What Are My Chances and Other General Questions

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I'm sort of wondering if I have any chance whatsoever to get into any top-tier medical schools at this point. I just finished my sophomore year, with my GPA currently sitting at around a 3.65. Unfortunately, my pre-med courses were something of a mixed bag:

General Chemistry I+II: B and C respectively
Organic Chemistry: B and B+ respectively
Calculus II: F, retook it and got a C+

I got A's in all of my other courses (pre-med and otherwise) but these. My extracurriculars are also far from impressive - some experience shadowing a physician but no volunteering or research as of yet (I'm beginning both of these things my upcoming junior year - is this too little too late?). I was also wondering what the BCPM GPA consists of - I've never seen a very clear definition as to what (upper level) courses are included in this, because as one can see, mine is pretty poor right now. I'm going to begin studying for my MCAT's and am shooting for a 40+ score (a tall order, but I am determined to work vigorously toward it - at this point I view a good MCAT score as the only way I can get into a quality medical school).

So anyways, please let me know if there is any hope at all for me to have a shot at any top 25 schools - and please, be perfectly honest.
 
Erm...well, I won't say there's no chance of you getting into a top 25 schools, but it's going to be extremely difficult if you maintain that kind of performance in your pre-reqs, regardless of how well you do on your MCAT. Work your *** off next year - especially in your science courses - and flesh out the rest of your application as well as you can. That means volunteer in clinical settings, do research, and maybe get a clinical job. After all that, crush the MCAT, and you'll at least have a shot.

My advice, though, is to not set your standards based on where a school is ranked. A higher ranking does not equal a better education. All schools have to teach you more or less the same things, and med school is hard as **** no matter where you go. Choose a school with a curriculum that matches your learning style in an area you enjoy, and go for it. I don't know if finance is an issue for you, but throw that into the mix if it is.

BCPM literally means biology, chemistry, physics, and math, so all courses under those headings will count. There are some classes that aren't directly included (e.g.: astronomy and engineering courses) but just use common sense when dealing with a class that isn't specifically listed as B, C, P, or M.
 
Thanks for the encouraging response and I will definitely take into consideration what you said about the other schools. I do believe what you said is completely correct, but to an extent I view getting into a top 25 school as a certain reflection of my (potential) ability.

I'm definitely doing a lot better in my pre-reqs now, nothing but A's except for in those above courses. I already took biology and physics and I'm hoping to get some more upper level sciences under my belt to repair the damage to my BCPM.
 
Eh, not so good.

First Semester:
Biology - A
French - A
Calculus I B-
Freshmen Seminar B-

Second Semester:
French - A
Economics B+
Biology - A
Business A-

EC:
Vice president of Religious Organization
Varsity Volleyball
French Club
Spanish Club
Dance & Theater Performer
Writer - School Newspaper

+ Honors

4 Scholarships (that cover full tuition, room & board, based on academic excellence and leadership in high school)
+ 3000 dollar grant to conduct any project I want to
+ Dean's list

+ Red Cross Volunteer For Three Years - Advanced First Aid Certificate
Choir Singer, Ballet Dancer
Argentine Citizen


Rate me 🙂
 
University of Texas at Austin at the End of Junior Year. Applying in 1 month.
Overall Gpa : 3.93
BCMS: 3.93
MCAT: Prediction ....28-30

Does anyone have similar stats that has been accepted to a Texas Medical School? If so, which ones? Will a 27 or 28 be good enough to get into atleast 1 Texas allopathic school? Please let me know.....
 
Maddie Connor said:
Eh, not so good.

First Semester:
Biology - A
French - A
Calculus I B-
Freshmen Seminar B-

Second Semester:
French - A
Economics B+
Biology - A
Business A-

EC:
Vice president of Religious Organization
Varsity Volleyball
French Club
Spanish Club
Dance & Theater Performer
Writer - School Newspaper

+ Honors

4 Scholarships (that cover full tuition, room & board, based on academic excellence and leadership in high school)
+ 3000 dollar grant to conduct any project I want to
+ Dean's list

+ Red Cross Volunteer For Three Years - Advanced First Aid Certificate
Choir Singer, Ballet Dancer
Argentine Citizen


Rate me 🙂
Click to expand...
6.7....and fishing for compliments.
 
