Advice for a backup plan?

[aloughhe]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I'm waitlisted at 2 schools, and I'm not giving up yet, but I'm trying to solidify a Plan B. If I don't get in, I want to reapply for next year. I want to take classes to erase any doubt about my slightly lower GPA (3.4 overall). Any advice? I work at Emory and get classes for free, so should I take graduate classes, or re-take pre-med classes I didn't do as well in?

 

[mikedc813]

This really depends on how "poorly" you did in your premed classes. Can you elaborate? Also, how was your MCAT score? Maybe it wasn't even your GPA that kept you from getting in by now, so I wouldn't jump into taking classes right away.

If your premed classes weren't horrible, I don't know if it's worth retaking. I might take some similar classes instead. I know Brandeis if I retook a class both grades wouldn't be factored into my gpa. So I'm not sure how Emory does it.

 

[aloughhe]

This really depends on how "poorly" you did in your premed classes. Can you elaborate? Also, how was your MCAT score? Maybe it wasn't even your GPA that kept you from getting in by now, so I wouldn't jump into taking classes right away.

If your premed classes weren't horrible, I don't know if it's worth retaking. I might take some similar classes instead. I know Brandeis if I retook a class both grades wouldn't be factored into my gpa. So I'm not sure how Emory does it.

I got a C+ in Orgo 2, and a B- in physics 2. Everything else was A or B-ish. I got a 8,9,10, O on the MCAT. The reason why I think it's my grades (and MCAT, probably), is because I spoke with the Dean at UChicago after finding out I was waitlisted, and she said that I looked great, but they were surprised my grades aren't higher (I have a few publications, etc.) At that point, I gave her explanations, and she seemed pleased. I would ask for her advice now, but I don't want to give her the impression that I'm giving up yet. Thanks for your help!

 

[ZOT! ZOT!]

I got a C+ in Orgo 2, and a B- in physics 2. Everything else was A or B-ish. I got a 8,9,10, O on the MCAT. The reason why I think it's my grades (and MCAT, probably), is because I spoke with the Dean at UChicago after finding out I was waitlisted, and she said that I looked great, but they were surprised my grades aren't higher (I have a few publications, etc.) At that point, I gave her explanations, and she seemed pleased. I would ask for her advice now, but I don't want to give her the impression that I'm giving up yet. Thanks for your help!

My guess would be the low MCAT score...

 

[Newquagmire]

i dont think that by asking her advice you would give the impression of giving up. there's nothing wrong with asking for help, especially from someone you trust to give you good information.

i think if you had an interview and were waitlisted, it didn't have to do as much with your grades/mcat as it did your interview/expressed motivations. all things being equal, there may simply be people who had the same research experience you did but also had better grades/mcat that were given preference...