Basic GPA

[DJAmmz]

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What would the general consensus be with regards to the ABSOLUTLE MINIMUM GPA one should have in order to stand a hair of a chance at Med School in the USA?

Mine is only at 2.2 right now (just completed my second year - my first year was atrocious and totally levelled everything). I realize with this there isn't a hair of chance (in all realistic expectations) with that. However, this year I stood at a 2.9, but I made some serious mistakes too. I strongly believe that next year I can pull it above the 3.0 mark with ease. So lets say my third year has a GPA of around 3.3. Now my quetsion is, how will medical schools in the USA see the 1st and 2nd year marks? Will they notice that abnormally low 1st year GPA as being an inaccurate reflection of my capabilities? Or will it just be weighted the same as my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th into my overall cummulative GPA? How much of an impact will be supporting essay have? Bare in mind I'm a CDN student looking for admission into the USA, preferrably NY, FL or CA but wherever I get admission is better than nothing.

Lastly, I'm currently building up my ECs by volunteering in the ER at the local hospital (who doesn't ) and organizing a charity event for the Sick Kids Foundation.

It's my current understanding that a 3.3 is the bare minimum to struggle at admission in the USA.

I know the forum prohibits asking "What are my chances?" etc, as per the rules; but I'm mainly looking for an answer to what is the GPA one should have to be eligilble for admission into a variety of US shcools as a M.D.

Would would you guys say? Any feedback from current MD students or phsyicians is greatly appreciated!

 

[100041]

My first three semesters were bad, but the worst of them was on the same level as your second year. When I applied the first time I had something like a 3.2, and I didn't get in. And that's with a good MCAT score.

To my mind you need to pull something like a 3.75+ from here on out if you want to demonstrate that you're med school quality. Either that or get a 4.0 in a master's program - that's what I did.

 

[Law2Doc]

What would the general consensus be with regards to the ABSOLUTLE MINIMUM GPA one should have in order to stand a hair of a chance at Med School in the USA?

Mine is only at 2.2 right now (just completed my second year - my first year was atrocious and totally levelled everything). I realize with this there isn't a hair of chance (in all realistic expectations) with that. However, this year I stood at a 2.9, but I made some serious mistakes too. I strongly believe that next year I can pull it above the 3.0 mark with ease. So lets say my third year has a GPA of around 3.3. Now my quetsion is, how will medical schools in the USA see the 1st and 2nd year marks? Will they notice that abnormally low 1st year GPA as being an inaccurate reflection of my capabilities? Or will it just be weighted the same as my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th into my overall cummulative GPA? How much of an impact will be supporting essay have? Bare in mind I'm a CDN student looking for admission into the USA, preferrably NY, FL or CA but wherever I get admission is better than nothing.

Lastly, I'm currently building up my ECs by volunteering in the ER at the local hospital (who doesn't ) and organizing a chairty event for the Sick Kids Foundation.

It's my current understanding that a 3.3 is the bare minimum to struggle at admission in the USA.

I know the forum prohibits asking "What are my chances?" etc, as per the rules; but I'm mainly looking for an answer to what is the GPA one should have to be eligilble for admission into a variety of US shcools as a M.D.

Would would you guys say? Any feedback from current MD students or phsyicians is greatly appreciated!

Schools aren't strictly by the numbers and so there is no specific minimum one could point to. Certainly schools that screen often use 3.0 as the point below which you will get no consideration. But there are people with below a 3.3 undergrad GPA in med school with the right combination of exceptional other things ECs, experiences, etc. However if you have below a 3.3, it's a higher percentage play to try and raise your GPA with a postbac. There are always exceptions, but it's not particularly likely that you get to be one.

 

[Blade28]

What types of schools will you be applying to? US MD? DO also? How about Caribbean MD?

 

[DJAmmz]

What types of schools will you be applying to? US MD? DO also? How about Caribbean MD?