Hey guys...I know I did this already but I got my final numbers in and the GPA looks a bit better now so heres my updated stats:

GPA 3.56
BCMP 3.46
Clear upward trend in the GPA's
MCAT 35P
PS: 11
VR: 11
BS: 13
WS P

EC's: Vice president (president next year), general manager, and captain of fencing club
Vice president of Capoeira club
Research assistant with a possible published acknowledgment, maybe two
EMT for one year working at school
400+ hours shadowing in my local emergency room
2 other shadowing jobs in surgical depts this summer
3 deans lists

Any thoughts? (again sry i know i asked before but i am wondering if the revision makes a difference)
 
Hey guys,
Im in a bit of a jam and Im wonder WAMC. I'm about to enter Junior year at Johns Hopkins and my grades are terrible
C+'s in chem + lab
B's in Bio
A- Bio lab
C's in O-chem
B O-chem lab
C+'s in calc

My overall GPA is 3.0 (thanks to filler Bull**** biz minor classes)
I am an EMT and Fireman, have research and clinical experience, work in a hospital, etc.

I obviously wanna go to a good school, but it doesn't really matter, I will go anywhere that will let me practice in the US as I plan to go into the military once I have my MD.
I was just wondering if the Carib schools, or any schools accept students with that low of a GPA, esp low science GPA.

Thank you
 
Beef up the GPA, kill the MCAT, and look into some DO schools. If you can get into the 3.3 range by the time you apply and get an impressive MCAT score, you stand a pretty good chance at DO schools.
 
JHUBlueJay said:
Hey guys,
Im in a bit of a jam and Im wonder WAMC. I'm about to enter Junior year at Johns Hopkins and my grades are terrible
C+'s in chem + lab
B's in Bio
A- Bio lab
C's in O-chem
B O-chem lab
C+'s in calc

My overall GPA is 3.0 (thanks to filler Bull**** biz minor classes)
I am an EMT and Fireman, have research and clinical experience, work in a hospital, etc.

I obviously wanna go to a good school, but it doesn't really matter, I will go anywhere that will let me practice in the US as I plan to go into the military once I have my MD.
I was just wondering if the Carib schools, or any schools accept students with that low of a GPA, esp low science GPA.

Thank you
Click to expand...
I think you may still have a shot an MD program but you must get As in everything else and rock the MCATs. Honestly the best thing you can do is do a masters program. I know there is a masters in physiology program at Georgetown that is like 200 people for those trying to get into MD school but with low GPAs. Its one year and you take half your classes with the MD first years. If you do really well then almost everyone gets into a MD school somewhere. There may be other programs like this at other schools.
 
Vulcan said:
Hey guys...I know I did this already but I got my final numbers in and the GPA looks a bit better now so heres my updated stats:

GPA 3.56
BCMP 3.46
Clear upward trend in the GPA's
MCAT 35P
PS: 11
VR: 11
BS: 13
WS P

EC's: Vice president (president next year), general manager, and captain of fencing club
Vice president of Capoeira club
Research assistant with a possible published acknowledgment, maybe two
EMT for one year working at school
400+ hours shadowing in my local emergency room
2 other shadowing jobs in surgical depts this summer
3 deans lists

Any thoughts? (again sry i know i asked before but i am wondering if the revision makes a difference)
Click to expand...

Your numbers look a lot like mine. Based on what people have said about me, I'd say you're fine too. Except my numbers are more of a downward trend (3.77, 3.35, 3.54) so you're probably in better shape.
 
I'm trying to gauge which schools to apply to and have entered the following on AMCAS. There's 25 of them, and I'll have time to do the secondaries over the summer and fall, so I'm not too worried about the number. If anyone knows of schools I should take off or add, I would appreciate any advice... also, if anyone has any objections to applying to so many schools, I would like to hear them as well.

About me: Stuck in the middle with a 35T MCAT, 3.5 GPA (sci about 3.43), nice LORs, decent ECs, lots of research with a submitted pub and a few posters/abstracts. I spoke with a friend of a family friend (so it's not really a connection) who's a UCI ad com member and he said I presented myself really well and thinks I would do a good job in an interview... so hopefully I won't screw up there. CA RESIDENT.

AECOM (MSTP) -- did SURP here
Columbia
Dartmouth
Drexel
George Washington
Georgetown
Mt. Sinai
NYMC
NYU
Northwestern
OHSU (MSTP)
RFU
St. Louis University
Stanford
Tufts
UCLA
UCSD (MSTP)
UCI
UC Davis
UCSF
USC
U of Chicago
Pittsburg
University of Washington (MSTP)
Cornell

I applied MSTP to places where I know science faculty or wouldn't mind living for 8 years (namely Portland/Seattle). Academic medicine is my goal... I would just prefer not get spend 8+ yrs in school unless there were some good circumstances associated with it.

Thanks!
 
I guess I can post about my situation here as well...
Canadian, Asian (hurts much?)
cGPA: 3.4, sGPA a little lower (not much, since most of my courses are in science)
Junior year took a nosedive, senior year (right now) is better with more A's in senior-level courses, though I still have that one C in marine biology...
MCAT: 31R: VR 8, PS 12, BS 11

ECs:
400hrs volunteering in hospital
Senior thesis
Worked in histology lab for a summer
Working in a lab in yeast, might have a publication by September
May be shadowing this summer
Not much EC's

LORS:
ok I guess. Good letter from PI (thesis and current work place), 1/2 decent letter from doc from hospital volunteering, Don't have a clue about non-science letter (maybe ask English prof? But I only got a 70 on his courses...)

