What Are My Chances and Other General Questions

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Hey everyone,
I am currently a junior and I withdrew 4 times so far and also withdrew completely from the spring semester of my Sophomore year. The reason being I worked 50 hours a week to support my family since my brother and I are the only source of income. My parents didn't want me to get any loans. However, I realized that I want to be a doctor in life and I can't work 50 hours every week and be a full time student. So, I went against my parent's decision and got some loans. Since then, I've been working 35 hours a week.

After that semester that I withdrew from, the following summer I was registered for 7 credits (12 = full time). I was full time all throughout Junior year and so far have straight A's and even this semester I will. My Science GPA is about 3.4 or so and overall is abt 3.7. I took the MCAT and got a 30 on it.

I currently volunteer at the following places:
4 hrs a week at Haven Hospice
4 hrs at an Alzheimer's place
4 hrs at an Emergency Room
4 hrs shadowing a MD

6 hrs of Mitochondrial Research
part of the local AMSA premed org
35 hrs per week working at a convenience store - Asst. Supervisor

I just want to know what are my chances of getting into a medical school. I am really determined about being a doctor and I am really worried about how those 4 Ws plus a semester worth of Ws will affect my chances. I really need some detailed advice on this. Any suggestions as to what schools I should apply to? Can I be what I want to be? Any adcoms here? Thanks!
 
As long as you have an adequate explanation for your troubles, and proof that you overcame the difficulties...you should have no problem.
 
brianmartin said:
As long as you have an adequate explanation for your troubles, and proof that you overcame the difficulties...you should have no problem.
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What do you mean by proof? I have the pay stubs though.
 
Dude, you're fine. There may be a few schools who won't like your withdraws, but everything else looks solid.

Apply to your state schools, a handful of out-of-state private MD schools, and 3-4 DO schools like PCOM, TCOM, and a few others. You'll land somewhere.

And nobody is going to ask you for proof of anything. Or I would be shocked if they did.

Don't make excuses for anything in your personal statement. Anything that happened that was significant, mention it, but turn it into a positive. Talk about how you learned from it, rather than how it held you back, or something like that.
 
Even if you weren't a URM, I think you'd be at least reasonably competitive at the school's you're planning to apply to, assuming your MCAT score matches your practice scores (which is a very big assumption). If you can pull off that 35+, you should be good to go.
 
Hi guys, I'm just wondering if I have a decent list of schools to apply to? That is a few reach schools, safeties and mid-tier. Note that I'm Canadian and it's I am limited as to where I can apply. Here are my stats: 3.9 BCPM, 3.8 overall with a 32R MCAT (VR: 11, Bio: 10, PS: 11). If you are interested, my MDApp is here: http://mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid=10212 and it lists my ECs etc.

Albany Medical College
Albert Einstein of Yeshiva University
Boston University
Brown University
Case Western Reserve University
Columbia University
Cornell University
Dartmouth College
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Emory University
George Washington University
Georgetown University
Indiana University
Jefferson Medical College
Loyola University Chicago
Medical College of Wisconsin
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
New York Medical College
Pennsylvania State University
Rosalind Franklin University
Saint Louis University
SUNY Downstate
SUNY Upstate
Tulane University
University of Cincinnati
University of Hawaii
University of Maryland
Virginia Commonwealth University
 
Are you sure all of these schools accept International students? You can try viewing the MDapps of other Canadian applicants to see where they applied, but other than that you hvae a good list of schools. If I were you I would perhaps be a little more ambitious and add a few more top20 schools.
 
Yeah, all those schools should accept Canadians. I've thought about adding a few more reach schools, but I think my MCAT really holds me back. A 32R is good, but most of the top 20 seem to want 34-35 at least.
 
Okay...here's the deal. I applied to 4 Canadian schools this season, and got only one interview with my home province school. I'm not too optimistic about my chances there as well, and will probably apply to American Schools. My stats are as follows

86% average (3.75-3.8 GPA?)
37 0 (13PS, 10VR, 14BS)
Research, lots of volunteering, some leadership in clubs and committees
no shadowing experience (not that common in Canada)

This is my rough draft of schools to apply for:

Harvard, Yale, WUSTL, Northwestern, Brown, Dartmouth, Michigan Ann Harbour, Case Western, Loma Linda, Wake Forest.