I've very much considered Carribean MD as a last resort. I would love to get in the US MD, but chances are that won't happen. Also, could you please clarify the differences between MD and DO? I've seen this posted quite a bit and I'm confused as to what each type of field is all about.

I'm mainly interested in becoming a MD, however, a FP is the most likely outcome but I would love to specialize (but again, this all depends on where i get admission). As a FMG my chances for specialization would be lowered dramatcially vs US Grad, no?

 

[Blade28]

I've very much considered Carribean MD as a last resort. I would love to get in the US MD, but chances are that won't happen. Also, could you please clarify the differences between MD and DO? I've seen this posted quite a bit and I'm confused as to what each type of field is all about.

I'm mainly interested in becoming a MD, however, a FP is the most likely outcome but I would love to specialize (but again, this all depends on where i get admission). As a FMG my chances for specialization would be lowered dramatcially vs US Grad, no?

What are you thinking of specializing in?

For more info on MD vs. DO, try doing a search - there are a ton of threads on this topic.

 

[skypilot]

I think you are on the right track thinking about the 3.3. A lot of factors come into play though. What state are you a resident of? If you are a Californian, fat chance. 🙂 If you are from Vermont or Ohio then maybe!

How well do you do on the MCAT. If you rock it with a 35 and have a 3.2 from an Ivy league school then you may have a good chance. If you broaden your horizons to all the med schools in the U.S. including the osteopathic schools then you may have an even better chance.

Just remember you are not out of the game by any means, you just screwed up a little. If you can graduate with a 3.0 and then do a postbacc, that may do the trick.

 

[DJAmmz]

Blade28: I was thinking about 'pod, or radiologist, but I know both of these are highly competitive. These are influenced by your USLME scores and your MD graduating marks right? General Surgery would be nice too, or maybe Cardiology. But like I said, I'm pretty sure these are extremely competitive, even moreso for FMGs.

Skypilot: Currently I'm at the University of Toronto (yea, Canada.. over here unless you got a 3.8+ you don't stand a hair of a chance), and this is pretty much the Harvard of Medicine in Canada.

 

[t33sg1rl]

Probably the easiest thing you can do to boost your chances is wait to apply until after you graduate. That way, schools will not only be impressed with your 3rd year grades, but will be blown away by your amazing senior year grades! So here's your timeline:
Take the April MCAT right before you graduate.
Graduate.
Work on your applications 24/7, have them in EARLY.
Once your applications are filed, find a health care opportunity you can do for the rest of the year. If your family has $$$, volunteer. If not, find a job in a medical research lab or work in a hospital or nursing home as an orderly, nurse assistant, or other minimum-skill job. You might also consider EMT, requirements vary a lot between areas. In some places, you can just take a written test and be qualified.
Remember, applying takes a lot of time and energy, especially when you're applying to school out of state (or in your case, out of country!). It's hard to keep up with your classes AND fly around on interviews-and if you end up re-applying, then your senior grades won't be what they could have been.
Honestly, because first year grades weren't good and your second year grades weren't stellar either, if you apply in order to start med school right after college, then you're asking a med school to accept you based on TWO SEMESTERS of med-school-quality academic work. Even if you pull a 4.0 in your third year, I really don't think you have much of a chance. One year isn't that long to wait, and if you work really hard, in my opinion, it'll increase your chances from <10% to >50%.

 

[liverotcod]

If you go to a US medical school (MD or DO), you will not be a FMG.

 

[OSUdoc08]

What would the general consensus be with regards to the ABSOLUTLE MINIMUM GPA one should have in order to stand a hair of a chance at Med School in the USA?

Mine is only at 2.2 right now (just completed my second year - my first year was atrocious and totally levelled everything). I realize with this there isn't a hair of chance (in all realistic expectations) with that. However, this year I stood at a 2.9, but I made some serious mistakes too. I strongly believe that next year I can pull it above the 3.0 mark with ease. So lets say my third year has a GPA of around 3.3. Now my quetsion is, how will medical schools in the USA see the 1st and 2nd year marks? Will they notice that abnormally low 1st year GPA as being an inaccurate reflection of my capabilities? Or will it just be weighted the same as my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th into my overall cummulative GPA? How much of an impact will be supporting essay have? Bare in mind I'm a CDN student looking for admission into the USA, preferrably NY, FL or CA but wherever I get admission is better than nothing.

