Should I do a masters with a 3.8 cGPA and 3.6 sGPA?

[manutdhtx123]

I just graduated with the above as my GPA, and a 505 retake as my MCAT (503 first try). I know that I will have to retake my MCAT but the reason I am asking if I should do a post bac is that I have done the pass/fail for ochem 2, ochem 2 lab, physics 1, physics 2, and physics 2 lab. I also have received a C+ in chem 1 and C in chem 2. I am a Texas resident. I am asking this as I am aiming for MD. Also is it possible to study well for the MCAT and do a 1 year masters)?

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[deleted771945]

IMHO no. You're good for DO.

 

[Goro]

I just graduated with the above as my GPA, and a 505 retake as my MCAT (503 first try). I know that I will have to retake my MCAT but the reason I am asking if I should do a post bac is that I have done the pass/fail for ochem 2, ochem 2 lab, physics 1, physics 2, and physics 2 lab. I also have received a C+ in chem 1 and C in chem 2. I am a Texas resident. I am asking this as I am aiming for MD. Also is it possible to study well for the MCAT and do a 1 year masters)?

Nope. Retake the MCAT if you're aiming for MD. You're fine for DO.

Also is it possible to study well for the MCAT and do a 1 year masters?

In our SMP, we STRONGLY advise students to not take the MCAT during the program, because those that do always end up screwing up both.

 

[GoSpursGo]

I just graduated with the above as my GPA, and a 505 retake as my MCAT (503 first try). I know that I will have to retake my MCAT but the reason I am asking if I should do a post bac is that I have done the pass/fail for ochem 2, ochem 2 lab, physics 1, physics 2, and physics 2 lab. I also have received a C+ in chem 1 and C in chem 2. I am a Texas resident. I am asking this as I am aiming for MD. Also is it possible to study well for the MCAT and do a 1 year masters)?

What what, really? You did P/F for multiple pre-reqs? Why would you do that? An isolated P/F is fine, but especially given that you got a C+ in chem 1 and 2, the fact that you did P/F for both O chem 2 and all of your physics seems like a MAJOR red flag to me. I honestly think it would have been better if you had withdrawn and tried again.

@Goro does that impact your opinion on his shot for DO? To me I feel like the OP needs to do something to prove they can actually excel in rigorous courses, which they sort of have been avoiding. So I probably would advocate for an SMP or DIY post-bacc.

If you're serious about MD, OP, you are going to need both SMP/post-bacc and MCAT retake. And I honestly think that should be a two year proposition for you, especially since you have struggled previously.

 

[Proudfather94]

What what, really? You did P/F for multiple pre-reqs? Why would you do that? An isolated P/F is fine, but especially given that you got a C+ in chem 1 and 2, the fact that you did P/F for both O chem 2 and all of your physics seems like a MAJOR red flag to me. I honestly think it would have been better if you had withdrawn and tried again.

@Goro does that impact your opinion on his shot for DO? To me I feel like the OP needs to do something to prove they can actually excel in rigorous courses, which they sort of have been avoiding. So I probably would advocate for an SMP or DIY post-bacc.

If you're serious about MD, OP, you are going to need both SMP/post-bacc and MCAT retake. And I honestly think that should be a two year proposition for you, especially since you have struggled previously.

I agree with this I think op needs to retake these courses at a university to show they can handle the rigors of medical school

 

[GoSpursGo]

I agree with this I think op needs to retake these courses at a university to show they can handle the rigors of medical school

I’m not even sure retaking would be the best option—getting an A when it’s the second time taking the course is not the same thing as getting an A the first time. I would probably recommend new upper level courses.

 

[Proudfather94]

I’m not even sure retaking would be the best option—getting an A when it’s the second time taking the course is not the same thing as getting an A the first time. I would probably recommend new upper level courses.

That's going to be tough unless they took Calculus based physics I think all of the upper level physics courses would require that one. Same for chemistry as they would have to take Pchem which requires Calc 1-3 as well as differential equations.

 

[Bonne Nuit]

That's going to be tough unless they took Calculus based physics I think all of the upper level physics courses would require that one. Same for chemistry as they would have to take Pchem which requires Calc 1-3 as well as differential equations.

