What are my chances with a Dual Degree?

[wolfbeast]

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Hello,

I spoke to my med school advisor and she stated that I have a very slim chance because of my low GPA. I did a dual degree at Carnegie Mellon with Computer Science and Biology. My overall GPA was 3.24. However, a computer science degree alone with a 3.0 is considered respectable (CMU is top 3 comp sci schools). My MCAT was 36R.

I have submitted my application already to about 44 schools. As many of the schools with low GPA's listed (< 3.5) like Drexel, Temple, etc...

I have also applied to a bunch of schools that I would like to get into.

Has anyone gotten into med school under similar circumstances? Will my dual degree be totally wasted? What schools did you get into?

Oh yea... also, I did a masters for a year after my undergrad. My masters GPA is 4.6/5.0 but i had to withdraw from one class.

Thanks!

Neil

 

[skiz knot]

Hello,

I spoke to my med school advisor and she stated that I have a very slim chance because of my low GPA. I did a dual degree at Carnegie Mellon with Computer Science and Biology. My overall GPA was 3.24. However, a computer science degree alone with a 3.0 is considered respectable (CMU is top 3 comp sci schools). My MCAT was 36R.

I have submitted my application already to about 44 schools. As many of the schools with low GPA's listed (< 3.5) like Drexel, Temple, etc...

I have also applied to a bunch of schools that I would like to get into.

Has anyone gotten into med school under similar circumstances? Will my dual degree be totally wasted? What schools did you get into?

Oh yea... also, I did a masters for a year after my undergrad. My masters GPA is 4.6/5.0 but i had to withdraw from one class.

Thanks!

Neil

I'll answer even though you might be a troll...

Your med school advisor is an dingus if he told you that you have a very little chance of med school acceptance with those numbers (esp 36 mcat).

That is if you have some extra currics, a bcpm gpa greater than 3.0, and aren't a total tool in an interview setting, you have a decent chance at mid-range schools.


This should be the last post in this thread.

 

[wolfbeast]

I'm not a troll thank you... in fact I just submitted my app

Thanks for your reply. Those of you accepted with dual degrees, does it factor into your acceptance?

 

[Reckoning]

I just wanted to second the opinion that your advisor is an a-hole, as someone who has had a similar experience. Even though these people may have the title of pre-med advisor does not mean they are any good at what they do. Do your own research (as you are by posting to this website), know your reasons for wanting to go to med school, and stick to your own convictions. You'll be fine. PPL with far worse numbers than you have gotten in.

 

[Medikit]

Your advisor is the troll

 

[lakersfan]

I did a major in bus ad and bio at berkeley but I don't think med schools give a damn. I think all they care (to my regret) about is your GPA. It seems like they really dont even factor which school you attend but that 36 on your mcat to me is very impressive and hopefully will look that way to admissions officers.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

Is it a double major or did you actually get two bachelor's degrees?

 

[bigdan]

Your chances are fantastic (if you're not a troll - 3.5/36 from great school questions are classic troll material).

You've overpaid if you really did 44 schools. You're chances are (numerically) great; get an interview and don't be a tool and you'll be fine.

Best of luck.

dc

 

[BubbleBobble]

I have two degrees also in CS and (neuro) biology. I think it did work to my advantage, as ad-coms seemed impressed by my choice of curriculum. If nothing else, it helped me stand out some.

That said, I would say that it helped more taking (and being able to talk about) interesting liberal arts classes.

 

[wolfbeast]

I actually got two bachelors degrees. After this summer I will have a masters degree to add to that.

Thanx for all your replies and for the last time I am not a troll. I guessed I kinda overpaid, but I wanted to be sure by applying to a lot of safety schools as well as some that I really wanted to attend.

 

[LUBDUBB]

They wouldn't approve me for a dual degree....so I just opted for double major comp sci and bio...bastards

 

[Medikit]

They wouldn't approve me for a dual degree....so I just opted for double major comp sci and bio...bastards

It doesn't seem to me that there is a difference.

I'm General Biology/Chemistry: Emphasis Biochemistry

 

[bloHaZaRd]

What's the diff. between a dual degree and a double major? Sorry for going off-topic.

 

[AlternateSome1]

Double major means you have two majors listed on the same diploma. Dual Degree means you get two diplomas. Usually the difference is the number of credit hours taken.

 

[bloHaZaRd]

Thanks, I didn't know about that.

I am majoring in Bio and Psych.. I'm gonna ask my advisor if I can get a dual degree. Two diplomas sound like fun

 

[ctaborda]

Your advisor is the troll

 

[oldtimer]

I think that adcoms do take into consideration the difficulty of the degree and school. A CS degree from CMU (ranked #1 in CS btw) is a lot more difficult than an art history degree from Podunk U. With your dual degrees and high MCAT scores, you'll get in somewhere. Unfortunately, you might be going somewhere like Drexel, Temple, or one of the lower ranked schools. This is a numbers game and schools do look at GPA and MCAT very closely because they don't want their averages to drop too much. Although, you might get lucky and be accepted into a top 20 school. Good luck.

 

[LUBDUBB]

Dual degree is when you get two bachelors...but IMHO opinion there is really no difference...Back in the day when I was an undergrad, I ran the possibility of a dual degree (thought it would help for med school) by my advisor and he told me it would be hell trying to get that approved. My school had just started allowing people in the engineering school to double major. As my advisor ushered me out of his room he said, "If the difference between acceptance and rejection to medical school depends on this dual degree, then chances are the rest of your application is not strong enough"

Ok, just thought I would share 🙂

 

[10minutes]

Top schools are not likely to offer you the acceptance because of your gpa. Their average GPAs are like 3.7~3.8 However, you never know. I know someone who got into Cornell with 3.3 and 36MCAT (Engineering). Your MCAT score is great and you do have a good chance.

 

[ussdfiant]

Unfortunately, you might be going somewhere like Drexel, Temple, or one of the lower ranked schools.

Why is attending Temple unfortunate?

 

[VCMM414]

Double major means you have two majors listed on the same diploma. Dual Degree means you get two diplomas. Usually the difference is the number of credit hours taken.

One's majors are usually not listed on the diploma.

Do you mean people who get two diplomas must complete 2 sets of core requirements + electives on top of doing both major requirements? That sounds pretty ricidulous to me if you have to complete 6 math courses (instead of 3, like my undergrad requires) just so you can satisfy your core requirements twice. It would require you to foray into a math major, since there probably won't be 6 intro math courses at any college.

If not this, then what's with the extra hours one needs for a double diploma? Obviously it's not enough to just complete both major requirements, since that would be "double majoring."

 

[skiz knot]

One's majors are usually not listed on the diploma.

My diploma says "Graduated with Distinction in Biological Sciences."

Just to let ya know, I don't know whether or not this is standard.

 

[LUBDUBB]

yeah my diploma has both majors and latin honors,

I think most schools do this

 

[japhy]

to the op, you should be in good shape with your application. i had a similar experience to you: double major (sci/non-sci) low gpa (3.25) and a decent mcat (mid 30's). i was accepted at multiple schools.

also, the dual degree will help as adcom's get a sense that you work hard and have varied interests.

 

[wolfbeast]

Thanks for all the help... workin on secondaries now. Is it very advantageous to do a committee review?