Advice For Low Bcpm Gpa?

[The Wizard]

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Ok, so I will be a Senior in the Fall and applying to Med School for entrance in 2006 (i.e. I'm taking a year off). Although my overall GPA is pretty solid (3.6), my science GPA is low (3.15). WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Should I take some "easy" science classes like Astronomy or The Science of Rocks to pull up my GPA? Is it worth it to take a lower level intro math class to bump up this GPA or should I just go with the GPA I earned and take classes that I want to take in history and psychology?
Should I take an advanced Science class in Bio, Chem, or Physics to try to prove to adcoms that I can handle the work and just screwed up in my intro classes? Should I retake the intro classes and hope I do better?

Also, does anyone know how broadly AMCAS stretches a BPCM GPA (i.e. would a History class called the "The History of Science" count towards the BPCM GPA)?

 

[gobblety_gook]

Ok, so I will be a Senior in the Fall and applying to Med School for entrance in 2006 (i.e. I'm taking a year off). Although my overall GPA is pretty solid (3.6), my science GPA is low (3.15). WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Should I take some "easy" science classes like Astronomy or The Science of Rocks to pull up my GPA? Is it worth it to take a lower level intro math class to bump up this GPA or should I just go with the GPA I earned and take classes that I want to take in history and psychology?
Should I take an advanced Science class in Bio, Chem, or Physics to try to prove to adcoms that I can handle the work and just screwed up in my intro classes? Should I retake the intro classes and hope I do better?

Also, does anyone know how broadly AMCAS stretches a BPCM GPA (i.e. would a History class called the "The History of Science" count towards the BPCM GPA)?

First - do well on the MCATs (35+) and definately don' retake intro classes...take the harder classes and work hard for a high grade.

Second - try and do some research in a science field...or dedicate significant time to an EC of your interest. Since you're taking a year off, make sure you find something meaningful to you to do during your time off.

I'm in a very similar situation like the one you're posting...I'm currently taking a year off to do research and applying to med schools...make sure you apply to a braod range too, and I think you'll be fine.

good

 

[uclabruin2003]

i think that taking easy science classes is the way to go. i should have done that. but before you take it...def look to see if it will be categorized as a science class...otherwise....a "history of science" class most likely will not be BCPM.

i also know that DO version of AMCAS, AACOMAS categorizes classes differently than AMCAS....i think AMCAS is more generous than AACOMAS for some reason!

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

Definitely don't retake the basic classes. What a waste of time. I suggest taking some upper-division sciences that will help you in the future, such as endocrinology or nutrition. If you havnt taken statistics, do so - it can be an easy class to boost BCPM, and is required at many schools. And I wouldnt stop you from taking Astronomy - heck, you got me thinking about it 🙂

 

[indo]

astronomy classes are under physics on amcas

 

[mr. sparkle]

yeah, taking an easy science class will boost your gpa, and may help you get past a screen for primary apps (if there is one), but adcoms are sure to pick up on it.

decide for yourself:
take the kid who got the A in "Physics 800: Perpetual motion machines"
or the kid who got the A in "Physics 100: The Sun is hot."

in short, take the upper-level course and work your ass off.