Low points:
C- in virology
C+ molecular genetics
C+ marine biology (wtf?)

Applying to:
Georgetown
Howard (I'm not sure about this one)
Rosalind Franklin
Michigan State
Wayne State
Albany
Einstein
SUNY upstate
Jefferson
Penn State
Meharry
Vermont
George Washington

Any schools that I might have a shot in? Any schools I included that I probably shouldn't? I'm kind of nervous about this since I'm on shakey ground at best...
 
I am not quite sure if I am posting this correctly, if I'm not sorry to all. So going along with the "what are my chanced theme".
After just finishing an undergraduate degree in nursing I realized I probably picked the wrong degree (better late then never right...). I like nursing a lot but I think I would love being a doctor and I would be really good at it. In my freshman and sophomore years of college I received some terrible grades…. I had a D and an F at one point. I was able to retake both courses and received A’s in both but they will forever be ingrained in my transcripts. On top of that I continued through college making B and C’s with an occasional A here and there, thinking I just needed to do enough to get by. I realize this doesn’t sound like a personality of someone who would make a good physician but I also continued to work full time along the way as well as being involved in so many other things. I did not think it mattered at the time. L So with all that said I have completed my degree with a 2.7 GPA. In all honestly I know I am capable of a lot more and the grades I have received mainly came from not caring. In your opinion if I was to go back to school and go get a degree in biology and receive straight A’s in conjunction with an awesome MCAT and good extra-circular is their any hope for me…. Please feel free to be brutally honest.... I want real feedback before I walk into the Pre-Med counsoling office and get blasted.
 
I am not quite sure if I am posting this correctly, if I'm not sorry to all. So going along with the "what are my chanced theme".
After just finishing an undergraduate degree in nursing I realized I probably picked the wrong degree (better late then never right...). I like nursing a lot but I think I would love being a doctor and I would be really good at it. In my freshman and sophomore years of college I received some terrible grades…. I had a D and an F at one point. I was able to retake both courses and received A’s in both but they will forever be ingrained in my transcripts. On top of that I continued through college making B and C’s with an occasional A here and there, thinking I just needed to do enough to get by. I realize this doesn’t sound like a personality of someone who would make a good physician but I also continued to work full time along the way as well as being involved in so many other things. I did not think it mattered at the time. L So with all that said I have completed my degree with a 2.7 GPA. In all honestly I know I am capable of a lot more and the grades I have received mainly came from not caring. In your opinion if I was to go back to school and go get a degree in biology and receive straight A’s in conjunction with an awesome MCAT and good extra-circular is their any hope for me…. Please feel free to be brutally honest.... I want real feedback before I walk into the Pre-Med counsoling office and get blasted.
 
I wouldn't go back for a whole other degree. Just do a post-bac and with good grades and a good MCAT, you stand a chance. You'll also need to give a much more clearer and compelling explanation for wanting to be a doctor over a nurse.
 
I was hoping someone could give some opinions on what schools I should apply to.

I have a 3.40 GPA with an upward trend. Poor grades during second semester and third semester of college, with Cs in Ochem.

My BCPM is about 3.31

MCAT is 36S

Some shadowing, ER volunteer, tutoring, much research experience, a publication.

Is it possible for me to even bother applying to schools like Harvard or Stanford. Also, would I have a fighting chance for schools like U Mich or UCSF? All the average GPAs are around 3.7-3.8.
What would be some good 'my-level-stats' schools that I should try?

Thanks!
 
So with all that said I have completed my degree with a 2.7 GPA. In all honestly I know I am capable of a lot more and the grades I have received mainly came from not caring. In your opinion if I was to go back to school and go get a degree in biology and receive straight A’s in conjunction with an awesome MCAT and good extra-circular is their any hope for me…. Please feel free to be brutally honest.... I want real feedback before I walk into the Pre-Med counsoling office and get blasted.
Click to expand...
Go to the post bac forum and read through the guide to SMPs, as well as the low GPA thread. Short answer:

Year 1: more undergrad to get to a 3.0 and MCAT score significantly over 30.
Year 2: SMP
Year 3: Medical school
 
blaise77 said:
I think you may still have a shot an MD program but you must get As in everything else and rock the MCATs. Honestly the best thing you can do is do a masters program. I know there is a masters in physiology program at Georgetown that is like 200 people for those trying to get into MD school but with low GPAs. Its one year and you take half your classes with the MD first years. If you do really well then almost everyone gets into a MD school somewhere. There may be other programs like this at other schools.
Click to expand...

