What are my chances?

[papasmurf27]

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What are my chances at a moderate MD or DO program with:

cGPA 3.44
MCAT 33

plenty of LOR's, and some great EC's....

 

[gmcguitar4]

What are my chances at a moderate MD or DO program with:

cGPA 3.44
MCAT 33

plenty of LOR's, and some great EC's....

MCAT breakdown? state residence? what are the EC's? does your GPA have an upward trend? what is your sGPA?

 

[Catalystik]

What are my chances at a moderate MD or DO program with:

cGPA 3.44
MCAT 33

plenty of LOR's, and some great EC's....

Going strictly by the numbers and not taking into account the other factors that gmcguitar4 mentioned, your chances at DO would be excellent. Chances for any MD acceptance for others applying with the same stats were ~59%.

 

[papasmurf27]

MCAT breakdown? state residence? what are the EC's? does your GPA have an upward trend? what is your sGPA?

PS - 10
VB - 13
BS - 10

Texas Residency
Upward trending gpa,

got nailed with a couple of C's,
one in physics 1, and in orgo 1

picked it up by getting a couple of A-'s
in physics 2 and orgo 2.

sGPA is low, 3.2-3.3

My passion is to work in pediatrics, and i have been part time teaching for 2 years as a
1-3rd grade science teacher at my former elementary school.

I've been on two medical related summer programs, one in Villanova -
National Youth Leadership Forum
and the other in India, with International Scholar Laureate

Ive shadowed two MD's, totaling 100+ hours.

 

[Catalystik]

Pediatrics is the best job in the world. You get to go to work and play all day.

-Nicely balanced MCAT score.
-Being from Texas is a positive predictive factor.
-Having such a low sGPA is a negative predictive factor, but an upward grade trend in the sciences helps you. Any plan for some upper-level Bio and Biochem to help improve it further?

-What regular nonmedical community service do you perform? Any peer leadership roles? Any interesting hobbies or artistic endeavors? Any research?

-The teaching is great. The shadowing is terrifc and I'll assume it includes a pediatrician. But what is your experience directly interacting with US patients in a medical environment? If you don't have this, there is a major hole in your application. What was your role during your two Medical Relief Missions? How many weeks was each?

 

[papasmurf27]

Pediatrics is the best job in the world. You get to go to work and play all day.

-Nicely balanced MCAT score.
-Being from Texas is a positive predictive factor.
-Having such a low sGPA is a negative predictive factor, but an upward grade trend in the sciences helps you. Any plan for some upper-level Bio and Biochem to help improve it further?

-What regular nonmedical community service do you perform? Any peer leadership roles? Any interesting hobbies or artistic endeavors? Any research?

-The teaching is great. The shadowing is terrifc and I'll assume it includes a pediatrician. But what is your experience directly interacting with US patients in a medical environment? If you don't have this, there is a major hole in your application. What was your role during your two Medical Relief Missions? How many weeks was each?

I have no plans to take more courses, as I finished with all my pre-med pre req's.
Does the MCAT not redeem the low sGPA?

Sidenote: majored in English with honors, with a minor in bio...

I tutor regularly, and attend a weekly youth program at the local temple.
I have cycled over 300 miles for MS, (and cycle on avg 100 miles/ month)
I collect old books, and have an impressive library, am an avid reader, and enjoy writing.

My thesis was focused on tracing laughter through hardship in early african american literature.

One of the MD's i shadowed allowed me to obverse and sometimes engage with his patients, with their permission of course.

Also, I have been trained in at home hemodialysis, as a member of my family is suffering from kidney failure.

The first mission at Villanova was during my soph more in HS, and focused on the DO path of medicine - 10 days

The second mission, focused on touring the medical facilities in India, as well as studying the major diseases and concerns that effect their medical world - 3 weeks

Also, I am scheduled to shadow a pediatric specialist over the summer in NY.

No research, and as far as peer leadership roles, nothing formal, but I've always found myself at the helm of any group activity.

 

[Catalystik]

1) Does the MCAT not redeem the low sGPA?

