Best academic path to MD

[JennaK]

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My question is I will be graduating with a 2.86 GPA about the same science GPA.I feel my 2 years at college 10 years ago greatly effected my GPA and my question is what path could I take to make myself a strong applicant or at least get me a chance into medical school? When I graduate I will have about 180 Cr. hours I have completed, but Iam willing to take more classes if that is what is needed. I read so many post. One person says yes do a post Bacc., then another says no that won't help you. Is there anyone out there that knows if furthur graduate study will overshadow the undergrad GPA? Anyone who hasn't told their story of getting in with low stats?Thanks in advance.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

I have no [personal experience but i would think some additional education would certainly help. if tyhe other was 10 yrs ago and then you get a masters or something and do well, i would think that is all they'd care about. But this is just a guess... Good luck.

 

[Luck]

My question is I will be graduating with a 2.86 GPA about the same science GPA.I feel my 2 years at college 10 years ago greatly effected my GPA and my question is what path could I take to make myself a strong applicant or at least get me a chance into medical school? When I graduate I will have about 180 Cr. hours I have completed, but Iam willing to take more classes if that is what is needed. I read so many post. One person says yes do a post Bacc., then another says no that won't help you. Is there anyone out there that knows if furthur graduate study will overshadow the undergrad GPA? Anyone who hasn't told their story of getting in with low stats?Thanks in advance.

You have no chance at an MD school in the US. You may have no chance at a DO school in the US, but you may still get into a DO school. With a 2.86, you should apply to DO schools and to the caribbean and hope you get in somewhere.

If you can get an MCAT of 32 or above, you may get into a DO school or caribbean MD, but not a MD school in the US.

 

[liverotcod]

Jenna, please give us a little more biography to tailor your advice. What has been your clinical exposure? Why do you want to be a doctor? Tell us about the college experience 10 years ago, what you did in the mean time, and what you're doing now.

Post-bacc might very well work for you. It really depends on your situation. I have posted my ongoing story several times, so I won't again here. But I would like to try to help, I just need more information.

 

[JennaK]

My clinical exposure has been ongoing. Seriously like since 13 years old I have been an aid in the hospital and nursing home thats local to me here in town . Been on Red Cross youth board so I participate in multiple drives etc. that they hold. Research in biology when there is research available. Next semester Iam shadowing for the year with a MD.
The 10 year ago college stint was obviously me being immature. I graduated a year before my class with a few years of college under my belt. Of course I somehow chose not to study and throw that chance at getting ahead down the drain. I pulled out of there with a 1.3 GPA it was bad. It wasn't all immaturity. I had a child at 17 years old. At the time I was in college I was working third shift full time, then picking my son up and taking him with me to go to college then we would go home and I would go to my second shift job. I got 2 nights a week off in which I slept. The situation without the college would be bad for most people. Naps were not going to happen, I had a kid to take care of during the day. I guesse I kept hoping it would get better and I could be the high academic achiever I had once been. It didn't happen. So I ended up getting kicked out of the college.
I have now had another child with my husband of 6 years. I had a problem with cervical cancer and that is what changed my mind about everything. Life is to short to just quit because people say you will fail or because they say it isn't possible.
Here Iam now another year to go, still working at hospital internships and pulling up my GPA. I get nothing under a 3.6 GPA a semester and that was with my mom passing away and me being left with her affairs to handle.
I have read so many post. People say NO! you wont make it. Then a similiar post they say yes you can. Some say Post Bacc. will work , others say no. Iam VERY goal oriented. I will be a doctor and it will be from a US school. I have waited this long . Ill keep taking classes until I get a high GPA. I just rather not. I want to get into medicine and start studying what I love. I love science in general , but I have always loved working at the hospital. I would like to go into Emergency Medicine. Helping people is a big thing , but more than that it is the satisfaction of doing what you love. Most people hate the science classes they have to take. I don't I crave it, love them even. You have to love what you settle down in. Doing it for money isn't enough. I in fact hope to at some point get funding to help the community and give my time to those who can't afford doctors. I needed help so many times with medical things I couldn't afford and doctors just look the other way. I want to be more than that. If god gives you the mind to be a doctor and the ambition than I belive you owe it to others to give a little out as well.
WEll I think I answered most your questions. Any advice would be great. I have seen success stories of people with below 3.0 getting in so I know it is possible. I just need some guidance in others who are traveling my path.

 

[liverotcod]

Sounds like you've had a challenging life, which I should think admission committees would like - the ability to endure challenges and keep going. Your recent academic work (consistent 3.6s) is good. Like me, you have a number of old credits at very low GPA that is difficult to make up for. I would say you are a good candidate for a formal post-bacc program. In order to get in, you may need to take the MCAT and do reasonably well (26+, maybe? with your GPA). This depends on the program.

I think that post-bacc will be more useful to you than grad school. But, as you note, this is a pretty hotly debated topic, and people have been successful going either way. And also have failed going either way. Post bacc programs in particular have a pretty high dropout rate, but also a pretty good acceptance rate for those who can hack the program.

The main things are to demonstrate
a) recent, sustained academic success
b) aptitude, as evidenced by MCAT
c) clinical experience that shows you know what you're getting into, and
d) a strong desire to become a doctor

My first estimate, from what you've written, is that you are strong on c and d, OK on c (3.6 *could be better), and b is an unknown.

