2.1 GPA and 29 on the MCAT: What should I do? I am serious

[Raptor]

🙁 Seriously, I know everyone probably think that this is a joke but I am very serious. I had a lot of personaly problems (homelessness, depression, working full time, supporting my mom and sister etc) in undergrad and worked a lot of hours while taking 16> credits. I just took the August 05 MCAT and got my score back and I received a 10 VR 10 BS 9 VR (studied 3 month). I am a 23 yo African American male and have various research and extracurricular activities. I am considering carribbean schools because of my GPA and i want to know if there is chance for me for any US schools. Please help. I really need help and advice. Please help

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[SOUNDMAN]

Do you actually have a degree with that GPA? I think you need a year atleast of solid "B" to "B+" work, perhaps a post bacc? In addition try some D.O. schools but most of those schools need atleast a cummulative of 2.5. Retake some of the classes that you did poorly, because for D.O. they do get replaced not averaged for your GPA. GL.

 

[McGillGrad]

Using the being a black male angle would work in the application process, especially with the hardships. I am sure that the GPA does not reflect your abilities so I would suggest trying some DO and MD programs that are sympathetic to your situation. I do not know which programs but a little research should get you the answers.

The Caribbean is an option, but according to a Black-American Caribbean Student's blog, he said that being a black male works against you if you try to rest your explanations on it (as you would in the US).

Worst case scenario, take some graduate level courses and ace them. That should ease some fears for some schools.

 

[sanche60]

if you could raise your gpa to around 2.8-3 you would have a chance with your mcat score ,considering you are a URM.

 

[teefRcool]

🙁 Seriously, I know everyone probably think that this is a joke but I am very serious. I had a lot of personaly problems (homelessness, depression, working full time, supporting my mom and sister etc) in undergrad and worked a lot of hours while taking 16> credits. I just took the August 05 MCAT and got my score back and I received a 10 VR 10 BS 9 VR (studied 3 month). I am a 23 yo African American male and have various research and extracurricular activities. I am considering carribbean schools because of my GPA and i want to know if there is chance for me for any US schools. Please help. I really need help and advice. Please help

Dude "african american" is key word here. You are in!!!

 

[mshheaddoc]

With a 2.1 GPA you really don't have much chance at DO/MD ... if you did a year of post-bacc and aced it I think you'd have a chance. Actually I know there are programs for URMs (post-bacc) and some with linkages to med school. I know OSU-COM has one where MSI is split into 2 years pretty much.

 

[USArmyDoc]

You need to raise that GPA. I know you can do it man!! The MCAT is the tough part, you are golden with a 3.3-3.5 but you are probably going to have to devote a good year to course work. That includes summers to!! Try to get some easy classes in there also. I know most people will say take upper division classes and I agree. However, three to four "easier" classes will help so much. For example, look into a medical ethics class or a Disases class. It is very relevant to medicine but yet you can nail that A!

 

[Raptor]

thanks for the prompt response. I do have a biology degree with that aweful GPA. Thanks all for being positive, I am sure u all are going to be great doctors. the gpa part hurt me alot now and I am also considering few Post bacc. I am not relying on my race to get me in rather hopefully my future merits will speak for themselve.

I have a dillemma in which I could go to Ross U. in Dominica and with that 29 MCAT transfer out to a US school after successful completion of first year (3.0 and above and depending on attrition rate that year for US schools). However, I could do post bacc start next fall and after two years get into a US school and retake the MCAT hopefully getting a higher score. Which one would you guys do if you was in my predicament?

I was quite embarrassed to mention my GPA because its abysmal compare to all of you.

 

[Faust]

🙁 Seriously, I know everyone probably think that this is a joke but I am very serious. I had a lot of personaly problems (homelessness, depression, working full time, supporting my mom and sister etc) in undergrad and worked a lot of hours while taking 16> credits. I just took the August 05 MCAT and got my score back and I received a 10 VR 10 BS 9 VR (studied 3 month). I am a 23 yo African American male and have various research and extracurricular activities. I am considering carribbean schools because of my GPA and i want to know if there is chance for me for any US schools. Please help. I really need help and advice. Please help

Where was I during the Aug 05 MCAT administration? I did not know that it had two verbal sections. Dang, I am going to have my test rescored, they told me that one section was physical sciences.

