2.3 GPA. I know my grades dont show alot but what are my options? please read.

[broly629]

Hey everyone! so I just graduated from a UC school in california with a 2.3 GPA. I know my chances are slim to none, I have completed most of the prerequisites with at least a C+ in the science courses but my GPA is a 2.3 because I did absolutely nothing during my time here. I have spent the last year at a CC earning at least a 3.75 and above to try and prove my worth (or become a dental hygienist at least) but I want to know, if i want to pursue med school what are my options? I know, 2.3 gpa is low and i get it, im going to get bashed, but med school is my dream and ill save you my SOB story but what is my option to get there at this point? Im thinking of caribbean at this point if I can maintain a 3.75 or above for at least 2-3 more years. any help is appreciated.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[En3rgy]

What is your overall cGPA and sGPA?

 

[broly629]

cGPA is 2.3 and sGPA is a 2.6. I know its fairly low. these are the stats i have leaving the school. 0 excuses for my laziness but I have tried to work very hard this last year to try and prove my worth the next following years. My GPA has probably gone up from that however considering my grades from the CC but im trying to go off the stats i graduated with

 

[En3rgy]

You need to calculate your overall cGPA/sGPA so you know where you're at now. Anyways, they are both most likely still less than 3.00. Figure out how many more classes you need to get your cGPA/sGPA up to =>3.00. You will need to continue taking post-bac classes and earning straight A's. You really can't afford even a B+ at this point. If you can continue the upward trend for another year (or two), and also perform well on the MCAT, then there's no reason why you wouldn't have a shot.

 

[broly629]

you think id have a shot even at a caribbean as long as i earn the required grades to achieve a 3.0? also im a minority I know its no excuse but I do understand it can help me to a degree

 

[bigindian4891]

you think id have a shot even at a caribbean as long as i earn the required grades to achieve a 3.0? also im a minority I know its no excuse but I do understand it can help me to a degree

Dont go caribbean. You have a high chance of failing out, and even so not a great chance of becoming a physician. If youre willing to take many more classes to get that GPA above a 3.0, are able to destroy the MCAT, and come up with a great story, then you may have a chance. Is it worth it? Thats up to you.

 

[kubyx]

Right now I think you'd need to be an URM and have one hell of a story, along with a strong mcat, to have a chance anywhere stateside. To give you perspective, I have a ~3.5 cgpa and most schools told me my poor gpa was a major sore spot on my app.

Don't go carrib, that's akin to going to the casino to hit early retirement. I don't even know if a SMP would help with your undergrad being that low.

I think, realistically, you need to retake any and all upper division and pre reqs you did poorly in and get an A. You then need to rock the mcat. And during those two things, you need to put in some committed volunteering to one or two devoted causes so that you can begin crafting a narrative for why medicine. Whether all of that effort is worth it just for the chance at getting in somewhere is up to you.

 

[bears1992]

Do a postbac at 3.8+ GPA until you get both your cGPA and sGPA at/above 3.0. Then apply DO with a 20+ school list with at least a 500 MCAT. I don't even think the "big four" would even take you with that GPA. The other Caribbean schools have more than 60% attrition rates which should be a crime. Two years of solid postbac work should get you above the 3.0 cutoffs AND will give you a great upward trend that DO schools look for. You'll probably need to do a SMP after your two year postbac if you want a shot at MD.

There are very very few situations where the Caribbean should be used (2.0 GPA with 200+ credits, multiple old IA's, multiple academic dismissals). My GPA is a 3.14 which is very low, even for DO, BUT since I'm getting passed the 3.0 screens and have a great postbac GPA, I've already got two II. Just focus on the upward trend/3.0 combo and it should put any GPA concerns to rest.

Good Luck!

 

[Govols22]

Do a postbac at 3.8+ GPA until you get both your cGPA and sGPA at/above 3.0. Then apply DO with a 20+ school list with at least a 500 MCAT. I don't even think the "big four" would even take you with that GPA. The other Caribbean schools have more than 60% attrition rates which should be a crime. Two years of solid postbac work should get you above the 3.0 cutoffs AND will give you a great upward trend that DO schools look for. You'll probably need to do a SMP after your two year postbac if you want a shot at MD.

There are very very few situations where the Caribbean should be used (2.0 GPA with 200+ credits, multiple old IA's, multiple academic dismissals). My GPA is a 3.14 which is very low, even for DO, BUT since I'm getting passed the 3.0 screens and have a great postbac GPA, I've already got two II. Just focus on the upward trend/3.0 combo and it should put any GPA concerns to rest.

Good Luck!

Who are the big four exactly?

 

[bears1992]

St. George
American University
Ross
Saba

The success rates for these schools are still atrocious when compared to US DO and MD schools.

