What are my chances?

[Norkick13]

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Hi
I am sophomore at Nassau community college long island NY . Last spring I got F in algebra and trigonometry. Same semester I got D in Bio and chem. I was depressed because of sudden death in my family. I took whole summers to bring myself back to track. Fortunately I was back to work and raised my GPA 3.6 and SGPA 3.78. I have 50 hours of volunteer work in a old age home. I am transferring to Stony Brook University in fall 2012. Also I am working par time in my college library since two years.
My question is will I be able to get admitted to ivy league or top tier med schools?
I know its too early. The only thing that concerns me that I do not want to waste my time if I cant get into good med school because of one full semester of F and Ds.
Also to consider I m an international student came in States to get best possible education.

Thanks

 

[NinersFan0]

Hi
I am sophomore at Nassau community college long island NY . Last spring I got F in algebra and trigonometry. Same semester I got D in Bio and chem. I was depressed because of sudden death in my family. I took whole summers to bring myself back to track. Fortunately I was back to work and raised my GPA 3.6 and SGPA 3.78. I have 50 hours of volunteer work in a old age home. I am transferring to Stony Brook University in fall 2012. Also I am working par time in my college library since two years.
My question is will I be able to get admitted to ivy league or top tier med schools?
I know its too early. The only thing that concerns me that I do not want to waste my time if I cant get into good med school because of one full semester of F and Ds.
Also to consider I m an international student came in States to get best possible education.

Thanks

While it's probably too early to make any sort of predictions (especially without an MCAT score), your grades at this point (with the D and F) aren't good enough for many top tier MD schools. You have a long time to improve, so check back when you've established an upward grade trend. Work hard. You can be a physician if you really put effort into your studies and activities.

 

[Scarlett OHara]

It wasn't the question if you can get into an Ivy League, but I question your basic intellect? If not, your motivation.

D's, F's in basic subjects?

 

[Narmerguy]

Moving to What Are My Chances forum.

 

[Norkick13]

While it's probably too early to make any sort of predictions (especially without an MCAT score), your grades at this point (with the D and F) aren't good enough for many top tier MD schools. You have a long time to improve, so check back when you've established an upward grade trend. Work hard. You can be a physician if you really put effort into your studies and activities.

Thanks . I have already retook those classes and got A's. Does it helps?

 

[Norkick13]

It wasn't the question if you can get into an Ivy League, but I question your basic intellect? If not, your motivation.

D's, F's in basic subjects?

I understand how much hard work I need to do to get into Good med school. As I have mentioned already it was due to depression not because of intellectual limitations. I hope that is valid point. Secondly after that semester, My GPA for every semester is above 3.57. and I have taken 15 to 17 credit per semester.
Thank you

 

[V5RED]

For how many years have you been going to community college? I ask this because to have an overall 3.6 GPA with an F and 2 D's factored in you would need approximately 80 credit hours of straight A's(much more if every other grade was not an A). This plus the classes you mentioned bombing adds up to approximately 3 years worth of credits at a community college which seems strange to me since they are meant to be 2 year schools.

 

[DrCaliBoy]

Are you sure you factored in the 2 D's and the F, and you did not use grade replacement on them because assuming you havent been in a community college for more than 2 years i dont know how you would still have a 3.6.

 

[Norkick13]

For how many years have you been going to community college? I ask this because to have an overall 3.6 GPA with an F and 2 D's factored in you would need approximately 80 credit hours of straight A's(much more if every other grade was not an A). This plus the classes you mentioned bombing adds up to approximately 3 years worth of credits at a community college which seems strange to me since they are meant to be 2 year schools.

Thisspring will be my fourth sem. Its 3.6 because I have replaced my one F and Two Ds with A.

 

[Norkick13]

Are you sure you factored in the 2 D's and the F, and you did not use grade replacement on them because assuming you havent been in a community college for more than 2 years i dont know how you would still have a 3.6.

I m replacing my F and Ds with new grades. In my official transcript it does nt avg the grade of the classes of one I have repeated. I hope it works like this for med schoool admition also.

 

[DrCaliBoy]

no it does not, MD medical schools average the grades. But DO schools does replacing.

