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Originally posted by mfisch2I’m just finishing my junior year of undergraduate at a highly competitive, but not well known outside of the area, college. I am double majoring in English and biology, have an overall GPA of 3.2, and a science GPA of 2.6. However, I spent a semester abroad studying at Oxford and got 2 A’s in the sciences, however my school does not calculate them into my gpa. Also, I recently learned that my school deflates our GPA’s (for us an A- (90-93) is a 3.6, a B+ is a 3.3) so were my gpa calculated on a normal school’s scale, my overall would be a 3.5 and my science gpa a 3.0, and it would all be a bit higher if my grades from Oxford were calculated in. As far as extra curricular activities and clinical experience go, I have nothing, however since my freshmen year of college I have maintained a full time job in unrelated fields (mostly waitressing). I also have a letter of recommendation from an M.D./Oxford professor. I understand my prospects of getting into medical school right away are dismal at best, but on the last practice MCAT I took I got a 28 with little preparation. I’m most likely going to go for a masters in public health and then try to go to medical school, but my plan was to take the MCATs this summer and if I do outstanding (33 or better) to apply to a few schools (predominately DO schools) just in case. However, I was wondering if it’s even worth spending the summer studying to take the MCAT’s in July, or if I should just accept I’m not going to med school right away and not bother with the MCATs for another year or so and enjoy my summer. So my question comes down to even if I do outstanding on the MCATs, would I actually even have a shot at admission? Thank you for your help!
Dear Mfisch2,
Thanks for contacting us. You may have a shot, particularly at a D.O. program but it’s hard to say. But I strongly suggest not taking the MCAT until you are scoring well on the practice exams. I am a bit concerned about your lack of experience with patients and in health settings, so you should try to remedy that.
You may want to contact a few of the D.O. admission’s offices and talk things over with them–you will probably get some good information. Let us know if we can help further.
Best,Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
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Hi,
I was wondering if you could give me any guidance on what schools to apply to. I have a 3.3 science GPA at a really competitive school (no grade inflation, the average is taken to be a
, my overall is a 3.6. My primary major is Spanish and my second major is Biology. I just finished my junior year, but I took the MCAT last summer (before taking the second semester of physics) and got a 35S (12 PS, 11 VR, 12 BS). I have some clinical volunteer and research experience, will have a laboratory research job this summer, and will have a major leadership role at the end of this summer. I know I probably shouldn’t aim for top-tier schools, but I’m having a lot of trouble deciding where I would be a successful candidate. I’m looking to stay in the eastern half of the US. Do you have any suggestions or advice? Am I a competitive candidate?quote:
Originally posted by IceMaiden312Hi,
I was wondering if you could give me any guidance on what schools to apply to. I have a 3.3 science GPA at a really competitive school (no grade inflation, the average is taken to be a
, my overall is a 3.6. My primary major is Spanish and my second major is Biology. I just finished my junior year, but I took the MCAT last summer (before taking the second semester of physics) and got a 35S (12 PS, 11 VR, 12 BS). I have some clinical volunteer and research experience, will have a laboratory research job this summer, and will have a major leadership role at the end of this summer. I know I probably shouldn’t aim for top-tier schools, but I’m having a lot of trouble deciding where I would be a successful candidate. I’m looking to stay in the eastern half of the US. Do you have any suggestions or advice? Am I a competitive candidate?Dear IceMaiden312,
Thanks for your question. Because of you great MCAT score, yes, you probably are competitive, unless there is some other piece of information left out. You really might want to consider a one-hour consultation so that a consultant can provide you with a detailed analysis of your situation–if you are interested, just call our office and whoever answers the phone will be glad to help you.
Best wishes,Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
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Originally posted by calisotaHi!
I have already received my 1st bachelors degree in finance (bio minor) and will be taking classes this fall to finish the prerequisites for med school. Problem: the school I want to go to does not allow you to take classes (or apply for admissions) when you already have a bachelors…unless you go through their extension program…this means that my transcript will say Univerity of San Diego Extension…as long as the classes are the same as the ones offered to regular students, will this be a problem??? or is it better to go to a less “recognized” school and actually apply to be a student??
Dear Calisota,
Thanks for your inquiry. I don’t think finishing your pre-reqs at this program will be a problem at all. Just make sure you do well.
You might find out how many of their previous graduates have gone on to medical school.
Best wishes,Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
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Originally posted by aptadeptHi all, I was wondering if I could get some advise,I recently received my MCAT scores back, and they were not super, 27 (Bio: 8 phy: 10 ver: 9). I am a physics major at a California State University and my cumulative GPA is 3.7. I think I have good “extracurriculars” like working 18 hours a week for the last three years as an EMT in my local emergency room, and volunteering with a Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic for last five years… But I am wondering about being a competitive applicant, do you have any insight or suggestions for me?
