what are my chances

[cardiogirl]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm a senior bio student with a lower than average GPA ( 3.2) and a science GPA around 3.4. I have low volunteering clinical hours (+25) as well and volunteered in the ER. I am set to take the MCAT in May and have been studying my butt off for it. I worked at for a year at the city morgue and got tons of experience there assisting in autopsies, even though it's different than live patients. I'm an officer for our premed club and I volunteer for the red cross. I was a teaching assistant for 6 months in an undergraduate anatomy lab as well. Any input would be appreciated. I know my GPA is lower than average and clinical experiance is low, but I'm banking on a high MCAT score and unique job experiance. Thanks and good luck wishes to all!

 

[dynezxice]

Do you have any research experience? While that's not required, it's still nice to have it since you don't have stellar stats. But other than that, all you need is to score high on the mcat and apply broadly but smartly. Make sure your list of schools has enough lower and mid tier schools. I don't think you should apply to any high tier schools. Good luck.

 

[cardiogirl]

thank you for your advice. I haven't done research but was thinking about doing so. That would definitely look nice. I agree, I will not be applying to top tier schools. I'll looking at a handful of local schools that are low/mid tier. Again, thanks for a speedy response.

 

[starfishprime]

What are your year-off plans?

 

[Mobius1985]

Considering that the mean acceptee GPA is 3.65 now, with a 3.2 you'll need a stellar MCAT score, maybe 35+ to have a shot at your less-selective state schools. Even if you had a more competitive GPA, your lack of clinical experience might be a deal breaker. You do have leadership, community service, teaching esperience, and very interesting employment. However, you might do well to consider spending another year raising your GPA, adding to your clinical experience by interacting with sick people more, shadowing a few types of specialists, and getting in a research experience before applying.

 

[dynezxice]

Considering that the mean acceptee GPA is 3.65 now, with a 3.2 you'll need a stellar MCAT score, maybe 35+ to have a shot at your less-selective state schools. Even if you had a more competitive GPA, your lack of clinical experience might be a deal breaker. You do have leadership, community service, teaching esperience, and very interesting employment. However, you might do well to consider spending another year raising your GPA, adding to your clinical experience by interacting with sick people more, shadowing a few types of specialists, and getting in a research experience before applying.

To be honest, I wouldn't call 25+ hours of clinical experience as nothing. Sure, it's not a lot, but as long as you were exposed to it, I don't think you need any more. The whole point of having clinical experience is so that the schools know that you know what you're getting yourself into, not to make anything productive out of it. I surely had less than 100 hrs of clinical experience and was accepted to med school.

As per the OP's GPA, if his/her cumulative GPA is 3.2, I doubt another year as postbac or any other program can significantly raise it up to a 3.65.

Realistically speaking, I believe that the OP should at least start some research in the lag year when applying.

 

[cardiogirl]

I appreciate all of the feedback. It's good to be aware of everything. I plan on graduating from undergrad in the fall of this year and looking into research opportunities from now until then. By the way, congrats dynezxice on the medical school acceptance! that's amazing! 🙂 http://forums.studentdoctor.net/member.php?u=205811

 

[dynezxice]

I appreciate all of the feedback. It's good to be aware of everything. I plan on graduating from undergrad in the fall of this year and looking into research opportunities from now until then. By the way, congrats dynezxice on the medical school acceptance! that's amazing! 🙂 http://forums.studentdoctor.net/member.php?u=205811

thanks cardiogirl. Just hang in there and do your best. Good luck.