 

[DrCaliBoy]

excuse my grammar in the last comment, i was typing quickly lol

 

[Norkick13]

no it does not, MD medical schools average the grades. But DO schools does replacing.

OMG ... So I don't have any chance for good med school?

 

[MDapplicant0]

I think you're working brilliantly towards your goal. Adcoms love comebacks and redemption stories so keep at it. For top schools you'll need research and a kick ass MCAT score. Your upward trend is very favorable. Just shut out all the noise and work hard. Good luck to you!

 

[V5RED]

no it does not, MD medical schools average the grades. But DO schools does replacing.

This gets posted a lot, but it is misleading. Averaging the grades implies that if someone took a 4 credit class and got a C then an A it would turn into a 4 credit B. For MD schools, both grades count which would be the equivalent of an 8 credit B in my example.

 

[dreamweaver1988]

Look at the numbers for the top-tier schools. We're talking averages of 3.91 and 34 for some of those schools. Be realistic, and realize that you can obtain a great medical education anywhere.

 

[V5RED]

OMG ... So I don't have any chance for good med school?

Nobody can definitively say that you have no chance for a top school, but according to you, your GPA at a community college was a 3.6 if you pretend that the 2 D's and F never happened(ie using grade replacement). That is below the national average GPA of 3.67 for matriculants to MD schools, and that is how you did at a community college. Remember that your real GPA is actually much lower since the D's and F have to be factored in.

I think you are setting yourself up for disappointment if you focus on getting into a "top" medical school. You would be much better served by trying to get into any medical school and not concerning yourself with its rank.

edit: also, you will want to beef up your EC's if that 50 hours of volunteer work in a retirement home is all you have. I suggest some actual hospital volunteering, physician shadowing, and some research involvement. You will also want some activities to make yourself unique such as a sport you are involved in. Time is running out to get started unless you plan to apply after senior year, so I would start picking up the slack now.

 

[Norkick13]

I think you're working brilliantly towards your goal. Adcoms love comebacks and redemption stories so keep at it. For top schools you'll need research and a kick ass MCAT score. Your upward trend is very favorable. Just shut out all the noise and work hard. Good luck to you!

Thanks . The only reason why I don't have any research and volunteer work because I was only focusing on bringing back my GPA. I will be shadowing pediatric 8 hours per week from fall2012. I have already committed for a year. I am also trying to get into stem cell research in Stony Brook.

 

[Norkick13]

This gets posted a lot, but it is misleading. Averaging the grades implies that if someone took a 4 credit class and got a C then an A it would turn into a 4 credit B. For MD schools, both grades count which would be the equivalent of an 8 credit B in my example.

I agree with you. I think if I get 5 A in different 4 credits math class then my Math GPA will be like 3.0 +. I know it sounds crazy but I do not have any other option to prove them that I m ready for med school. Hopefully it works.

 

[Norkick13]

Look at the numbers for the top-tier schools. We're talking averages of 3.91 and 34 for some of those schools. Be realistic, and realize that you can obtain a great medical education anywhere.

I understand that my chances are less that I would be accepted to top tier school, but I am ready to spend 2+ years to work on my GPA, MCAT, Research and volunteer work. I came to States to study in top tier med school. Its my priority to get into top tier med school but I am aware that I have very low chances. I will be also applying to avg med schools also. But I do not want to regret that I did not tried to get into top tier school.Thanks

 

[Norkick13]

Nobody can definitively say that you have no chance for a top school, but according to you, your GPA at a community college was a 3.6 if you pretend that the 2 D's and F never happened(ie using grade replacement). That is below the national average GPA of 3.67 for matriculants to MD schools, and that is how you did at a community college. Remember that your real GPA is actually much lower since the D's and F have to be factored in.

I think you are setting yourself up for disappointment if you focus on getting into a "top" medical school. You would be much better served by trying to get into any medical school and not concerning yourself with its rank.

edit: also, you will want to beef up your EC's if that 50 hours of volunteer work in a retirement home is all you have. I suggest some actual hospital volunteering, physician shadowing, and some research involvement. You will also want some activities to make yourself unique such as a sport you are involved in. Time is running out to get started unless you plan to apply after senior year, so I would start picking up the slack now.

