Admissions, GPA's and requirements.

[Ronny]

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I'm a freshman at a state University in Ohio. I went one semester and took some easy, basic courses and a math to get familiar with college. I had straight A's except for my public speaking class (I'm a poor public speaker, I almost had a panic attack in that class and I only got a b- even though I worked dilligently and got A's or A minueses on all the tests) and easily got an A in math and english. Then I had the summer off and was going to start with the regular pre-med stuff, bio, chem, pre-calc, etc. I really messed up and got involved with the wrong crowd and got on drugs and had a girlfriend 100 miles away. Well basically, the second semester I didn't attend class at all or even withdraw and I have 16 credits worth of F's on my transcript now. I was not dismissed for grades but I guess my status is academic probation. This was about 2 years ago now and I'm planning on going back and I'm saving my money now because my financial aid got canceled for bad grades. Now, I'm clean and sober and thinking about my future again. My dream is to be a physician but I'm afraid that with such a horrible blemish on my record that it will be impossible to be admitted to any med school ,even 4 years from now. I've heard that even if you retake classes and get A's the lower grade still counts in your GPA for admission purposes for medical and dental schools.

My question is basically this, I know I'm a brilliant student and am capable of getting good grades. When I retake my classes I screwed up in and go through college in the pre med biology program will I still be able to gain admissions to a medical school. Will they over look my past because I've learned from my mistakes and made good since? It's my dream and I don't want to give up on it. In high school I had good grades and I know I'm capable of getting mostly A's in the sciences in college. Will my past ruin any chance I have to be a doctor for the rest of my life? Or will I still have a chance to be admitted?

<img border="0" alt="[Pity]" title="" src="graemlins/pity.gif" />

 

[Ronny]

Also, does anyone have a link to a web page that lists statistics on average grades and MCAT scores of people accepted to various med schools in America? I can not seem to find a resource like that available for free. I went on the US News website but they wanted to charge to see infornmatio about med schools.

 

[MaggieD]

Hey there
I had quite a simliar situation. I did almost the exact thing you did, only I spread it out over 3 semesters before the school finally kicked me out. I have a fistful of F's on my transcript. Here's what I did:
This occured in 1996-97. So, after the school kicked me to the curb, I knew had to get my life together and act like an adult. So I joined the Army for 4 years. Now, I am by no means saying you should join the military, but for me, it was just what I needed to put my life in context. 4 years gives you a lot of time to figure out what is important to you. I learned more about myself than I ever thought possible. I was discharged last May, and since then I returned to undergrad. I could'nt be more pleased with my academic record now.

I wish I could tell you that medical schools will understand your past, but I don't know that for a fact. I hav'nt applied yet (next year) and honestly, sometimes I am scared that I have no chance. My cum GPA is crippled severely by my past screwup. How an adcom will respond to this is yet to be seen. At the very least, I have a good personal statement to write.
What I can tell you for sure is that if you take what happened and grow from it, than you have achieved something truly remarkable. You have grown to better understand yourself, and that is something that is priceless. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[The Mysterious Stranger]

No one knows, but the ADCOMS, how students are judged. However, I have been told by advisors and reps from med schools that your academic record as a whole is considered, including trends. This means not just did you bust out a 4.0 but how many hours did you take each semester, did you take advanced courses/honors courses...I actually think, in this respect, 4 F's is better than one b/c 4 indicates there was a serious problem (not an inability to understand biochem). Additionally, med schools tend to want older students who have had life experiences. I think you won't be at a disadvantaged and in some cases you might even have an edge. Just apply as early as possible, don't bomb the MCAT, obtain clinical experience (and what other ECs interest you) and you should be fine. Don't give up! You have confidence in your own ability and that's really a major part of succeeding. Here is a link that gives the characteristics of matriculants v. applicants for various states (it includes many factors like race, income, sex, age, MCAT scores, GPA's):

<a href="http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/examineedata/pubs.htm" target="_blank">http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/examineedata/pubs.htm</a>

If you want stats on specific schools check out their websites or buy the MSAR. Most HPO's have a copy of the MSAR that students can view for free. Good Luck!

 

[lilycat]

No one can tell you for sure what will happen. But I have heard of a lot of people in similar situations who return to school, really kick ass academically (both in class and on the MCAT), and do get into med school, even some of the really competitive programs. Definitely retake the classes to show that you can do the work and do it well. If you aren't doing a biology major or something related, I would also recommend taking some upper level biology classes in addition to the standard premed requirements to prove that you are capable of the work. If you can do well in all these classes (ie, mostly A's) and the rest of your application is competitive (some health care experience, volunteer work, extracurrics., possibly research), you should be able to create a competitive application for med school. And hopefully the academic trouble in your past will help give you some material to work with for a compelling personal statement. (Note -- don't mention the drug stuff unless you have to, ie, if you were convicted of a drug-related offense or something). Good luck.

 

[The Mysterious Stranger]

I have the issue of US News and World Report that provides stats for the top tier (first 50) med schools. If you want specifcs on any of those schools just ask and I'll post the GPA's and MCATS. The MSAR gives more detail than US NEWS, though.