 

[USArmyDoc]

Where was I during the Aug 05 MCAT administration? I did not know that it had two verbal sections. Dang, I am going to have my test rescored, they told me that one section was physical sciences.

LOL....To the OP, if you don't mind taking two years off I would do the course work. To me, the carribean is last choice. No DO for you? I was just accepted to an osteopathic program and I was VERY VERY impressed. I think your best bet is a combination of upper level courses as well as some of the courses I have mentioned above. I think it gives you some sort of an edge on other applicants. For example, as a URM, you are probably familiar with the lack of healthcare for underserved populations. Well, for that reason, maybe you are interested in public health. You can take a planning and implementing course specifically on planning, selling, and implementing your own community program. That is a course I am taking now and I love it!! I mean it is what I want to do so I may be a little bias. 😉
I wouldn't retake the MCAT unless you were POSITIVE you could get at least a 31 because you have a good score. Work on bringing that GPA up.

 

[psychMajor]

Where was I during the Aug 05 MCAT administration? I did not know that it had two verbal sections. Dang, I am going to have my test rescored, they told me that one section was physical sciences.

what do u mean by "two verbal sections"?

 

[Raptor]

Where was I during the Aug 05 MCAT administration? I did not know that it had two verbal sections. Dang, I am going to have my test rescored, they told me that one section was physical sciences.

10 VR 10 BS 9 PS

Sorry for the typo, sleepy:sleepy:

 

[McGillGrad]

I have a dillemma in which I could go to Ross U. in Dominica and with that 29 MCAT transfer out to a US school after successful completion of first year (3.0 and above and depending on attrition rate that year for US schools). However, I could do post bacc start next fall and after two years get into a US school and retake the MCAT hopefully getting a higher score. Which one would you guys do if you was in my predicament?

Going to Ross would not be a bad idea but transferring is not guaranteed so have a plan B.

I would speak to a few med school advisors in prospective schools and ask them what you should do to make your application more attractive.

 

[USArmyDoc]

Going to Ross would not be a bad idea but transferring is not guaranteed so have a plan B.

I would speak to a few med school advisors in prospective schools and ask them what you should do to make your application more attractive.

By no means is Ross a bad idea, in fact, it is a pretty good idea. We all know though, that we try to stay in the states.

 

[Raptor]

bump any other suggestions?

 

[Megalofyia]

Have you thought about emailing or calling any deans of admissions at some of the med schools your intested in?

They might have some suggestions to help you.

Although the worst advice I was given regarding med school acceptance was from a dean of admission. He gave me completely bum advice. But not all deans are like that.

 

[sanche60]

check out this site:
http://home.sandiego.edu/~e_cook/
Its old and the data is from a few years ago but it should give you some idea of where you need to be in terms of gpa and mcat. I think you'll find your mcat is pretty competitive but your gpa needs to be raised if you want to go to U.S. allopathic schools. good luck.

 

[McGillGrad]

check out this site:
http://home.sandiego.edu/~e_cook/
Its old and the data is from a few years ago but it should give you some idea of where you need to be in terms of gpa and mcat. I think you'll find your mcat is pretty competitive but your gpa needs to be raised if you want to go to U.S. allopathic schools. good luck.

Quite an interesting website.

It always makes me wonder if these programs help to make opportunities more equal.

 

[mhosseini]

thanks for the prompt response. I do have a biology degree with that aweful GPA. Thanks all for being positive, I am sure u all are going to be great doctors. the gpa part hurt me alot now and I am also considering few Post bacc. I am not relying on my race to get me in rather hopefully my future merits will speak for themselve.

I have a dillemma in which I could go to Ross U. in Dominica and with that 29 MCAT transfer out to a US school after successful completion of first year (3.0 and above and depending on attrition rate that year for US schools). However, I could do post bacc start next fall and after two years get into a US school and retake the MCAT hopefully getting a higher score. Which one would you guys do if you was in my predicament?

I was quite embarrassed to mention my GPA because its abysmal compare to all of you.

