Advice needed! Can I still apply, or should I take a gap year? What are my chances?
I am a nontraditional 28 year old student. After a great High school record, I started off in 2004 as a pre-med undergrad at a top private college in Ohio, but was dismissed after a year due to a 1.4 cGPA (3 classes/9 credit hours; 3 withdrawals). I was going through immense turmoil in my life during that time. Let’s just say I was at the lowest of lows in my life and contemplated giving up completely. I lost all my scholarships and couldn't afford to go back. As time passed, I started taking a few Accounting/Business classes at a community college. I worked full time and took classes for a few years. In 2010, I decided to pick up where I left off as a pre-med student. And here I am today.
I will graduate in spring 2014 (Chemistry major; double minor in Biology and Psychology).
cGPA: 3.93, sGPA: 3.88 (based on the college I'm currently graduating from and ~134 credit hours)
AMCAS cGPA: 3.71, sGPA: 3.74
Besides science, I have a numerous classes under my belt from business and accounting as well. I just loved the variety and wanted to try out everything I liked.
I have around 150 hours of shadowing experience, clinical and hospital. Decent volunteering hours. Great LOR’s. Also a Phi Beta Kappa member, among other clubs. I will be doing some research as well before graduation. Not medical related, but I also have years of work experience in the business setting. I’ve led teams of employees and have taken on managerial roles. I still work part time.
Now the slight problem…
I’ve been studying the whole summer and will be taking the September 11th MCAT. I know it’s late! But with work and school during the rest of the year I just did not get time to study. I want to apply to med schools (MD) in Ohio and maybe neighboring places. Am I at a disadvantage this year? Should I apply or wait? And most of all what do you think are my chances of getting in based on my background?
Thanks in advance!
I am a nontraditional 28 year old student. After a great High school record, I started off in 2004 as a pre-med undergrad at a top private college in Ohio, but was dismissed after a year due to a 1.4 cGPA (3 classes/9 credit hours; 3 withdrawals). I was going through immense turmoil in my life during that time. Let’s just say I was at the lowest of lows in my life and contemplated giving up completely. I lost all my scholarships and couldn't afford to go back. As time passed, I started taking a few Accounting/Business classes at a community college. I worked full time and took classes for a few years. In 2010, I decided to pick up where I left off as a pre-med student. And here I am today.
I will graduate in spring 2014 (Chemistry major; double minor in Biology and Psychology).
cGPA: 3.93, sGPA: 3.88 (based on the college I'm currently graduating from and ~134 credit hours)
AMCAS cGPA: 3.71, sGPA: 3.74
Besides science, I have a numerous classes under my belt from business and accounting as well. I just loved the variety and wanted to try out everything I liked.
I have around 150 hours of shadowing experience, clinical and hospital. Decent volunteering hours. Great LOR’s. Also a Phi Beta Kappa member, among other clubs. I will be doing some research as well before graduation. Not medical related, but I also have years of work experience in the business setting. I’ve led teams of employees and have taken on managerial roles. I still work part time.
Now the slight problem…
I’ve been studying the whole summer and will be taking the September 11th MCAT. I know it’s late! But with work and school during the rest of the year I just did not get time to study. I want to apply to med schools (MD) in Ohio and maybe neighboring places. Am I at a disadvantage this year? Should I apply or wait? And most of all what do you think are my chances of getting in based on my background?
Thanks in advance!