Where to Apply, as an Art Major

[Bellette]

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I have a BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University (a good art school, and a "BFA" is a four-year "professional" degree in art, akin to the time commitment of engineering or architecture as an undergraduate). My science grades are phenomenal (3.98 out of 36 credits worth of med school pre-req's, with a few more to go), but. . . My art grades are iffy: the extremes are visible from medium to medium (great grades in painting/printmaking, my minor in which professors encouraged me to branch out, I was already so naturally talented in painting; not great at all in "crafts," my major), and from professor to professor within my major (all A's from woodworking taught by my advisor, a bunch of C's and B's from metalsmithing, my concentration in which I just didn't click with the two women running the department). My overall GPA is only a 3.3 (I blame subjective grading by the two best friends who just really didn't like me, nevermind talent). Although my GPA of the last year is that 3.98 with one more year of sciences on the way, I consider my transcript pretty marred by the bad experience I had within my metalsmithing concentration.

Are you a once/former art major? What med schools gave you an interview, and where did you get in? Do you have any recommendations, of schools that are likely to acknowledge the quality/difficultly of an art school like VCU? Are there any med schools you know of that are associated with another strong art school (I'm thinking of Temple in Philly, VCU has MCV, obviously there's Yale but with my GPA, fuggedaboutit), which might be more open-minded toward people who went into art out of teenage whimsy, but who upon adulthood felt inclined to enter medicine?

 

[NightGod]

An unusual degree is a positive when applying, not a negative. AdComs like knowing their applicants have lived life and experienced something other than science when they enter med school. It makes for more well-rounded people and less chance of someone deciding two years later that they want to drop out to pursue their heretofore unknown dream of being an underwater welder.

I wouldn't stress too much about the cGPA, while it will likely cause you problems in applying for Top-tier/Ivy, the very strong sGPA and a solid MCAT will more than make up for it almost anywhere else

 

[JESSFALLING]

I know this doesn't mean much coming from a pre-med...but I would interview you based on your uniqueness🙂. Your less than stellar performance in art might be hinting at your true interested in science, which you admit you did well in. Keep in mind that "less than stellar" does not equal "bad". You have a decent GPA. Not amazing. Not horrible. I would focus on applying to mid-tier schools that are within your state and/or accept a high % of oos students. You might also consider applying to DO schools, esp. if your MCAT falls below the 30-32 range. Good luck.