What are my chances with my grades?

[TF1031]

Hey everyone, I am currently a junior and was wondering if I should apply in june for med school or really consider taking a gap year

Gpa: 3.3

I really messed up and got to carried away by the new college life and messed up freshman year and tried getting back on track which for the most part paid off as sophomore year I had great grades and now again junior year has been good.

MCAT:525

Volunteering: Over 2500 hours with EMS answering 911 calls in numerous towns.
I also volunteered at a hospital for about 250 hours.

shadowing: Over the summer I've shadowed a cardiothoracic surgeon as well received a LOR from him and also shadowed another radiologist both for about 250 hours.

Others: Received 3 CPR awards as well as the Hero award.

Research: I have research lined up in this upcoming summer for the 3 months and 5 days a week.

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[Faha]

You would be better off taking the gap year and work on increasing your GPA during your senior year. If you can increase your GPA to 3.5 you will be competitive for more MD schools since your MCAT is excellent.

 

[gyngyn]

It will depend on the perceived reason for the dissonance.
If the trend is as clear as a single bad freshman year and the rest is great, it may be worth the risk of applying now, especially in a good state. .

 

[GrapesofRath]

I think you might be better off waiting until next cycle. Even if you are competitive now, the less assymetry you can have between your GPA and your MCAT, the better off youll be. Also youll have a chance this way to accumulate research experience which is vital for higher end schools that might show more interest in such an MCAT score(lower tier schools arent going to interview many people with this kind of MCAT score).

When there is this kind of disconnect between the GPA and the MCAT and the MCAT is this high, there is a high level of unpredictability in terms of how this app will be perceived by different schools. The more you can address your weakness(GPA), the less disconnect there will be and the more predictable the results of your app cycle might be. Your upward trend is a good start; maintain until graduation and I think you there is certainly alot here that can appeal to schools.

 

[TF1031]

Thank you guys for the replies. Any reason why lower tier schools wouldn't want to interview people with kind of MCAT score?? Also if I were to get my gpa up to a 3.5 by the time I finish undergrad would it be worth to do a post bac with that gap year?

 

[GrapesofRath]

Thank you guys for the replies. Any reason why lower tier schools wouldn't want to interview people with kind of MCAT score?? Also if I were to get my gpa up to a 3.5 by the time I finish undergrad would it be worth to do a post bac with that gap year?

Lower tier schools outside of your state interview very few people who hit such a high MCAT score because historically the "yield" on those people actually matriculating there is very low. Those who do get IIs have factors that can easily be identified that make them significantly more like to attend if accepted. A lower tier school that gets 8k+ apps a year is trying to identify people most likely to attend if accepted; they dont want to waste interview slots on people who arent likely to attend if accepted. Historically people with that type of MCAT score are exactly the type who arent like to attend if accepted.

Get MSAR. You will see your MCAT is way way way above the 90th percentile MCAT at these lower tier schools. The type of people these schools accept with high MCAT scores often have factors identifiable in their app that make them likely to attend if accepted.

 

[Faha]

Thank you guys for the replies. Any reason why lower tier schools wouldn't want to interview people with kind of MCAT score?? Also if I were to get my gpa up to a 3.5 by the time I finish undergrad would it be worth to do a post bac with that gap year?

If your GPA is 3.5 with your MCAT score you will not need a post bac. Apply broadly to at least 20 schools. Include your state schools. The lower tier schools will probably consider you.

 

[CHoge25]

Thank you guys for the replies. Any reason why lower tier schools wouldn't want to interview people with kind of MCAT score?? Also if I were to get my gpa up to a 3.5 by the time I finish undergrad would it be worth to do a post bac with that gap year?

Your MCAT is too high for low-tier schools. They only have so many interviews to offer and statistically speaking people with your MCAT score will not attend their schools, therefore they use their interviews on people who would more realistically attend. You have a great MCAT score, keep working and get that GPA up to a 3.5 by the time you graduate, take a gap year and then apply. Upward grade tend is very important You want to attend the best school you can and I think patience in your case will pay off. Plus you are just now starting research, so get at least a year under your belt (and maybe continue in your gap year) so you can apply to some of the top schools that are research heavy.

Good luck! Remember, it is a marathon not a sprint!

 

[TF1031]

Thank you guys for all the feedback, I really appreciate it. Would it still be worth trying to apply even if it were DO schools as well? Also if I took a gap year, wouldn't it look bad if I didn't do anything such as a post bac? Also would it look bad if I just applied just to try for this upcoming cycle? I feel like it can't hurt to try ya know?

 

[ChrisMack390]

If it is the truth that you had a really poor freshman year but shaped up and did well thereafter, you should be fine.

Remember - the AAMC conducted a poll of schools' selection factors, and trend ranked just as high as GPA and MCAT themselves.


EDIT: To answer your other question, a gap year cannot hurt you.

 

[CHoge25]

Thank you guys for all the feedback, I really appreciate it. Would it still be worth trying to apply even if it were DO schools as well? Also if I took a gap year, wouldn't it look bad if I didn't do anything such as a post bac? Also would it look bad if I just applied just to try for this upcoming cycle? I feel like it can't hurt to try ya know?

As long as you don't sit on the couch for a year and eat pints of ice cream during your gap year it be very beneficial. Find something you would enjoy doing, you are going to be a doctor your whole life so take the time to continue to grow and develop your application.

 

[TF1031]

What would you guys say if I was applying to DO school? Would I have better chances of getting accepted with the way my grades are for this cycle? Also, would I be a good candidate for PA school? I always wanted to apply to MD, DO, and PA schools.

 

[ChrisMack390]

You would be golden for DO.

PA is different. I believe they require 1000 clinical hours with very direct patient contact. SDN has a forum that will know more on that.

 

[TF1031]

You would be golden for DO.

PA is different. I believe they require 1000 clinical hours with very direct patient contact. SDN has a forum that will know more on that.

Wouldn't the hours from EMS be more than enough for clinical hours?

 

[GrapesofRath]

Wouldn't the hours from EMS be more than enough for clinical hours?

They probably would yes.

 

[ChrisMack390]

My mistake, you are probably right on that.