 

[broly629]

Are there any post baccs that anyone knows that are willing to accept me with my current stats? Or do I need to wait a few years and continue to retake courses before applying to a post bac to begin with? Thank you all for all the help so far!

 

[bears1992]

You are probably going to be better off doing a DIY postbac.

 

[Goro]

Hey everyone! so I just graduated from a UC school in california with a 2.3 GPA. I know my chances are slim to none, I have completed most of the prerequisites with at least a C+ in the science courses but my GPA is a 2.3 because I did absolutely nothing during my time here. I have spent the last year at a CC earning at least a 3.75 and above to try and prove my worth (or become a dental hygienist at least) but I want to know, if i want to pursue med school what are my options? I know, 2.3 gpa is low and i get it, im going to get bashed, but med school is my dream and ill save you my SOB story but what is my option to get there at this point? Im thinking of caribbean at this point if I can maintain a 3.75 or above for at least 2-3 more years. any help is appreciated.

Carib schools get fat and rich on desperate suckers like you. Don't go down that path.

Read this instead:

• Goro's Advice for DO Applicants in Absence of Grade Replacement (2016-17 cycle)

 

[broly629]

Also I forgot to mention, DO schools work for me as well. I'm not simply looking at MD. I'm seeing all my options (MD, DO, and Caribbean)

 

[broly629]

You are probably going to be better off doing a DIY postbac.

What is a DIY? As in I just take the courses on my own rather than a post back program?

 

[broly629]

Carib schools get fat and rich on desperate suckers like you. Don't go down that path.

Read this instead:

• Goro's Advice for DO Applicants in Absence of Grade Replacement (2016-17 cycle)

Yea I figured as much, as of now I'm just trying to evaluate the best route for me but thank you! Caribbean would be a last minute reach for the stars but I'm leaning more towards DO since it sounds like the best route.

 

[broly629]

Carib schools get fat and rich on desperate suckers like you. Don't go down that path.

Read this instead:

• Goro's Advice for DO Applicants in Absence of Grade Replacement (2016-17 cycle)

Is there a way to pin this? I really like this thread you posted

 

[I'mJustCurious]

- ACE a DIY post-bac
- Score HIGH on the MCAT
- Do well on an SMP

That's probably your best chances in getting into medical school. It will take a lot of time and money but if you really want it you're going to have to earn and prove it. I'm rooting for ya!

 

[bears1992]

What is a DIY? As in I just take the courses on my own rather than a post back program?

Yep. It's how I did my postbac. Much much cheaper than a formal postbac.

 

[broly629]

Yep. It's how I did my postbac. Much much cheaper than a formal postbac.

Is it like getting a second bac? or how does it work exactly? I would like to start this whenever I could. Im taking the courses at a CC right now but I also understand it would be more beneficial if I took them at a regular university or state school.

 

[bears1992]

Is it like getting a second bac? or how does it work exactly? I would like to start this whenever I could. Im taking the courses at a CC right now but I also understand it would be more beneficial if I took them at a regular university or state school.

DO doesn't really care where you take them. You just start taking science courses (Bio/Chem/Physics) to get your GPA up. Postbacs are used to take required prereqs and/or boost GPA.

 

[workaholic181]

Find out what your GPA is with your CC classes. Get a part time healthcare job and take more CC courses until you are above a 3.0. If you have a strong MCAT you could apply at that time to DO and maybe MD (assuming 516+ For md). If not, you could at that point do an SMP.

It's not impossible OP but it will take years and money to even get into medical school. There is also little to no room for error. Good luck!

 

[festivespartan]

Is it like getting a second bac? or how does it work exactly? I would like to start this whenever I could. Im taking the courses at a CC right now but I also understand it would be more beneficial if I took them at a regular university or state school.

University of New England offers some good science prerequisite classes all online for relatively cheap (~$350/credit). I would check with a few schools that you would be interested in applying to to make sure that they would accept these credits before you jump in, but I just took a Microbio course through them and have no complaints about the experience. Easy to register, work at your own pace (I finished the course with a 16-week limit in roughly 9 weeks), relatively easy coursework compared to what I was used to at the Big Ten school where I did my undergrad. Courses start twice a month, too, so it's super flexible with your schedule. Definitely check with some schools to make sure that those grades will be valid from their perspective, though.

 

[bears1992]

University of New England offers some good science prerequisite classes all online for relatively cheap (~$350/credit). I would check with a few schools that you would be interested in applying to to make sure that they would accept these credits before you jump in, but I just took a Microbio course through them and have no complaints about the experience. Easy to register, work at your own pace (I finished the course with a 16-week limit in roughly 9 weeks), relatively easy coursework compared to what I was used to at the Big Ten school where I did my undergrad. Courses start twice a month, too, so it's super flexible with your schedule. Definitely check with some schools to make sure that those grades will be valid from their perspective, though.