First of all, I completely agree with everyone that you should do 1 yr or more of postbacc work...don't do a graduate program b/c the grades don't get averaged into your undergraduate GPA...they're figured separately and med schools might not get a chance to even look at your grad grades if your undergrad grades are too low.
Second, have you ever thought of applying to Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA? I'm from atlanta and I interviewed there last year, and I know that they give extra consideration to minority groups b/c they want to increase the number of minority physicians (I believe it's even stated in their mission statement). They're a really good school, and you never know...if you get in touch with them and explain your situation you may not even have to do a year of postbacc work.
hope that helps

 

[cathyrn]

Hi ,
i know the numbers don't look too good, however your life experience matters in so many ways. Write about your struggles in your personal statement and let the med. schools see that with all that was going on, you were still passionate about becoming a doctor. I was once told by an admission officer from ucdavis that they actually accept a lady with a 2.0 and a 21 mcat score just because of all that she went through in life and still wanted to become a doctor. I'll tell you apply and pray . And also being african american will help you out also.
good luck

 

[sunnyjohn]

Do one year in a post-bacc to pick up the undergrad GPA and then check out an SMP program to pick up a new graduate GPA. You can get financial aid for all of this.

STUDY, STUDY, STUDY!!!

 

[eve81]

Hi ,
i know the numbers don't look too good, however your life experience matters in so many ways. Write about your struggles in your personal statement and let the med. schools see that with all that was going on, you were still passionate about becoming a doctor. I was once told by an admission officer from ucdavis that they actually accept a lady with a 2.0 and a 21 mcat score just because of all that she went through in life and still wanted to become a doctor. I'll tell you apply and pray . And also being african american will help you out also.
good luck

That's a good point. I've heard of a girl who had a 1.0 something GPA and a 30 on the MCAT. She was wait listed at Tufts University. The death of her dad must have affected her a lot during her school year. It's important to mention your hardship in your essay, I'm sure you'll be able to make it. Have faith in yourself and apply to many schools and see what happens. If doesn't work try to increase your GPA. Best of luck.

 

[ballsbreaker]

I have a dillemma in which I could go to Ross U. in Dominica and with that 29 MCAT transfer out to a US school after successful completion of first year (3.0 and above and depending on attrition rate that year for US schools). However, I could do post bacc start next fall and after two years get into a US school and retake the MCAT hopefully getting a higher score. Which one would you guys do if you was in my predicament?

I was quite embarrassed to mention my GPA because its abysmal compare to all of you.

Please excuse any bad spelling!
Don't be embarrassed about yr GPA---it's not great but I think you should be proud of making it as far as you did. I was homeless too and had to deal with a LOT of bad stuff and my GPA went way down during that time (I got a "D") in Calc. and it brought my science GPA down and the Bio. Chairperson at my school tole me not to bother to apply (except for Caribbean) as race does not matter so much anymore (Am black BTW) but I don't know if that is true. I think you should put in yr personal statement why you didn't do so hot but more importantly, say how you overcame stuff and why you held on to the dream...
Plus do a post-bacc. Did you graduate already? Maybe you can just do some science courses over to bring your GPA up? And finally, do you want to stay in the US? Are you married/can't imagine living anywhere else? Do you want to be a doc in a particular state or place? Maybe yr. residency won't be so hot if you go to a Caribbean school but you'll get in somewhere (hopefully) so maybe Caribbean is not a horrible thing. I have friends at Georges who are loving it! I think you should also e-mail/contact schools you are interested in after the furor of the application process has died down and find out what you can do (if there is anything at all) to make you more desirable to them? That is what I am gonna do...my MCAT is really average and my GPA is average but I have had to overcome so many horrible/difficult things to get those average scores and I hope that my determination shines through.
In any event, try all you can and have faith that you will be a happy doctor. Good luck!

 

[plainolerichie]

I'll be honest, I think you have an okay chance (especially with the MCAT score). Just make sure you explain that in your application and personal statement. They have something about "disadvantaged status" on the AMCAS that it sounds like you would qualify for. And apply to the historically black schools and your state schools, D.O. schools. I don't feel all hope is lost at all. If you can raise the GPA, that would help a lot too or a post-bac program!

 

[kevster2001]

You can play the disadvantaged card w/ the homelessness, supporting the family. And I'm not sure, does being African American help in the process?

 

[Pkboi24]

I don't want to tell you to "play the black card" as to me that sounds somewhat immoral. Explain to them your situation. Get a post bacc if you can to raise your GPA. You're going to have to work your ass off, but nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it. Cheesy by true.