Any suggestions? And for american schools I should apply ASAP right? Thanks for all the advice....hopefully next year will turn out better than this one
 
Okay...here's the deal. I applied to 4 Canadian schools this season, and got only one interview with my home province school. I'm not too optimistic about my chances there as well, and will probably apply to American Schools. My stats are as follows

86% average (3.75-3.8 GPA?)
37 0 (13PS, 10VR, 14BS)
Research, lots of volunteering, some leadership in clubs and committees
no shadowing experience (not that common in Canada)

This is my rough draft of schools to apply for:

Harvard, Yale, WUSTL, Northwestern, Brown, Dartmouth, Michigan Ann Harbour, Case Western, Loma Linda, Wake Forest.

Any suggestions? And for american schools I should apply ASAP right? Thanks for all the advice....hopefully next year will turn out better than this one
 
Prince of Med said:
Okay...here's the deal. I applied to 4 Canadian schools this season, and got only one interview with my home province school. I'm not too optimistic about my chances there as well, and will probably apply to American Schools. My stats are as follows

86% average (3.75-3.8 GPA?)
37 0 (13PS, 10VR, 14BS)
Research, lots of volunteering, some leadership in clubs and committees
no shadowing experience (not that common in Canada)

This is my rough draft of schools to apply for:

Harvard, Yale, WUSTL, Northwestern, Brown, Dartmouth, Michigan Ann Harbour, Case Western, Loma Linda, Wake Forest.

Any suggestions? And for american schools I should apply ASAP right? Thanks for all the advice....hopefully next year will turn out better than this one
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Isn't an 86% usually a 3.0/B average? At best a 3.3/B+ average?
 
Prince of Med said:
Okay...here's the deal. I applied to 4 Canadian schools this season, and got only one interview with my home province school. I'm not too optimistic about my chances there as well, and will probably apply to American Schools. My stats are as follows

86% average (3.75-3.8 GPA?)
37 0 (13PS, 10VR, 14BS)
Research, lots of volunteering, some leadership in clubs and committees
no shadowing experience (not that common in Canada)

This is my rough draft of schools to apply for:

Harvard, Yale, WUSTL, Northwestern, Brown, Dartmouth, Michigan Ann Harbour, Case Western, Loma Linda, Wake Forest.

Any suggestions? And for american schools I should apply ASAP right? Thanks for all the advice....hopefully next year will turn out better than this one
Click to expand...

Errrr - wouldn't your gpa be around a 3.45? Regardless, your MCAT should help if you've also got an upward trend and did well in your pre-reqs.

From what I've heard, it's super hard to get into US schools as a Canadian because some schools don't take any international students, and others have a very limited quota. Accordingly, if I were you, I'd apply both early and super broadly so as not to have to reapply next year. You've only listed 10 US schools, and the vast majority of those are ridiculously hard to get into - I'd add some "mid-tier" schools, and aim more for 20-25 since you're an international applicant. Just be sure that each school you apply to definitely accepts international students so you don't waste your money and effort.

Your stellar MCAT should help you out, but I'd still apply broadly if I were you. Better safe than sorry. I'd do a search for some threads on Canadians and how they fared in this process this cycle. Good luck.
 
Hmm..that's strange, cuz when I applied to the Canadian schools my converted GPA is around 3.75. Also, my school's grading scheme is like this

90+ A+
85-90= A
80-85= A-
etc etc...so I should have an A average

I'll take a look at the AAMC conversion chart...hopefully I don't have a heart attack if they screw my GPA over...
 
Whoa....nearly fainted when I saw the AMCAS grade conversion for Numeric Type. Holy Sh&%, why would an 86% be a 3.0???!??

Then I scroll down and see Numeric-Canadian, far far more lenient. Wonder why they have such different scales lol
 
So I'm starting to wonder whether or not my shadowing experience in college has been significant enough. Here's what I've done:

-Shadow an oncologist from 9am-5pm in his clinic followed by rounds with him in various hospitals from 6-10/11pm 5 days a week for 3 weeks.
-Shadow a general surgeon for about 5 days. Some clinic, mostly surgeries.

In high school I was part of a part of a summer program in (PGSHC) where I basically shadowed physicians and went to various lectures/seminars at UMPC for 2 months, but I don't plan on including that in my AMCAS.

Is it enough, or should I be doing more between now and June?
 