When we recommend "upper level coursework" to reinventing premeds, we are typically talking about 300- or 400-level science electives that can include immunology, A&P, virology, microbiology, and so on - i.e., coursework that mirrors the material you learn in the first two years of medical school. The prereqs for these upper division science electives are often general chemistry and biology, maybe a semester of organic chemistry. OP should easily qualify.

 

[manutdhtx123]

I’m not even sure retaking would be the best option—getting an A when it’s the second time taking the course is not the same thing as getting an A the first time. I would probably recommend new upper level courses.

So I have taken two astronomy courses (listed as physics in dept), endocrinology, neuroscience, biology of food, genetics, and biochemistry and received an A in all of them. I took these courses after chem, ochem, and physics.

 

[Bonne Nuit]

So I have taken two astronomy courses (listed as physics in dept), endocrinology, neuroscience, biology of food, genetics, and biochemistry and received an A in all of them. I took these courses after chem, ochem, and physics.

Yours is somewhat of a unique situation and I think whether your current coursework is acceptable/competitive for admissions will vary from program to program.

I recommend directly emailing the admissions offices at your target medical schools to discuss your coursework. You'll want to tell them about the core prerequisites you took P/F and also tell them about your As in biochem/neuroscience/genetics/endocrinology.

Some programs may not really care about the prerequisites you took P/F since you've earned good grades in your science electives. Other schools may require that all prerequisites are taken for a letter grade - and if that's the case, it will be up to you to decide whether it's worth it to retake depending on how badly you want to apply to those schools.

 

[deleted314957]

Yours is somewhat of a unique situation and I think whether your current coursework is acceptable/competitive for admissions will vary from program to program.

I recommend directly emailing the admissions offices at your target medical schools to discuss your coursework. You'll want to tell them about the core prerequisites you took P/F and also tell them about your As in biochem/neuroscience/genetics/endocrinology.

Some programs may not really care about the prerequisites you took P/F since you've earned good grades in your science electives. Other schools may require that all prerequisites are taken for a letter grade - and if that's the case, it will be up to you to decide whether it's worth it to retake depending on how badly you want to apply to those schools.

I am stunned one can take basic science prerequisite as pass/fail. This was NEVER an option back in the day. And why would you? If I am looking at two candidates, all else being essentially equal, I would reflexively choose the one who aced organic chem. I would be completely befuddled by the one who took it p/f. Science is supposed to be your thing.

 

[manutdhtx123]

I am stunned one can take basic science prerequisite as pass/fail. This was NEVER an option back in the day. And why would you? If I am looking at two candidates, all else being essentially equal, I would reflexively choose the one who aced organic chem. I would be completely befuddled by the one who took it p/f. Science is supposed to be your thing.

These courses are accepted P/F for only the covid period. I P/F only in that period (in which we were all online).

 

[Bonne Nuit]

I am stunned one can take basic science prerequisite as pass/fail. This was NEVER an option back in the day. And why would you? If I am looking at two candidates, all else being essentially equal, I would reflexively choose the one who aced organic chem. I would be completely befuddled by the one who took it p/f. Science is supposed to be your thing.

It became more common/acceptable during COVID. I don’t think P/F prerequisites are here to stay long term.

 

[ujsc]

What what, really? You did P/F for multiple pre-reqs? Why would you do that? An isolated P/F is fine, but especially given that you got a C+ in chem 1 and 2, the fact that you did P/F for both O chem 2 and all of your physics seems like a MAJOR red flag to me. I honestly think it would have been better if you had withdrawn and tried again.

@Goro does that impact your opinion on his shot for DO? To me I feel like the OP needs to do something to prove they can actually excel in rigorous courses, which they sort of have been avoiding. So I probably would advocate for an SMP or DIY post-bacc.

If you're serious about MD, OP, you are going to need both SMP/post-bacc and MCAT retake. And I honestly think that should be a two year proposition for you, especially since you have struggled previously.

This is a no brainer. You must do post bacc to get mastery of material then retake MCAT. Take the 2 years, do it right as you are not competitive enough. If you go forward now it will be huge mistake.

 

[deleted314957]

These courses are accepted P/F for only the covid period. I P/F only in that period (in which we were all online).

That was done due to institutional laziness. I can grade papers on line for goodness sake. And i’m a Luddite compared to y’all.