 11
UCSF - 3.79 / 11.3
No stats for Loma Linda, but it's in Cali too.

I think applicant stats have been rising steadily, but I believe you have a decent shot at the first two. Don't take my word for it though. Apply to them all if you want to. Last thing you want is to question yourself over what some random stranger on the internet said. Good luck.
 
heh i'll be applying to all of them
except loma linda - i don't think they'll find my lack of appreciation for god/jesus appealing.:laugh:
 
I need some opinions on the schools I've chosen. If you look at my MDapps, you'll see my stats and ECs and the list of schools I'm applying to. Right now, it stands at 24, and I'll eventually cut it to 12ish.

I'm retaking the MCAT in May and hope to make over a 30. I'll also get to add volunteering at a hospital (excited!) to my ECs.

Please help me answer these questions!

Are these good schools?
Do I have a chance?
Are they worth the money?
Is there something special (good or bad) that I should know before applying?

Just an example...I heard U. of Miss. doesn't take non-residents so I'll be taking it off my list.
 
Chemist0157 said:
I need some opinions on the schools I've chosen. If you look at my MDapps, you'll see my stats and ECs and the list of schools I'm applying to. Right now, it stands at 24, and I'll eventually cut it to 12ish.

I'm retaking the MCAT in May and hope to make over a 30. I'll also get to add volunteering at a hospital (excited!) to my ECs.

Please help me answer these questions!

Are these good schools?
Do I have a chance?
Are they worth the money?
Is there something special (good or bad) that I should know before applying?

Just an example...I heard U. of Miss. doesn't take non-residents so I'll be taking it off my list.
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All med schools are "good schools." Yes, you've got a chance, but since you're retaking the MCAT it's hard to say how you'd fare at some of the harder schools on your list (Baylor, Vandy, etc.). I'd also remove Colorado - I don't think they take many (if any) OOS. I'm not familiar with the specifics of a lot of the southern schools on your list, so I highly recommend you pick up an MSAR and just look at the stats. It shows for each school the number of instate and OOS they accept each year. Or I suppose you could use this site too:

http://www.medschoolready.com/app/medstatistics.asp
 
I just went through the application and interview process for clinical psychology Ph.D. programs, and I am still interested in this career, but my interests border more closely to psychiatry (and other possible specialties may interest me).

I am graduating with my BA in psychology in May, and unfortunately I have basically no background beyond the required GE classes in hard sciences.

None of the schools I want to attend made me offers, and I plan on passing up on any offers that may come (schools that are left are not what I want). I am in the process of looking for 1-2 year research positions to pad my resume. However, I want to see if I can take a few pre-med classes where ever I am and see if its something I can see myself getting through.

I wold ideally go through a structured post-bacc program, but I don't know what to do now. I need to figure out what to do after May, and the post-bacc deadlines passed as far as I know. I don't want to spend another more time than possible post-bacc before getting into a grad program.

Would it make sense to take 1-2 classes per semester while working for the next year, and apply for post-bacc programs (assuming I'd repeat the coursework)?

What other extra-curricular/employment do I need to seek out? I have a poster presentation now, I should have a co-authorship in a peer review journal submitted by the end of the semester, and hopefully more in the next year. I have experience with SPSS syntax, SAS, and some statistical analysis. I may pick up some clinical experience in a short-term in-patient psych facility this semester. What else do I need to seek out to begin building myself as a solid med school applicant?
 
Hi Everyone, i know this should be in what are my chances thread but i am just very stressed out today and need some advice. My organic professor is basically an ******* and does not care about students, this is the second semester with him. He is the only teacher at the university. Last Semester i recieved a D, and this semester i will most likely recieve a C, Although in the labs i recieved an A last semester and will recieve an A this semester. organic chem is just a course in which i do not get. And he just will not work with me at all, or cut me any slack. My overall gpa is not stellar about a 3.3 in the major and a 3.8 in my minor if that matters. How bad will med schools look at this failure on my application. taking the course over is not an option becuase i just simply will not do that dramatically better in it. I have a nice research background at Albany Medical College, i work 30+ hours a week on top of the 15 hrs of research and classwork. and recieved a 30P on the MCAT. along with volunteering at a plastic surgeons office throughout the year. Any suggestions/advice in boosting my application, etc.. anything will be helpful at this point.
 
maybe someone else with more experience can chime in, but i thought a D in a required pre-req was a deal breaker for medical school admission... anyone know?
 
annndyr said:
maybe someone else with more experience can chime in, but i thought a D in a required pre-req was a deal breaker for medical school admission... anyone know?
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Yea I think they require atleast a C in your Pre-reqs and even if they don't I would take it to see if you can make higher.
 