 

[djquickfingers]

I too am in your situation. I graduated with an undergrad degree with 2.5 gpa. I am also a minority male. I haven't quite experienced what you have, but I do feel the pressure of applying. Let me say this, do not let the fact that your a black male be your card to play. Just because you're a urm does not mean that it is acceptable to apply with a low GPA. It is very important that us urm show that we deserve to be in Medical School and that we belong. We can get the A's like everyone else. It is important that you set up high goals for yourself. I say, go do a year of post bacc, or retake some of the classes. That is what i'm doing. That is, if you can afford it. If not, go ahead and apply. I wish you the best. THis is by no means an us against them post. I just want you and every URm to set high goals for themselves and not settle for the "im black" card. That should be the last thing we should play. I wish you best of luck. Let us know what happens

 

[riceman04]

Using the being a black male angle would work in the application process, especially with the hardships. I am sure that the GPA does not reflect your abilities so I would suggest trying some DO and MD programs that are sympathetic to your situation. I do not know which programs but a little research should get you the answers.

The Caribbean is an option, but according to a Black-American Caribbean Student's blog, he said that being a black male works against you if you try to rest your explanations on it (as you would in the US).

Worst case scenario, take some graduate level courses and ace them. That should ease some fears for some schools.

That angle wont work that well!!!

And I personally do not think that he, as an Afr. Amer. male, should attend school in the Caribbean b/c black males are already subject to a stigma (and thus must prove their abiliity to compete under normal conditions...meaning, attend a national medical school and excel). However, combining the idea of attending med school in te Carib. and being Afr. Amer. is as close to a career death wish as we can get.

 

[pslee]

🙁 Seriously, I know everyone probably think that this is a joke but I am very serious. I had a lot of personaly problems (homelessness, depression, working full time, supporting my mom and sister etc) in undergrad and worked a lot of hours while taking 16> credits. I just took the August 05 MCAT and got my score back and I received a 10 VR 10 BS 9 VR (studied 3 month). I am a 23 yo African American male and have various research and extracurricular activities. I am considering carribbean schools because of my GPA and i want to know if there is chance for me for any US schools. Please help. I really need help and advice. Please help

It seems like your gpa is low, but being african american would help you much in the application process. You have a good mcat compare to other AA, so good luck!

 

[gujuDoc]

My advice would be to do 1-2 years of postbac credits and get a 3.5+ GPA and you might stand a chance.

 

[SeminoleFan3]

This thread is from 7 months ago. I imagine he might have already decided on a course of action by now.

 

[TypeA]

If I'm not mistaken, I think that Ross has a GPA cut-off and you are below that. I know b/c I have a horrible GPA so I am always watching for things like that. Of course, they are pretty much in it for the $$$, so I don't know how strict they are about their cutoff, but FYI. Don't give up, dude. If you want it, work for it like the rest of us. We all don't have those stellar grades. Besides, you've shown that you can get through some serious stuff... this should be easier than that. Good luck.

 

[ND2005]

This thread is from 7 months ago. I imagine he might have already decided on a course of action by now.

I was wondering how long it would take someone to notice that...

 

[SalseraDoctora]

thanks for the prompt response. I do have a biology degree with that aweful GPA. Thanks all for being positive, I am sure u all are going to be great doctors. the gpa part hurt me alot now and I am also considering few Post bacc. I am not relying on my race to get me in rather hopefully my future merits will speak for themselve.

I have a dillemma in which I could go to Ross U. in Dominica and with that 29 MCAT transfer out to a US school after successful completion of first year (3.0 and above and depending on attrition rate that year for US schools). However, I could do post bacc start next fall and after two years get into a US school and retake the MCAT hopefully getting a higher score. Which one would you guys do if you was in my predicament?

I was quite embarrassed to mention my GPA because its abysmal compare to all of you.

I think it is pretty brave of you to put yourself out there like this, and I seriously think you should apply now to US schools and at the same time enroll in a post-bacc program as a back-up. I can't believe you did as well as you did considering all the hardships you had to go through, so I wouldn't be surprised if you were admitted somewhere in the US now. In any event, I am sure you will get in eventually. Good luck!

Also people it would be cool if we could stop mentioning how he is African American. Some of it just seems a little racist to me.

