What are my chances in my situation?

[kac050114]

Hello Everyone,

I am a recent graduate of a private university and trying to apply to medical schools. I know it is very late in the cycle, but I wanted to know if I have a chance of starting medical school in the fall of 2017. I know there are some schools that offer post-baccaraulette programs. Would I be better off by going that route? Or would it be better for me to apply to a Master's program and then apply to medical school in the 2018-2019 cycle?

During my semester off I am trying to find clinical work to add experience to my resume and I am studying to re-take the MCAT. Any advice will be very helpful!

Credentials:
cGPA: 3.2 MCAT: 497
South Asian female, resident of MD

Research Experience:
500+ Hours working with doctors/microbiologist in a hospital setting, and professor at university (hands-on in the laboratory and computer work)

Non-Clinical Experience:
300+ Hours shadowing various physicians in hospitals and clinics (cardiac surgeon, orthopedic surgeon, pediatrician, oncology specialist, pathologist, OB/GYN)

Leadership:
Member of Greek-Lettered Organization on my campus
Executive board member of multiple clubs on my campus
Founded Dance team on campus

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[psychedskier]

Looks like you have spent a lot of time looking into medicine with over 300 hours of shadowing and solid research exposure.

I would personally suggest getting involved in more activities that show an altruistic side of yourself, i.e., volunteering/gaining employment working with disadvantaged people.

I would also suggest getting involved in some sort of program to help boost your GPA, I know that a lot of schools will look away from anyone under a 3.5. Also, you may want to take a study course and really work on upping your MCAT to at the very minimum over 500. The AAMC is advising schools that a person that scores at or above a 500 is likely to be able to complete the rigorous coursework in medical school. From what I have read, med schools are still using the MCAT as a tool to assess an applicants competitiveness too, not just ability to complete coursework. On this year's exam, scoring a 500 puts you above 51% of all people who have taken the exam, and a 497 puts you above 40% of the people who have taken the exam. Keep in mind people that score much lower than this don't really even apply to school. So, most people you would be competing against would have a better score than you.

From what you have done in the past it looks like you really know you want to be a doctor, and you may make a great one, but you first have to get through admissions committees that will normally weed out (sometimes unjustly) applicants that have lower stats.

If you really want it, believe in yourself, don't ever give up, and you will get there.

For some perspective, the University of Washington is a top tier school and is known for taking applicants that don't necessarily have the top stats, but have a solid background in research and/or a demonstrated commitment to serving the disadvantaged. For last years admissions cycle, they accepted about 2 people with stats (GPA and MCAT only) similar to yours.

I am also not the complete authority, as I have only just been accepted to med school myself, but it's my two cents.