What are my chances? Any recommended schools to apply to?

[micahw 1]

Hello,

 

I am finishing my undergrad and will be graduating with a Bachelor's in Health Science from Ohio in December. I want to apply for the cycle starting in April 2018. I have not taken the GRE yet

 

My overall gpa is 3.4

and my science is 3.33

 

I'll have ~ 1500 hours PCE in April as a Medical Assistant/Phlebotomist

 

I have 30 hours of PA shadowing and about 50 MD shadowing

 

I'll have ~500 hours volunteering

 

I plan to have good letters of rec and personal statement

 

I have been researching schools that fit my profile but would love advice as this is all a bit overwhelming! Thank you!!

[mbioguy 0]

Maybe. It will probably depend on the quality of your LoR's. Odds go up if you're willing to apply through several cycles, as your PCE will rise. Consider taking the GRE as some schools use a composite GPA/GRE for scoring so a great score can compensate a little.

 

For comparison, I've applied the last two cycles with a 3.2 GPA and 3.1 science. 10k hours PCE, 323 GRE. Currently waitlisted. What I wouldn't give for even a slightly improved GPA... I was even told by one school that was the thing keeping them from directly accepting me.

 

TLDR, it's easier to get more hours if you are willing to wait, than it is to raise GPA after the fact. You have a shot, but also have more to do to make it happen.

[micahw 1]

Maybe. It will probably depend on the quality of your LoR's. Odds go up if you're willing to apply through several cycles, as your PCE will rise. Consider taking the GRE as some schools use a composite GPA/GRE for scoring so a great score can compensate a little.

 

For comparison, I've applied the last two cycles with a 3.2 GPA and 3.1 science. 10k hours PCE, 323 GRE. Currently waitlisted. What I wouldn't give for even a slightly improved GPA... I was even told by one school that was the thing keeping them from directly accepting me.

 

TLDR, it's easier to get more hours if you are willing to wait, than it is to raise GPA after the fact. You have a shot, but also have more to do to make it happen.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the advice

[Bf555 12]

Mbioguy there's something wrong with your LORs or your interview style. That's poor advice. I know plenty of kids who have been accepted with a gpa lower than micahw. Lower gpa can be outweighed by that many hours and interview schools. Granted, your prereqs need to be at least a 3.4-3.5. You're seriously falling short somewhere. As long as you apply broad, and continue to work, your shot is fairly decent micah. Score a 310 on the gre and you're golden.

 

 

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[micahw 1]

On 6/22/2017 at 3:52 AM, Bf555 said:

Mbioguy there's something wrong with your LORs or your interview style. That's poor advice. I know plenty of kids who have been accepted with a gpa lower than micahw. Lower gpa can be outweighed by that many hours and interview schools. Granted, your prereqs need to be at least a 3.4-3.5. You're seriously falling short somewhere. As long as you apply broad, and continue to work, your shot is fairly decent micah. Score a 310 on the gre and you're golden.

 

 

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Thank you Bf555!