I'm new to pre-med and I was just looking at all the other applicants and I'm kinda overwhelmed at how active some people are. Can somebody tell me if I stand a chance (and hopefully for east coast schools)?

GPA = 3.9 (science gpa = 4.0)
Major = Microbiology
Could graduate early spring 09, but most likely will do winter 09 (is this fine?)
3 months of volunteering in hospital
50 hrs shadowing Dr's
officer in a cultural organization for two years
active member of pre-health club
5 months of research in a lab, but really didn't do much (is research even necessary lol?)

Don't know my MCAT score, but hopefully >30

I want to do more clinical things like medical assistant or even a service project over the summer..
 
fastnfurious said:
I'm new to pre-med and I was just looking at all the other applicants and I'm kinda overwhelmed at how active some people are. Can somebody tell me if I stand a chance (and hopefully for east coast schools)?

GPA = 3.9
Major = Microbiology
Could graduate early spring 09, but most likely will do winter 09 (is this fine?)
3 months of volunteering in hospital
50 hrs shadowing Dr's
officer in a cultural organization for two years
active member of pre-health club
5 months of research in a lab, but really didn't do much (is research even necessary lol?)

Don't know my MCAT score, but hopefully >30

I want to do more clinical things like medical assistant or even a service project over the summer..
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you're on the right track provided that you do well on the mcat, but i'd try to beef up you ecs a little more. do a service project or get involved in more clinical type activities.

do you have any hobbies or have any other non-medical interests? i'd say go all out on those (as much as you are able). your particular activities are what will set you apart. do what you love in addition to the clinical/volunteering "requirements."

there's no problem graduating in winter 2009, but it will leave you with a year and half of time off. This might be good though as you can take some time off and beef up your app a bit.
 
maikuMD said:
Another question I don't think I need to make a new thread about... My father is Turkish moved to the USA when he was 18 and married my mother, who is white, a few years later. Considering that I'm half English and half Turkish do I apply as an URM or no?

edit- I guess I should add that I "look" white.
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I'm half turkish as well and I don't think that counts as URM.

Feel your pain, bro. 🙂
 
Some things about me. I'm a Asian male. I'm currently doing undergraduate work at a California JC and plan to transfer to UCLA or Berkeley. Please, tell me if you think I'm on track or if I'm somehow screwing up. btw, I plan to either take the rest of my lower div sciences at the UC or in a post bacc at some prestigious school.

Overall units completed excluding this current quarter: 105.5 quarter units or 70.3333 semester credits

Overall gpa: 3.85ish

major: math or applied math with a possible interest in pre-med/pharm/opt

ECs: 3 quarters tutoring math. Co-President of the math club since fall 07. Participant in the engineering club


THE TRANSCRIPT

I WAS CONCURRENTLY ENROLLED AS A HIGHSCHOOL STUDENT FROM summer05-spring06 (and hence the extremely low course loads)


Gavilan summer semester 2005 3units
Pre-calculus1: A

deanza(quarter): winter06 4units gpa 4.0
Macro econ: A

galivan(semester school) spring 7units gpa 3.8
English 1a : A-
Precalc2: A

deanza: spring06 5units gpa 4.0
calculus 1a:A

FROM THIS POINT FORWARD, I'M A COLLEGE STUDENT

deanza: summer06 5units gpa 4.0
calculus 1b:A

deanza: fall06 5units gpa 4.0
physics mechanics W(withdraw)
General Chem 1a W(withdraw)
Calculus 1c A

deanza: winter07 16units gpa 4.0
physics mechanics A
general chem 1a A
calculus 1d A

deanza: spring07 21units gpa 3.79
physics electricity and magnetism A-
differential equations A
english 1b B+
mandrin 1 A

deanza: fall07 13units gpa: 4.0
into to music(Honors) A+
cultural anthropology(Honors) A
intro to biology A

deanza: winter08 19units gpa: 3.73
Mandarin 2 A+
Creative minds A+
Rhetoric(Honors) A
Linear Algebra( Honors) B

deanza: spring08(current) 8 or 13 units (is this fine? ie being part-time)
intro psychology
intro to theater
mandarin3 Honors (maybe I'll take this course)

Any suggestions for improvement? btw should I add more units my last quarter here at the JC? I have enough units, but I'm afraid I won't be competitive enough.
 