Lastly, I'm currently building up my ECs by volunteering in the ER at the local hospital (who doesn't ) and organizing a charity event for the Sick Kids Foundation.

It's my current understanding that a 3.3 is the bare minimum to struggle at admission in the USA.

I know the forum prohibits asking "What are my chances?" etc, as per the rules; but I'm mainly looking for an answer to what is the GPA one should have to be eligilble for admission into a variety of US shcools as a M.D.

Would would you guys say? Any feedback from current MD students or phsyicians is greatly appreciated!

MD = 3.0

DO = 2.75

Caribbean = presence of pulse and respirations

(If there is someone who was accepted with a lower GPA, they probably had an exeptionally high MCAT, and would be known as an "outlier.")

 

[DJAmmz]

Caribbean = presence of pulse and respirations

I don't get it 😛

Thanks for all the replies guys (and girls)! One more thing I forgot to mention. I'll be turning 19 shortly after I start my 3rd year in September. I don't think applying one year after I graduate would be such a bad idea as suggested. I didn't think of that myself. I won't be "older" than the typical applicant I guess.

 

[murphomatic]

What would the general consensus be with regards to the ABSOLUTLE MINIMUM GPA one should have in order to stand a hair of a chance at Med School in the USA?

Mine is only at 2.2 right now (just completed my second year - my first year was atrocious and totally levelled everything). I realize with this there isn't a hair of chance (in all realistic expectations) with that. However, this year I stood at a 2.9, but I made some serious mistakes too. I strongly believe that next year I can pull it above the 3.0 mark with ease. So lets say my third year has a GPA of around 3.3. Now my quetsion is, how will medical schools in the USA see the 1st and 2nd year marks? Will they notice that abnormally low 1st year GPA as being an inaccurate reflection of my capabilities? Or will it just be weighted the same as my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th into my overall cummulative GPA? How much of an impact will be supporting essay have? Bare in mind I'm a CDN student looking for admission into the USA, preferrably NY, FL or CA but wherever I get admission is better than nothing.

Lastly, I'm currently building up my ECs by volunteering in the ER at the local hospital (who doesn't ) and organizing a charity event for the Sick Kids Foundation.

It's my current understanding that a 3.3 is the bare minimum to struggle at admission in the USA.

I know the forum prohibits asking "What are my chances?" etc, as per the rules; but I'm mainly looking for an answer to what is the GPA one should have to be eligilble for admission into a variety of US shcools as a M.D.

Would would you guys say? Any feedback from current MD students or phsyicians is greatly appreciated!

I got in with approx 2.8 for my overall gpa.

40 mcat and 2 full years of post-bacc at 3.98 though

no real EC's to speak of.

approx 40 apps, 35 secondaries, 4 interviews, 2 waitlists, 1 acceptance at EVMS

good luck to you. work your but off and you can do it

 

[murphomatic]

MD = 3.0

thank god no one told EVMS that 🙄

 

[DJAmmz]

Thanks so much people.

Seeing as I've got 2 extra years to give, I'm gonna give it my best shot in my next two years and then see what happens. Most likely, I see myself doing a post-bacc. Currently I have opetions to go overseas now, or do Carribean after my undergrad. However, I really don't want to give up and take the easy way out. I'd love to fight through it here and get in the USA. I guess it all comes down to these next two years and my MCAT. Here goes!

 

[Army_Doc]

Thanks so much people.

Seeing as I've got 2 extra years to give, I'm gonna give it my best shot in my next two years and then see what happens. Most likely, I see myself doing a post-bacc. Currently I have opetions to go overseas now, or do Carribean after my undergrad. However, I really don't want to give up and take the easy way out. I'd love to fight through it here and get in the USA. I guess it all comes down to these next two years and my MCAT. Here goes!

