yet another "should I apply" thread

[woobadger]

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I see so many of these and I'm sure some of you are sick of them. Regardless I'm really torn here and need some advice one way or another.

I'm on my 7th year or so of undergrad (used to be an art student) at SUNY Buffalo. Here's my breakdown:

VR:10
PS:10
BS:11
E:Q

gpa: 3.1

Overall I was content with the MCAT. I know I could have done better (my top practice test scores were 35 and 36), but I killed myself with classes and ECs this past semester. I've been debating retaking in August. The problem is, of course, my really poor gpa. My time as an art student was not, shall we say, well spent. However, my slacking also brought my science gpa down to about a 3.0. By the end of the summer I should have both up by at least another .1.

My LoR are all excellent. I have 3 years of work in the surgical unit at my hospital. Also, if they actually look at the transcript (not just the net numbers), they can see a strong upward trend in my grades.

So anyone have any thoughts or advice for me? Apply to the in-state schools and hope for the best (even though I really want to move out west)? Take a year or so off to do some post-bacc work and reapply next year?

 

[RAD11]

Yes apply!

 

[caffeine37]

Overall I was content with the MCAT.


My LoR are all excellent.


they can see a strong upward trend in my grades.


I really want to move out west

you clearly think highly of yourself and your application, i'm wondering why you posted (extra reassurance?). apply, and apply out west.

 

[woobadger]

I think what worries me most is the low gpa. If I didn't have that black mark on my record, I'd be feeling considerable more confident. I feel that I do have a lot going for me, but I've been fretting over the less-than-ideal grades.

Thanks for the spot of reassurance 🙂

 

[infinite_dreams]

I think what worries me most is the low gpa. If I didn't have that black mark on my record, I'd be feeling considerable more confident. I feel that I do have a lot going for me, but I've been fretting over the less-than-ideal grades.

Thanks for the spot of reassurance 🙂

I hate that my AMCAS GPA breakdown doesn't really reflect what you can see by looking at the actual transcript.... 😡
My advice to you, based purely on my gut feeling so take it with a pinch of salt, is to apply everywhere you really want to go (there is always a chance) and to a few places where you have a good chance of getting in where you may enjoy going even if it is not your dream school. If you can convince an adcomm to invite you to an interview using the less numbers based tools (like personal statement, activities, secondary essays) then it is all up to you, and if you believe in yourself, show what you can do, be confident then I think you have as good a chance as many of the rest of us to be accepted.

that was my long-winded way of saying "go-for-it!!" numbers are not everything, and I dont think you should let that GPA hold you back! 👍