Advice Needed: Low GPA, Good MCAT, Working Abroad

[yunamm]

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Hi All!

I graduated in 2010 with an AACOMAS cGPA of 2.95 and sGPA 2.68/ AMCAS cGPA 2.94 sGPA 2.65 in Biology. I received an MPH in 2015. In 2017, I took the MCAT and scored 513 after self studying for 4 months. Previously, I took the MCAT in 2015 and scored a 23. I am a black American woman that also speaks Spanish, French and German. Married and no kids.

I have been working in global health all over the world for the past three plus years with well known health NGOs. Before this, I did clinical research, AmericaCorps in community health and then health policy research. Currently, I am still abroad in Europe working in medical research with two publications and more to come.

I would like to apply to medical school in 3 years (2023-2024). Any advice on how to strengthen my application over the next few years? I will still be abroad and am unsure of how well an online diy post bac would be received by admission committees.

 

[Faha]

You will need to take enough undergraduate level science courses in your DIY post bacc to raise both your cGPA and sGPA to 3.0 . You will also need to retake the MCAT in 2022 since your score from 2017 will have expired for almost all schools by then.

 

[yunamm]

You will need to take enough undergraduate level science courses in your DIY post bacc to raise both your cGPA and sGPA to 3.0 . You will also need to retake the MCAT in 2022 since your score from 2017 will have expired for almost all schools by then.

Thank you for your feedback! I agree. Financial and time wise, I am able to do this. I am considering applying in 2025 so that I can reach over 3.0 for sGPA and attend in person high level science classes after my work contract is over in Europe.

My biggest concern is having to do everything online since I am abroad. @Faha Do you think pushing back my application to 2025 is a better option so that I can enroll in a second bachelors to take higher level science classes on campus after completing a series of online classes?

 

[Faha]

A year taking undergraduate level science courses on campus would be a better option since some schools do not accept online courses (although that may change with the COVID-19 pandemic). The GPA-MCAT grid shows you currently have ~50% chance for a MD acceptance. If both your cGPA and sGPA increase to 3.0 those chances go up to ~80% assuming you score the same on your MCAT.

 

[yunamm]

A year taking undergraduate level science courses on campus would be a better option since some schools do not accept online courses (although that may change with the COVID-19 pandemic). The GPA-MCAT grid shows you currently have ~50% chance for a MD acceptance. If both your cGPA and sGPA increase to 3.0 those chances go up to ~80% assuming you score the same on your MCAT.

Got it. Your advice helps me more than you know. It reinforces the fact that this is not and can’t be a sprint for me. I will plan to take two courses during the pandemic online and contact schools that I may have a chance at/check MSAR to see their policy on online courses.

Bottomline, I’ll plan to spend a year after my contract at my local 4 year. Thanks again @Faha!

 

[Goro]

Hi All!

I graduated in 2010 with an AACOMAS cGPA of 2.95 and sGPA 2.68/ AMCAS cGPA 2.94 sGPA 2.65 in Biology. I received an MPH in 2015. In 2017, I took the MCAT and scored 513 after self studying for 4 months. Previously, I took the MCAT in 2015 and scored a 23. I am a black American woman that also speaks Spanish, French and German. A little Hindi too. Married and no kids.

I have been working in global health all over the world for the past three plus years with well known health NGOs. Before this, I did clinical research, AmericaCorps in community health and then health policy research. Currently, I am still abroad in Europe working in medical research with two publications and more to come.

I would like to apply to medical school in 3 years (2023-2024). Any advice on how to strengthen my application over the next few years? I will still be abroad and am unsure of how well an online diy post bac would be received by admission committees.

Read this. Your GPAs are lethal for med school right now:

• Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention

 

[yunamm]

Read this. Your GPAs are lethal for med school right now:

• Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention

@Goro what do you mean by lethal? Sorry, I just haven’t heard the term used referencing grades/admission. Thanks for sharing the link, your advice for reinventing has been the blueprint for my diy post bacc. I am just hoping it is enough.

 

[lumya]

Goro what do you mean by lethal? Sorry, I just haven’t heard the term used referencing grades/admission. Thanks for sharing the link, your advice for reinventing has been the blueprint for my diy post bacc. I am just hoping it is enough.

Not Goro, but most med schools have benchmarks. It's usually a 3.0 sGPA and a MCAT score ~500. Your GPA being lethal means you would probably be screened out and not given a secondary or a further review. The rest of your app could be great but no one will get to see it if your metrics don't pass their screening.

 

[Goro]

@Goro what do you mean by lethal? Sorry, I just haven’t heard the term used referencing grades/admission. Thanks for sharing the link, your advice for reinventing has been the blueprint for my diy post bacc. I am just hoping it is enough.

Lethal = auto-rejection