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jgilbert63
11-01-2003, 06:37 PM
I received my Saba rejection letter in the mail today. I thought I'd share my stats so they could be used as baseline for anyone who wishes to compare.

I completed a ** in Zoology in 1988. I finished with a 2.7 cumulative and a 2.7 science GPA. A couple of science course were repeated. My organic lecture grades were B-B-C for the three classes I took and my comparative anatomy grade was a B. I made an F in one of my A&P classes, but retook a similar A&P class earlier this year and made an A. I'll be the first to admit I partied too much and didn't give 100% during my undergrad years and I wouldn't hold my GPA up as a model to emmulate.

I went on to earn a MA in Management with a 3.9 GPA all while working 60+ hours a week and traveling over 120 days per year.

I am a career USAF officer and aviator. I am a Gulf War veteran and currently have a job (which I won't divuldge here) that would make you go, "Wow!" I have received multiple Officer of the Quarter/Year awards for my work performance.

My letters of recommendation were from a vice chairman of a hospital department of medicine in a major city. The other was from a surgeon who was on the senior staff at Lahey Clinic and was one of the physicians who selected surgical residents for the clinic.

I did not submit MCAT scores. I worked my way through college. I have traveled and worked all across the world and lived on the overseas island of Okinawa for 3 years. I am 40 years old. I am currently a volunteer in a local ER and have previous hospital experience in my college days.

I was initially contacted by Saba a week or so after my application and was told that there was concern about my undergrad GPA and asked if I would consider MUA. I declined for my own reasons.

I don't know what all the admissions department looks at when rendering a decision, but apparently my vitae did not fit the bill.

Just thought this might be of interest to those applying. At least you'll know what they are not looking for, credential wise. AUC and Ross are next in my sights. We'll see what happens there. I don't like taking "NO" for an answer.

Best of Luck to All

JokerABC
11-01-2003, 06:42 PM
Apply to Ross, AUC and SGU. All 3 of these schools will look heavily at your numerous other accomplishments with your gpa. You will need MCAT scores for all 3 (except for Ross if you apply for Jan. 04 or May 04)

tRmedic21
11-01-2003, 07:24 PM
Don't give up (doesn't sound like you intend to :wink: ). While your undergrad stats aren't too hot, you have proven through many other areas in your life that you have the determination and strength to succeed at whatever you set your mind to.

In my experience, AUC tends to look pretty heavily at experience outside of a poor undergraduate academic transcript. You have many other bonuses to add to your application, and I think you could adequately explain many of the shortcomings in a good personal letter.

If you would like any help in drafting one (or maybe just a fresh eye loking at your current one), please do not hesistate to contact me (or many others on ValueMD). I would be happy to help in any way I can.

And good luck!

MrScottyMD
11-04-2003, 12:10 AM
For the record MUA is as good as school as Saba, I spent one semester on MUA and the facilities were as good as were the teachers. Saba has a track record but if you enrolled in MUA you would see the school pump out residents for four more years before you would be ready to get a residency so if you are concerned about MUA they will be pretty established by the time you are ready. MUA will be as successful as Saba, I say this only because MUA is run exactly as is Saba with an identical curriculum. Saba is pumping out qualified residents every year and there is no reason that MUA wont do the same. Saba has NY licensure which is helpful only to the person who wants to live or practice in NY. Saba currently gets 3 qualified applicants for each seat according to the home office so if you did not get in you should have no reservations about MUA. If you have any reservations about MUA then you probably shouldnt attend or consider Saba anyhow because they are as close to the same school as you can get. Best of Luck Scott Jones DC MS IV

wolfvgang22
11-04-2003, 06:57 PM
Did Saba indicate whether submitting MCAT scores would make a difference for you if you re-applied? Perhaps you should take the MCAT since AUC and St. George's will require it anyway. Surely good MCAT scores would offset the GPA if that was the only deficient area, one would hope.

jgilbert63
11-04-2003, 07:04 PM
Saba did not indicate whether the submission of the MCATs would have impacted their decision or not. I do plan on taking the test in April. I'll then submit the scores to other schools.

jgilbert63
01-30-2004, 06:09 PM
Update for anyone that is interested. Since my initial post, I was accepted to St Matthew's and just got an acceptance telephone call from AUC.

LESSON: Don't give up...where there's a will, there's a way.

rimon7381
01-30-2004, 07:58 PM
Hey jgilbert63,

congratulations on ur acceptance to AUC and St. Matthews.

jguru2
01-30-2004, 09:49 PM
you mind sharing which one you're leaning towards? and why?

thanks,

jguru2

WantMD
01-30-2004, 09:53 PM
JGilbert,

Congrats on your acceptance AUC, a great school.

Just out of curiosity, did you ever take the MCAT? I'm just curious if they bend the rules, I have friends who have great resumes but no MCAT and would like to apply to AUC.

WnatMD :-)

jgilbert63
01-30-2004, 10:24 PM
I submitted a complete package....MCATs and all.

Regarding which school I'm leaning towards, I'd prefer not to post my decision at this time. I don't want to start a SMU vs. AUC arguement.

Both schools have pro's and con's and both will provide you an opportunity to earn a MD. I'm impressed with both schools.

Feel free to PM me with any questions.

wolfvgang22
02-02-2004, 01:23 PM
Since my situation is very similiar to yours, I am very relieved to hear of your success! I am contemplating taking the MCAT myself very soon. At the risk of being too nosy, may I ask *around* what score you earned on the MCAT? It would be very comforting to know what score worked for you as I prepare. :wink:

WantMD
02-02-2004, 09:30 PM
Hi,

Just for the stats, I got in with a 3.4 in Biomedical Sciences & 27 MCAT.

WantMD :-)

ResearchingGuy
02-04-2004, 05:22 PM
Congrats on your acceptance to medical school. I gave AUC a long hard look before coming to Saba. I was impressed by their facilties and their record. They have a number of graduates in practice all over the country, including some who post on ValueMD on a regular basis.

Best of Luck to You in Med School!