What are my chances with a 3.5 GPA

[Saleemrodman1]

There are really bad aspects to my application and good ones too, in my opinion. I have been in a rough situation taking care of my family, my alcoholic parents, and working to support them while taking excessive units. I have 9 WITHDRAWALS and had a freshman GPA of 2.57, and a Sophomore GPA of 3.10. However, my Junior year I pulled a 4.0, and I just have my senior year left, where I will apply to Medical School AFTER graduating. If I can pull off another 4.0, my stats will be:

***Academics***
Overall GPA: 3.505
Science GPA: 3.334
MCAT: Need to take
Degree: BS in Biochemistry
<CALIFORNIA RESIDENT>

***Clinical***
Medical Brigades to Honduras
Gap Medics to Tanzania
Diabetic Research (will be 2 years of research)
Hospital Volunteer 400 Hours
ER Volunteer 50 Hours
EMT Volunteer 50 Hours
Shadowed MD Physician 24 Hours
Shadowed DO Physician 24 Hours
Shadowed MD Gastroenterologist 24 Hours

***Volunteer***
Orphanage Volunteer in Ghana, West Africa
Food Bank Volunteer
Soup Kitchen Volunteer

***EC***
Psychology Club Member
Chess Club Member
Chess Club Co-President
Job Manager
Violinist
Chemistry Tutor
Mathematics Tutor
Health Internship


QUESTIONS:

1. What do you think of my application overall? Do I have a chance at low-tier & mid-tier Allopathic schools?
2. What can I do about EC's and volunteering? Am I missing something?
3. How can I strengthen my application besides my GPA?

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[Saleemrodman1]

any advice would be appreciated 😀

 

[NavyDoc23]

Well, with that GPA I think it's going to be hard to get into an MD school unless you crush your MCAT (over 34). It doesn't help that you are a CA resident either. Your GPA is ok for DO schools.

 

[NavyDoc23]

Forgot to comment on your ECs.. I think they look great! Continue doing what you're doing with those (med schools like seeing continuity of activities). Not sure you can strengthen your app unless you can get your research published. If you are dead set on going to a MD school and you don't rock your MCAT, you may have to do a post-bacc.

 

[Saleemrodman1]

Thanks. Hopefully I do well on that MCAT. I was told that at least a 35 would get me into some MD schools from someone else too.

 

[Saleemrodman1]

Is it actually possible to get a 35 or is that usually rare?

 

[southerntexasman2020]

DEM Trolls.

Look at dat dere new MCAT scoring brah.

 

[southerntexasman2020]

Is it actually possible to get a 35 or is that usually rare?

That being said, your probability of getting a 35 is quite rate. Actually, as of today, June 2, 2015, the probability that you'll get a 35 on the MCAT is 0.

 

[Saleemrodman1]

I'm being serious and looking for advice. Not trolling whatsoever.

 

[JessebenBenjamin]

About 5% of all test takers get a 35 or above. Maybe not rare, but definitely not easy.

 

[tiger330]

I think all southerntexasman is trying to say is to do some more research on the new MCAT. The new scale is 472-528. The old score distribution shows that a 35 is the 95th percentile and on the new scale, the 95th percentile (on AAMC's hypothetical scale) is a 516 or 517, so I would shoot for that.

 

[Saleemrodman1]

Thanks

 

[Surgeon45]

It is definitely possible to get a 35 (i.e. 95th percentile)! Look at the 30+ MCAT Tips on SDN and take notes on EVERY single study tip by posters who got 40+ and make a comprehensive schedule based on that. Best of luck!

 

[efle]

Is it actually possible to get a 35 or is that usually rare?

SDN is full of people with 99.9th percentile (>40) scores on the old test, just look through the 30+ study habits thread or MDApps. Your ability to get a 4.00 in upper level classes bodes well, though how well depends on how rigorous your undergrad is compared to the demands of the MCAT.