2) My thesis was focused on tracing laughter through hardship in early african american literature.

3) One of the MD's i shadowed allowed me to obverse and sometimes engage with his patients, with their permission of course.

Also, I have been trained in at home hemodialysis, as a member of my family is suffering from kidney failure.

4) The first mission at Villanova was during my soph more in HS, and focused on the DO path of medicine - 10 days

5) Also, I am scheduled to shadow a pediatric specialist over the summer in NY.

Additional comments:
1) It depends on the "formula" each school uses, and often on individual adcomm opinion. I represent an n=1 in suggesting that with a lower sGPA, it's nice to see evidence of capability with upper-level Bio.

2) You could consider listing the Thesis writing experience as an activity.

3) I think it would be very helpful if you could start a US-based medical volunteer position ASAP (or a job) in a clinic, skilled-care nursing home, hospice, hospital, or rehab center for 3-4 hours per week. While you won't have much to put on your application, by continuing the position through the application year, you can hopefully sway adcomms positively through update letters (where permitted) Secondary essays, or interview conversations. If worse comes to worst, youi'd be in a stronger position if you need to reapply.

4) HS activities are usually not listed in the Experiences section, but can definitely be referred to in the Personal Statement as part of your Path to Medicine.

5) Recall that you can't list a future activity on the application, but it could be included in update letters.


Also, can you acquire an LOR from a DO? Some DO schools require one.

 

[papasmurf27]

Additional comments:
1) It depends on the "formula" each school uses, and often on individual adcomm opinion. I represent an n=1 in suggesting that with a lower sGPA, it's nice to see evidence of capability with upper-level Bio.

2) You could consider listing the Thesis writing experience as an activity.

3) I think it would be very helpful if you could start a US-based medical volunteer position ASAP (or a job) in a clinic, skilled-care nursing home, hospice, hospital, or rehab center for 3-4 hours per week. While you won't have much to put on your application, by continuing the position through the application year, you can hopefully sway adcomms positively through update letters (where permitted) Secondary essays, or interview conversations. If worse comes to worst, youi'd be in a stronger position if you need to reapply.

4) HS activities are usually not listed in the Experiences section, but can definitely be referred to in the Personal Statement as part of your Path to Medicine.

5) Recall that you can't list a future activity on the application, but it could be included in update letters.


Also, can you acquire an LOR from a DO? Some DO schools require one.

Thanks so much for your time and input.
One more question though.

I am strongly considering early an early admission/early decision and was wondering what your thoughts were about that... better chances at acceptance, any specific programs in mind?

 

[Catalystik]

With rare exceptions applying ED will not be a good idea when your stats do not exceed the averages accepted for a given school unless you are geographically limited in where you can apply. Disclaimer: I do not have specific expertise in the TMDSAS system. I suggest that calling a given school where you have an interest is the best way to get reliable information.

 

[papasmurf27]

I understand that you recommend getting some experience as US based medical volunteer, or at a clinic.
Would doing some research be a good substitute, or even hold as much weight on an app?
For me, its either one or the other, as i just dont have the hours to give to both...

 

[gmcguitar4]

I would suggest getting clinical exp over the research. The research is definately a plus, but the clinical exp is a must.

 

[Catalystik]

I understand that you recommend getting some experience as US based medical volunteer, or at a clinic.
Would doing some research be a good substitute, or even hold as much weight on an app?
For me, its either one or the other, as i just dont have the hours to give to both...

I agree with gmcguitar, but you could kill two birds with one stone if you got involved in clinical research where you work directly with patents, perhaps recruiting them for studies in the ER, though other possibilities are out there.

The need for clinical experience trumps research by a huge factor.

BTW, I have just seen it said that TMDSAS, unlike AMCAS, allows for listing of theoretical future activites. I can't attest to this, nor do I know how much this is regarded, but if true could potentially help you make your activity carry more weight. This is something to check out. Are you planning on applying exclusively in-state?

 

[EE12BMD]

Check out TMDSAS stats...

http://www.utsystem.edu/tmdsas/medical/application-statistics.html