What are my chances?

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RSSBDOC

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Hi there,
I'm writing to for some advice on what more I should do in order to get accepted to MD school.
I currently just finished my junior year at Penn State University and heading to senior year in the Fall of 2015.
My major is General Science
Gpa: 3.37c
MCAT: 36

I am projected to take 30 more credits my senior year and if that's the case my GPA will be 3.53c
I want to know what are my chances to get into medical school with these stats?

Volunteer hours: 200+
Shadowing hours: 50+
Research: N/A

Thank you for taking your time to review my post.
 
Wrong section but I think you'll have a decent chance with a 3.5, especially since you'll have all those delightful PA schools to apply to and you're not a californian. If you have an upward trend I would say your chances are significant. Apply to a lot of schools and apply broadly if you don't want to apply twice. Good luck and congratulations on your MCAT.
 
You have a solid MCAT, though your cGPA is a little weak right now. What's even more important is your sGPA -- I believe that is weight equally as much, if not more, than your cGPA. Check the AAMC guidelines as to what courses to include in your sGPA.

What's more important are your experiences. Do you have both clinical (200h+) and a decent amount of non-clinical volunteering? Do you have any research experience at all, whatsoever? Many MD schools are favoring applicants with research experience, as it shows them that they have the experience to think critically through the scientific process. Do you have any other extra curricular activities that you have involvement with?

These are all vital details, as stats alone will not grant admissions into an MD program.
 
@resiroth Which section should I put this post under? sorry its my first time using SDN
 
@Premixis I have 200h+ in both clinical and non-clinical volunteering. I believe my sGPA is a 3.4.
Also, I dont have any research experience. I am thinking of taking a gap year and doing research. Which school do you think I have a good chance to get in to? I thought one needs a 3.8cGPA to get into medical school?
As far as for other extra curricular activities, I am in a fraternity (holds a Executive member position) and I am also in a band (do about 2 shows a week all over the country). So I will be stating that in my medical school application as well.
I only want to get into MD programs not DO.
 
RSSBDOC said:
@Premixis I have 200h+ in both clinical and non-clinical volunteering. I believe my sGPA is a 3.4.
Also, I dont have any research experience. I am thinking of taking a gap year and doing research. Which school do you think I have a good chance to get in to? I thought one needs a 3.8cGPA to get into medical school?
As far as for other extra curricular activities, I am in a fraternity (holds a Executive member position) and I am also in a band (do about 2 shows a week all over the country). So I will be stating that in my medical school application as well.
I only want to get into MD programs not DO.
Click to expand...
Many people have below 3.5 and get into medical school. It's uncommon but it happens. I'd say 3.6 is fine, 3.5 is okay with upward trend + strong mcat.

You're in a tricky situation. You aren't competitive stats-wise for the research heavy schools, but you don't necessarily want to scrimp completely. I would try to do some research (10 hours a week) in a lab and call it at that. You should be able to get a poster out of that and that's fine. I have a friend that was accepted with a 70 LizzyM and 0 research.

The lower ranked schools care less about research, but it helps if you have something. Maybe even just a summer.
 
My best advice to you would be to get the AAMC MSAR for $25, it's a great resource to see what percentile you will fall into with your cGPA and MCAT. It also gives a great amount of detail of the individual schools and what their mission statements are along with some details that will tell you what they emphasize, so you'd be able to see where you "fit" given your extra curricular activities. Some may emphasize non-clinical volunteering with under-served populations (SUNY Downstate/U.Rochester etc..), while others may emphasize research (Top tier MD programs). Keep an upward trend and you'll be good on the sGPA/cGPA front.

If you have 200h+ of non-clinical volunteering where you're helping other people in one way or another, then I think you'd be competitive for all low-tier MD and a good amount of mid-tier MD. You can always give top-tier's a shot, but you'll be competing for a seat with people who have absurd amounts of research/publications.
 
@resiroth okay, i'll try to get research in. Which school did you friend apply to ? and if you don't mind me asking: what was his/her GPA and MCAT? I really don't mind which school I get into as long as it a MD school + in USA itself.
 
