Big concern

[fireandice9898]

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I have a upward and downward trend in my gpa. My overall amcas gpa will be about a 3.5 but the problem is my science gpa which is about a 3.0. I got several Cs (about 5-6) over the course of my undergrad career. My family has had severe money problems and the pressure has really been riding on me throughout college to do well in order to help out. Whenever the my family's situation tended to get more drastic my grades dropped. I definately have been training myself to separate home from school in order to keep my grades up but sometimes its just hard to just focus.

I have very unique ECS, great LORs, and am still workin on my PS. I am studyin for the mcat now to take in may or june and am hoping to really hit it out of the park. How much is my GPA going to hurt my chances? What mcat score would i really need to make up for that low sgpa?

 

[BigD311]

clarify the upward and downward trend comment.

 

[fireandice9898]

To me its been a really hard thing. However, i dont kno how adcoms might interpret my fluctuating trend. What would be a good mcat score to overcome the poor science gpa and C's?

 

[fireandice9898]

anyone?

 

[CanHasNaps]

To me its been a really hard thing. However, i dont kno how adcoms might interpret my fluctuating trend. What would be a good mcat score to overcome the poor science gpa and C's?

If you explain it well, most adcoms will take finacial difficulties into account when looking over your application.

Even if you get a 45, it's not going to totally make up for your GPA. Think of the numbers as a sliding scale - they can offset each other, but if one is wildly disproportionate then it's not likely to help you. Focus on doing the best you can, be smart in where you apply, and be very articulate in your AMCAS.

 

[fireandice9898]

I have a upward and downward trend in my gpa. My overall amcas gpa will be about a 3.5 but the problem is my science gpa which is about a 3.0. I got several Cs (about 5-6) over the course of my undergrad career. My family has had severe money problems and the pressure has really been riding on me throughout college to do well in order to help out. Whenever the my family's situation tended to get more drastic my grades dropped. I definately have been training myself to separate home from school in order to keep my grades up but sometimes its just hard to just focus.

I have very unique ECS, great LORs, and am still workin on my PS. I am studyin for the mcat now to take in may or june and am hoping to really hit it out of the park. How much is my GPA going to hurt my chances? What mcat score would i really need to make up for that low sgpa?

 

[redlight]

you'll need a solid upward trend in cgpa and bcpm..any chance of applying in '10 instead?

how are your practice scores? you are likely going to need to nail the mcat.. id say minimum 11's in science sections but, as always, aim for 45T.

 

[justdoit31]

It depends on how the family situation was and what exactly your role was in it... if you family had no money and you had to work 35+ hours a week while keeping a full-time school load it might work out ok.. however if you folded and got C's just because of stress then it isn't looking great... also not to sound like a downer but if you knew the family situation was bad you might should have taken lighter loads to manage for that situation (say 9 hrs a semester while working) ... committees will take into account other things but it will need to look pretty desperate.

Score well on your MCAT and if you don't get over 33 I would suggest an extra year of classes to show you can handle (ie. ace) upper level courses

 

[BlueElmo]

I have a upward and downward trend in my gpa. My overall amcas gpa will be about a 3.5 but the problem is my science gpa which is about a 3.0. I got several Cs (about 5-6) over the course of my undergrad career. My family has had severe money problems and the pressure has really been riding on me throughout college to do well in order to help out. Whenever the my family's situation tended to get more drastic my grades dropped. I definately have been training myself to separate home from school in order to keep my grades up but sometimes its just hard to just focus.

I have very unique ECS, great LORs, and am still workin on my PS. I am studyin for the mcat now to take in may or june and am hoping to really hit it out of the park. How much is my GPA going to hurt my chances? What mcat score would i really need to make up for that low sgpa?

Have you taken any practice tests yet? Your chances will depend on the scores.

 

[GoSpursGo]

I went ahead and merged your other thread in the What Are My Chances forum into this thread since you seemed to be getting better responses here 🙂

 

[fireandice9898]

I think in general a 35 on the practice tests? The situation is really bad and I did let the pressure get to me. I def got back on track once i learned how to separate my home from school life. If I score well on the mcat like around 35 is it possible to still have a shot with my low science gpa? My ECs are really unique and I am hoping that will play a factor in my application. Otherwise i have no problem applying in 2010.

 

[GoSpursGo]

I think in general a 35 on the practice tests? The situation is really bad and I did let the pressure get to me. I def got back on track once i learned how to separate my home from school life. If I score well on the mcat like around 35 is it possible to still have a shot with my low science gpa? My ECs are really unique and I am hoping that will play a factor in my application. Otherwise i have no problem applying in 2010.

If you can get a 35, I'd bet you'd probably get a decent look from several schools.

 

[WeAreNotRobots]

I have a upward and downward trend in my gpa. My overall amcas gpa will be about a 3.5 but the problem is my science gpa which is about a 3.0.

so basically you have a 3.5 cum and 3.0 science. i think people overestimate the power of trends to begin with, and your "upward and downward" is less than trendy anyway. unless you get the same grade in every class every term, your gpa will fluctuate to some degree, but i think 95% of the "gpa value" is path-independent.

the 3.5 is about average for applicants, but that 3.0 is LOW. i'd recommend some additional coursework before applying at all, but if you nail the mcat, it's up to you.

 

[nick_carraway]

If you explain it well, most adcoms will take finacial difficulties into account when looking over your application.

Even if you get a 45, it's not going to totally make up for your GPA. Think of the numbers as a sliding scale - they can offset each other, but if one is wildly disproportionate then it's not likely to help you. Focus on doing the best you can, be smart in where you apply, and be very articulate in your AMCAS.

I completely agree with both of these points.

As a 3.3 overall/science GPA with a spattering of ~6 Cs, I can tell you that schools do want to hear about any extenuating factors and the fact that you actually have a story to tell will be helpful.

That said, a decent MCAT (mine was 32) will not help very much at all.

My advice is to stick in school for a few extra terms if possible to get some more classes that you can ace. Otherwise, you can do a post-bacc or SMP to get those numbers up or to convince med schools that you've matured academically.