Stick with it. We all F-ed up royally at some points in college too.

 

[RxnMan]

MD = 3.0

DO = 2.75

Caribbean = presence of pulse and respirations

(If there is someone who was accepted with a lower GPA, they probably had an exeptionally high MCAT, and would be known as an "outlier.")

Maybe I should change my screen name to "Outlier?"

OP, check my MDApps profile for what I had to do with my 2.35 ugrad GPA.

 

[ADDchild]

My cummulative was a 2.7 and my MCAT was a 33. I found that consistently improving is a key in your situation. My first year college GPA didn't even register was like 0.6 or something. But my GPA went from 0 to 1 to 2 to 3 to 4(postbac years) for each subsequent year. On the application GPA's are separated by year and then a cummulative is given.

MCAT scores are a biggie for you and your volunteer work will help. Try to get in a posistion of leadership in an organization.

Also research helps them know you can motivate yourself and it helps with your lettersofrecommendation since nobody will know you better than your research advisor.

 

[OSUdoc08]

Maybe I should change my screen name to "Outlier?"

OP, check my MDApps profile for what I had to do with my 2.35 ugrad GPA.

Your MCAT is self-explanatory as an extreme outlier.

 

[saradoor]

What would the general consensus be with regards to the ABSOLUTLE MINIMUM GPA one should have in order to stand a hair of a chance at Med School in the USA?

Mine is only at 2.2 right now (just completed my second year - my first year was atrocious and totally levelled everything). I realize with this there isn't a hair of chance (in all realistic expectations) with that. However, this year I stood at a 2.9, but I made some serious mistakes too. I strongly believe that next year I can pull it above the 3.0 mark with ease. So lets say my third year has a GPA of around 3.3. Now my quetsion is, how will medical schools in the USA see the 1st and 2nd year marks? Will they notice that abnormally low 1st year GPA as being an inaccurate reflection of my capabilities? Or will it just be weighted the same as my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th into my overall cummulative GPA? How much of an impact will be supporting essay have? Bare in mind I'm a CDN student looking for admission into the USA, preferrably NY, FL or CA but wherever I get admission is better than nothing.

Lastly, I'm currently building up my ECs by volunteering in the ER at the local hospital (who doesn't ) and organizing a charity event for the Sick Kids Foundation.

It's my current understanding that a 3.3 is the bare minimum to struggle at admission in the USA.

I know the forum prohibits asking "What are my chances?" etc, as per the rules; but I'm mainly looking for an answer to what is the GPA one should have to be eligilble for admission into a variety of US shcools as a M.D.

Would would you guys say? Any feedback from current MD students or phsyicians is greatly appreciated!

Your question can be answered by the official numbers on the AAMC site: http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/ Please do that instead of asking us for our unreliable opinions/data.

 

[richthig]

Here's my suggestion for you. Retake any Science Class that you got Below a "B" in during Summer School at a community college. Get A's. when you retake a class, you replace the grade in your gpa calculation. I suggest waiting until August after you graduate to take the MCAT so that you can Take any courses over and Take a Kaplan Course. Although your scores won't get back until about october 13th, you should complete all of your application on amcas before your scores come in so that when they do come all you have to do is press submit.

 

[72531]

Here's my suggestion for you. Retake any Science Class that you got Below a "B" in during Summer School at a community college. Get A's. when you retake a class, you replace the grade in your gpa calculation. I suggest waiting until August after you graduate to take the MCAT so that you can Take any courses over and Take a Kaplan Course. Although your scores won't get back until about october 13th, you should complete all of your application on amcas before your scores come in so that when they do come all you have to do is press submit.

they dont replace the grade..you have to average them both dont you?

 

[OSUdoc08]

they dont replace the grade..you have to average them both dont you?

Correct.