 

[DrWorkNeverDone]

Since the question was brought up, I had a so so community college career: transfer with 3.0, had a great first year at Davis, 3.6, then this year was crappy, down to 2.9, had some deaths and personal crap going on. Now I have this quarter, which should be good. And one more year. With a great MCAT and a great year, 3 science classes and A's, which should occur. What do you guys think are my chances? I am classified under disadvantaged, had to work throughout college, married, crazy family.....Don't flame me too much 🙂

 

[ClassiMD]

TEEFRCOOL & MCGILLGRAD Your posts are extremely offensive. Being an african american male with a 2.1 is not a free ride to med school. This is an insult (no offense to you Raptor, i understand your situation) to all my african american male friends who have busted their butts at the prestigious instituition i go to in order to get great GPAs and good MCATs. They have gotten in, some are at Yale, Cornell, Hopkins, Vanderbilt, etc and have 3.7's and higher.

I'm not saying that all AA have a 3.8, but c'mon no one i know ever got in with anything lower than a 3.0. <3.0=post bacc across the board. Raptor i think your best option is the post-bacc program so you can boost up your GPA. I hope my post was not offensive to you, my apologies. Also, contact various medical instituitions and let them know about your situation. They should be able to give you the best advice. Good luck!

 

[ClassiMD]

It seems like your gpa is low, but being african american would help you much in the application process. You have a good mcat compare to other AA, so good luck!

Again, you can't be serious. Where did you go to college? You need to take a crash course in cultural competancy and learn how to not be offensive.

 

[TypeA]

ClassiMD,

You need to seriously chill out.

 

[ClassiMD]

ClassiMD,

You need to seriously chill out.

That may be so, but I am tired of people making assumptions about my own abilities (I am AA) as well, based on race. I've done really well at a tough school and I'm tired of people making assumptions based on skin color.

I don't want to go to med school and have people think i just rolled in with a 2.1 If you haven't been in this situation, i don't think you can understand or really comment on the situation.

 

[DrinkSKYY]

🙁 Seriously, I know everyone probably think that this is a joke but I am very serious. I had a lot of personaly problems (homelessness, depression, working full time, supporting my mom and sister etc) in undergrad and worked a lot of hours while taking 16> credits. I just took the August 05 MCAT and got my score back and I received a 10 VR 10 BS 9 VR (studied 3 month). I am a 23 yo African American male and have various research and extracurricular activities. I am considering carribbean schools because of my GPA and i want to know if there is chance for me for any US schools. Please help. I really need help and advice. Please help

Congrats to you for making it through all that adversity. I'm a hs teacher and have plenty of students who have gone through similar stuff to what you described - I'm sure you know most don't even get through hs, let alone onto med school. My situation might give you some idea of what's best for you. I decided to do the whole med school thing after teaching for some time. I have a twin brother who went into med school more directly, only he hurried through taking the mcat and some of the prereqs because he just wanted to get them done (he was an engineering major). He ended up at a good school and will be a fine doc, but I know he wishes he would have had a bit more choice in programs. In contrast, I took on a post-bac at the best program I could find in my area and did as well as I could in it. I also volunteered and did as many activities I could think of to make a strong case for myself. It took me two years from the day I began to get this far, and I have had my share of success on the interview circuit. I guess my point is, don't rush it - if it takes you two or three years to make yourself a strong candidate, go the extra mile. In the end, once you've gotten through residency and fellowship and all of that, you'll look back and be proud that you did the best you could do, whatever that might be. Then again, I realize some people just want to get through medical school asap so they can start helping patients - I think that's certainly fine too, but it just depends on what kind of person you are.

hope that helps

 

[Boromir]

All pslee said was that being African American helps you in this process. Couple that with being disadvantaged (as in the OP's case), one has a significant boost in the admissions process. A look at the facts is quite revealing (http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/). The average African American Allopathic Matriculant for 2005 had a 25.2 MCAT, while their Asian counterpart had 31.3 (thats greater than 1 standard deviation!) ClassiMD: nobody is saying that you haven't worked hard/do not deserve your success, but you can't ignore the fact that being black helps in this process🙂

Still though, with a 2.1 gpa, the OP definitely should consider doing a post-bacc/try to raise his grades.

 

[maver1ck84]

race definitely doesn'tn matter as much after the UMichigan Law School debate, but it still helps

 

[exmike]

let the thread die please. for all we know OP is sunning himself on a beach in grenada right now. lets stop with the AA arguments please?

