What are my chances

[sd2oc]

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Hey all,

Looking to get some advice on my chances for this cycle. I am open to any MD/DO. I am also open to any suggestions/feedback. Please also include any schools that you think may be feasible to apply.

cGPA: 2.96
sGPA: 3.06
gGPA: 3.40

MCAT: 497

Basically, I had a really poor start in undergrad and did a 2 year post bacc (3.32 GPA) followed by a 1 year SMP at a medical school (3.40 GPA).
As for EC's, I have several hundred hours of volunteer experience at some major teaching hospitals, as well as 1 year of research in biophysics, which I did during my post bacc (no posters or pubs), however I am looking at doing more research through my SMP this summer. I also have about 50 hours of shadowing experience and 1 year of paid medical employment. My LOR's, PS, and essay's are all solid per my smp advisor's.
I am contemplating taking the MCAT again at the end of the summer but I would rather apply now and have all my materials in early. What are your thoughts on this?

Thank you in advance for your response

 

[Faha]

Where is your state of residence ? Are you URM ? What were your practice scores on the MCAT ?

 

[sd2oc]

Where is your state of residence ? Are you URM ? What were your practice scores on the MCAT ?

Thank you for your reply.
I am a CA resident, and not a URM. I haven’t attempted any practice exams since receiving my scores in February. My scores on the previous AAMC Fl’s, however, were 504, 500, and 501.

 

[Faha]

Your MCAT and GPA are not competitive for DO schools. I suggest postponing your application for another year. In the coming year take enough science courses at a local college to raise your cGPA over 3.0 and your sGPA to 3.2. You also need to retake the MCAT and score at least 500 but do not retake until your practice scores are consistently 505 or higher.

 

[sd2oc]

Your MCAT and GPA are not competitive for DO schools. I suggest postponing your application for another year. In the coming year take enough science courses at a local college to raise your cGPA over 3.0 and your sGPA to 3.2. You also need to retake the MCAT and score at least 500 but do not retake until your practice scores are consistently 505 or higher.

Faha, thank you for your suggestions. May I ask if taking the extra science courses is absolutely necessary even with the SMP? I calculated that I am 9 units away (assuming all A's) from meeting a 3.0. I am just wondering if taking another year only to take ~3 more classes will make all that significant of a difference?

Thank you again.

 

[Faha]

Take more than 3 courses if possible. You need to increase your cGPA and sGPA as much as possible before applying. You also need a MCAT score over 500. With your current cGPA of 2.97 you will be screened out at some schools.

 

[sd2oc]

Take more than 3 courses if possible. You need to increase your cGPA and sGPA as much as possible before applying. You also need a MCAT score over 500. With your current cGPA of 2.97 you will be screened out at some schools.

Yes, I definitely I agree that my MCAT needs to be over 500. As for the GPA, however, I believe I have too many credits at this point to increase it significantly. While I can definitely achieve at least a 3.0 in a reasonable amount of time I would need at least 50 extra units of solid A's to make just over a 3.10 (hence why I decided to do the SMP).

 

[Faha]

Even increasing your cGPA to 3.0 will help since you would not be screened out at some schools.

 

[sd2oc]

Even increasing your cGPA to 3.0 will help since you would not be screened out at some schools.

Faha, may I ask what my projected chances of success would be if I were to meet these requirements by the end of summer? (End of summer as in August)?

Thanks again.

 

[Faha]

Applying in September to DO schools is fine. However, you will need a MCAT over 500 also. Let me know when you receive your score and post it here.

 

[Goro]

Hey all,

Looking to get some advice on my chances for this cycle. I am open to any MD/DO. I am also open to any suggestions/feedback. Please also include any schools that you think may be feasible to apply.

cGPA: 2.96
sGPA: 3.06
gGPA: 3.40

MCAT: 497

Basically, I had a really poor start in undergrad and did a 2 year post bacc (3.32 GPA) followed by a 1 year SMP at a medical school (3.40 GPA).
As for EC's, I have several hundred hours of volunteer experience at some major teaching hospitals, as well as 1 year of research in biophysics, which I did during my post bacc (no posters or pubs), however I am looking at doing more research through my SMP this summer. I also have about 50 hours of shadowing experience and 1 year of paid medical employment. My LOR's, PS, and essay's are all solid per my smp advisor's.
I am contemplating taking the MCAT again at the end of the summer but I would rather apply now and have all my materials in early. What are your thoughts on this?

Thank you in advance for your response

With those stats, I can't recommend applying now. The schools don't' need the donations. Take your dad out for Father's Day.
For reinvention, one is supposed to ace a post-bac or SMP if you're gunning for MD schools. hence, I can recommend DO school, IF you have significant improvement in your MCAT (505+). But always have a Plan B.

 

[sd2oc]

With those stats, I can't recommend applying now. The schools don't' need the donations. Take your dad out for Father's Day.
For reinvention, one is supposed to ace a post-bac or SMP if you're gunning for MD schools. hence, I can recommend DO school, IF you have significant improvement in your MCAT (505+). But always have a Plan B.

Goro, thank you for your input. I understand I have exhausted all my efforts for reinvention. I would be very grateful for a DO acceptance at this point. I only chose to do the SMP after AACOM rescinded the grade replacement policy. While the SMP turned out less than ideal, I would hope medical schools at least consider the growth. However, I will definitely plan on retaking the MCAT and post my new scores here.

 

[Goro]

Goro, thank you for your input. I understand I have exhausted all my efforts for reinvention. I would be very grateful for a DO acceptance at this point. I only chose to do the SMP after AACOM rescinded the grade replacement policy. While the SMP turned out less than ideal, I would hope medical schools at least consider the growth. However, I will definitely plan on retaking the MCAT and post my new scores here.

You'll need to apply broadly when the time comes