<p>i'm a junior and my gpa is 3.68 out of 4.0 (3.8 weighted).
i took AP chemistry and AP environmental science, although i don't think i did well on the AP test for chem. i got a 2130 on my SAT (planning to retake)
i am an officer for two clubs: national art honor society and the literary magazine at my school
i have around 200 hours of volunteer work (hospitals, dance shows, library, etc.)
i'm also in national honor society
i'm planning to take SAT II: biology, chemistry, and math IIC
is there any way i can increase my chances at getting into a direct eight year med program?
do i even have a chance?
can anyone recommend me some programs?
thanks sooo much ;]</p>
<p>um...do i have a chance at union, wayne state or even brooklyn?</p>
<p>I would recommend MedStart at Wayne State. Unfortunately, while MedStart is one of the easier eight year med programs to get into, your stats aren't all that good. My advice: do some research over the summer, or volunteer A TON at a hospital. Anything that will make you stand out medically is your bet shot at a program like MedStart. Definitely retake the SAT, and try taking the ACT (some do better on the ACT, and at Wayne they will take an ACT score).</p>
<p>thank you soo much for replying...
is it to late to sign up for research somewhere? for this summer?</p>
<p>I think so, but what you can always do is go to local universities and see if you can volunteer in the labs (worth a shot, though unlikely). Otherwise, put a lot of volunteer hours into medically related fields and it will pay off. Also, maybe purchase some SAT prep stuff and study for that retake. If you can pull a 2200 minimum and like 50 more medically related volunteer hours and raise your grades just a bit I think you would stand a much better shot. Definitely apply no matter what! If you have the passion they will be eager to admit you!
As of now you do meet the minimum reqs:</p>
<p>GPA of 3.50 (recalculated, including weighting for AP/honors classes)
Minimum of 25 ACT score or minimum of 1,700 on the SAT (out of 2400)
Explanation of experience (e.g. describe the amount of time devoted to the activity) in:
Health care
Community service
Team activities (e.g. athletics, debate)
Leadership
High school extracurricular activities
Employment
Summer activities
Submission of a one-page typed essay describing why you are pursuing MedStart and why you should be accepted.
Two letters of recommendation
One from a high school teacher/counselor/administrator who is familiar with your extracurricular activities, team and/or leadership skills
One from a non-family member who can address your healthcare experience, community service, and/or employment</p>
<p>Be advised that these are minimum reqs though. My school sends a lot of kids to MedStart and from what I understand these minimum reqs are really a joke. I think you have a good chance if you buckle down though...
NO SENIORITIS!!!</p>
<p>thanks a bunch! you are soo awesome...
oh...also will shadowing a doctor help me out?
will not being a detroit resident count against me?</p>
<p>Actually, not being a Detroit resident helps you (geographical diversity and all). And yes, shadowing a doctor would be an awesome move (it shows your dedication, blah blah blah :)
PM me if you want to talk a bunch more about MedStart. This year I had the opportunity to meet the Dean of Admissions for MedStart and ask a bunch of questions, so hopefully I can be of assistance :)</p>
<p>really...i can't tell you enough how much i appreciate this!
thank you! uh...just one thing...about my GPA...i don't think i can raise it any higher because my high school doesn't count the first two quarters of my senior year towards my overall GPA...so basically that's it :[
do you think i can maybe still get in...?</p>
<p>Definitely! Never be discouraged because of something as silly as a GPA. When it comes down to it they will just want to see that you are committed to being a doctor, and that you are a match for their university. One important thing though: do your grades show a generally upward trend? If so, that's awesome. If not, hopefully it is a pretty stable trend. If a downward trend, what might the reasons be (not that you need to explain yourself, but if an illness might have affected that physics grade or whatever it might be worth it to explain that on an app).</p>
<p>hmm I don't really know anything about medical related schools but doesn't MSU have a DirectMed program? Just another school to consider =]</p>
<p>my grades show a pretty much stable trend.
really...again thank you, thank you, thank you sooo much!
i had no idea what to do or what kind of a chance i had
:] ;]</p>
<p>thanks fuzzy...do you know anything about the requirements and how i might match up?</p>
<p>srry.... Only reason I know about the program is because of my cousin, her stats are 3.8 and 33 on the ACT, however I don't know MSUDirectmed's average stats or requirements............ Again apologies =]</p>
<p>oh thats okay...but based on your cousin's stats, its waaay out of my league</p>
<p>don't count it out =] miracles happen.</p>
<p>DirectMed at MSU can be an MD program or a DO program, and usually the DO is less popular so if you want to enhance your chances you might consider applying to the DO program at MSU instead of the MD.</p>