Is that saying a shot at US Med, or Carib Med? I'm just worried because most of the classes here are curved to make the average a C/C+, so getting A's is near impossible, for me at least. Does your undergrad institution play a role? If not maybe I should transfer to a school where they inflate instead of deflate your GPA? Thanx a lot for answering so promptly.
 
So I don't really know if this belongs here or elsewhere, but I need help picking a list of schools (and I guess a general reaction to my profile). It's basically copied directly from my MDApps profile.


22 year-old white male
Virginia citizen (in-state eligible)
Undergraduate Institution: Virginia Commonwealth University
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Forensic Science (concentration in Forensic Biology), 2008
Minors: Biology, Chemistry
MCAT Score: VR 10, PS 9, BS 12, R = 31R
BCPM GPA: 3.80
Overall GPA: 3.86


Extra-Curriculars:
-Assistant Music Director at church
-Trained singer/pianist/actor/dancer
-Sunday school inreach leader
-Co-directed a children's musical
-Front End Lead/Customer Service/Cashier at a local grocery store
-Multiple recipient of the 'Be a Star' Award at above local grocery store
-Dean's list for 7 out of 8 semesters
-Dean's scholarship recipient for 4 years
-Volunteer Medical Clinic Assistant at Free Clinic
-Shadow a pediatrician
-Graduate research assistant in an insect ecology lab
-Mentor to freshmen students
-Honors College Member – graduated “In Good Standing”
-Active member of the Pre-Med Society (2 years)
-Treasurer, Public Relations Committee, Member of Forensic Science Student Club
-Preceptor for genetics
-Unit Secretary in Level 1 Trauma Center ER
-Lab & Research Assistant in a Clinical Research Group - we deal primarily with Drug & Alcohol Studies, especially concerning female and pediatric patients - I get to work directly with doctors and their patients, compile data, perform literature searches, and I'm also getting involved with authoring a paper and also being a reviewer for several journals

I'm looking for schools near in the mid-Atlantic and upper-Atlantic region (basically north of Richmond, VA and west of Chicago, IL) and I prefer schools in an urban or suburban environment. I also prefer curriculum that is organ-based and has some PBL, but these are not necessarily deal-breakers for me. I would like to apply to about 15-20 schools.

Here are the schools I am applying to for sure:
-VCU
-UVA
-WVU
-Georgetown
-University of Maryland
-University of Pennsylvania
-University of Pittsburgh
-NYU
-Mt. Sinai
-NYMC

These are the other schools I am considering (of which I can only choose about 5-10):
-Albany Medical College
-Albert Einstein of Yeshiva University
-Columbia University
-Cornell University
-Drexel University
-Indiana University
-Jefferson Medical College
-Loyola University Chicago
-Medical College of Wisconsin
-Northwestern University
-Ohio State University
-Rosalind Franklin University
-SUNY Buffalo
-SUNY Downstate
-SUNY Stony Brook
-SUNY Upstate
-Tufts University
-University of Illinois
-University of Kentucky
-University of Michigan
-University of Rochester
-University of Toledo
-University of Vermont
-Vanderbilt University

Any thoughts on these schools? What about others that I didn't list that you think I might have a good shot at or be a good fit for?
 
Maddie Connor said:
what? no not at all. i actually think my gpa sucks! and i want to go to harvard med so i need to be super competitive.


so..?
Click to expand...
so do 90% of the rest of premeds....but for most it wont happen...Just do your best...You look to be doing fine.
 
floja2 said:
I was hoping someone could give some opinions on what schools I should apply to.

I have a 3.40 GPA with an upward trend. Poor grades during second semester and third semester of college, with Cs in Ochem.

My BCPM is about 3.31

MCAT is 36S

Some shadowing, ER volunteer, tutoring, much research experience, a publication.

Is it possible for me to even bother applying to schools like Harvard or Stanford. Also, would I have a fighting chance for schools like U Mich or UCSF? All the average GPAs are around 3.7-3.8.
What would be some good 'my-level-stats' schools that I should try?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Ah, another one in a similar boat as I. Just apply early and broadly and put your best foot forward.
 
tarmogorf said:
I guess I can post about my situation here as well...
Canadian, Asian (hurts much?)
cGPA: 3.4, sGPA a little lower (not much, since most of my courses are in science)
Junior year took a nosedive, senior year (right now) is better with more A's in senior-level courses, though I still have that one C in marine biology...
MCAT: 31R: VR 8, PS 12, BS 11

ECs:
400hrs volunteering in hospital
Senior thesis
Worked in histology lab for a summer
Working in a lab in yeast, might have a publication by September
May be shadowing this summer
Not much EC's

LORS:
ok I guess. Good letter from PI (thesis and current work place), 1/2 decent letter from doc from hospital volunteering, Don't have a clue about non-science letter (maybe ask English prof? But I only got a 70 on his courses...)