I majored in math and english in college, and I didn't decide to do medicine until my senior year, and I loved my majors so much that I still took some extra courses in them instead of maxing out what I could in science courses. Nevertheless, after college I took a full load of the required sciences, and I was totally committed to being a doctor. Considering other careers made me more sure, and I think that if you want to be a better med school applicant, the most important thing is to know what you want and why. In short, first, decide if you really want to be an MD.

I think some shadowing in different areas of medicine would be good. Beyond that, take as many science course as you can afford, and read up on all the hoops you have to jump through just to apply to med school.

Also, I didn't do a structured program; I just looked at the schools I wanted to go to and made sure I had the courses they required.

Good luck with everything. I think that schools will like the fact that you have a strong interest in psych, but getting some shadowing experience in other areas will show that you can handle your clinical years in med school.
 
You have to retake any class lower than a C in order for med schools to accept it.
 
It turns out I can take the MCAT at the end of August 08 and my late September 08 application will still be on time for my state school (not on rolling admissions). Personally, I've been very involved with my state school and think I have a good shot at getting in, but I am aware that there are no guarantees in this process.

Questions:

1. WHAT SHOULD I BE WORRIED ABOUT AT THIS POINT??? Everything is coming at me so fast...I thought I'd be applying next year but it would be great if I could save a year...so I'm giving it a shot. I'm starting to study for the August 08 MCAT. Should I only worry about the MCAT at this point? My LOR's are all in order...should I start on my personal statement or interviewing skills or anything along those lines? I don't want to overlook anything that will severely hurt my chances come crunch time this fall when I apply.

2. I have (will have) average to below average stats by the time of my late September 08 application (3.55 Overall/3.33 BCPM, hoping for a ~35 MCAT, great EC'S with tons of leadership and research). Do I have ANY CHANCE WHATSOEVER at any MD schools other than my state school, given the ~average stats and late app? Are there any schools that are kind to late applicants?

Thanks much.
 
Virgil said:
It turns out I can take the MCAT at the end of August 08 and my late September 08 application will still be on time for my state school (not on rolling admissions). Personally, I've been very involved with my state school and think I have a good shot at getting in, but I am aware that there are no guarantees in this process.

Questions:

1. WHAT SHOULD I BE WORRIED ABOUT AT THIS POINT??? Everything is coming at me so fast...I thought I'd be applying next year but it would be great if I could save a year...so I'm giving it a shot. I'm starting to study for the August 08 MCAT. Should I only worry about the MCAT at this point? My LOR's are all in order...should I start on my personal statement or interviewing skills or anything along those lines? I don't want to overlook anything that will severely hurt my chances come crunch time this fall when I apply.

2. I have (will have) average to below average stats by the time of my late September 08 application (3.55 Overall/3.33 BCPM, hoping for a ~35 MCAT, great EC'S with tons of leadership and research). Do I have ANY CHANCE WHATSOEVER at any MD schools other than my state school, given the ~average stats and late app? Are there any schools that are kind to late applicants?

Thanks much.
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hey first of all good luck :luck:

I'm not an expert or anything I havent been through this process yet (thats my disclamier 😉)

but I can say it sounds like you're on the right path I would worry most about the mcat then maybe start working on your ps just to get it started so you dont have to rush to get it finished
 
If you are applying to schools other than your state school then I would submit your application before you take your MCAT. You can submit everything and the MCAT score will just be added in later. This is sort of a risk but if you take the first exam in aug you should have your scores back and be able to retake again in sept if you did poorly. Almost all schools accept sept mcat
 
Sure, you have a chance, but know that it should also be stated that these forums are peppered with stories of people with above average MCAT/GPA that have not been accepted with the only reasoning being late applications.
 