You need to do less clubs(or keep the same, I guess) and *** more clinical experience/shadowing. Also, I'd be careful about taking prereqs at a junior college ( what I took JC to stand for.) I'm just going to wager that the bio classes at UCLA or Berkley will be quite a bit harder than the ones you've taken.... I'd suggest more biology before you take the MCAT or even a good review book and a couple hours of study....
 
tiedyeddog said:
You need to do less clubs(or keep the same, I guess) and *** more clinical experience/shadowing. Also, I'd be careful about taking prereqs at a junior college ( what I took JC to stand for.) I'm just going to wager that the bio classes at UCLA or Berkley will be quite a bit harder than the ones you've taken.... I'd suggest more biology before you take the MCAT or even a good review book and a couple hours of study....
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Ditto.

PS - You don't have to post your whole transcript. That's a little much.
 
Hi Everyone,

This is my first time posting.
I have a particular situation and I thought id give this forum a shot.
Iam a Canadian student from UofT and Iam in my 4th-5th year of study. My cGPA is at a 3.1.
(1st year=1.93
2nd= 2.34
summer with 1.0 courses at= 3.85
3rd year= 3.4
4th year= 3.81
5th year with 2.0 courses= IPR…but iam going to assume a 3.9)

The problem is during my first year I took all the prereq courses and majority of the marks are in the C- range (chem, math, etc). (I did get diagnosed with a autoimmune disease during that time...i dunno if that really helps).

I have volunteered at hospital for 1 year..

I have done research….3 abstracts published…and that might potentially lead to 2 papers (working in line with the abstracts).
I have done poster presentations in the US and Canada..at some big meetings. So I can get very good LOF (having worked with these people for the last 2 years).

This year I will also be starting Grad school (getting more publications and increasing my gpa)

I haven’t written my MCATs. Ive gotten 2 schorlarships..1 undergrad..1 for grad admission.

What do you guys think I should do?Do you think grad school will even help at all..knowing my GPA is probably my weak point..

During summer before I plan on taking 2.0 courses to increase my cGPA...to hopefully a 3.3...then maybe doing a 1 year post bacculate


Thanks for your help,
Very Nice!👍
 
Many (most? all?) schools require you to have at least a C in the pre-req courses, so you'll need to retake the ones you have a C- or worse in. You'll have to make an extremely compelling case in your personal statement about how drastically your diagnosis affected you (without sounding whiny or pitiful, of course). You also need to kick the crap out of the MCAT. I keep reading all these horror stories about very qualified Canadian applicants getting shafted, so you'll need to really stand out to get accepted. Even if you annihilate the MCAT, you're still probably going to be in poor shape.

Graduate school will not help your GPA, so go retake the classes you bombed, and hope that helps you out at least a little bit. I'm not sure if any DO schools accept foreign applicants, but it's worth looking into. Other than that, you might try applying to a simple masters program with linkage to associated medical schools.
 
Prince of Med said:
Okay...here's the deal. I applied to 4 Canadian schools this season, and got only one interview with my home province school. I'm not too optimistic about my chances there as well, and will probably apply to American Schools. My stats are as follows

86% average (3.75-3.8 GPA?)
37 0 (13PS, 10VR, 14BS)
Research, lots of volunteering, some leadership in clubs and committees
no shadowing experience (not that common in Canada)

This is my rough draft of schools to apply for:

Harvard, Yale, WUSTL, Northwestern, Brown, Dartmouth, Michigan Ann Harbour, Case Western, Loma Linda, Wake Forest.

Any suggestions? And for american schools I should apply ASAP right? Thanks for all the advice....hopefully next year will turn out better than this one
Click to expand...

every school you listed is extremely selective (except for maybe Loma Linda, but i can't give a finite comment as i am not familiar with the school). although your stats are very good, PLENNY of students with very good stats are rejected from those schools year after year (and although I don't know for sure, i think you may be at a disadvantage being an international student -- except possibly at my school, Case 😉). i would recommend expanding your list a bit, and contacting other Canadian applicants to see which schools they would recommend.

good luck
 
sharrychrist said:
Hi, This post of mine will surely updates knowledge and contain valuable information. However I would like suggestions about some specific information. If you can help me then please send me a private message. Many Thanks,
Click to expand...