Low points:
C- in virology
C+ molecular genetics
C+ marine biology (wtf?)

Applying to:
Georgetown
Howard (I'm not sure about this one)
Rosalind Franklin
Michigan State
Wayne State
Albany
Einstein
SUNY upstate
Jefferson
Penn State
Meharry
Vermont
George Washington

Any schools that I might have a shot in? Any schools I included that I probably shouldn't? I'm kind of nervous about this since I'm on shakey ground at best...
Click to expand...

Hi, you had given me some advice for the Canadian schools, I had to do some more research today into specific med schools and what they look at, and most definately you have a chance for a Canadian school, but the better the chance depends on where you live. If you are a resident in Alberta or Sask, you definately have a shot at either U of C or U of S, they take the average of your 2 best years (with 3.2 being the cut off), using overall gpa as an indicator of your potential performance, both schools place huge emphasis on life experience, ie: research, work, maturity level, volunteer, basically a well rounded individual with a gpa around 3.3-3.5 could have a very high chance of getting in. To prove this, I have a friend that gained admittance last year with a 3.4 avg, work experience in a health related organization, volunteer experience. Check out all the individual schools, the only one I would forsure say forget about unless you live in BC is UBC since they only accept I think its 4-5 out of province students and these spots are saved for people who have done something extremely outstanding along with their spectacular ugpa of 4.0.
Goodluck!
 
After looking at the numbers...

Something tells me adcoms look at your work/activities list first and if they are impressed/want to know more, they look at the PS. Otherwise, they don't bother reading it.
 
As this is my first post, I should start by saying hello before I get into the redunant question-asking, so, hello!

I hope I am posting this in the right place, I think so, as my questions are very "what-are-my-chances"-esque. Anyway, here goes...

Some negatives:
I took no "hard" science or math classes in high school and I don't feel that I really have much of a foundation in that area.
I dropped out of cosmetology school after about 2 weeks at age 18.
I dropped out of a 4-year school after a semester at age 19, failing 4/5 classes (failed these classes because I stopped going).
I am older (25) and have a family to raise/support.
I graduated 2 years ago from a tech. college with a 3.8 in a medical secretary program and then took an additional semester of general classes, which did lower my GPA some, but not horribly, since I was working full time.

I am attending a state university in the fall to start work on a bachelor's degree and to take the required pre-med classes. My motivation/desire is strong and I am ready and willing at this point in my life to give it everything I've got and work my butt off, as this has been something I've wanted for many years but was scared to try.

How much is my academic past going to haunt me? Is it somewhat of a lost cause? Anyone in a similar situation? And most importantly, do I have to list beauty-school dropout on a med school application? (That last part was a joke and a real question in one!)

Thanks to anyone who takes time to read this long-winded cry for help!
 
If the beauty school doesn't issue grades or transcripts, it wouldn't be reportable. You can only report classes that print out on a transcript.

The classes that you took the first time at a 4 year will go on your AMCAS. You'll need a transcript from there. 🙁 So, your freshman year GPA will wind up looking dismal.

But if you keep going the way you have been since you re-entered school, the turnaround will be very obvious, since the grades are broken down by school year (freshman, soph. . .)

It will be important to keep your load to a level you can manage to do well in this year. You've had a rocky start toward a difficult goal. You may have to take extra semesters to get enough classes to pull your GPA high enough to be looked it. It's very difficult to pull through with that start, but has been done by others.
 
Maddie Connor said:
what? no not at all. i actually think my gpa sucks! and i want to go to harvard med so i need to be super competitive.


so..?
Click to expand...

And your reason for wanting Harvard is? You know, aside from saying you want to go to Harvard. You'll be fine somewhere. I don't see anything super special that Harvard will really get into, but who knows. I don't understand the fixation either. Just get into a school and you'll be fine. Don't be one of those people that gets locked into a school based on nothing. Until your interviews you should just want to go to medical school. Wait for the interview to decide if you "want" to go to Harvard...God forbid you actually like another school more once you do the complete tour.
 
Raj80 said:
Hi, you had given me some advice for the Canadian schools, I had to do some more research today into specific med schools and what they look at, and most definately you have a chance for a Canadian school, but the better the chance depends on where you live. If you are a resident in Alberta or Sask, you definately have a shot at either U of C or U of S, they take the average of your 2 best years (with 3.2 being the cut off), using overall gpa as an indicator of your potential performance, both schools place huge emphasis on life experience, ie: research, work, maturity level, volunteer, basically a well rounded individual with a gpa around 3.3-3.5 could have a very high chance of getting in. To prove this, I have a friend that gained admittance last year with a 3.4 avg, work experience in a health related organization, volunteer experience. Check out all the individual schools, the only one I would forsure say forget about unless you live in BC is UBC since they only accept I think its 4-5 out of province students and these spots are saved for people who have done something extremely outstanding along with their spectacular ugpa of 4.0.
Goodluck!
Click to expand...

