Advice needed

[JibsGuy52]

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Hey guys,

I am a 21 year old student that goes to Western University in Ontario, Canada. Born in Ontario as well. I have just completed 4 years at Western, with a fifth year coming to raise my GPA. Writing the MCAT in August. I was very lazy in my 1,2,3 years and had NO IDEA how competitive medical school was. I do not blame anyone but myself for this, just hoping I can recover in time. Since medical schools in Canada are outrageous (3.9 or bust essentially) I have decided to focus my attention on U.S./Irish and Caribbean medical schools. In Canada, most medical schools do not allow for you to re-take courses. I know this is allowed for DO schools. (Does anyone know if this is allowed for MD schools?) Also, which schools allow for Canadians to apply to them/accept international students? ALL IN ALL, since I am returning to school I essentially have 5.0 courses (2.5 in each semester) to re-take. If you were me, which ones would you re-take? Also, does this mark completely wipe out the old mark or are they averaged?

With re-taken courses with good marks, Do I have a shot at any MD/DO schools? or should I look into Masters?
(All GPA calculations will be using numeric- Canadian provided by AMMC) - If anyone can link me to DO GPA calculation chart that would be great (I couldn't find it).

Ok, so here it goes.
First Year:
General Bio 1/2: 77/76 (with lab) 3.3/3.3
General Chem 1/2: 78/74 (with lab) 3.3/3
Intro into Kinesiology: 87/79 4.0/3.3
Math 1/2: 86/89 3.7/4.0
General Physics 1/2 : 77/77 (with lab) 3.3/3.3
GPA: 3.45
Second Year:
Biochem: 78 3.3
Bio- Scientific Method: 75 3.3
Cell Biology: 71 2.7
Genetics: 62 1.7
Organic Chemistry 1/2: 77/63 3.3/2.0
Pharm: 80 3.7
Human Physiology (1.0 course): 68 2.3
Stats: 67 2.3
GPA: 2.69

Third Year:
Anatomy 1: 52 (1.o course) 0.7
Clinical Biochem: 80 3.7
Bio(Plants): 70 2.7
Ecology: 77 3.3
Org Phys: 67 2.3
Developmental biology: 75 3.0
Classics: 76 3.3
Geography: 78 3.3
GPA: 2.3
Fourth Year:
Anatomy 2 (1.0 course): 72 2.7
Bio (Evo and repro): 89 4.0
Bio: 85 3.7
Earth Sci: 84 3.7
Earth Sci: 85 3.7
Geo: 85 3.7
Microimm: 80 3.7
Human Phys (1.0 course): 78 3.3
GPA: 3.45

CUM GPA: 2.97 - As a Canadian student I don't understand what is a "Science GPA" as we do not do that.

 

[adrian710]

No - Sub 3.0 cGPA you have virtually no shot at DO, never mind MD schools. You need to do GPA repair (retake classes), forget the masters (too much money). FYI, a science GPA is your GPA that includes only science courses, not other courses such as writing or social studies, etc. Good luck.

 

[JibsGuy52]

No - Sub 3.0 cGPA you have virtually no shot at DO, never mind MD schools. You need to do GPA repair (retake classes), forget the masters (too much money). FYI, a science GPA is your GPA that includes only science courses, not other courses such as writing or social studies, etc. Good luck.

Thanks Adrian. If you were me, which classes would you re-take? If I re-take these classes... Do I have a shot at DO?

 

[adrian710]

Thanks Adrian. If you were me, which classes would you re-take? If I re-take these classes... Do I have a shot at DO?

I would retake everything under 3.0 average (specifically science courses and placing most emphasis on worst scores). I'm not sure what it would raise it to but ideally if you retook all sub 3.0 classes you would be probably 3.2 - 3.4 range roughly I'd assume which could give you a shot with a GOOD MCAT score (28+).