Dear Aptadept,
Thanks for your question. I think you have at two options, among others. One, you could retake the MCAT. But be sure you are scoring much higher on your practice exams before you retake it. Two, you might consider applying to D.O. programs where you may be more competitive. Let us know if you need a more detailed look at your situation.
Best,Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
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Originally posted by wolfwarriorHi, I’m a rising sophomore who is premed and hoping to get into a good MD/PhD. program. I have an insatiable appetite for science and feel that if I took a semester off from my college, which is a small liberal arts college, to study a semester at Caltech, I could be exposed to classes that my school just doesn’t have. The problem being that Caltech is probably the hardest school in the United States from what I’ve heard and by going there I might risk tanking my GPA. Does anyone think there is a way I can pull this off or should I put this dream aside for now and concentrate on getting into med school? Also, say I decided to not go to Caltech, but The University of Chicago. Would saying I studied there for a period help my chances of getting into their medical school or just be a waste of time and money?
Dear Wolfwarrior,
Thanks for your question. My advice is to not back down from a challenge. You should not be afraid to go to Caltech, UC or any other setting that challenges you to be your best. Don’t let your concern over your GPA hinder your education.
Best,Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885Join us on Facebook to receive a 5% discount on all services!
Hey y’all new here! Wondering what my chances are about getting into US MD schools???
I have a 3.25 overall gpa with a 3.0 science gpa had a prety abd semester recently unfortunately
Taking the MCAT on the 28th
nervous about it trying to get a +33For EC I have 200+ hours of volunteer hours in 50 in heart clinic and 150 in surgery dept. Part of a pre-med honor society Alpha phi sigma and US Masters Swimming.
Currently looking at All texas schools and LSU and Tulane.
any thoughts???
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Originally posted by burntorangemdhopefulHey y’all new here! Wondering what my chances are about getting into US MD schools???
I have a 3.25 overall gpa with a 3.0 science gpa had a prety abd semester recently unfortunately
Taking the MCAT on the 28th
nervous about it trying to get a +33For EC I have 200+ hours of volunteer hours in 50 in heart clinic and 150 in surgery dept. Part of a pre-med honor society Alpha phi sigma and US Masters Swimming.
Currently looking at All texas schools and LSU and Tulane.
any thoughts???
Dear Burntorangemdhopeful,
Thanks for your question. Your GPA, especially in science, is a bit low. You may want to consider a post bac. Another piece of the puzzle will be your MCAT score. I suggest that you wait and see what score you get and then consider your options.
Best,Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885Join us on Facebook to receive a 5% discount on all services!
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Originally posted by littlebeeHello,
I am a post-bacc premed student at a top tier school. I have a B average in science prereqs so far ( 1 year bio and 1 year gen chem). Realistically the highest I can get my science GPA before I apply will be a 3.5. I went to a top tier undergrad school and have a year of experience volunteering in a hospital. I also worked for two years for a family services agency providing resources and referrals for low income families. I am an underrepresented minority student and my non science GPA is a 3.7. I have two years of research experience in developmental psychology. If I end up applying with a 3.4 science GPA and an MCAT score of 30, how realistic are my chances of being accepted to a US medical school? Also, I am planning to take physics at a junior college during the summer. Will this hurt my chances of being admitted?
ThanksDear Littlebee,
Thanks for your question. From what you report, you seem to be on track to be competitive for admission to many medical schools. However, I suggest that you not take required premed courses at less rigorous schools during the summer. If you have more specific questions, please let us know.
Best,Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
AdmissionsConsultants
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Originally posted by shaninroseI’m looking for a little information on which classes I should re-take to be a more competitive applicant for medical school. I guess that I would be considered a non-traditional student (29 years old). I have a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in chemistry, but my undergraduate GPA was only a 2.8. I spent 5 years in the biology casework section of a forensic laboratory before leaving to work on my Master’s degree in Forensic DNA and Serology (it’s a distance learning program, so no lab courses). I’m graduating this fall and currently have a 4.0 GPA. I’ve logged some hours shadowing and volunteering…I’ve yet to take the MCAT but I’m confident that I will do well. I’ve heard that a good GPA in graduate level courses doesn’t erase a bad undergraduate GPA, so I plan on re-taking some of the undergraduate courses that I got C’s in. I was wondering though if it was better to re-take those courses (organic chemistry, physics I and II, ecology, cell biology, genetics) or to focus on taking higher level (not graduate level) lab courses instead, or do a combination of the two. Also, I took a genetics class for my Master’s degree and got an A…should I re-take the undergraduate course since I got a C?
Dear Shaninrose,
Thanks for your inquiry. You may want to consider some of the post bac programs that will give you a chance to take upper level basic science courses and get your GPA up. This would be a way to make you more competitive for medical school admission.
Best wishes,Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885Join us on Facebook to receive a 5% discount on all services!
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