4 Bad Grades

[premedding]

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I've got 3 C's and a D (retook the D and got an A). Two of the C's are in prerequisite classes, 3 are in science classes and 1 is in a gen end class. My science and cumulative gpa are both about a 3.4 (I'm a science major). I just finished my 5th semester. How am I looking gradewise? Should I retake any of the C's? All of these grades happened during my first 3 semesters and if I have another good semester like this one I expect to apply with a 3.5.

 

[No Limits]

I've got 3 C's and a D (retook the D and got an A). Two of the C's are in prerequisite classes, 3 are in science classes and 1 is in a gen end class. My science and cumulative gpa are both about a 3.4 (I'm a science major). I just finished my 5th semester. How am I looking gradewise? Should I retake any of the C's? All of these grades happened during my first 3 semesters and if I have another good semester like this one I expect to apply with a 3.5.

Tough to say, you are not doing terrible but you are not doing great either. It may be time to reevaluate your studying habits in science courses if you haven't already because a bunch of C's will not cut it. Let's try to put a stop to that right now. I say if you start getting a bunch of A's, do great on the MCAT, and apply broadly to both MD and DO schools you should be alright.

I don't think retaking the C's will do anything for you. It might be better to take some upper division science courses to show med schools you can handle the classes. An upward trend can help dig you out of the hole you are in.

 

[premedding]

Yeah I had a downward trend my first 3 semesters and that's when all this happened. But I pulled straight 4.0s these past 2 semesters and think I can do it again for a third 4.0 semester. Am I really in a hole though? Is 3.4/3.5 not considered good anymore?

 

[lazyindy]

Yeah I had a downward trend my first 3 semesters and that's when all this happened. But I pulled straight 4.0s these past 2 semesters and think I can do it again for a third 4.0 semester. Am I really in a hole though? Is 3.4/3.5 not considered good anymore?

If you're earning straight A's your last 2 semesters and continue the excellent effort you will be fine. An upward trend is looked favorably upon so I wouldn't worry too much about it. At this point you want to focus on doing really well on the MCAT.

 

[premedding]

Thanks. What MCAT do I need to put me in a good position?

 

[No Limits]

Yeah I had a downward trend my first 3 semesters and that's when all this happened. But I pulled straight 4.0s these past 2 semesters and think I can do it again for a third 4.0 semester. Am I really in a hole though? Is 3.4/3.5 not considered good anymore?

The average GPA for accepted students is higher than what it use to be. The upward trend is great, I just wouldn't retake the C's. Are you doing well in your science courses now? I know you said you got straight A's but were you taking science courses or any pre reqs these past two semesters?

 

[premedding]

Yes my schedule has mostly consisted of science classes. I'd say it has been about 30 hours of science classes these past 2 semesters, including summer school. I've taken 5 pre reqs these past 2 semesters, including the one I retook.

 

[No Limits]

Yes my schedule has mostly consisted of science classes. I'd say it has been about 30 hours of science classes these past 2 semesters, including summer school. I've taken 5 pre reqs these past 2 semesters, including the one I retook.

👍 In that case, just keep up the good work and make sure those rough semesters remain a thing in the past and do well on the MCAT.

 

[ThisCouldBeYou]

What MCAT do I need to put me in a good position?

What a silly question. If the answer was a 45, would you have failed if you ended up with a 40?

I've got 3 C's and a D (retook the D and got an A). Two of the C's are in prerequisite classes, 3 are in science classes and 1 is in a gen end class.

Don't retake classes! One doesn't cancel the other out, but instead, are averaged together. That D shows as a D. You are MUCH better off if you take a higher level course, showing improvement.

 

[occams_razor]

I've got 3 C's and a D (retook the D and got an A). Two of the C's are in prerequisite classes, 3 are in science classes and 1 is in a gen end class. My science and cumulative gpa are both about a 3.4 (I'm a science major). I just finished my 5th semester. How am I looking gradewise? Should I retake any of the C's? All of these grades happened during my first 3 semesters and if I have another good semester like this one I expect to apply with a 3.5.

if you can get your GPA up to a 3.5 that would be good, that's about average for all applicants - but for matriculants it's higher, around 3.7. You can definitely still get in with a 3.5 though - just make sure your MCAT, extracurriculars and letters of recommendation are solid. Forget retaking, just do well in upper division science classes and do well on the MCAT. Also apply early and broadly.

 

[premedding]

What's considered a good MCAT score?

 

[knv2u]

What's considered a good MCAT score?

This is school dependent. Generally, to secure an acceptance to an allopathic medical school most schools will want a 30 or higher.

 

[kyamh]

This is school dependent. Generally, to secure an acceptance to an allopathic medical school most schools will want a 30 or higher.

Though with your lower GPA I would say you should try and wait to take the exam until you average at least a 33.

 

[T3ckFr3s]

If you can maintain that GPA and get a 30+ MCAT score. You could probably get into a lower tier medical school with good ECs and LORs.

Or you could try applying to a DO instead of MD school.

 

[Omppu27]

I'll join in with what most people are saying. Don't retake the Cs, get As in upper level courses, get 32+ on the mcat (average matriculant mcat is 32), your upward trend looks great and will be taken into consideration. Also update schools on your grades you receive during your senior year as long as you keep getting As. This will continue to help your below average accepted GPA

 

[thegypsyqueen]

what MCAT would be needed for schools like OSU if you are a non-science major with a 3.8 GPA overall, but these scores:
B in gen chem 2 and cell bio
B+ in orgo lab
A- in physics 2
All As in other general pre-med science classes ?

Sorry for interrupting the thread

According to this: http://medicine.osu.edu/students/admissions/Class Profile/Class Profile.pdf, probably a 33 or 32 would still be competitive. It will be worthwhile to be able to find this information on your own before you apply though. All I did was go to TheOSU's website and clicked a few links.

 

[premedding]

Will they be concerned if my trend looks similar to the graph of f(x)=abs(x), even if the last 3 semesters have been up?

 

[premedding]

kind of like this from freshman year to the end of junior year?

 

[premedding]

Didn't hit a 0 gpa though, but yeah this graph should give the basic idea. Downward trend the first 3 semesters and an upward trend the last 3 semesters.