Hey Raj. Unfortunately, I'm an Ontarian, which directly puts me out of the running for pretty much any Canadian school period. I know that if I lived in say Alberta or Saskatchewan, I'd have a better chance in. But alas, that is life...Rejected from all universities in Canada already...

Anyhow, I guess not many know my chances for the schools?
 
tarmogorf said:
Hey Raj. Unfortunately, I'm an Ontarian, which directly puts me out of the running for pretty much any Canadian school period. I know that if I lived in say Alberta or Saskatchewan, I'd have a better chance in. But alas, that is life...Rejected from all universities in Canada already...

Anyhow, I guess not many know my chances for the schools?
Click to expand...

Just wondering if you're a MTG player, lol. Tarmogoyfs are ridiculous.

I'd try to give you some input, but I don't know much about applying as a Canadian 🙁 But check the MSAR and do your research for who accepts international, apply broad and early, and cross your fingers! You might be able to do a search via MD Apps for international applicants to see where they've had some success. Good luck!
 
Textuality said:
Just wondering if you're a MTG player, lol. Tarmogoyfs are ridiculous.

I'd try to give you some input, but I don't know much about applying as a Canadian 🙁 But check the MSAR and do your research for who accepts international, apply broad and early, and cross your fingers! You might be able to do a search via MD Apps for international applicants to see where they've had some success. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the input. So I'd assume that I'm definitely in the international pools huh. That seems to really hurt my chances around, huh. The ones I've mentioned all had a couple (somewhere like 6-20) of internationals, but would those be good choices overall? I heard that private schools look at locals and internationals evenly, is that true for the private schools I've listed?

Oh, and I'm saving up by not buying any tarmogorfs. XD
 
bozz said:
After looking at the numbers...

Something tells me adcoms look at your work/activities list first and if they are impressed/want to know more, they look at the PS. Otherwise, they don't bother reading it.
Click to expand...

Well, as there are over 120 different med schools, not to mention different programs at each med school, I doubt theres a standardized order they look at stuff. Some adcoms might do one, others might do the other.
 
tarmogorf said:
Thanks for the input. So I'd assume that I'm definitely in the international pools huh. That seems to really hurt my chances around, huh. The ones I've mentioned all had a couple (somewhere like 6-20) of internationals, but would those be good choices overall? I heard that private schools look at locals and internationals evenly, is that true for the private schools I've listed?

Oh, and I'm saving up by not buying any tarmogorfs. XD
Click to expand...

I mean..I'm just assuming canadians are considered international, I could be wrong though?
 
tarmogorf said:
Thanks for the input. So I'd assume that I'm definitely in the international pools huh. That seems to really hurt my chances around, huh. The ones I've mentioned all had a couple (somewhere like 6-20) of internationals, but would those be good choices overall? I heard that private schools look at locals and internationals evenly, is that true for the private schools I've listed?

Oh, and I'm saving up by not buying any tarmogorfs. XD
Click to expand...

Being Canadian is different from being from England, China, etc because many schools will not consider you an international, although even some of these schools may deny you financial aid. You need to look at every school VERY closely, and you may want to call them or something to be sure you are not overlooking anywhere.
 
Reapplicant, applied late last time

3.1 UGPA, one year 3.8 postbac -> 3.34 cumulative

Non-science grad degree- top 15% of class

30 MCAT... retook and just got a 30 again. Extremely disappointing... my Kaplan practice score average was a 33.8.

CA res, clinical experience and volunteering but no research

Should I just stick with DO schools or is it worth my time to try MD schools too?

Thanks.
 
Hey folks.

Non-trad here. UG major - engineering and took no biology.

UG GPA-3.1

Took MCAT before I took any biology classes as a barometer last May - got
V-9
P-6
B-7
W-M
22M

Took gen bio last summer and masters program this year - biomed program.

Grad GPA now 3.6 - will bump a bit higher when rest of grade are in - maybe to 3.65. Got a C+ in physiology.

Just got April MCAT.

V-10
P-9
B-7
W-Q
26Q

2 years of volunteer EMT about 20 hours per week.
EMS research at major level 1 trauma center tied to allopathic school - will probably have paper published in Annals of Em. Med within 2-3 months.

Happy to have gotten +4 points. Disappointed in no increase in bio score - especially after a year's worth of biology classes. I took physiology, genetics (with med school - got A), cell bio, biochem, molec. bio.