Your post and signature make you look like a spam bot. I doubt anyone is going to give you a serious reply or PM. Thanks,
 
I'm 24 (in a couple weeks), and in my fifth year of UG at the University of Toronto. I actually have 2 more credits to go to graduate with a major and a specialist in Nutritional Science and human Health and Disease, respectively.

What I believe makes me a non-trad applicant is my unusual situation. I began at U of T in Engineering Science and I had no idea what I wanted to do, but I knew i didn't want to do that as it was very boring. Because of this, I never went to class and just barely passed (like 58 average or something horrible like that)....However, after the first semester, I switched into part-time studies (and worked part-time) in random history/arts sci stuff....again, I hated it and was very bored (especially considering I was preoccupied with meeting the love of my life whom I now live with) and hence did very poorly.

Anyway, after my horrendous first year, I switched into Part-time studies (50% load) in life science....which I loved! I got 4.0 in all those courses, then I went full-time the year after, and fast-forward 3 years of full-time studies I have a 3.68 cumulative GPA. However, taking out those non-science courses I took in my first year (which is now 4 years past), I have a 3.9 GPA Including this years 4th year courses.

My question is, how badly will med school admissions look upon my horrible first year? Will they even consider that it was 4-5 years ago and, presuming i get a chance to explain myself in my personal statement, take personal issues into consideration?

On top of my GPA, i ahve been volunteering at Mount Sinai hospital for about 6 months now and am continuing through the summer and I love it (working in CT). Unfortunately, all summers up to now I have had to move up north with my parents and work full-time at a casino as I must cover all my educations costs myself. As you can imagine, this leaves little time/money to get ECs during the summer.

Also, I have had 2 research-assistant positions at U of T; one in a physiology lab, and the other which I have right now, assisting with obstetric anaesthesiology simulation research, working with obstetrical emergency teams, which I find fascinating.

This summer, I applied for, and received a Government Grant Research award from the government to fund a Nutritional Science project of my own, which hopefully will at least lead to the publication of an abstract.

Other than that, I really don't have much else to pad my application, which has me worried when seeing many of peers having to actually NOT include some of their copious amounts of ECs because they have too many.

As for the MCAT, due to me taking summer courses, doing research full-time, and not having taken any physics for at least 5 years, I don't believe I will have time to study for the MCAT this summer. As such, I think I may just apply to the 2-3 schools in Canada that do not require the MCAT, and even if that doesn't work out, at least it'll be good practice. then over the next year I will study for and write the MCAT and apply for 2010 matriculation at other Canadian schools.

I would love to apply to some US schools, but as I must completely fund my education myself and already have tons of debt, the over 2x cost of US schools doesn't seem feasible.

Does my plan sound acceptable? Also, how do you think my situation with my engineering marks will be viewed upon?

Thank you very much for everybody's time and consideration.
 
Ok guys, I need some advice.

I am finishing up my sophomore year and don't know when to take the MCAT. I want to take it in January of my junior year but by that time, I would not even complere Human Physiology or Physics 2.

I will be taking Physics 1, Human Genetics, and Genetics this fall. So I was thinking of taking a prep course and take the MCAT in January. Bad idea???

Also I want to apply after my junior year but should I take a prep course in in the Spring and take the MCAT in April? What if I don't do well on the first one? I want to apply once applications open which is May 1. Am I rushing things??? Please help

Also what are my chances of getting in look like?

Cumm GPA: 3.01 with only 3 semesters and Cal 2 and 3 screwed me over

Research
LOTS of different volunteer work
shadow 2 doctors: 1 Family Practice and 1 Pediatrician (my main focus)
Summer Medical Program
Work Exp.
EC activities: AED

Any chance I can still make it? The only thing that brings me down is my GPA 🙁 Should never have taken Calculus yet...!
 
RecyclingBinh said:
I am finishing up my sophomore year and don't know when to take the MCAT. I want to take it in January of my junior year but by that time, I would not even complere Human Physiology or Physics 2.
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Back in my day when the MCAT was still a paper exam, just about everyone took it in April of their junior year and that worked out just fine. By that time, most people had completed all the premed science courses with the exception of being about 75% through one course (for me it was Physics 2).
 
jab719 said:
So I'm starting to wonder whether or not my shadowing experience in college has been significant enough. Here's what I've done:

-Shadow an oncologist from 9am-5pm in his clinic followed by rounds with him in various hospitals from 6-10/11pm 5 days a week for 3 weeks.
-Shadow a general surgeon for about 5 days. Some clinic, mostly surgeries.

