2.1 GPA. Taking MCAT THIS SUMMER

[BlackBiologist]

I'm taking MCAT this summer and that's all I'm going to do. What schools realistically could I get into if I raised my GPA. Faced a lot of hardship and I'm an URM. But I didn't want to depend on that. Also what can I did since I already graduated and haven't applied to any schools or post bacs. Thinking about taking science classes as a special student.

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[frosted_flake]

You need to work on that GPA before you take the MCAT. It is obvious that you do not have any type of foundation (not trying to be rude, I am trying to be helpful). You need to know the material from the prerequisite courses to apply on the MCAT. Being URM will help, but it will not give you a free pass with a 2.1 GPA.

How are you going to raise your GPA? Are you going to retake courses and apply DO? Do a second bachelors degree? I would not recommend a SMP for a student with a GPA that low... SMPs are essentially an "audition" for medical school that are make or break. You need to knock a SMP out of the park if you do one, otherwise, it will sink virtually every chance you would have had at getting into medical school. I would recommend a few years of straight As in undergraduate courses before proceeding either way.

 

[kamakazi5]

If you have already graduated your best shot is likely going to be to retake any C/D/Fs and apply DO. You need to get your GPA to a 3.0 just to avoid being screened out at most places and obviously the higher the better.

Edit: As said above, retaking classes and getting A's is going to be more important than worrying about the MCAT yet.

 

[BlackBiologist]

I have retaken courses and done the same because I worked two jobs and about 40/50 hrs a week. I guess taking the MCAT seems like a good option becuase I would have more than just my crappy grades to show. I have all summer and am not enrolled in classes so I figure why not use the summer to MCAT prep even if I don't take the class. I am thinking of taking more undergrad courses in advanced science and getting grades that are good but I think I'm just kind of in a "what now?" state of mind.

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

I have retaken courses and done the same because I worked two jobs and about 40/50 hrs a week. I guess taking the MCAT seems like a good option becuase I would have more than just my crappy grades to show. I have all summer and am not enrolled in classes so I figure why not use the summer to MCAT prep even if I don't take the class. I am thinking of taking more undergrad courses in advanced science and getting grades that are good but I think I'm just kind of in a "what now?" state of mind.

You're working two jobs totaling 40-50 hours? or two jobs 40 and 50 hours each? If its the latter and you're literally working 80-90 hours you will never be successful in the premed game. Too much work. If you just have a full time job and work some OT, thats nothing. A LOT of students do that and still make the grades.

A high MCAT is not going to make up for that GPA in the unlikely event you could pull a good score.

 

[gyngyn]

Do not take the MCAT. Your gpa is not consistent with success.

 

[BlackBiologist]

The latter .

 

[Goro]

MCAT scores expire, while GPAs take time to fix. Yours need lots of fixing. No med school in the world will be doing you any favors by admitting you if you'll flunk out, which your GPAs suggest.

And no, don't blame it on working and going to school at the same time. I admire the the work ethic, but to master medical school you need to walk and chew gum at the same time; meaning, you need to master time mgt.

This process is a marathon, not a sprint. If money is any issue, work and take only a course at a time, until you save up enough to go back to school part or full time and serious repair your GPA. Med schools aren't going anywhere, and by the time you're ready to apply, a bunch of new ones will have opened.

I have retaken courses and done the same because I worked two jobs and about 40/50 hrs a week. I guess taking the MCAT seems like a good option becuase I would have more than just my crappy grades to show. I have all summer and am not enrolled in classes so I figure why not use the summer to MCAT prep even if I don't take the class. I am thinking of taking more undergrad courses in advanced science and getting grades that are good but I think I'm just kind of in a "what now?" state of mind.

 

[el_duderino]

None of them. Your GPA is is far too low. Without a record of academic success at the college level, no school will consider you, no matter how many excuses you have. Having retakes with the same grades is a big mark against you as well.

To have a realistic shot at med school you would probably need to do an entirely new degree or something. If you retook most of your C or worse grades independently, and got straight As and Bs, raising your GPA up to ~3.0 then you might have a shot at a DO school.

The MCAT is a complete waste of time and money for you right now.

 

[candbgirl]

And of course there are the ECs that you need...


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[ZedsDed]

I have retaken courses and done the same because I worked two jobs and about 40/50 hrs a week. I guess taking the MCAT seems like a good option becuase I would have more than just my crappy grades to show. I have all summer and am not enrolled in classes so I figure why not use the summer to MCAT prep even if I don't take the class. I am thinking of taking more undergrad courses in advanced science and getting grades that are good but I think I'm just kind of in a "what now?" state of mind.

Unless you are financially responsible for an unemployed spouse, two kids, and a mortgage there is no reason to be working so many hours. Regardless, you cannot expect to be academically successful with such a full plate. You need to find a way to cut back on your hours, dramatically, before you do anything. And you are a ways away from being ready for the MCAT; likely multiple years.