Great MCAT, not so great GPA...need help

[Anonymous]

I am an undergrad (in CA) on my way to med school (hopefully in CA) and I want to know if it is a good idea to apply for the 2006 entering class or the 2007 entering class. Also, if you have any tips on what I should be doing to pad my application package. But first, some background...

MCAT: 36R (97.7 %ile) I took the test in Aug 2004, so I'm a little worried about my score expiring if I apply too late (of course, I may be wong about this, PLEASE let me know if I am).

GPA: this is probably the biggest problem... I have a 3.1
I am a biochem major in my junior year at a large research university and took all of the tough classes up front, so I expect my GPA to go up. I think I can get it up to a 3.4 by the time I graduate. But, my senior grades won't be included in my application if I apply to the 2006 entering class, and they will if I apply to the 2007 class (again, I could be very wrong).

Extracurricular activities:
I'm an EMT and volunteer those skills in a local ER as a researcher and I help teach an EMT class. I also have a neurology research study coming out sometime before I apply. I haven't opened up a clinic for homeless people or won a Nobel peace prize, but I think the research experience goes a long way. I work 10-15 hrs/week during school.

Other factors: I work very closely with the big-wigs at my university and am family friends with the dean of the local med school, so letters of rec will probably help me out, if I can get there.

So, to recap... my GPA sucks and I only have clinical/research volunteer experience, but I kicked *** on the MCAT.

Any thoughts? Please?

[RPM Revolution]

Wow, your MCAT score is incredible. Sorry, to hi-jack your thread, but what books did you use to study for.

[azskeptic]

I am an undergrad (in CA) on my way to med school (hopefully in CA) and I want to know if it is a good idea to apply for the 2006 entering class or the 2007 entering class. Also, if you have any tips on what I should be doing to pad my application package. But first, some background...

MCAT: 36R (97.7 %ile) I took the test in Aug 2004, so I'm a little worried about my score expiring if I apply too late (of course, I may be wong about this, PLEASE let me know if I am).

GPA: this is probably the biggest problem... I have a 3.1
I am a biochem major in my junior year at a large research university and took all of the tough classes up front, so I expect my GPA to go up. I think I can get it up to a 3.4 by the time I graduate. But, my senior grades won't be included in my application if I apply to the 2006 entering class, and they will if I apply to the 2007 class (again, I could be very wrong).

Extracurricular activities:
I'm an EMT and volunteer those skills in a local ER as a researcher and I help teach an EMT class. I also have a neurology research study coming out sometime before I apply. I haven't opened up a clinic for homeless people or won a Nobel peace prize, but I think the research experience goes a long way. I work 10-15 hrs/week during school.

Other factors: I work very closely with the big-wigs at my university and am family friends with the dean of the local med school, so letters of rec will probably help me out, if I can get there.

So, to recap... my GPA sucks and I only have clinical/research volunteer experience, but I kicked *** on the MCAT.

Any thoughts? Please?

you will get in somewhere...don't forget DO schools also..you have a good one in Pomona. azskeptic

[ResearchingGuy]

Go ahead and apply. Even in California, I would think your MCAT alone would put you in a very good spot. Like AZ says, don't forget the DO schools and definitley look outside California at MD schools.

Best of luck!

[LqdPls]

I think DO schools are a guarantee. If you finish with a 3.4, you'll definitely get at least a bunch of interviews, then the rest will be up to you.

[ResearchingGuy]

I just looked at your post again and noticed that you are family friends with the Dean of the local medical school. Are you pulling our leg with this whole thing or do you really not know what a truly strong position you are in? I agree that your grades aren't as competitive as the rest of your stats, but they are still as good or better than the average DO acceptee and probably as good as you will need with your MCAT and EC's.

Like Nike says - Just Do It!

Best of Luck!

[pitstar]

I think DO schools are a guarantee. If you finish with a 3.4, you'll definitely get at least a bunch of interviews, then the rest will be up to you.

DO schools only accepted in the US Republic. Rest of the world in large part ignores DO schools (rightly or wrongly - who am I to judge ?)

[ResearchingGuy]

Generally speaking, a school must be listed by WHO to qualify a graduate to be licensed as a Physician. US Osteopathic Schools are listed by WHO:

http://www.who.int/hrh/wdms/media/en/USA.pdf

This is in keeping with the modern status of American Osteopathy as equivalent to Allopathy in terms of licensure

A few countries will not license DO's as Physicians/Surgeons because of the British/Australian, etc. definiton of an Osteopath as something akin to a Chiropractor. Most others simply look at WHO.

Keep in mind that a lot of other countries won't license a US grad even if they are from Harvard (France, for example). The United States has one of the most open licensing system for FMG's anywhere.

Best of Luck!

[smc927]

I am an undergrad (in CA) on my way to med school (hopefully in CA) and I want to know if it is a good idea to apply for the 2006 entering class or the 2007 entering class. Also, if you have any tips on what I should be doing to pad my application package. But first, some background...

MCAT: 36R (97.7 %ile) I took the test in Aug 2004, so I'm a little worried about my score expiring if I apply too late (of course, I may be wong about this, PLEASE let me know if I am).

GPA: this is probably the biggest problem... I have a 3.1
I am a biochem major in my junior year at a large research university and took all of the tough classes up front, so I expect my GPA to go up. I think I can get it up to a 3.4 by the time I graduate. But, my senior grades won't be included in my application if I apply to the 2006 entering class, and they will if I apply to the 2007 class (again, I could be very wrong).

Extracurricular activities:
I'm an EMT and volunteer those skills in a local ER as a researcher and I help teach an EMT class. I also have a neurology research study coming out sometime before I apply. I haven't opened up a clinic for homeless people or won a Nobel peace prize, but I think the research experience goes a long way. I work 10-15 hrs/week during school.

Other factors: I work very closely with the big-wigs at my university and am family friends with the dean of the local med school, so letters of rec will probably help me out, if I can get there.

So, to recap... my GPA sucks and I only have clinical/research volunteer experience, but I kicked *** on the MCAT.

Any thoughts? Please?

Check out www.medschoolstats.com
It lists GPA and MCAT by school. Your number are actually very competitive for a lot of schools!