Advice Needed--Long Question

[The Philosopher]

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Alright,

So here's the situation. I'm applying this coming summer, but I have a question about my grades (I will be taking the April MCAT).

I am a 5th year senior, Biology and History double major. I decided to stay a 5th year because I wanted the History degree and because I wanted to improve my ugrad GPA.

After this semester, I have gotten my Science GPA up to a 3.50 and my Cum GPA at about 3.57...so I have gotten in the ballpark of admissions.

The prob is that I have had some trouble with cell bio/genetics and with chem.

In the past, I got a B- in an intro genetics course, C+ in O Chem I and a C+ in a middle-(200)level cell bio course, and then I got a C- in a middle-level (200) genetics course....yea, ouch...

So, this last semester, I took an advanced Physiology (300) level cell and membrane course and I got an "A", I took O-Chem II and got a B+, I took O-Chem lab 2 semesters ago and got an "A", I took a cells/tissues lab and got an "A", and I took a molecular evolution course (300) level with genetics as a background and got an "A".

My question--do you think this is "proficiency enough" for my past 4 bad grades?

Next semester, I plan on taking a different 200 level cells/tissues course, an advanced physio (300) level systems course, a 200 level cells/tissues lab course, and I want to take that 200-level C- genetics over again. Would all this be overkill? I really feel that I should take them because I need to prove I am capable of handling the work.

Then, next year, I am doing a Microbiology MS in which I will be taking Biochem lecture, labs, and upper division genetics courses. (so you see...this year is all "fixing" up the cell bio stuff, the summer and early next year is fixing biochem and genetics stuff).
...but schools won't have my grades until I am well into the admissions process for next year.

Anyway, sorry for the long message. I really do appreciate all of your responses and advice.

 

[Woots32]

Are you at U of I? Just curious, because I graduated from there last month.

I'd say go for it - you never know unless you try. There's alot more in the admissions process than straight out GPA, though you will be asked to explain your grades in interviews. Are you sure you're not going to be swamped? If you take too many bio courses (that you've struggled with in the past) at the same time, you might not have as good of a chance to improve.

Good luck! 🙂

 

[badgergirl]

Hey, well it sounds like you're doing everything right -- fixing your grades, taking more science, and so on. I think the history major will definitely help you out -- med schools really seem to like the non-trad major. Since the schools won't have your grades until you're well into the process, I would definitely try to address your situation in your personal statement. You have demonstrated a lot of tenacity and perseverence, and you're obviously very determined to change, so you should write about that. You recognized that you had to make some changes and went about doing so -- always a good thing to talk about. Getting good LOR's from science AND history professors should help too. Bad grades are only bad if you don't try to change them. Keep on truckin -- I think you're doing an awesome job. Kudos, and good luck!

 

[care bear]

i feel like upper level bios vary so much in difficulty from school to school that it doesn't seem as if they're consistently used as a standard by which to measure your science capability. plus, like everyone said, you've got/ are going for plenty of good grades later on too.
the prereqs and the general gpa seem to be by far the biggest yardstick from what i can tell. . of course, i am not accepted yet so take this w/a grain of salt!