As I took the MCAT during the semester - I did not devote a block (month or so) to study. Registered to take on July 8th again.

Should I be packing my bags for the Carib? or a DO school?

I highly doubt I can bump up the verbal much. I may be able to eek out a point from physical science. I would really like another 2-3 points in biological science section. Well I would really like a 36 MCAT, but I am old (30.....ish) and am developing Denny Crane's mad cow disease so that will not happen.

Where does a V/10-11 P/9-10 B/9-10 land me?

Is 26 good enough for even DO now?

Thanks and hope everyone gets good scores on MCAT.
 
Hi everyone,
I just got my MCAT scores today so I thought I'd post in this thread and see what my chances are. Here's a quick rundown of me:

Major: Biochemistry
GPA: 3.72
MCAT: 30N - 9 VR, 9 PS, 12 BS

ECs:
1 year volunteering/shadowing at local free clinic
~6 months shadowing internal medicine doc
2 years of lab research
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Fellow
Honors college / senior thesis
Couple scholarships
Tutoring
Leadership club

My letters of rec should be pretty strong (at least I hope). Basically what I'm worried about most here is my MCAT score and the fact that my application doesn't really stand out. I don't have any illusions about going to a top medical school either, I just want to get my MD. Should I be applying to low tier schools, or maybe some mid-tier ones? I know that's kind of a silly question to ask but I can't help myself. Anyways, thanks for any input - oh and if you could include my username or somehow let me know you're talking about me when you reply, that would be great. Thanks!
 
utahjazz said:
Reapplicant, applied late last time

3.1 UGPA, one year 3.8 postbac -> 3.34 cumulative

Non-science grad degree- top 15% of class

30 MCAT... retook and just got a 30 again. Extremely disappointing... my Kaplan practice score average was a 33.8.

CA res, clinical experience and volunteering but no research

Should I just stick with DO schools or is it worth my time to try MD schools too?

Thanks.
Click to expand...


I agree that you should stick with DO schools. If you just want to be a doctor then a DO degree is fine. You could try some low-tier MD schools but make sure you have other ECs besides the 2 you listed. Write a great PS and have excellent LORs and you may stand a chance! Don't give up.
 
SilentNight said:
I agree that you should stick with DO schools. If you just want to be a doctor then a DO degree is fine. You could try some low-tier MD schools but make sure you have other ECs besides the 2 you listed. Write a great PS and have excellent LORs and you may stand a chance! Don't give up.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I have other ECs but not nothing really special. I wish it weren't so expensive just to submit the primary AMCAS application, or I'd have no problem applying to a couple MD schools! Thanks for the reply & good luck to you.
 
childoftheatom said:
Hi everyone,
I just got my MCAT scores today so I thought I'd post in this thread and see what my chances are. Here's a quick rundown of me:

Major: Biochemistry
GPA: 3.72
MCAT: 30N - 9 VR, 9 PS, 12 BS

ECs:
1 year volunteering/shadowing at local free clinic
~6 months shadowing internal medicine doc
2 years of lab research
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Fellow
Honors college / senior thesis
Couple scholarships
Tutoring
Leadership club

My letters of rec should be pretty strong (at least I hope). Basically what I'm worried about most here is my MCAT score and the fact that my application doesn't really stand out. I don't have any illusions about going to a top medical school either, I just want to get my MD. Should I be applying to low tier schools, or maybe some mid-tier ones? I know that's kind of a silly question to ask but I can't help myself. Anyways, thanks for any input - oh and if you could include my username or somehow let me know you're talking about me when you reply, that would be great. Thanks!
Click to expand...

I would say apply to low-tiers and a few middle-tiers. Your GPA is great but just wondering what happened to your MCAT? Make your application stick out with great ECs such as sports, artistic endeavors, etc. etc. Things that make you more well-rounded! I'm sure you've done a lot in life so far so try to show that! Good luck!
 
SilentNight said:
I would say apply to low-tiers and a few middle-tiers. Your GPA is great but just wondering what happened to your MCAT? Make your application stick out with great ECs such as sports, artistic endeavors, etc. etc. Things that make you more well-rounded! I'm sure you've done a lot in life so far so try to show that! Good luck!
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what happened with my MCAT. I scored several points below what I was averaging on the AAMC practice tests, which was really disappointing. Oh well, I really don't feel like taking it again so maybe I'll just live with it. Blah.
 
childoftheatom said:
Hi everyone,
I just got my MCAT scores today so I thought I'd post in this thread and see what my chances are. Here's a quick rundown of me:

Major: Biochemistry
GPA: 3.72
MCAT: 30N - 9 VR, 9 PS, 12 BS

ECs:
1 year volunteering/shadowing at local free clinic
~6 months shadowing internal medicine doc
2 years of lab research
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Fellow
Honors college / senior thesis
Couple scholarships
Tutoring
Leadership club

My letters of rec should be pretty strong (at least I hope). Basically what I'm worried about most here is my MCAT score and the fact that my application doesn't really stand out. I don't have any illusions about going to a top medical school either, I just want to get my MD. Should I be applying to low tier schools, or maybe some mid-tier ones? I know that's kind of a silly question to ask but I can't help myself. Anyways, thanks for any input - oh and if you could include my username or somehow let me know you're talking about me when you reply, that would be great. Thanks!
Click to expand...

