I know this is old..but CHANCEs PLEASE :)

Pre-Med & Medical School Multiple Degree Programs
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<p>im going to be a senior at school this coming fall, and i am so worried about my chances at a BA/Md program...any input would be graciously accepted</p>

<p>Race: indian (US citizen)
Gender: male
Location: chicago suburbs
Class of 2009</p>

<p>GPA: 3.6 uw...4.1 weighted (i know this sucks but ive had like a crazy high school life...will explain below)</p>

<p>ACT: 30 (taking one more time in sept...hoping for higher)</p>

<p>Ap: euro, physics, us hist, lit/comp......taking this year, calc AB, macro/gov, spanish, lang, stats, chem</p>

<p>ECs: swimming(2yrs), tennis(4yrs-captain), intramural basketball(4yrs-captain), STAND club, Spanish club(4 yrs-secretary), scho. bowl(1yr)</p>

<p>out side of school: kumom learning center(2yrs), 500+ vol. hours at local hospital, 50+ hours vol at pads for hope homeless shelter, ive somewhat shadowed my mother whom is a microbiologist</p>

<p>During my high school life my father has suffered a heart attack, my mother got diagnosed with hypothyroidism, both my grandfathers have passed away (stroke & parkinson's disease), and a couple of my uncles have suffered heart attacks and strokes as well, along with many counts of diabetes in my family including my own father.....all this accumulated in me worrying for myself and my weight since i am at major risk for problems, so during the summer of my soph. year, i made it a goal for myself to become healthy and lose weight...and i am glad to say now tht i have lost 50+ lbs and am a healthy 135 lbs....but all these ordeals have taken a lot out of me and my grades, but i dont wanna hold this solely accountable for my low gpa, but on an upside it has made me even more intent on becoming a doctor and that is my sole focus now.</p>

<p>interested in UMKC BA/MD, SLU med scholars, Neoucom....maybe drexel(will take SAT 2's in Oct.)</p>

<p>Any input would be really helpful, and thank you in-advance for reading and helping me out!!</p>

2

<p>im in the top like 10.1% of my class also</p>

3

<p>write killer essays and u should get a higher act and you'll be fine.</p>

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<p>thanks..any other thoughts??</p>

5

<p>It's tough, because a lot of programs look at the statistics as like the primary "weeding out" of sorts, so no matter what you write in your essays, you may get shot down because of your GPA and ACT. Also, when you write your essays, make sure you focus on how it's made you grow, not use it as an excuse for how you performed in school.</p>

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<p>lol..."my mother got diagnosed with hypothyroidism"...uhmm...ok, but you're male and the risk factor for hypothyroidism in males is really considerably lower than that of females...no offense intended, of course
congrats on the weight loss though!
you need to crank up the essays! then i guess you'll have a decent chance :)</p>

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<p>Ya i am def. gonna spend some major time on my essays, thanks for the input....any other thoughts/opinions??</p>

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<p>Your GPA and ACT will be below range. Since you are not in Ohio, do not bother applying to NEOUCOM. They take no more than 5 OOS with exceptional stats. All family health issues are so personal, I would not mention anything like this anywhere, it shows weakness, everybody have some problems, more or less severe, they expect you to handle them without negative consequences.</p>

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<p>ic your point, thanks for the input....any other advice/thoughts??</p>

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<p>bump....bump.....</p>

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<p>I actually disagree . I think that if you get your application filled out. It is a good idea to add a supplement as to why your grades may have fallen in a specific time period. Like you said your family was going through a rough patch and if they see that your grades went up in the following year, that shows progress. Colleges are looking for growth. I was just reading a Ask the Dean Ask</a> The Dean blog about your same scenario. Good Luck with apps!1 I'm totally stressing about mine as well!!!</p>

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<p>First, make sure you apply early. I know from experience that applying as early as possible makes a big difference in medical school admissions. I think you could raise that ACT score a bit and do some research and more volunteer work (stuff to really show that you've thought about your decision). Write good essays and if you are offered an interview, you might want to elaborate on your experience with your own health and that of your family members. Try to be very specific though. Make sure you emphasize why you want to be a doctor and don't just say you want to help people. Talk about how your family history of disease and you're own personal experience with your health provided the impetus for you to pursue medicine. Be passionate.</p>

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<p>wow thts some great advice..thanks sars :D....ya any advice is really great</p>

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<p>O ya just an update for anyone who was wondering, i got into UMKC’s 6yr ba/md program and SLU’s medscholars program and will be attending SLU next year!!! Just goes to show u there are more than numbers, colleges do really like other things about people as well :D…if anyone has any question ill be glad to help, i know how hard this process was and would be glad to give my input.</p>

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<p>wow what were your final stats? and if I’m going to be a senior this coming fall, and am only JUST starting hospital volunteering and some lab research, does this mean I have no chance? Thanks</p>

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<p>i ended up with a 31 ACT, 800 math2 and 710 chem sat 2s
and i mean obv ull be at a disadvantage starting volunteering and research now, but never count yourself out and compile as many hours of both as u can
jus keep a positive mentality and never give up, it can happen and the main thing to do is to stay optimistic
hope that helps!</p>