Application Cycle One: 06/07/2011

• Undergraduate college: Ivy League
• Undergraduate Area of study: Engineering/Technology

• Institution: Ivy League
• Area of Study: Engineering/Technology
• Degree Obtained: Masters

• Total MCAT SCORE: 514
• MCAT Section Scores: B/B 129, C/P 128, CARS 129   Detailed Breakdown
• Overall GPA: 3.40
• Science GPA: 3.30

Summary of Application Experience

E/C
gGPA- 3.8
Lots of community service (including some with leadership experience)
Clinical experience--EMT and hospital volunteering
Research for 3+ years--no pubs though unfortunately

I applied to about 25 schools, with a mix of really really reach schools (eg. Harvard, Penn, etc.) and lower ranked schools (eg. Rush, Albany, etc.). My GPA is not even within the 10th percentile of any allopathic school. My advisor told me that I had a slim shot of getting in. They suggested post bac programs or applying to DO schools. I decided to go ahead and apply and would have retaken the MCAT if I didn\\\'t get in this cycle. Well, I got into not one, but 2 MD schools and am extremely grateful.

My story goes to show you how you can succeed even without a strong GPA. I had an upward trend in my last few semesters of undergrad so I think that helped. Also, my gGPA in engineering was also very strong. I think it also helped that I came from a top school and majored in engineering. I only got 3 interviews, attended 2, and got accepted to both. So, interviewing skills are also quite important. Med schools don\\\'t just want robots.

My 2 cents is that even if you mess up, there are ways for you to make up. You gotta work hard but you will eventually get in somewhere.