3.1 GPA options

[flashdeane]

Hey guys. I have a 3.1 cGPA, around 3.12 sGPA. Realistically, too low for MD. I knew this when I graduated 3 years ago, so I went to grad school instead. Got an MPH with a 3.8 GPA. Have been working in public health since. Have a year of research and some volunteer work and shadowing.

I was wondering if the GPA is too lethal to overcome? I figured as much several years ago, but I'm wondering if I do some post bac classes at university, coupled with the graduate degree, if I have a chance.

Some context about the undergrad GPA: I originally made C's in most science courses so I retook most courses but only made B's, so I already have a lot of undergraduate hours.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[gyngyn]

Have you considered DO?

 

[flashdeane]

Have you considered DO?

I am not averse, especially if it is the only realistic option.

Also, sorry, I should have mentioned in the title that I am in Texas.

 

[gyngyn]

I am not adverse, especially if it is the only realistic option.

Also, sorry, I should have mentioned in the title that I am in Texas.

They put a lot of stock in undergrad gpa's in TX.

 

[Faha]

DO is your best option but you need to score 500 or better on the MCAT and apply broadly to at least 15 schools with an emphasis on newer schools.

 

[flashdeane]

DO is your best option but you need to score 500 or better on the MCAT and apply broadly to at least 15 schools with an emphasis on newer schools.

Thank you for the response. For DO, is a high MCAT score enough or would somebody with my GPA need something like a Master of Science or PhD?

 

[GrapesofRath]

Thank you for the response. For DO, is a high MCAT score enough or would somebody with my GPA need something like a Master of Science or PhD?

Masters and PhD grades mean very little for Medical School admission. Success in undergrad classes is what does.

65th+ percentile on the MCAT should be your goal. Getting B's on classes you re-took is not a very good sign. It's not crazy to apply as is with a solid MCAT score to DO's but it would benefit you greatly to do a year of strong post-bacc work(3.7+). Your overall GPA isn't everything; it's proving you can do well in med school and getting B's in classes you re-took doesn't do that at all. Even if after a year of strong post-bacc work you only have something like a 3.17 that's fine. The upward trend will help you alot.

MD wise is much trickier and honestly unless you have an exceptional MCAT showing it isn't something I would focus much on.

 

[Faha]

Thank you for the response. For DO, is a high MCAT score enough or would somebody with my GPA need something like a Master of Science or PhD?

The high MCAT will help. If you score 508 or higher you should be able to receive interviews if you apply to many schools. Between 500 and 508 you still have a chance with the newer schools.

 

[Grace184]

Hey guys. I have a 3.1 cGPA, around 3.12 sGPA. Realistically, too low for MD. I knew this when I graduated 3 years ago, so I went to grad school instead. Got an MPH with a 3.8 GPA. Have been working in public health since. Have a year of research and some volunteer work and shadowing.

I was wondering if the GPA is too lethal to overcome? I figured as much several years ago, but I'm wondering if I do some post bac classes at university, coupled with the graduate degree, if I have a chance.

Some context about the undergrad GPA: I originally made C's in most science courses so I retook most courses but only made B's, so I already have a lot of undergraduate hours.

So is your undergrad gpa including the retakes?
Under a 3.25 sGPA will get you screened out at some schools, just so you're aware.
Can you elaborate on "some volunteer work and some shadowing"? How many hours? This could help you if its a decent amount.
Also, make sure to look into schools that need a DO LOR if you don't have one/need to get one.

 

[NewHorizons]

-

 

[Cardboard101]

Pardon me for my lack of understanding... but why isn't a two year MPH program that's mostly course-based with some field experience not considered important? Alternatively, why is post-bacc better than doing an MPH? I found my MPH incredibly rewarding and learned so much about health from a holistic point of view. Sometimes I find the stigma against course-based masters quite distasteful.

They didn't say it was unimportant. The grades aren't. Graduate course grades are inflated and adcoms know this. Doing a post-bacc shows you can handle medical school coursework.
To summarize: Your options are to 1. Do a postbacc in order to raise your ugpa. 2. Apply to and ace an SMP (3.7+) coupled with a strong mcat.

 

[gyngyn]

Pardon me for my lack of understanding... but why isn't a two year MPH program that's mostly course-based with some field experience not considered important? Alternatively, why is post-bacc better than doing an MPH? I found my MPH incredibly rewarding and learned so much about health from a holistic point of view. Sometimes I find the stigma against course-based masters quite distasteful.

Master's degrees can be very rewarding.
Now you will have more to talk about in your essays and interviews.
We do not disparage this choice
The grades from them don't remediate a weak undergrad gpa, though.

OP posted here to get perspective.
If we don't tell him the truth, he can't make reasonable choices.

 

[Goro]

The rigor of MPH programs is hard to gauge compared to post-bacs or SMPs.

For example, how would you compare doing well in Anatomy, Physiology, and Neuroscience with Maternal & Child Nutrition, Global Environmental Health Environment and Brain or Quality & Inequality in Health Care: Examination of Health Services?

These are real courses at one MPH program.

The whole point about many MS programs is that they don't give us a good idea that you can handle a med school curriculum.

Pardon me for my lack of understanding... but why isn't a two year MPH program that's mostly course-based with some field experience not considered important? Alternatively, why is post-bacc better than doing an MPH? I found my MPH incredibly rewarding and learned so much about health from a holistic point of view. Sometimes I find the stigma against course-based masters quite distasteful.