Get everything done for the AMCAS and apply as soon as you can submit your application. When your MCAT scores come in, your application will likely be complete. Don't wait for the scores to apply because verification could really make your application late. If you apply early, you would likely be verified by the time your MCAT scores arrive. Late is bad in this process.
 
You don't say what your GPA is, but assuming it is good, your plan sounds fine to me. My main question is why do you want to go through a formal post-bacc program as opposed to an informal one?

Ideally you could find a part-time research position and take more than 1-2 classes a semester, but if you want to gain experience via full-time work it's fine to take your time as well. The poster and hopeful pub will be benefits for you. The clinical experience in the psych facility would also be good. And, of course, do your best to get excellent grades in the courses here on out.
 
annndyr said:
maybe someone else with more experience can chime in, but i thought a D in a required pre-req was a deal breaker for medical school admission... anyone know?
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absolutely not a deal breaker. i got a D in organic chemistry. i DID have to retake the class though, as a grade of C or higher is required.

if your entire transcript is sub-par and littered with Ds, then yes it might be a deal breaker. messing up once isn't going to ruin everyting.

to the OP, retake the class and bust your arse to do well. have you made As in your other science classes? take more upperdivision science classes and ace them. that will prove that you can handle difficult material. otherwise, i think you're doing great things for your app. your gpa is a bit low that might be the only worry you have. if you can manage a 30+ on the MCAT, ayou should have an ok shot.
 
If your GPA is very strong, I would recommend you to take an informal postbac, just finish the classes that you're missing. Can you tell us how many classes you are missing? I expect psychology to have relatively rigorous pre-reqs, so you probably don't have that many classes to take.

Instead of taking a full load at an expensive post bac program, I would just take 1-3 classes a semester while continuing to research and make a few dollars.

As for the whole "find out if this is for you" thing, taking classes won't really help you. Try shadowing a psychiatrist for a little, or explore other areas of medicine as well.
 
I took the August MCAT last year and waited until I got the results back before submitting my application. It turned out well for me, but I would not recommend this. Submit your AMCAS in June (which includes your personal statement, so yes you should be working on that), get secondaries done over the summer, and then when your scores come out in September your application will be complete. If you do what I did, schools will not even begin reviewing your application until November...which is getting pretty late.

However, you should only submit in June if you are confident you will do well on the MCAT - make sure you are consistently hitting your goal on practice tests. If this is not the case, you should probably just wait for the score. This is what I chose because I was not sure how I was going to do on the MCAT (hadn't taken a few of the pre-reqs yet) and I wasn't willing to waste all the time and money to apply if medical school was not realistic this year. if you have $1500 to spare, that might be a different story.

Good luck in your choices.
 
My overall GPA is 3.6, last 2 years is 3.8 and in-major is 3.85, not stunning but not horrible either.

I really have only taken maybe 1 or 2 pre-requisites for pre-med, I need to check some school's and the central application source.

Do med schools prize research experience and published articles? How important is it that my research experience is with MD's or specifically health environments (this is where I want to work and what I wanted to do in clinical psych)?

I want to go through a structured program due to the fact that most, or at least the better ones, seem to cover all bases that med schools look for including research and any sort of practicum as well as LOR's (pre-health advisory boards). This way I can hopefully find a 1 year program, albeit dropping $30k on tuition, but be pretty confident that after successfully completing the program I will be a competitive candidate for med school.

Basically I'm searching for a collection of dimensions that schools look for, I know what clinical psych ph.d. programs want from me, but I don't know what criteria med schools want. Obviously grades and MCAT's are going to be large quantitative criteria, but what type of specifics will help me stand out and be a very positive candidate?

Lastly, what exactly does shadowing entail? Is this internship, volunteer, or other?
 
My entire life or since I can remember being a child, I was fascinated with animals to be a Veterinarian and thats what I have been working on. I only have one more year (4 classes exactly left) of all pre-reqs courses for either med or vet med school completed. Yes, I go to CC, but I am transferring to Rutgers University into Biological science or cell biology and to do upper level bio classes..ect Also plan to do basic science research. I am doing very well though GPA wise. Right now I volunteer at a Wildlife Refuge and may be doing an internship this summer with them. Although I love animals and everything and have what it take to be a Vet. Sometimes I want to go into human medicine though or at least "have thoughts" about it. To believe it or not its more hard to get into veterinary medicine then human medicine. I personal think just from reading though that the module for 4 year human medical school curriculum compared to the 4 year Vet curriculum that human med education looks harder?