 

[ClassiMD]

This is the last I will say about this and you can let the thread die. When someone matriculates to an institution people should not ASSUME things about any group of people. The very fact that people would say that a 2.1 for an african american male is sufficient for matriculation is stereotyping and it's wrong! People need to stop making generalizations. Like I said, none of my african american male friends did poorly. So what if the average is at 25.2. Why do you think the average is so low? It will remain that way too if people don't stop making these condescending statements toward other people. For example, one of my pre-med advisors told the black students to aim for a 24 on the MCAT, and this is at at top 15 school! Again, offensive. Why should we aim low when they tell other students they need atleast a thirty to get into schools. I desire to go to a tier one school and a 24 won't cut it for me.

What scares me is that you all will one day be physicians, and all this sterotyping comes with an expense: the health of african american people. Since you want to quote statistics, this is the latest on cardiovascular health disparities. Minorities are 10% less likely to be diagnosed with an emergency heart situation, 30% less likely to be tested for artery blockage, 40% less likely to be treated with angioplasty and 50% less likely to undergo cardiac surgery...ALL DUE TO STEREOTYPING. This means tens of thousands of AA die annually because of stereotyping by physicians. Given this, i don't care is the mean average is 25.2 on the MCAT! We need black physicians for this very reason. And if that means that for SOME black people, a drop the MCAT and or GPA is accepted, then so be it. All I'm saying is that people need to stop making generalizations. Some of you have come in here like you're trying to help this guy, yet your comments are very condescending. These attitudes produces unhealthy effects that are contrary to the hippocratic oath. C'mon, do no harm people. I'm not trying to start anything, I'm just saying in general, let's stop assuming things about people.

 

[riceman04]

Dude "african american" is key word here. You are in!!!

dont be stupid!

sorry molly...but this dude is trying to use this thinking that it will prove whatever weird idea he has about the flaws of the system in his head

 

[riceman04]

race definitely doesn'tn matter as much after the UMichigan Law School debate, but it still helps

no actually the Supreme Court ruled in favor for the law school and against for the undergrad....or is it the other way around...hahaha I forget

 

[gujuDoc]

Dude "african american" is key word here. You are in!!!

Not true at all. Even for an African American, you'd have to have at least 2.7 or 2.8, and even then that is not always competitive for med school though it may be for a specialized minority SMP program that has linkage to particular schools.

 

[plainolerichie]

I was wondering how long it would take someone to notice that...

Yeah, I ran across it in a search and made a post and brought it back. My bad, I should have checked the date.

 

[TimeResonance]

First off, OP never give up, (altho its probably pointless telling you this since you dont seem the give up type) if you want it bad enough it will happen. Other than that cant really give much advice as Im new here and to the process. To classiMD,

"people should not ASSUME things about any group of people. "- Classi

Interesting and very true.


"What scares me is that you all will one day be physicians, and all this sterotyping comes with an expense: the health of african american people. Since you want to quote statistics, this is the latest on cardiovascular health disparities. Minorities are 10% less likely to be diagnosed with an emergency heart situation, 30% less likely to be tested for artery blockage, 40% less likely to be treated with angioplasty and 50% less likely to undergo cardiac surgery...ALL DUE TO STEREOTYPING. This means tens of thousands of AA die annually because of stereotyping by physicians. Given this, i don't care is the mean average is 25.2 on the MCAT! We need black physicians for this very reason. And if that means that for SOME black people, a drop the MCAT and or GPA is accepted, then so be it. All I'm saying is that people need to stop making generalizations." -Classi


So now you can stereotype all physcians based on the people on this forum?

I sort of get what you are saying but the least you can do is not preach against something and then do it in your post. Gave me a good laugh.

 

[plainolerichie]

First, I'm an African American male too, and I can say that being black doesn't guarantee anything in the process even with a good GPA and decent MCAT. Just look at my MD Applicant's profile :}.

That being said, my point was although the GPA is very low, there are reasons for it that could be explained in the application and interview. The MCAT score is fairly good, and I think schools would see that he's smart and if given the opportunity without constant stress from other things, he can do well. That's why I think he has a realistic shot, not just because he's black.

Though, doing well in a post-bac program would help a lot too 👍 .