Premixis said:
My best advice to you would be to get the AAMC MSAR for $25, it's a great resource to see what percentile you will fall into with your cGPA and MCAT. It also gives a great amount of detail of the individual schools and what their mission statements are along with some details that will tell you what they emphasize, so you'd be able to see where you "fit" given your extra curricular activities. Some may emphasize non-clinical volunteering with under-served populations (SUNY Downstate/U.Rochester etc..), while others may emphasize research (Top tier MD programs). Keep an upward trend and you'll be good on the sGPA/cGPA front.

If you have 200h+ of non-clinical volunteering where you're helping other people in one way or another, then I think you'd be competitive for all low-tier MD and a good amount of mid-tier MD. You can always give top-tier's a shot, but you'll be competing for a seat with people who have absurd amounts of research/publications.
Click to expand...

@Premixis Where can I find a list of low-tier MD & mid-tier MD? I really don't care which school I get into as long as its MD and in USA.
 
RSSBDOC said:
@resiroth okay, i'll try to get research in. Which school did you friend apply to ? and if you don't mind me asking: what was his/her GPA and MCAT? I really don't mind which school I get into as long as it a MD school + in USA itself.
Click to expand...
EVMS. Honestly look through the MSAR for schools with significant out of state residents and low stats. Whatever state schools you have are also good to apply to.
 
RSSBDOC said:
@Premixis I have 200h+ in both clinical and non-clinical volunteering. I believe my sGPA is a 3.4.
Also, I dont have any research experience. I am thinking of taking a gap year and doing research. Which school do you think I have a good chance to get in to? I thought one needs a 3.8cGPA to get into medical school?
As far as for other extra curricular activities, I am in a fraternity (holds a Executive member position) and I am also in a band (do about 2 shows a week all over the country). So I will be stating that in my medical school application as well.
I only want to get into MD programs not DO.
Click to expand...
since you're not applying until after your senior year, you're taking a gap year regardless. if you can find a research position for that year in time to list on your application, that'd be great. as it stands a 3.4 (using a more realistic estimate of senior year grades) and a 36 gives you a good shot at MD schools -- i'm on my phone so i can't check table 24 but you're at or above 60%

btw, there is an entire subforum called "what are my chances?"!
 
Low, Mid, and Top are all basically reflected by the admissions standards that are listed for each school on the AAMC MSAR. There is no real list of these categorizations, really. I would say you have a very good chance at getting into any MD program in the U.S., but nothing is ever absolutely guaranteed.

There's a stickied post on the Pre-Allo forum up top that says "What Are My Chances?", but this thread will likely be moved there by a forum moderator pretty soon - so don't worry about re-posting your question there.
 
Historically, people with a GPA between 3.2 and 3.39 and an MCAT of 36-38 have a 57.8% acceptance rate.

If you increase the GPA range to 3.40 - 3.59, the acceptance rate goes up to 69.6%.

This is heavily influenced by ethnicity; if you are black, your current chances go up to 88.9% and if you are Asian they go down to 51.3%.

You have a slightly below-average GPA and a well-above-average MCAT. Your ECs sound OK. You have a reasonable shot.

What I want to know is: what makes you interesting? What kind of stuff do you do? What do you live for, and why do you want to be a doctor?
 
Desired Member said:
If you don't care which MD u get into, why wouldn't u apply DO?
Click to expand...
@resiroth I don't mind which MD school I go to as long as I get into a MD program. My parents don't really want me going to DO because 'prestige' in Indian traditions. It sucks but thats the truth..
 
RSSBDOC said:
@resiroth I don't mind which MD school I go to as long as I get into a MD program. My parents don't really want me going to DO because 'prestige' in Indian traditions. It sucks but thats the truth..
Click to expand...

What you want matters too. Are they pushing you into this field as a whole or just MD school specifically?
 
RSSBDOC said:
@resiroth I don't mind which MD school I go to as long as I get into a MD program. My parents don't really want me going to DO because 'prestige' in Indian traditions. It sucks but thats the truth..
Click to expand...


MD is the same thing as DO on paper. But, if you have the chance, take the MD. I can't wait until MD and DO are looked upon as the same thing on paper.
 