In high school I was part of a part of a summer program in (PGSHC) where I basically shadowed physicians and went to various lectures/seminars at UMPC for 2 months, but I don't plan on including that in my AMCAS.

Is it enough, or should I be doing more between now and June?
Click to expand...
any thoughts...?
 
Awesome, good luck. It looks like your scores should be good enough to get you into one the schools you applied to. 🙂
 
Hello...
I'm new to this forum but I thought I'd give it a try.
Anyways, I found about BGU (Ben Gurion) and am convinced that it's the exact school I want to go to... (I'm set on becoming a medical missionary for most of my life. So, when I found about BGU I was pretty pumped.)
However, I'm wondering if I've got a chance....
I'm a double major in philosophy and biology.
I have A's in philosophy and most biology classes....
but my med pre-reqs are shooting around B's. (Science GPA = 3.34)
I haven't taken the MCAT yet.... I'm doing it next summer and will graduate that fall 2009.
This summer I'm planning on shadowing and snagging a job in a nursing home as well as volunteering. I have a few ECs that should help me out.... captain of varsity soccer team at my college, 4 mission trips, philosophy UROP project, and a large involvement with the Catholic group on campus (living in Catholic household which means I need to lead bible studies, eat dinner as a house twice a week, attend bible study, attend mass, do a daily hour of prayer, meet with other people, lead small groups / talks at retreats etc.....)
Well.... just wondering if anyone has any advice or suggestions? Is BGU or medical school in general out of the question? I know their average GPA is 3.5 and MCAT 29....

thanks
 
Shoy21 said:
Hello...
I'm new to this forum but I thought I'd give it a try.
Anyways, I found about BGU (Ben Gurion) and am convinced that it's the exact school I want to go to... (I'm set on becoming a medical missionary for most of my life. So, when I found about BGU I was pretty pumped.)
However, I'm wondering if I've got a chance....
I'm a double major in philosophy and biology.
I have A's in philosophy and most biology classes....
but my med pre-reqs are shooting around B's. (Science GPA = 3.34)
I haven't taken the MCAT yet.... I'm doing it next summer and will graduate that fall 2009.
This summer I'm planning on shadowing and snagging a job in a nursing home as well as volunteering. I have a few ECs that should help me out.... captain of varsity soccer team at my college, 4 mission trips, philosophy UROP project, and a large involvement with the Catholic group on campus (living in Catholic household which means I need to lead bible studies, eat dinner as a house twice a week, attend bible study, attend mass, do a daily hour of prayer, meet with other people, lead small groups / talks at retreats etc.....)
Well.... just wondering if anyone has any advice or suggestions? Is BGU or medical school in general out of the question? I know their average GPA is 3.5 and MCAT 29....

thanks
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what the H is ben gurion med school?
 
Ben Gurion is in Israel. My cousin goes there and she really enjoys it for the developing and third world medical perspective (she was an International Relations major in college).
 
I am a Biology Major/ Chemistry minor

Currently I am completeing my sophomore year and with 3 semesters done, my GPA is 3.01. Low GPA because of Cal 2 and 3 which I got C's in 🙁

I have and will take rigorous classes like Human Physiology, Genetics, Human Genetics, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, etc.

Summer Medical Program for 1 summer.
Research for 1 summer.
Shadow 2 doctors : 1 Family Practice, 1 Pediatrician (my main focus)
LOTS of volunteering that will make me stand out.
will be getting my EMT license
work...2 semesters with 2 jobs at once.

Will study for the MCAT this summer and take prep course in December and take MCAT in April 2009.

So how do I look? What are my chances? I will work hard to bring up the GPA to about 3.5 and hope to do well on the MCAT with > 30.
 
Truly impossible to tell with just over half your GPA weighed in so far (it needs work) and no MCAT.

Keep on with the extras (aka the normals),

I hope you founded a volunteer organization if you say it will make you stand out, even an absurdly large amount of basic volunteering is not stand-outish (so what if its not a word).

Just work hard and come back in a year
 
Scean said:
Truly impossible to tell with just over half your GPA weighed in so far (it needs work) and no MCAT.

