Where should I apply? 3.35, 3.28 29R

[Surak]

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I briefly mentioned my stats above but I'm interested in both DO/MD schools but would prefer to MD if possible.

Just to clarify my scores from above I used a spreadsheet thats suppose to estimate your AACAS GPA. One question, I didn't include a class I retook will the AACAS add both grades into my GPA or just the retake?

NC resident- Biology/Business majors with concentration in medical humanities
3.35 cumulative
3.28 science
29R MCAT
I have good ECs with weak volunteer work. I have nearly 200 hours shadowing doctors and recommendation letters from the 5 doctors I've shadowed.

My grades do have an upward trend but I believe the reason they are so low was that just after arriving at college I found out my Dad had terminal cancer. As such I was going home a good number of weekends, over the 2 years he was sick, to help care for him. I think all these trips reflected somewhat on my GPA. This is the subject of my PC so the adcoms will know I'm just hoping this will help mitigate my subpar GPA.

I plan on filling out both the AACAS and the COMAS but like I said I'd rather go MD if possible. I know I'm not in the position to be picky but I'd like to go to a school in a city.

 

[Doctor246853]

I briefly mentioned my stats above but I'm interested in both DO/MD schools but would prefer to MD if possible.

Just to clarify my scores from above I used a spreadsheet thats suppose to estimate your AACAS GPA. One question, I didn't include a class I retook will the AACAS add both grades into my GPA or just the retake?

NC resident- Biology/Business majors with concentration in medical humanities
3.35 cumulative
3.28 science
29R MCAT
I have good ECs with weak volunteer work. I have nearly 200 hours shadowing doctors and recommendation letters from the 5 doctors I've shadowed.

My grades do have an upward trend but I believe the reason they are so low was that just after arriving at college I found out my Dad had terminal cancer. As such I was going home a good number of weekends, over the 2 years he was sick, to help care for him. I think all these trips reflected somewhat on my GPA. This is the subject of my PC so the adcoms will know I'm just hoping this will help mitigate my subpar GPA.

I plan on filling out both the AACAS and the COMAS but like I said I'd rather go MD if possible. I know I'm not in the position to be picky but I'd like to go to a school in a city.

Your grades are similar to mine. If there is anything you can do to make it stronger DO IT!In your P.S. mention your dad being sick and man I mean make' em cry alittle. Apply broadly and KICK *** on that MCAT 30+ of course.

 

[ThaliaNox]

For your AMCAS GPA both the original class and the retake are included. Make sure you recalculate your GPA to reflect this. For DO schools, only the most recent grade in a class is included.

From the AAMC website, MD applicants with your MCAT and GPA have a 32.9 percent chance of being accepted. If your volunteering is weak, like you said, I don't see a great chance at MD schools. You also didn't mention any research.

DO schools, on the other hand, you have a better chance at, although your GPA is still a little low. As far as cities go, there are DO schools in both chicago and new york, and Michigan State university DO has a campus in detroit. I'm sure there are more, but I can't think of any.

 

[Catalystik]

You might give consideration to spending another year raising your GPAs with straight As in some upper-level science coursework while you gt in some community service, both clinically related and nonmedical/noncampus as well. One or two semesters of research would strengthen your application as well.

 

[Surak]

Well I guess I should clarify about volunteer work. I am president of a community service group on campus about twice a month or so we'll go out and volunteer at one of the non-profits in town. The thing is we don't really have a rotation worked out and we're pretty sporadic so I can't really say I volunteered at X from Y date to Z date. I'm not really sure how the reflect this on my application.

I have two research projects but I'm not starting either until the fall. Can I still include it if I haven't quite finished it yet? Throwing in that retaken grade does really affect my cumulative GPA much but, since it was a math, it brings my science GPA down nearly .1.

 

[Catalystik]

You can't include future planned activities in the Experiences section. Rather, you'd let schools know about them through update letters.

List the service group under Leadership, naming it Campus Community Service Group. Put the dates of your tenure as president. Put the hours per week of involvement as it would average out over a year (?1). In the narrative talk about the projects the group has done. If you were a member before your presidency, mention that too. Total the hours of community service at the end of the section.

 

[chucktown]

I have almost the same stats as you, am a business major, and am also a NC resident. I plan on applying as soon as possible to all the NC, SC, and VA schools, along with a good number of nearby state schools ('bama, tennessee, etc.) and private schools (albany, gw, rosaland franklin, etc.), just to see if I get lucky.