WHAT ARE MY CHANCES?? (UNIQUE BACKGROUND/STORY)

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kobebryant0824

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Hello Everyone,

I am a Canadian student who lives in Ontario but has a dual citizenship (Canada and U.S.) with a unique background in which I'd love some feedback on.

I initially enrolled in University with a Biochemistry major but was an immature 18-year-old who also dealt with a few other obstacles along the way. I failed pretty much my entire 1st year (0.94 GPA) which consisted of all pre-medical pre-requisites of course which is a huge barrier for my sGPA (except for Organic 1 & 2 and Biochemistry). I transferred to Health Sciences (Kinesiology) with aspirations of Chiropractic/Physical Therapy but as the years went along my GPA drastically improved and by the end of my degree I knew I could achieve more and wanted more for myself.

Therefore, the past year I have retaken all pre-med pre-requisites and have maintained a 4.0 GPA (only needing Biochemistry and Physics II which I'm taking Fall 2017) before I write my MCAT Spring 2018 and apply the 2018 cycle.

I currently have:
2 paid research positions at my school in which I've been partaking in over the past year
Tutoring in the sciences at my school for the past year
Volunteering in the Emergency Room at my local hospital past 1 1/2 years (150+ hours)
Volunteered at my local Chiropractic Clinic for an entire summer (300+ hours)
Shadowed several medical specialists (80+ hours)

GPA Year 1: 0.94 (failed 1st year)
GPA Year 2: 3.61
GPA Year 3: 3.82
GPA Year 4: 3.66
GPA Year 5: 3.97
GPA Year 6: 4.00 (my own personalized post-baccalaureate pre-medical school/MCAT requirements)

Overall GPA: 3.34

My biggest issue is obviously my 1st year GPA and that anchoring down the rest of my application in which my GPA's drastic improvement alongside a fantastic MCAT score will make up for this.

My biggest question is what can I do over the next year to increase the competitiveness of my application and what are my chances of getting accepted to MD/DO schools in the U.S.? What kind of MCAT score should I be striving for?

Thanks for taking your time to read this!!!

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What mcat to strive for is the most often repeated useless question here because the answer is always "the highest you are physically capable of"....don't feel bad almost everyone asks it here

What is your actual total gpa including everything ?
 
The issue I see with putting a score parameter on oneself is the expectation when the FL scores start coming in and the fear that settles in after that.

My own score goal is 516+ which I do not think is obtainable but I'm used to setting very high bars for myself, doing what I can to get there and being happy with what I get. It's the old "If I don't shoot for the moon, how can I even begin to fly" thinking.

Each person is different so if you're like that, then set a 515+.
 
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What mcat to strive for is the most often repeated useless question here because the answer is always "the highest you are physically capable of"....don't feel bad almost everyone asks it here

What is your actual total gpa including everything ?

My overall GPA is 3.34.
I agree that my MCAT question/point I made is redundant and I am obviously striving for a 515+ on my MCAT.
 
My overall GPA is 3.34.
I agree that my MCAT question/point I made is redundant and I am obviously striving for a 515+ on my MCAT.
3.3ish is good enough for most DOs to open the app with a good mcat. It will lower the MD chances but it is what is

Just focus on that mcat and reassess after
 
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My overall GPA is 3.34.
I agree that my MCAT question/point I made is redundant and I am obviously striving for a 515+ on my MCAT.
Keep volunteering and doing everything else, nail the MCAT as you say above and hope for the best.

I don't know how the Canadian degree but dual citizenship will help/hinder but if it won't, then I have to believe there'll be schools showing interest.

Have you used WedgeDawg's spreadsheet for school choice assistance? Use that as it'll help guide you toward choices. Lots of people I know have used it and it's been working pretty well.
 
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Keep volunteering and doing everything else, nail the MCAT as you say above and hope for the best.

I don't know how the Canadian degree but dual citizenship will help/hinder but if it won't, then I have to believe there'll be schools showing interest.

Have you used WedgeDawg's spreadsheet for school choice assistance? Use that as it'll help guide you toward choices. Lots of people I know have used it and it's been working pretty well.

No, I haven't heard of it but I'll absolutely check it out. Thanks once again for the help from both of you!
 
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