Application Cycle One: 2004

• Undergraduate college: Foreign
• Undergraduate Area of study: Biological/Life Sciences

• Institution: Graduate School
• Area of Study: Biological/Life Sciences

• Total MCAT SCORE: 496
• MCAT Section Scores: B/B 125, C/P 124, CARS 123   Detailed Breakdown
• Overall GPA: 3.71
• Science GPA: 3.71

Summary of Application Experience

I applied late, with missing prerequisite courses, and a foreign undergraduate degree. It was a huge problem. Most schools told me outright that I would be ineligible since AMCAS does not verify foreign grades (my GPA above is from an American graduate school). Still, our Lord Jesus Christ prevailed and gave me favor with a few schools - including my top choice.

I graduated in the upper third of my medical school class, I scored above average on the USMLEs without killing myself and with less than the averege time to study, and I am now a resident at one of the most prestigious hospitals in the U.S.

Overall, I strongly advise all applicants to apply with a competitive GPA and MCAT. If one of them is a problem, the other may compensate - but only to a degree. For allopathic schools, a mediocre MCAT AND a mediocre GPA is a huge problem. Take a MCAT prep. course - I found that more than 50% of my class did and I concede that it\'s a huge advantage. Apply early and widely. Based on stats alone, my dream schools should have laughed at me, but they liked me enough to extend interviews while my \'safety school\' rejected me outright. Do not underestimate the problems you will face with a foreign undergraduate degree.

Do your research thoroughly before applying. Only apply to schools where you realistically may obtain interviews....and perhaps add in one or two \'reach\' schools. Even with amazing experiences, realize that the GPA and MCAT matter far more and that most schools use an algorithm to eliminate weaker credentials without even reading the wonderful experiences that many applicants have. Out-of-state (OOS) applications really are akin to throwing your money away unless you have VERY strong credentials (GPA and MCAT) and a strong tie to the state. This was my single biggest mistake.

Do not underestimate the importance of the interview. Far stronger candidates than I on paper took several application cycles to finally gain admission from a wait-list by thinking \'it\'s all about the numbers\'. While it would be misleading to say that medical schools is easy, the coursework itself is not intellectually demanding, though it really is very difficult to gain admission. Keeping this in mind helps you to put 150% into preparing for medical school, and compiling a strong, compelling application.

Stay humble, be genuine, always treat people well, and don\'t let this take process over your life. Yes, it\'s a calling, but it\'s also just what you do for a living. Idolatry begets unhappiness, and life is based on people.

Lastly, realize that you are asking medical schools to honor your request for admission. It\'s a privilege and not a right. Forgetting this often leads to bitterness, IMHO. Good luck to whomever is reading this.

I am an average person with average ability, but I just knew that I had the potential to be a highly competent, compassionate physician, and I was brazen enough to knock on the door of medical schools with an unusual, ill-prepared application, in the hope that they would give me a chance. They did.