A very Simple "chance me" and how to make a medical school list...

Pre-Med & Medical School Pre-Med Topics
1

<p>Trying to put together a list of schools I should be applying to next month. Got in the MCAT scores (a bit lower than my practice score, got wrecked on physics...usually my best section...retaking in a few weeks to try and increase...but oh well). I'll try and list things relevant.</p>

<p>Top 10 Small LAC
AMCAS GPA: 3.65 (upward trend, 3.95 senior year)
BCPM GPA: 3.76
Major (Mol. Biology and Biochemistry), 3.93 major GPA, high honors, senior research award/prize</p>

<p>MCAT: 10 P, 11 V, 12 B, Writing: S (33S)</p>

<p>Study abroad in the UK, medical program (6 months)</p>

<p>Clinical: public health/epidemiology externship (summer before college), hospital volunteer (1 summer), 2-week shadowing neurologist (top U.S. hospital), 5 weeks shadowing different sectors of primary care in UK, volunteer/shadowing @ AIDS/sexual health clinics (LGBQT related stuff...I'm gay). </p>

<p>Research: 2.5 years undergrad (1st author abstract, 1st author publication enroute, HHMI grant), 1 year post-grad (Top 3 Research Hospital/University)...both relate to developmental biology, very basic science related</p>

<p>ECs: Residential Advisor, Tour Guide, Marathon Runner (two in college), AIDS-related service projects, Teaching Assistant/Lab Teaching Assistant, designed and taught a ex-co class on Medical Politics/Economics/Ethics, Piano (private lessons), Web Design (some freelance stuff for friends/a few local businesses)</p>

<p>Recs: 3 undergrad professors (all Bio-hopefully positive), 1 study abroad professor (sociology), 1 work advisor (admissions office), 1 post-grad employer (scientist, Top 3 Medical School). </p>

<p>Anyway...MCAT and GPA are a little low for the top schools, but do I stand a chance at most places? How do you go about picking which schools to apply to? How long should your list be...and (my parents aren't funding my application process..I'm on my own), how much does each application cost? Like to be able to go someplace with strong research opportunities as well as the opportunity to combine study in other disciplines with medicine (i.e. business or law...I really have been thinking about the 'whole picture' of the industry lately).</p>

2

<p>You have very good chances.</p>

<p>But your medical volunteering/normal volunteering is somewhat lacking. If you could get that up you’d be a better candidate.</p>

3

<p>Hmm, I’ll probably agree with that. I’m applying in a month so not much will probably change by then ;). Will be starting to volunteer once a week in a LGBQT primary care clinic this summer, but I’m doing that more so for personal interest rather than for med school apps.</p>

4

<p>You’re going to do just fine - your activities are INCREDIBLE (from one RA and TA to another RA and TA), and your MCAT score is amazing. Please don’t retake a 33S, you’re making me feel bad about my 31Q.</p>

5

<p>Thanks. I was rocking 13s on the physical sciences section, which is why I might want to re-take. (my practice MCAT range was about 33-38…so this is at the lower end). But, if I don’t do better next time I won’t be too upset. Kinda surprised about the S, I had actually never written an essay before the exam (just outlined them during practice tests). </p>

<p>Any other opinions from you current med students who have gone through the process. More important, what range of schools should I look to apply to and how many is a good number? I’m basically spending the next month filling out my med school app, writing my personal statement, and picking schools. Wanna send it out all out early June.</p>

6

<p>If we’re talking simple chances, you’d be very foolish to retake a 10-11-12. Statistically speaking, your chances of doing worse are significantly greater than your chances of doing better. According to [AAMC:</a> MCAT: % of Retesters Attaining PS Score Changes](<a href=“http://web.archive.org/web/20080203044246/www.aamc.org/students/mcat/examineedata/retestps.htm]AAMC:”>AAMC: MCAT: % of Retesters Attaining PS Score Changes), your chances of scoring a 10 or worse on PS on a retake is about 75%. Your chances of raising your score (by any number of points) is about 25%. (And we’re not even talking about your chances of keeping or improving your BS and VR scores - you can see all the data [here](<a href=“http://web.archive.org/web/20080117204422/http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/examineedata/tables.htm]here[/url]”>AAMC: MCAT: Applicants/Matriculants and Retesters Data Tables)</a>.) Not good odds, if you ask me.</p>

<p>33 is a perfectly respectable score. Your ECs and and GPA look very good. If you apply quickly, write well, and interview well, you stand a good chance of getting into medical school.</p>