Another complicated situation

[Buckphart]

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Okay so to keep it as short as possible, I graduated with an overall gpa of 3.2 and a 3.0 science. In my last year of college I was diagnosed with an epidermoid cyst which was causing temporal lobe seizures and had it surgically removed. I'm taking the MCAT in a few weeks and know my gpa isn't great or even good but have heard from several people my experience will help out with my gpa. What does anyone else think? Thanks!

 

[aSagacious]

In my last year of college I was diagnosed with an epidermoid cyst... heard from several people my experience will help out with my gpa.

The fact that your disorder didn't come onto the scene until after your GPA was effectively set in stone does not lend itself for justifying a poor performance.

Just make sure you do exceptionally well on the MCAT, though I suggest working on a backup plan as well, since you will likely end up taking another year.

 

[Catalystik]

Okay so to keep it as short as possible, I graduated with an overall gpa of 3.2 and a 3.0 science. In my last year of college I was diagnosed with an epidermoid cyst which was causing temporal lobe seizures and had it surgically removed. I'm taking the MCAT in a few weeks and know my gpa isn't great or even good but have heard from several people my experience will help out with my gpa. What does anyone else think? Thanks!

Your past medical situation might help explain past mediocre grades, but it would support your explanation if you were to take postbac classes in upper-level sciences and get near straight As for a year. Adcomms will want the reassurance that you now have the capability of surviving the rapid paced, science-heavy courseload that is the norm for med schools.

 

[Buckphart]

Thanks for the input, I had the surgery spring of 2010 right before spring break and my gpa for my final three semesters rose significantly compared to my pre-surgery gpa. I was actually having the seizures for over a year but mistook them for seizures until I went to a psychiatrist and had an episode during the visit. I am hoping they see the improvements to my gpa post surgery plus the whole ordeal of having brain surgery as a measuring stick to my capabilities. Plus I have never heard of an applicant who has had brain surgery, although I highly doubt I am the first, but hopefully it helps me stand out. First and foremost though I have to kill the MCAT

 

[Buckphart]

Oh and I am a minority and a first generation immigrant. Maybe should have mentioned that in the beginning if it will play a role. Sorry

 

[Catalystik]

I had the surgery spring of 2010 right before spring break and my gpa for my final three semesters rose significantly compared to my pre-surgery gpa.

So you had the surgery about a year ago and subsequently had better grades for spring 2010, summer 2010, and fall 2010 semesters? That's good.

The application will display your cGPA and science GPA year by year (FR, SO, JR, SR) then all postbac grades together on the next line. How will your grades look when listed like that?

And what are you getting for a score on MCAT practice tests so far?