I think the reasons why I never thought about being a doctor for human medicine is because of my personal life situations, education about conservation and world problems (poverty, human population expanded) and the mere fact that human beings are "selfish". Everything is about us, whats good for people, lets cut the rain forest down for furniture. When we relieve the wild is shrinking and wake up and tackle these problems more. Or how about people deceiving others. Like the government or an out of the box thought about pharmaceuticals companies only patenting drugs to benefit profits more, even though they may know it will harm lot of people. how all of this effects used to think people just were well bad or something.
My personal life experiences included some very empowering feelings and memory's. I know thats very immature to say that people well were bad, but they were based on my childhood experiences with wildlife being abused. To give an example of my passion, I used to raise wild ducks and save them from Strom drains or whatever the sit. was and rehab them released them back into the wild. Careless people of my town pool dumped high water contamination of chlorine into a near by stream killing virtually everything that I put my effort into and cared about. Trying to save a fish that was dieing and going radical in my stream with the chlorine burning my eyes, those are things we don't forget. That is just one of a ton of my experiences.
A lot of Wildlife and conservation effects are in an uphill battle against time and poverty. If we can key poverty, we can save the shrinking rare species left. Poverty also arises for a medical crisis problems. The doctors that go overseas to those countries in need with deadly disease I applaud them because they are soldiers.
Now I have personal experiences with illness and over the years close family members becoming gravely ill. One particular doctor of mine made me really think of human medicine. I see differently now maybe perhaps I am older and more open to everything in life. My job, my family and life experience with illness and the GOOD side of human life makes me a better person and believer. I feel versatile to either profession because either one will make a difference. Maybe I won't save the entire world, but want to make deep impact. If I went into vet medicine, wild do wildlife and major research conservation involvement in countries or human medicine doing XYZ.
I don't know sometimes if I am lost because I always had strong goals, Christ when I was in HS and when times looked bleak, I stuck a paper of school entrance requirements by Cornell and Penn to tell myself never to give up and remember your passions and remind myself someday I am going to make a difference in a live, either human or animals and society issues and conservation, I will do it.
So those out there that think well is my GPA good enough, well its more then just an amazing MCAT and a great GPA, show that you want it by what you do and you will get in some where. Has any one heard of such a thing to prepare for both professions because I am undecided now? I am putting volunteer applications to a few hospitals near by me and possible will ask later to shadow one of my docs. Would you want to get a better insight of both professions by volunteering your time both at a vet clinic, hospital and do other related and unrelated volunteer experiences wroth all that extraness? If shooting for the vet thing is what I am going to do I still do other volunteering stuff unrelated to my studies because I like to just help others. What does anyone think of this? Being a pre-Vet is the same as a pre-Med, so what do I have to lose, but to gain more insight to making the right decision, right?
 
hey i'm new here, don't be too mean!

here goes nothing

Overall GPA: 3.5
BCPM: 3.33
MCAT: 38S (i was damn shocked dudes!)

Other stuff:
3 years health policy/clinical research + couple undergraduate publications (psh who cares right?)
President of the on campus pre-health honors society
Created and taught a class on medical ethics
Bit of shadowing, 3-4 months of Hospital volunteering
Studied abroad in Chile for a Summer
Did plant genetics research at UNAB Chile for a month and a half or so
Campus Honors program, Regents scholar
Member of flying sams (clinic in mexico)
Perform music locally, sing play guitar/violin/bass (nice stress relief)


So I really love my extracurrics, but my GPA is kinda crap. My MCAT score is kind of a fluke looking at my grades, but hey not like i'm complaining! Also i dont have much clinical experience outside of my research. I'm a 4th year graduating soon, so i dont really have much time to improve anything no more!

What ya'll think? I may apply to MD/MPH programs, would that jeopardize my MD acceptability? Is my GPA low enough to warrant an SMP or any of that jazz? I really would rather bartend or roam around the country aimlessly for a while than do a masters...
 
