What are my chances? Low GPA... Reality Check Please!!!

[hefner1]

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I am a rising senior majoring in Public Health and Biology. In addition, I plan to do masters in Biology. I currently have 3.65/ 3.45 GPA. I have not yet taken MCAT, but my practice test scores are averaging 30-33.

I have published one paper and I will soon submit another one this September. I don't know how much publications will help me, but I will be the first author on the one that I am about to submit.

I have done quite a bit of volunteering at the hospital, and I plan to volunteer abroad this winter - maybe Mexico? I have not yet begun shadowing a doctor yet, but I will be shadowing a neurosurgeon starting next month.


I wanted a reality check! Which schools should I apply and do you think I have a chance at MD/PhD assuming that I get 30 on MCAT (I know I cannot and should not assume so, but just for the sake of reality check)?

 

[sizillyd]

I am a rising senior majoring in Public Health and Biology. In addition, I plan to do masters in Biology. I currently have 3.65/ 3.45 GPA. I have not yet taken MCAT, but my practice test scores are averaging 30-33.

I have published one paper and I will soon submit another one this September. I don't know how much publications will help me, but I will be the first author on the one that I am about to submit.

I have done quite a bit of volunteering at the hospital, and I plan to volunteer abroad this winter - maybe Mexico? I have not yet begun shadowing a doctor yet, but I will be shadowing a neurosurgeon starting next month.


I wanted a reality check! Which schools should I apply and do you think I have a chance at MD/PhD assuming that I get 30 on MCAT (I know I cannot and should not assume so, but just for the sake of reality check)?

You are planning on getting your masters? Why? Do you really want it or do you think it will better your chances? With your current GPA you are in good shape. And if you are a senior, then you still have the chance to bring it up even more. But regardless, you are a good candidate and that is not a "low" GPA.

Just rock that MCAT, make sure you have good LOR's and write a killer personal statement and you should get some interviews for sure. Good luck!

 

[alwaysaangel]

I am a rising senior majoring in Public Health and Biology. In addition, I plan to do masters in Biology. I currently have 3.65/ 3.45 GPA. I have not yet taken MCAT, but my practice test scores are averaging 30-33.

I have published one paper and I will soon submit another one this September. I don't know how much publications will help me, but I will be the first author on the one that I am about to submit.

I have done quite a bit of volunteering at the hospital, and I plan to volunteer abroad this winter - maybe Mexico? I have not yet begun shadowing a doctor yet, but I will be shadowing a neurosurgeon starting next month.


I wanted a reality check! Which schools should I apply and do you think I have a chance at MD/PhD assuming that I get 30 on MCAT (I know I cannot and should not assume so, but just for the sake of reality check)?

So a BIG question: What state are you from and where do you want to go?

The ultimate answer depends on those questions, but in general, MD/PhD is more competitive than MD so you're a little below average on GPA. You could probably get into and MD/PhD somewhere - where is a different question.

Remember that not only are MD/PhD's more competitive but they also want someone who is very sure they are willing to make the commitment, so you need to be sure your research is very strong and you can express that in essays and interviews. MD/PhD's are a little more picky than MDs about knowing someone knows what they're in for because its an 8 year commitment and you get so much scholarship money. They don't like people changing their mind halfway through.

 

[Catalystik]

Here is a link to the WAMC sticky at the top of the Physician Scientist Forum of SDN, which has specific statistics about your chances of acceptance to MD/PhD programs: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=539268

 

[Fabio001]

Hey man, your stats look about like mine! Hopefully we'll get some more posters letting us know the deal. Like the others that posted, I think that your stats are a bit low for MD/PhD. MSAR is king if you wanna know the schools that you'll be competitive for.