Should I try for U.S schools?

[tafi02]

Sorry about this thread, I know they must be annoying!

 

I just need a bit of advice before I apply this summer for medical schools. My GPA isn't great and I'm wondering what my chances are for getting in in a U.S. school or if I should just look at Aussie schools

 

I'm a University of Toronto student and my stats + EC are:

 

cGPA: 3.53, science GPA around the same

MCAT: 35S (11PS, 9VR, 15BS)

-Science specialist with double minor in Sociology and English

-shadowed chief of surgery at local hospital

-2 years volunteering at the surgical pathology lab at hospital

-treasurer and secretary of UTTCC - local school club

-write regularly for prestigous school newspaper (but not full staff)

 

Also, should I redo my MCAT since my VR is only 9? Will that give me a better chance?

 

Thanks so much for any advice! I need all the input I can get!!

[VTeight7]

Hi tafi02,

 

Do you have any research experience? (rest of ECs look good)

 

If not, then that is all the reason for you to re-do your MCAT because of that 9VR (shame, because a balanced 35S would have been gold!), because your GPA is a bit lacking as well. I don't really have experience with Aussie requirements, so I can't comment on that - but I say if you re-do the MCAT and get a similar score but better balanced, you should be in a much better position for US application.

If you try to apply now, even for lower-tiers like Wayne or Rosalind, it will be tough because your GPA looks around average for US matriculants, and we all know that they put Canadians at a much higher bar.

(by the way my GPA is just a little higher than yours, and I have a 8VR, and I'm waitlisted at 2 lower tier schools.)

[Hackintosh]

Sorry about this thread, I know they must be annoying!

 

I just need a bit of advice before I apply this summer for medical schools. My GPA isn't great and I'm wondering what my chances are for getting in in a U.S. school or if I should just look at Aussie schools

 

I'm a University of Toronto student and my stats + EC are:

 

cGPA: 3.53, science GPA around the same

MCAT: 35S (11PS, 9VR, 15BS)

-Science specialist with double minor in Sociology and English

-shadowed chief of surgery at local hospital

-2 years volunteering at the surgical pathology lab at hospital

-treasurer and secretary of UTTCC - local school club

-write regularly for prestigous school newspaper (but not full staff)

 

Also, should I redo my MCAT since my VR is only 9? Will that give me a better chance?

 

Thanks so much for any advice! I need all the input I can get!!

 

Don't resort to aussie schools before having looked at DO schools.

[Dayne67]

That 9 is OK. It's usually only when you get like an 8 in a section where red flags can be raised even if you have a decent overall score.

 

IMO, your MCAT is really good - the type of score that can offset a 3.5GPA. I wouldn't rewrite. In the US, your total score usually always dwarfs your GPA.

 

You have a decent shot at schools like Wayne State, Albany, BU, Saint Louis, EVMS, VCU, Rosalin Franklin, NYMC, Jefferson, Penn State, etc. Just make sure to apply super early.....

[Bets]

That 9 is OK. It's usually only when you get like an 8 in a section where red flags can be raised even if you have a decent overall score.

 

IMO, your MCAT is really good - the type of score that can offset a 3.5GPA. I wouldn't rewrite. In the US, your total score usually always dwarfs your GPA.

 

You have a decent shot at schools like Wayne State, Albany, BU, Saint Louis, EVMS, VCU, Rosalin Franklin, NYMC, Jefferson, Penn State, etc. Just make sure to apply super early.....

 

I agree. Also remember that your cgpa will most likely be higher when converted by AMCAS. Make sure that you put a lot of time into your personal statement and secondary essays. Highlight your experiences and what you have learned from them.