I have just calculated my GPA ,including one F and 2 Ds, as 3.12( total of 76 credits including repeated classes). Even if I get B+ for my next semesters, I will be near to 3.4. I am aware of this fact that I have very slim chances to get into top med school. So I will also apply to avg med schools. I will be more disappointed if I did not tried to get into top med schools. Also I will be spending 2+ years before actually going to med school.

Since I was working only on my GPA last two semesters so I did not thought about volunteer and research work. This summer I am trying to get into Stem cell research at Stony Brook and also in coming Fall I will be shadowing pediatric 8 hours per week for one year. Hopefully that will help me to get in med school.
I completely understand you are trying to show me reality. Thanks

 

[gmcguitar4]

I have just calculated my GPA ,including one F and 2 Ds, as 3.12( total of 76 credits including repeated classes). Even if I get B+ for my next semesters, I will be near to 3.4. I am aware of this fact that I have very slim chances to get into top med school. So I will also apply to avg med schools. I will be more disappointed if I did not tried to get into top med schools. Also I will be spending 2+ years before actually going to med school.

A 3.4 is still below average at most medical schools. Unless you pull a 33+ MCAT, your chances will be quite slim. I say this b/c you are not a US citizen and that can hinder your chances as well. International students usually need above average numbers to be competitive.

 

[DrCaliBoy]

My post were not meant to discourage you. If you work hard I am confident that you can get into medical school, I just did not want you to be surprised when you found out that your gpa was less than you originally calculated.

 

[Norkick13]

A 3.4 is still below average at most medical schools. Unless you pull a 33+ MCAT, your chances will be quite slim. I say this b/c you are not a US citizen and that can hinder your chances as well. International students usually need above average numbers to be competitive.

I agree with that only MCAT can take me to med schools but being international student is not disadvantageous. I think most of the schools are looking diversity. Hope for the best

 

[Norkick13]

My post were not meant to discourage you. If you work hard I am confident that you can get into medical school, I just did not want you to be surprised when you found out that your gpa was less than you originally calculated.

Your posts are based on realistic facts. I was not aware of that fact that I have to calculte every grade. Thanks forr your support

 

[V5RED]

I agree with that only MCAT can take me to med schools but being international student is not disadvantageous. I think most of the schools are looking diversity. Hope for the best

Based on your other thread, you are from India and thus Asian. Asians(and whites) are discriminated against in admissions at many schools in order to increase the number of Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans that attend the medical school.

I am not saying this to be mean, but rather to caution you against thinking that schools will relax standards to let you in for "diversity" based on being international. That will only lead to false hope and severe disappointment when you apply to schools out of your reach.

If you don't believe me, check the stickied thread telling you your exact chances.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=838625

 

[Norkick13]

Based on your other thread, you are from India and thus Asian. Asians(and whites) are discriminated against in admissions at many schools in order to increase the number of Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans that attend the medical school.

I am not saying this to be mean, but rather to caution you against thinking that schools will relax standards to let you in for "diversity" based on being international. That will only lead to false hope and severe disappointment when you apply to schools out of your reach.

If you don't believe me, check the stickied thread telling you your exact chances.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=838625

Thanks a lot . I never knew these facts. I think now I know where I stand. Mcat and volunteer work are only things in which I can still prove myself. Thanks once again

 

[dreamweaver1988]

I understand that my chances are less that I would be accepted to top tier school, but I am ready to spend 2+ years to work on my GPA, MCAT, Research and volunteer work. I came to States to study in top tier med school. Its my priority to get into top tier med school but I am aware that I have very low chances. I will be also applying to avg med schools also. But I do not want to regret that I did not tried to get into top tier school.Thanks

Looking back at your first post, I think you have a compelling story and your numbers are not bad at all. You can do it!

 

[Norkick13]

Looking back at your first post, I think you have a compelling story and your numbers are not bad at all. You can do it!

Thanks for encourging me

 

[FattySlug]

You should really be thinking about how to get permanent resident status (green card.) I was an international student so I know it is much harder to get in medical school as one. Some schools even ask for proof that you can finance your education aka putting 300k into a bank account.

And seriously get this "top med schools" out of your head. International student with 3.6 and 32 MCAT wouldn't even get very far in this admission game.