What are my chances ? really really really different case

[mdelvalle1]

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Hi, my name is Mike I'm a premed student at the University of Miami First, I'd like to share with you all some of my experiences and talents. I'm a 21 year old junior. I worked as a freshman in an immunology lab studying immunorecognition and tissue rejection for almost a year. I'm blood borne pathogen exposure certified along with radiation certified, lab safety certified and laser safety certified. I've made prosthetic legs for adult and pediatric patients. I've worked with a pediatrician and personally consulted over under 85 underprivileged pediatric patients in foreign countries. I have some experience in pre-operative and post-operative care. I have worked with an anesthesiologist and have assisted in local to general anesthetic practice along with experience in post operative anesthetic procedures. I have experience in orthopedic surgery, I have assisted in various procedures from fibular elongations to leg amputations. I've worked with a plastic surgeon and I have assisted in unilateral cleft lip rotations along with bilateral cleft lip rotations to treating burn victims by skin graphing. On a lighter side, I've been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder and I find it hard to focus at times. This in turn has made me vulnerable to the harsh studies of a premed student. I understand a medical student needs a strong academic history but unfortunately these are the cards I've been dealt. Can I get into med school with an average gpa? I have a very strong vocation for medicine as seen in my past experience and I cannot change that. I'd be more than happy to provide many pictures of my works and cool O.R. shots for you all on the network in exchange for some advice and thoughts…..

Thank you all,
Mike D.

 

[HeatherMD]

It depends what you mean by "average GPA" and on your MCAT.

Your EC's are obviously fantastic, but the numbers will matter, and while ADD totally sucks, it is definitely not a get-out-of-jail-free card for the academic rigors of medical school. Having trouble focusing/studying is not just an excuse for average grades, it will undoubtedly be a severe handicap in the professional school curriculum.

If by average grades you mean the average med matriculant of 3.6, I think you'll definitely get in. Anywhere. If by average grades you mean a 3.0 as that's the average your classes were curved at, I think you still have a strong shot, and would definitely get in at at least a DO school.
But if by average grades you mean a 2.6 (which is my campus' average, I don't know if it holds true across all college students), then no, I don't think you will get in unless you bring it up.

 

[mdelvalle1]

thanks heather, I wasn't trying to use my ADD as a sort of get-out-of-jail free card but instead attempting to provide general and conscise information about myself. Normally individuals with ADD as myself tend to do much better in a smaller, more focused curriculum where there isn't 250+ students in a class room..... I haven't taken an MCAT yet.

 

[HeatherMD]

No, I understand, and I'm sorry if I came off unsympathetic -- it's just it's an unfortunate reality that you can be a perfectly great physician with ADD, it's going to be hard to get there with ADD.

I'm largely in the dark about how US med schools operate, but I know here our class is only ~140 students and they do a lot of small group work, which would be ideal for you if you feel you work best in smaller group with focused curricula.

I think if you can overcome the hurdles to get in, there's no reason you won't succeed in medicine. Just don't not try, you know? Give it a shot, even if you are "average" for grades -- you are definitely NOT average for experience.

Good luck on the MCAT!

 

[mdelvalle1]

thanks heather you're a legend