<p>I am a junior at UNT double majoring in Anthropology and Psychology while minoring in both Judaism Philosophy and Chemistry. I am in the process of re-taking the B's that I have so that I should hopefully have a perfect 4.0, although, this means I will graduate a semester later than I was originally intending to. If I do not re-take the courses that I want to, I will probably have something in the park of a 3.7-3.8 (The classes I am less than enthused about are Texas History and Music Appreciation. I received a D and a C as they were online with poor organization). I'm applying to medical school as a senior so that my ECs will be entirely reflected and in order to allow maximum MCAT preparation. I do not mind waiting a year to go because it will allow me further time to volunteer and work. I will have 300+ hours of working in an emergency room as a student intern. I have provided CPR, aid in suturing, taking vitals and EKGS as well as just talking to patients when nurses were too busy with the traumas. I familiarized myself with a lot of the technology used in the medical field, such as different needles, blood tubes, culture bottles, IV's, etc during stalking the hospital when my shifts were quiet. I have held a job at Starbucks for four years while studying, which I have been told will count as proof of commitment if nothing else. I also have 50 hours at the local SPCA and a few odd volunteer hours at retirement homes/soup kitchens/health-related informational tents at venues. I have founded a club at my university which aims to enlighten our peers about the toxic things which can be found in products we all use day to day. I've tried to tie in health with DIY alternatives that can be incorporated into the typical college student's life. I am also the "charity" chair in my religious club on campus which organizes the volunteering and fundraising for donations within our community. I will be applying to medical school as 21 year old first generation college student of Hispanic decent. </p>
<p>Please let me know if you think I stand a good chance, or if there is anything else I can do to help boost my chances. </p>
<p>I haven't really made friends with any of my professors. I believe I can get a letter or two from doctors at the hospital, but outside of that, who else could I ask to write on my behalf?</p>
<p>Does applying my senior year reduce my chance of receiving admission?</p>
<p>I'm looking at Miami International University, University of Washington, University of California at Los Angeles, University of Texas Southwestern, and Baylor Medical School.</p>
<p>Thank you for your time and input. I truly appreciate it! :)</p>
<p>I am not sure about your reasons to re-take some classes. Seems to be such a waste of precious time. Don’t you want to take something new and exciting instead? Also, most apply to more schools than you listed. 5 seems to be on a very low side.</p>
<p>Retaking the classes will not give you a 4.0 on your AMCAS application. You have to list all classes and grades. The D and the C will be counted in your GPA.</p>
<p>OK, one more advise. If you ever asked about low grades, state the reason that puts responsibility on your own sholders. Do not ever mentioned that it was somebody else’s fault or certian conditions prevented you to do well. This will not fly very well.</p>
<p>Have you talked to the premed advisor at your college? </p>
<p>You need LORs from Instructors, doctors you know and people from other associations (eg. job, volunteering) cannot replace these.</p>
<p>In what state are you a resident? Many Med schools are resident sensitive; for instance admission to UW is next to nil unless you are a resident of WA or a WWAMI state.</p>
<p>What is your Hispanic background, are you MA or PR?</p>
<p>Alsi, in addition to the advice given above, what I have gathered from the different threads in this forum is that. It is not really advisable to retake classes unless the original grade received was a C- or lower. If this is true (someone correct me if I’m wrong) then it would not be in your best interest to retake the B’s you have, probably just the D and MAYBE the C. I believe the reason other posters suggested this had something to do with being numbers obsessed or something of the sort, but IMO your EC’s say differently.</p>
<p>Need an MCAT score prior to considering any med schools. Baylor and UCLA, for example, are top tier research Unis which require high mcat scores. U-Dub virtually requires state/NW residency. OOS’ers better bring a big hook to a Seattle app.</p>
<p>It would be silly to retake your B’s, and even your online classes unless you need history for a graduation requirement. Osteopathic schools will replace your grades, but allopathic med schools will not.</p>
<p>Yikes, should D withdraw app? She is OOS, and for that matter, on the other side of the country! Def don’t need any unneccessary flights if the happening of acceptance is next to zero.</p>
<p>To paraphrase Clint: Does she feel lucky…well does she?</p>
<p>Last year, U-Dub received ~3400 OOS apps and interviewed less than 90. Of those, 40+ were accepted. Of course, those interviwed may include those from Alaska and Idaho (& Wyoming?) which get a preference because they don’t have their own state med schools.</p>
<p>Med schools will see both grades if you retake a class and your GPA will be based on the average grade NOT the replaced grade.</p>
<p>Honestly, without an MCAT no one can tell you if you have a chance at any school.</p>
<p>That said, you’re going to have to expand your list. First, plan to apply to ALL the Texas allopathic Med schools…incremental cost is minimal and most do not require secondaries. Both Baylor and UTSW will require MCATs in the 35+ range for a non URM as will UCLA for an OOS applicant. </p>
<p>You need to get to know some professors quickly…LORs from Doctors at the hospital more than likely won’t work for most schools unless as a supplemental.</p>
<p>Agree with others, forget about Washington unless you are a URM or live in the Pacific NW.</p>
<p>Take the MCAT and report back. We can help you a lot more then</p>
<p>GA2012MOM,
I think most of the thinning occurs before the interview stage. D1 had a friend who got into Y, UColorado (IS), I believe Vandy and maybe a couple more last round, but no interview at UDub (he didn’t read the fine print either).</p>
<p>I know, those are just my top choices. I have tried to talk with my pre-med advisor but at UNT, she is pretty much worthless. Where else can I turn for help? I am not taking my MCAT until the end of my junior year. Does it matter that I am going to probably graduate a semester later than the four year plan because of the double major? Is it absolutely not worth it to re-take B’s? I thought I read that both grades would be looked at. Thank you for all of your replies.</p>
<p>Also, how many hours of ECs would look incredible on my application? </p>
<p>I’m ashamed of the D and C but if there’s nothing more I can do than learn from those failures and maintain a 4.0 from there on out, I’d like the rest of my application to be spectacular. </p>
<p>What is the best study-prep for the MCAT? I’m currently signed up for Kaplan classes next March.</p>
<p>A double major maybe important to you, but it is of no value to med school admissions.</p>
<p>If your low grades were in science courses you definitely should retake them, but online history??? Just add a short note of explanation to your app.</p>