MrJiggles said:
hey i'm new here, don't be too mean!

here goes nothing

Overall GPA: 3.5
BCPM: 3.33
MCAT: 38S (i was damn shocked dudes!)

Other stuff:
3 years health policy/clinical research + couple undergraduate publications (psh who cares right?)
President of the on campus pre-health honors society
Created and taught a class on medical ethics
Bit of shadowing, 3-4 months of Hospital volunteering
Studied abroad in Chile for a Summer
Did plant genetics research at UNAB Chile for a month and a half or so
Campus Honors program, Regents scholar
Member of flying sams (clinic in mexico)
Perform music locally, sing play guitar/violin/bass (nice stress relief)


So I really love my extracurrics, but my GPA is kinda crap. My MCAT score is kind of a fluke looking at my grades, but hey not like i'm complaining! Also i dont have much clinical experience outside of my research. I'm a 4th year graduating soon, so i dont really have much time to improve anything no more!

What ya'll think? I may apply to MD/MPH programs, would that jeopardize my MD acceptability? Is my GPA low enough to warrant an SMP or any of that jazz? I really would rather bartend or roam around the country aimlessly for a while than do a masters...
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i think you've got a fair shot. your gpa is a little low, but your mcat score offsets it a bit.

you have a lot of really cool ec's. i think that if you add some more clinical exposure and apply broadly you should get in somewhere.
 
Great Satchmo said:
Basically I'm searching for a collection of dimensions that schools look for, I know what clinical psych ph.d. programs want from me, but I don't know what criteria med schools want. Obviously grades and MCAT's are going to be large quantitative criteria, but what type of specifics will help me stand out and be a very positive candidate?

Lastly, what exactly does shadowing entail? Is this internship, volunteer, or other?
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I think that in general, med schools really look for applicants that have done something really well. Some of the top schools look for students that have done a few things really well (and this almost always includes research, to answer your question), but overall I think it is far more important that you have shown a dedication to something that will make you a good doctor (even if it isn't directly health-related). If you have ever looked at those books of "best personal statements," most of them refer to a single experience, event, or person that was crucial in shaping the applicant's path to medicine.

You should have some clinical or research exposure to justify your desire to attend medical school. Not having a ton of research exposure is not going to kill you, as long as you have some and aren't applying to any MD-PhD programs. Your GPA is fine and as long as you can keep it at or above a 3.5 for your BCPM, it isn't going to hurt you.

Regarding shadowing: Shadowing is a great thing to do a few times, and if you have a doctor that interested in helping you learn you might find that it is worth putting some more time into. However, committees see a lot of this (anyone can SAY they've shadowed, and it's tough to distinguish how yours was more valuable), and I think they would prefer to see candidates who have worked in a clinical environment and had some responsibility or decision-making involved. Again, anyone can say "I volunteered at the ER" after pushing wheelchairs around for a couple of weeks; find a way to make your experience more active and involved in the patient care process.
 
Virgil said:
1. WHAT SHOULD I BE WORRIED ABOUT AT THIS POINT??? Everything is coming at me so fast...I thought I'd be applying next year but it would be great if I could save a year...so I'm giving it a shot. I'm starting to study for the August 08 MCAT. Should I only worry about the MCAT at this point? My LOR's are all in order...should I start on my personal statement or interviewing skills or anything along those lines? I don't want to overlook anything that will severely hurt my chances come crunch time this fall when I apply.
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Until you've taken the MCAT, that should be all you're worried about. Yes, hit that 35.

After the MCAT, work hard on your Personal Statement. Get the best writers you know to read and re-read it and give you feedback. Craft a portrait of yourself as a smart and thoughtful person who has a genuine interest in medicine.

2. I have (will have) average to below average stats by the time of my late September 08 application (3.55 Overall/3.33 BCPM, hoping for a ~35 MCAT, great EC'S with tons of leadership and research). Do I have ANY CHANCE WHATSOEVER at any MD schools other than my state school, given the ~average stats and late app? Are there any schools that are kind to late applicants?