I suggest taking the free online practice MCAT at http://www.e-mcat.com to see how you do. It will give you a better sense of b.

Please don't be offended. I realize that forum writing (including mine) isn't the most careful in the world. But I also suggest, based on your posts, that you take a expository writing course or two, if you still have the chance. Written communication skills are crucial in all walks of life.

 

[safrat]

I think if any adcom got to hear your story they would definetly empathize with you, considering your current gpa, however, your problem is going to be you actually speaking to them, interview. With that gpa your not likely to even get a secondary. I think, the best and probably the first thing you need to be doing is speaking to your in-state MEDICAL SCHOOL dean. They are usually ready and willing to speak to people. Remember, I didn't say pre-med advisor, I said the head of the medical school admissions comittee in your state schools. That's probably the only chance. You're more likely to get into DO school using this strategy. However, I still believe you could get an absolutely great idea by speaking to he or she.

Please do it, you sound like a person that really wants to do this and whose had many experiences. I think you'd probably knock out the whole interview/application process. They're just going to be unsure about how you'll be able to handle medical school. So, you have to give them assurance that you're NOW a great student. In the past, people have done this by doing grad school and post bacc. Also, this emphasis on MCAT is only necessary to show them you can handle the work or if you live in a competitive state(cali), you need to do well (30+).

 

[JennaK]

Thanks! So much for the advice. I didn't even think about talking to a dean. Wouldn't that kinda be unethical? I think it is worth a shot though if it would be ethical. Thank you so much for those who posted. I appreciate constructive criticism as well and will better all areas I need to🙂

 

[safrat]

nope, not unethical at all. Matter of fact, one of the schools that I got rejected from, the dean was encouraging me to have a meeting with him before my actual interview. He stated that I should try even if they give me a hard time. So, try it, and hopefully it'll give you the answers you need.

 

[TwoLegacies]

i think you have a pretty good shot at getting into a DO school. you seem very determined. i guess i just wanted to emphasize that if you really want to be a doctor the two letters after your name don't make much of a difference. i'm biased because my stepdad is a DO-- i know he loves his job and is happy with the path he has taken. at any rate, i don't remember if you mentioned MD or DO but it's a viable option that you should consider. good luck!

 

[beanbean]

The applicant who stated you will not get into a US med school is wrong.

I graduated in 1990 from BU with a BS in Biomedical Engineering and a 2.5 GPA. I had chronic health issues during my undergrad time and thus my GPA. I worked in the medical field as a biomedical engineer at a hospital and continued to volunteer as an EMT (something I had done since high school). I left work after 6 1/2 years to enjoy being a full time mom. When my daughters reach school age, my husband and I reached the decision that I should try to pursue what had always been my dream - med school.

i started out doing my own post-bacc work at UCONN and met with the the Director of the Post-Bacc Program at UCONN. I did some formal shadowing at the hospital I used to work at and got together my post -bacc application. I was accepted to the program on my second try.

Post-Bacc GPA 4.0; MCAT 33S

I started med school at UCONN last year - two years after I began the process.

My advice:

Talk to the Dean at a school near you that would be your top choice and get their advice.

Apply to a post-bacc, master's program or take classes on your own - just make sure it is a tough schedule and that you do well - this will prove your ability to handle the academics of med school

Take an MCAT prep course and work like you are training for a marathon. Endurance and mental attitude are key for this exam.

Keep up the ECs and shadowing.

Best of luck and don't let the turkeys get you down. The only people who tell you that you will not be accepted at med school that matter are the people on the admissions commitee.

Deirdre

 

[JennaK]

Wow! That really makes me have hope. I 'am moving to Michigan soon and plan on talking to the dean at Wright State University. Not a BIG school, but medicine is medicine. I just want to learn it,love it and practice it🙂 So did your school make any comment about the 2.5 GPA? I 'am one that doesn't let people tell me it won't happen because I'am VERY determined, BUT your story fills me with hope that my academic path can lead me to where I want to be. I have been studying for the MCAT for the last 2 summers and still I'am studying strong. I really feel I will score well there. It is just getting into a interview,once I'am in I can explain the black marks on the record and prove that I'am capable of the academics at the medical school.

 

[beanbean]

The only comment I received was that it was obvious that my old GPA was reflective of my health issues and not my academic ability since I had done very well with my post-bacc classes. Having 10 years between you old an new GPAs is important...if you had just graduated with a low GPA it would be much harder to distance yourself from it.

The one piece of advice I forgot was to use SDN. SDN is the best resource out there regarding the process of getting accepted to med school.

 

[skypilot]

Here I am now another year to go, still working at hospital internships and pulling up my GPA. I get nothing under a 3.6 GPA a semester and that was with my mom passing away and me being left with her affairs to handle.

I have read so many post. People say NO! you wont make it. Then a similiar post they say yes you can. Some say Post Bacc. will work, others say no. than that it is the satisfaction of doing what you love.

If you love science and can establish and maintain a post bacc GPA of 3.6, score well on the MCAT, you will get in somewhere. Ideally try to pull your GPA up to a 3.0 with post bacc courses. Then you might even consider pursuing a masters degree in Biology.

I think you should consider at all the medical schools in the U.S. including the ones offering the D.O. degree.