Simpson said:
MD is the same thing as DO on paper. But, if you have the chance, take the MD. I can't wait until MD and DO are looked upon as the same thing on paper.
Click to expand...
@Simpson I know! but why are they categorized in two different categories
 
Since you have a great upward trend, I would say that low tier MD would be OK, though also apply to a few DO to be safe. Depending on what 516 is percentile wise, which the AAMC Hypothetical New MCAT percentiles claim to be around 94-95 percentile, you should be fine applying to low and a handful of mid-tier MD schools.

A sGPA of 3.28 is a bit low for MD, but replacing your lowest grades will definitely show you have the ability to do well, especially with your upward trend. A few of the forum adcom members can probably comment better than I can on this. Maybe @Goro @LizzyM would have some good insight.
 
sandstorm223 said:
Hey everyone! Can anyone help me out here? I am applying to schools now, but I would like to know if I should seriously apply to lower-tier MD schools or just stick with DO schools. Here are my stats:
Science GPA (without grade replacement): 3.28
Science GPA (with grade replacement): 3.45
Nonscience GPA: 3.84
cGPA (w/o replacement): 3.55
cGPA (w/ replacement): 3.65
MCAT: To be taken in June, but my practice tests say I will score about a 516.
I also have shadowing hours, volunteer hours in the SDS department of hospital, TONS of community service/leadership hours (I started a program that reaches out to elementary schools in the community here at University), a URA research grant, and a very upward GPA trend. My first semester I got all C's. Now, the past 3 semesters I haven't dropped below a 3.8, and that is including all my upper level science classes. Should apply MD or just save my money and apply broadly to DO schools?
Click to expand...


0% chance.

The fact that you tried to hijack 3 other people WAMC threads let me know you are a strange one. Your PS or interview will reveal this and you will be rejected.

Good luck!
 
If you can maintain that upward trend, then the sky's the limit.


RSSBDOC said:
Hi there,
I'm writing to for some advice on what more I should do in order to get accepted to MD school.
I currently just finished my junior year at Penn State University and heading to senior year in the Fall of 2015.
My major is General Science
Gpa: 3.37c
MCAT: 36

I am projected to take 30 more credits my senior year and if that's the case my GPA will be 3.53c
I want to know what are my chances to get into medical school with these stats?

Volunteer hours: 200+
Shadowing hours: 50+
Research: N/A

Thank you for taking your time to review my post.
Click to expand...
 
Hey Guys,

I've read a lot of posts on here but this is the first time I'm posting. I would really appreciate some help on where to apply. Below are all my relevant stats in simplified form.

Overall GPA: 3.86
MCAT Score (Just got them today!): 511 (85th percentile, all sections fairly even distribution)

ECs:
1 Publication - 20 hours
Thesis Writing Research Program + 1st author publication - 200 hours
7 Honors/Rewards/Recognitions: Officer of the Year, Science Seminar Series, AP Scholar, IB Scholar, Honor Societies etc.
National Science Foundation Recognition for Research Excellence - 20 hours
2 Research Conferences/Symposiums - 9 hours
Physician Shadowing (5 types) + Medical Student Rounds Sit-ins - 204 hours
Research Program #1 (2 years) - 70 hours
Medical Event Executive Board (2 years) - 600 hours
Research Lab Assistant (2 years) - 1016 hours
Research Program #2 (1 year) - 125 hours
Microbiology Teaching Assistant - 284 hours
Medical Organization (3 years, Director, Vice President of Operations, President) - 1665 hours
Non-Medical/Clinical Volunteering - 173 hours
SGA Committee, Relay for Life Committee, Health Week Committee, Education/Literacy Committee, Different Abilities Committee - 185 hours
Hospital/Clinical Volunteering (4 years) - 247 hours

Where all can I apply? I know my ECs are excellent and my GPA is solid but because the MCAT score plays such a large role in where to apply I'm not sure what schools I can apply to. Mainly because I'm not sure what to do with my 511 in terms of where to start. I'm applying to all of my state schools + Brown + Dartmouth. I want to apply to 20-30 schools and need help deciding where.

Thank You!
 
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