Thanks much.
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If you can hit that MCAT and write a great personal statement, you have a shot at most places. The 3.3 BCPM is bad but not a deal-breaker. My MCAT and secondaries were finished late, (end of October at most schools) but I got into two top schools (one private and one out of state) with a 3.4 BCPM and a 35 MCAT (and if I say so myself, a compelling personal statement).
 
Blade28 said:
You sure about that?

5 semesters of a 3.2 GPA + 3 semesters of a 4.0 GPA:

(5 x 3.2) + (3 x 4.0) / (5 + 3) = 3.5 GPA

3.5 is pretty decent, IMHO!
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he can bring it up. If you take the max amount of credits eeach semester, you should be able to get over the hump. I had a 3.0 the first 2.5 years now in my junior semester 17 credits of A's brought it up to a 3.2, and I am taking another 17 credits that should bring up to atleast a 3.3. I figure with one more year you should be able to get over the 3.4 mark.
 
Jolie South said:
i think you've got a fair shot. your gpa is a little low, but your mcat score offsets it a bit.

you have a lot of really cool ec's. i think that if you add some more clinical exposure and apply broadly you should get in somewhere.
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Would you happen to know if clinical research counts as clinical exposure for med schools? I've heard conflicting reports
 
MrJiggles said:
Would you happen to know if clinical research counts as clinical exposure for med schools? I've heard conflicting reports
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honestly, i think it's how you spin it. it's not like adcoms throw the phrase "clinical research" into a meat grinder and then get either "clinical" or "research."

if you're really crafty, you can make it into both 😉
 
MrJiggles said:
Would you happen to know if clinical research counts as clinical exposure for med schools? I've heard conflicting reports
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i think it probably depends on how much involvement you have with study participants/patients.

if that's mostly what you do, i would imagine that it would be a good "two-fer". you get clinical exposure and research out of the same activity. 👍

EDIT: I should also add that you need to prove that you really know what a doctor does day to day. if you don't get this out of your research, you could probably shadow a bit in addition.
 
I am thinking of applying to around 40+ schools..i have posted elsewhere but didn't get super critical info...any help would be awesome! please be critical on my choices of school..and me!
Here is my info

UC Berkeley graduate
3.96 GPA
33 MCAT (11 across the board)..best cumulative mcat is 35
President of a Pre-Medical organization
Helped run a youth mentoring program
for the past year have worked as a high school teacher
lot of hospital, shadowing volunteering experience,
3 summer research things...no papers



I need some help deciding what schools to apply to..my GPA puts me in a top range and MCAT is decent!
Here are my schools for this upcoming cycle (tentative) can you guys please give me input...either way..on these schools (i.e. waste of money...possible chance.....etc...add any schools you think I have a chance at..) I would rather spend more money applying to more schools than regretting not getting in a year from now......at the same time...I am not a good judge of how I am compared to the rest of the people out there so I thought you guys could offer some critical suggestions/advice and save me money! Thanks


UCSF*
UCLA*
UCSD*
UC Irvine*
UC Davis*
USC
Emory University
Cornell
Mount Sinai
Einstein College of Medicine (New York, NY)
Northwestern
University of Chicago
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
Yale
University of Michigan
Boston University
Tufts
JHU
Case Western
George Washington
Georgetown
Vanderbilt*
North Carolina
Duke
Loyola *
Rosalind Franklin
NYMC
Temple University (Philadelphia, PA)
Drexel University – (Philadelphia, PA)
Jefferson School of Medicine (Philadelphia, PA)
Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC) 3.6, 30*
Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, Virginia) 3.6, 30*
Saint Louis University
University of Rochester (Rochester, NY) 3.7, 33
University of Vermont (Burlington, VT) 3.5, 30
Albany Medical College (Albany, NY) 3.5, 30
Creighton University (oma yee-haw, NE)
Tulane University (New Orleans, LA) 3.5, 31
Mayo (is this school even worhth it)

Are there any I should add, remove...etc....I don't mind applying to this many schools, but if I can obviously save money then i won't apply to as many!)
 
Dude, that's crazy.

I would cut out like half of them. How do you have enough cash to pay for all that?

I think you need to re-evaluate where you'd really like to live, what your chances are in that area and then narrow it down.
 
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