I would definitely apply to lots of mid tiers and possibly even some top tiers. Your MCAT is almost average for mid tiers and that howard hughs fellowship WILL definitely make you STAND OUT. You should still have some low tier back ups but I would assume that you will most likely get into some mid tiers
 
Hey everyone...

just like everyone else on this thread i want to know what my chances are! Please check out my mdapplicants profile (10389) and tell me what you think...

THANKS!
 
guys please help me im freaking out:

A CUNY college in NY: 4.0 sci gpa, 3.94 total gpa

above average ec's but nothing crazy just a lot of little things
average personal statement/letters of rec

31R - VR 8, PS-12, BS-11

I hope im ok with state schools but the 8 in verbal is driving me nuts (i was actually scoring mid 30s on my practices but im too scared to do it all again). what other schools can i look at?

Im really upset about this mcat. can i make it work?
 
utahjazz said:
Reapplicant, applied late last time

3.1 UGPA, one year 3.8 postbac -> 3.34 cumulative

Non-science grad degree- top 15% of class

30 MCAT... retook and just got a 30 again. Extremely disappointing... my Kaplan practice score average was a 33.8.

CA res, clinical experience and volunteering but no research

Should I just stick with DO schools or is it worth my time to try MD schools too?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Id throw in some allopathic schools maybe 10 or so
 
AbujaMan said:
guys please help me im freaking out:

A CUNY college in NY: 4.0 sci gpa, 3.94 total gpa

above average ec's but nothing crazy just a lot of little things
average personal statement/letters of rec

31R - VR 8, PS-12, BS-11

I hope im ok with state schools but the 8 in verbal is driving me nuts (i was actually scoring mid 30s on my practices but im too scared to do it all again). what other schools can i look at?

Im really upset about this mcat. can i make it work?
Click to expand...
NY is very friendly, I think your GPA will make up for your 8, but a 31 is bad by nomeans
 
What exactly are so-called low or mid tier schools? Again my stats are 3.4 GPA, 3.31 BCPM and 36 MCAT. I'm trying to decide what schools to apply to. I think my list consists of schools that are too high-tier. E-C are normal, not outstanding. Normal recs, too.

Here's a list I'm thinking about:

Emory Albany Medical College Albert Einstein College Yeshiva Boston University Case Western Columbia University Dartmouth Drexel Duke Georgetown University Harvard Medical School Jefferson Joan/Sanford Cornell University Johns Hopkins University Keck School of Medicine, USC Mayo Medical School Mount Sinai New York University Northwestern University Feinberg NY Medical College Oregon Health Sciences Rosalind Franklin Rush Stanford University SUNY Upstate The George Washington University Tufts University U of Buffalo, SUNY Buffalo U of Chicago U Pitt U Vermont UC Davis UC Irvine UC San Diego UC San Francisco UCLA David Geffen University of Michigan University of Pennsylvania University of Rochester Wayne State
 
floja2 said:
What exactly are so-called low or mid tier schools? Again my stats are 3.4 GPA, 3.31 BCPM and 36 MCAT. I'm trying to decide what schools to apply to. I think my list consists of schools that are too high-tier. E-C are normal, not outstanding. Normal recs, too.

Here's a list I'm thinking about:

Emory Albany Medical College Albert Einstein College Yeshiva Boston University Case Western Columbia University Dartmouth Drexel Duke Georgetown University Harvard Medical School Jefferson Joan/Sanford Cornell University Johns Hopkins University Keck School of Medicine, USC Mayo Medical School Mount Sinai New York University Northwestern University Feinberg NY Medical College Oregon Health Sciences Rosalind Franklin Rush Stanford University SUNY Upstate The George Washington University Tufts University U of Buffalo, SUNY Buffalo U of Chicago U Pitt U Vermont UC Davis UC Irvine UC San Diego UC San Francisco UCLA David Geffen University of Michigan University of Pennsylvania University of Rochester Wayne State
Click to expand...
hmmm You have a lot of top tier schools up there but probably 10 schools that you are sure to get love from...I think that list looks good....If you arent from Ill I probably wouldnt apply to RUsh though.
 
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