Salvaging My GPA for MSTP

[biomechanist]

Hi all!

I started off as a CompSci major in a Top 10 program, but quickly grew bored of the program, did not do well (2.02), and withdrew after freshman year. I obtained a full-time job as a software engineer, but quickly realized that programming was not my passion, so I decided to go back to school for exercise science/kinesiology. I ended up being out of school for one year.

Since re-enrolling, I received a 3.96 at a CC, have a 3.91 at a Top 5 program (cGPA since re-enrolling is 3.93), and have one more year to go. Here are some of my numbers re: sGPA.
BIO: 4.0
A&P: 4.0
Gen Chem: 4.0
Gen Physics: 4.0
Stats: 4.0
Calc I (taken in HS): 3.3
The below classes are killing my sGPA - I am retaking them this year.
Calc II (taken freshman year): 1.0
Calc III (taken freshman year): Failed

I should also note that my courseloads have been heavy. 16/16 at CC, 4/4 CC summer session, 18/20 Uni, 3/6 Uni summer session. I will be taking 24 and 22 credits this upcoming year, but as per the sticky, I'm not sure that this matters, but, IMO, it should be indicative of work ethic/commitment, no?

I just submitted my first study (biomechanics-related, I'm first author), will be completing about 10 studies during my internship this year (2nd author), and may submit 4 more papers (first author) before applying. I will be taking the MCAT soon; I anticipate low–mid 30s.

I have e-mailed professors under whom I would like to work, and most of them seemed to respond rather favorably to my passion, ideas, and potential (one prof. at a top 10 MSTP said, "…with your background you could make a significant impact in the literature," and another prof. said the MSTP there has been wanting his lab to take a student, but the right one hasn't come across yet (implying I may be the right one)) – I even have the opportunity to do a 1-year post-bacc in my top choice lab/school.

So, my question is, if my cGPA is 3.5-3.8, but salvaged from a 2.3-ish (I took some college courses in HS, in which I received mostly ~3.0s), how harshly would an MSTP look down upon having < 3.8 and my track record before re-enrolling? Will I have done enough to make up for it?

I'm open to any/all suggestions, and to anyone that takes the time to answer, thank you for your time.

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[ratherbefishing]

Take the MCAT and do as well as you can. Then apply broadly and also to some MD only.

 

[Patros]

From what I have observed, GPA varies much more in MD-PhD applicants than in MD applicants. Since more people come from hard sciences (physics, chem) or engineering, having a GPA of 3.5 is not uncommon. Obviously it helps to improve your GPA, but I think your application will hinge on your MCAT and your research performance, so your application is far from sunk. If you have multiple publications, good recommendations and a mid 30's MCAT, you should be in very good shape for a MSTP, although I'm not sure about your aspirations for "top 10" programs.

 

[biomechanist]

Take the MCAT and do as well as you can. Then apply broadly and also to some MD only.

Thanks. If I don't get in, I'd rather just go for a PhD or get a masters, then reapply (I lean towards the research side of being a physician-scientist). Nevertheless, I'll try to crush the MCAT and get in my first (and hopefully last) go-around

From what I have observed, GPA varies much more in MD-PhD applicants than in MD applicants. Since more people come from hard sciences (physics, chem) or engineering, having a GPA of 3.5 is not uncommon. Obviously it helps to improve your GPA, but I think your application will hinge on your MCAT and your research performance, so your application is far from sunk. If you have multiple publications, good recommendations and a mid 30's MCAT, you should be in very good shape for a MSTP, although I'm not sure about your aspirations for "top 10" programs.

Thanks, Underu, that seems to be what I've read/was expecting (and hoping). I would only be applying to one "top 10" program, where I am friendly with the professor under whom I would be studying, so I figured it can't hurt. The other schools are ranked anywhere from 15–44.