So, I goto The Ohio State University, and I’m currently a pre-med student, biology major. I’m only a second year, but I’m curious about the future.
I have a ~3.2 GPA, and I know that med-schools’ averages are normally much higher.
My question is the following: will medical experience matter when applying to med schools?
I work as an orderly in the local hospital, and have been doing so for summer break, every year. I pick all the supplies for all the cases, help with patient transport, take patients to pre-op/post-op, transferring from beds to surgical tables, etc etc.
If I don’t make the typical 3.8 GPA cut, will my experience count for anything? I will have about two years worth of experience in a surgical setting, plus LoR out the wazoo. Just curious…
Will ECs make up for a low GPA for med school admission purposes?
No. ECs will not compensate for a 3.2 GPA. (Except in very, very unusual circumstances.)
Since the first round of med school screening is often automated, your GPA needs to be above a school’s minimum cut-off for your application to even get looked at by an actual human being. If you do get your GPA into 3.5+ range and your MCAT is average or above for the schools you’re applying to, then your ECs (and the rest of your application materials) may start to play a role in whether you will get an II.
FYI, LORs from physicians are not held in high regard by med school adcomms. Also med schools are very, very specific about what types of LORs they will accept. (Almost universally you’re allowed either a committee letter from your school OR 3 LORs which must be from 2 science profs and 1 non-science prof.) Sending extra letters, or sending letters different from what a school specifies will get your application round-filed for not following directions. Med school admission is a negative process–adcomms are actively looking for things they can reject you for.
It will matter if you have demonstrated academic competency, but will not make up for poor stats. These days it is very easy to use an automatic filter where if your stats don’t meet a certain threshold, no admissions officer will even see your application with their own eyes.
It will matter if you have demonstrated academic competency, but will not make up for poor stats. These days it is very easy to use an automatic filter where if your stats don’t meet a certain threshold, no admissions officer will even see your application with their own eyes.
Ok…now that you know that although you’re getting great clinical experience, it won’t make up for an inadequate GPA at MD schools, tell us more…
Why is your GPA a 3.2? What classes did you take last year and what were the grades?
What classes are you taking this year?
What is your major?
All hope isn’t lost. If your GPA and MCAT are good, then DO schools are a real possibility. If you can get your GPA above a 3.6, then your chances for a MD schools are better.
Are you instate for Ohio?