While I agree that UNE is convenient, it is no way "cheap". Biochem is like 1300 bucks... online.

 

[festivespartan]

While I agree that UNE is convenient, it is no way "cheap". Biochem is like 1300 bucks... online.

Compared to my undergrad, $1300 for 4 credits is pretty reasonable

 

[el_duderino]

My question is what makes you think you would be successful at any medical school, Caribbean or not, given your total failure to be successful at undergraduate level study?

 

[broly629]

My question is what makes you think you would be successful at any medical school, Caribbean or not, given your total failure to be successful at undergraduate level study?

This is what I really want to do with my life. I know I have spent the last few years doing absolutely nothing but its different for me now. Im not going to bore you with the sob story of my life because its irrelevant to the fact that this is what I want to do. I just spent the last year or so earning a 3.75+. I know it seems my dedication was lacking previously but this is what I am going to do now. Im here to find out how to dig myself out of the whole I made. I had one successful year during my undergrad but once again, life happens but this is where I am now.

 

[el_duderino]

Just because you want to do it doesn't mean you're ready to. Frankly, a 3.75 at a community college isn't very impressive. One out of four grades at CC shouldn't be a B.

You have a lot of work to do before you could consider yourself at all ready for the rigors of medical school. And more still before any medical school does. Good luck to you.

 

[Doc_Ock]

DIY postbacc (or a good formal one if you get lucky), study your ass off for the mcat.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[el_duderino]

Disagree with that.

I did terrible in the beginning of undergrad... I got kicked out of a program in my first year of college with a 2.3 science and 2.5 overall gpa with people saying I would amount to nothing in life but now i'm a DO medical student . Nothing beats hard work. You know what Goku use to say from DBZ? Where there is a will theres a way.

Try to give the OP a little better motivation than what you gave next time.

I had two semesters of straight Fs and got into an MD program with a 2.8 cGPA. I didn't need anyone to motivate or encourage me. In fact, if I did need some anonymous internet people to motivate me, I probably would not have gotten far.

I'm not posting to motivate anyone. I'm answering his question. He can motivate himself if he wants to. I want him to have a realistic view of where he is and what needs to be done.

 

[el_duderino]

Excuse me for striking a nerve.

... lol I think I struck a nerve. Btw Dude I wasn't trying be insulting. That was just my opinion you don't have to agree with me. And no I wasn't trying to motivate you, that is you being defensive. Again this is a forum, everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. And i'm probably not the last person that will be responding to your comments. Btw good job on your success and good luck in school.

I think you're reading a lot into that post that isn't there. You told me to do something, and it's not something I want to do. So I said so, and further tried to explain my thought process. If "everyone is entitled to their own beliefs" then maybe you shouldn't tell other people how to behave?

 

[Goro]

I think you're reading a lot into that post that isn't there. You told me to do something, and it's not something I want to do. So I said so, and further tried to explain my thought process. If "everyone is entitled to their own beliefs" then maybe you shouldn't tell other people how to behave?

The fact that your bringing up your 'two semesters of straight Fs' shows that I did strike a nerve lol. Also did you forget I did say good job on your success? But I guess that goes out the door since your emotional. You don't have to be so defensive and I don't think i'm reading something into your response that isn't there. You are cherry picking what you want to bring up (i.e: ignoring the good things I said about you), which does not fly. But again, your free to do what you want.
I'm not telling you how to behave, which I assume you mean I am ordering you or commanding you? Which is an an order or a command? It was a recommendation which you don't have to agree with. Btw, do you honestly believe I have a role in shaping your behavior? I did not know I had that much power, but thanks for the ego boost friend. You interpreted it as an attack on your ego or on what your capable of doing. I think your grades speak for themselves, which I did commend, and you chose not to even bring up.
Which is fair, but feel free to respond again and ignore every good thing I did bring up lol.

Both of you, CHILL!!!!

 

[premedbrah]

I like turtles

 

[Xavieous]

I would read some of the stories on this thread:

LOW GPA/MCAT Success Stories (Posts by Nontrads Already Accepted to Med School)

and make a realistic plan that will bring you above the 3.0 cutoff. You will need to invest some serious time to reinvent your scholastic abilities, but you can do it if you are deadset on this battle. Just make sure you eat, sleep, and breath academic success! Get all of your academics together, calculate your GPA, and start from there. Figure out how many As you need to get. Make sure it is As, nont A-, definetily not B+. STRAIGHT As FROM NOW ON. If you can figure out how you as a person can do that, then you have just as good a shot as anyone. Good luck.