Keep on with the extras (aka the normals),

I hope you founded a volunteer organization if you say it will make you stand out, even an absurdly large amount of basic volunteering is not stand-outish (so what if its not a word).

Just work hard and come back in a year
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Well I volunteer at with organization/places that not a lot of people do. I got accepted into a summer medical program in my home state b/c the love my volunteer work.

When should I plan on taking the MCAT? end of junior year? I'm very nervous about these thigns and like to plan ahead for my future.

thanks...i will work harder to increase my GPA.
 
I'm a junior at UC Davis right now, and by the time I graduate, my science GPA should be 3.3 and overall should be 3.5. I know that it's not all about GPA and MCAT, but I'm kinda worried that I won't get in anywhere. I also volunteer in ER, teach high school kids about AIDS, and do research. If I get a high mcat score, do you think I can get into a good school?
 
badapplestix said:
I'm a junior at UC Davis right now, and by the time I graduate, my science GPA should be 3.3 and overall should be 3.5. I know that it's not all about GPA and MCAT, but I'm kinda worried that I won't get in anywhere. I also volunteer in ER, teach high school kids about AIDS, and do research. If I get a high mcat score, do you think I can get into a good school?
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Kill the MCAT. I'm a non-trad with a 3.3 overall and 3.8 science. Low overall due to OLD grades (10+ years ago) from when I didn't care about school. I've aced everything since I went back to school, just to get it up to where it is now...hence the high science GPA.

It does hurt. I applied to a crapload of MD and DO schools. Got 2 MD interviews and 3 DO interviews, two of which I turned down because I got a DO acceptance at my favorite DO school pretty early in the cycle. I'm waitlisted at the other two MD schools, but have been told I stand a good chance of getting into both of them. Might still take the DO acceptance for family reasons (and I don't really think it's a big deal anymore), but that's another story/debate we're mulling over.

I think the main reason I wasn't more successful is because I got a 28 mcat. I'm really kicking myself now, because I should have studied harder and longer...I know I'm capable of doing much better than that (although it's not a bad score, by any means)...just not good enough for this competitive year.

Next year is looking to be worse.

MAIN POINT:

***KILL THE MCAT*** If you rock it, it'll really help to overshadow your low-ish science GPA. Watch where you apply too. Don't try for Harvard or crap like that.
 
Your uGPA is on a lower side but not too low. You should definitely kill the MCAT. Also, try to take some extra classes to raise that uGPA. Shoot for bringing your sGPA up to a 3.5 and you'll be fine. Do well on the MCAT, though.
 
I took my test at the beginning of the year and my score is as follows

PS:13
VR:12
BS:14
GPA: 3.3 (I KNOW)
Degree: BS Biomedical Engineering

I started out as an Aerospace Engineering Major and i hated it and did really bad! I then turned to pre-med and i LOVE it and worked really hard at it.

What kind of school do you think i can get into! I dont have that much money so i cant waste it on application fees.
 
What's your science (BCMP) GPA, and where do you live? Those two bits of information will weigh heavily on where you should be applying and what your chances of getting in are.
 
sespi002 said:
I took my test at the beginning of the year and my score is as follows

PS:13
VR:12
BS:14
GPA: 3.3 (I KNOW)
Degree: BS Biomedical Engineering

I started out as an Aerospace Engineering Major and i hated it and did really bad! I then turned to pre-med and i LOVE it and worked really hard at it.

What kind of school do you think i can get into! I dont have that much money so i cant waste it on application fees.
Click to expand...

oh the typical stat of a premed engineer 😀

That said, I say if you are on a short budget, go for 1-2 reach schools and the rest on maybe 6-7 good schools. Where do you live? if it's CA then definately all the UC schools, that is, if you like CA. What kind of ECs do you have?
 
You need to improve that MCAT, its pretty abysmal.... lol
 
Well, the gpa is low, quite low, but the MCAT is fabulous. But the gpa will hurt, even factoring in the engineering major.

Do whatever it takes to have solid ECs, lots of exposure to the medical profession, and volunteer experiences.

If the nonacademic part of your application is strong, you will get admitted to some good schools, in my opinion, not Harvard, or Stanford, or JH, but some decent schools.

Good luck. You will get cut some slack for engineering, but not that much slack. So make sure the rest of your application is really good.
 
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