I’m a junior math and applied physics double major at a small private college in Nebraska.
General Pre-Med Grades:
Gen Chem : A
Gen Chem Lab : A
Gen Chem II: B+
Gen Chem Lab II: A
Physics: A
Physics Lab I: A
Physcs II: A
Physics Lab II : B+
Bio II : B+
Bio lab II: A
Orgo: C+
Orgo Lab: B+
Orgo II: C+
Orgo Lab II: B+
Overall GPA: 3.79
Science GPA: 3.57
My obvious worry are the two C’s in Orgo. I have decent exc’s (I volunteer at two hospitals, at a local bike shop, I shadow, and play an instrument, etc). My research experiences are pretty substantial.
Should I still be aiming for med school or start looking elsewhere (i.e. consider grad school)? I could probably increase my GPA over the next year, but I’m sure my Orgo grades are a scare.
What are my chances for top-tier or mid-tier medical schools?
Thanks for any advice out there! Looking forward to responses.
Thanks for the link, it’s very helpful! I did have another question though: So if my overall GPA is okay, and I have an okay MCAT score, despite the 2 C’s in Orgo, that’ll be fine?
As in, do the particular grades matter just as much as the overall GPA?
You’re looking pretty good, but everyone needs a decent MCAT score to get in (unless it’s a unique program like the Icahn FlexMed). Talk to the premed advisor at your college. Also be aware that fewer med students are starting directly from senior year. Many are now doing an added year of studies and/or research before entering med school.
If your MCAT is good, the rest of your app is good - looks like you have medical & non-medical ECs, and research, then you should have a shot. You may be asked to explain the Cs in an interview, so be prepared with an answer that doesn’t sound like you are making excuses and are taking ownership of whatever happened.
oops, sorry @momoftwo61, didn’t see your response when I clicked on the thread.
The MCAT is huge, as it always has been. I’m sure you know the MCAT has recently changed, though much of the same material will still be tested. Take practice test after practice test, even if you only have access to the old tests. Focus on your areas of weakness. Try to understand all the strategy involved. And Do NOT neglect the critical reading, it can be a score saver. Practice the critical reading heavily, as those skill will also help on other sections. You can not study too much for this test.
Also, get stellar recommendations from people who know you well.
Again, the best of luck to you. I sincerely hope you achieve your goals.
Oops, sorry apparently you have already taken the MCAT, and did well?
Try to apply early admissions if that still exists. The requirements/cutoff vary from school to school. Your chances are always much higher in-state when applying to a public university.
Here’s a link to most medical schools, by State. It included school specific GPA and MCAT averages .
http://www.mcattestscores.com/usmedicalschoolsmcatscoresGPA.html#kansas
“Also, get stellar recommendations from people who know you well.”
Absolutely. These are critically important.
While this site looks pretty good. I personally would use the MSAR instead since it's more trusted/guaranteed to be up to date.
https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/requirements/msar/
Your SGpa is a bit weak, you need to apply broadly to all levels of Md schools and maybe one or two Do schools as safety.
I don’t think he has a MCAT score yet.
When do you take the MCAT???
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What are my chances for top-tier or mid-tier medical schools?
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first of all, unless you’re aiming for academic medicine, why would you care if a med school is “top tier” or really any tier? And, since your sGPA is weak, academic medicine is out.
You should just be aiming to be accepted to ANY US MD med school. Do you think it matters? no, it doesn’t.
There is no such thing as a ‘bottom tier medical school.’ Either you are admitted and become a doctor or you aren’t. If you get in anywhere at all, you are one of the lucky ones.
Other than checking out the DO option, which is a good one, check out the SMP program at Georgetown: http://smp.georgetown.edu
I haven’t taken the MCAT yet, I’m planning on taking it next spring.
mom2collegekids: I was hoping to go into academic medicine- If I pull my sGPA up to a 3.7, would that be possible?
You can go into academic medicine from schools that aren’t high powered research institutions, provided you’re an absolutely stellar student during med school with top grades, top USMLEs, top LORs and significant research done during med school. (BTW, you’ll need all of those even if you do attend a top ranked medical school if you want to go into academic medicine.)
As an example, our state med school (mid-ranked) sent grads into residencies at Harvard, Yale, JHU, Vanderbilt, Duke, Stanford, Mayo and UCLA this year.