I got C- in both gen chem classes freshman year of undergrad. Not to make excuses, but we had weird online/video based classes and I felt like I was teaching myself. All my other grades are good, no Cs. I'm currently a biochem Grad student at Georgetown and my GPA is a 3.7, 30R MCAT. What are my chances of getting into med school?
C- in gen chem but good grades otherwise. What are my chances?
- Thread starter GTown
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2009
- Messages
- 16,447
- Reaction score
- 8,942
If you were a biochem major or chem major or took physical or inorganic chemistry you'll in theory be fine. However C-'s usually are not accepted and will not suffice the 1 year of general chemistry needed. That being said however in light of being in a chemistry related graduate program I think that you might be able to compensate. But that is just my 2 cents on this matter.
I think with a 3.7/30 presuming that is your Ugpa and that your grad gpa is also good ( 3.7+) you should have a good shot if you've already applied however right now its getting late and if you haven't been verified it might be not worth applying this cycle.
I think with a 3.7/30 presuming that is your Ugpa and that your grad gpa is also good ( 3.7+) you should have a good shot if you've already applied however right now its getting late and if you haven't been verified it might be not worth applying this cycle.
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2006
- Messages
- 35,574
- Reaction score
- 15,503
What was your undergrad-only cGPA and BCPM? Do you have balanced subscores? What are your ECs. When did you plan to apply?
uGPA : 3.00
uBCMP: 2.71
so far gGPA: 3.7
MCAT: 11BS, 10PS, 9VR (first attempt)
ECs: Undergrad: Red Cross, EMT, VP of Health Society, researched in a lab junior/senior year, two summers spent in India at a rural hospital. Grad: Volunteer at homeless shelter, Arlington Free clinic, and of course research in my grad advisors lab
I'm thinking of auditing Gen Chem 1 this semester and take Gen Chem 2 next semester, but not sure if that would help or is even worth the effort. I'm not feeling too good about this and I was hoping to apply for Fall 2012. 🙁
uBCMP: 2.71
so far gGPA: 3.7
MCAT: 11BS, 10PS, 9VR (first attempt)
ECs: Undergrad: Red Cross, EMT, VP of Health Society, researched in a lab junior/senior year, two summers spent in India at a rural hospital. Grad: Volunteer at homeless shelter, Arlington Free clinic, and of course research in my grad advisors lab
I'm thinking of auditing Gen Chem 1 this semester and take Gen Chem 2 next semester, but not sure if that would help or is even worth the effort. I'm not feeling too good about this and I was hoping to apply for Fall 2012. 🙁
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2006
- Messages
- 35,574
- Reaction score
- 15,503
The vast majority of allopathic med schools judge one based on undergrad GPA and MCAT score. There are a few schools that will take into account a good BCPM from a grad degree. The osteopathic application merges uGPA and grad GPA, so probably more of them will take good grad work into account, though I understand all do not.
Retaking Gen Chem for a grade would be in your better interests as the grades earned would be averaged into your uGPA by AMCAS (MD application service), but would substitute for the original grade with AACOMAS (DO application service) effectively removing those C-s from the application GPA calculation for the latter. If you have any other particularly low grades, retaking them would give that same benefit for AACOMAS, allowing a faster uGPA rise.
Your ECs look good, though I suggest you get in some formal physician shadowing. Some of the DO schools prefer a DO LOR, but others will either accept any physician letter or don't require one at all.
Your chances as you are for an MD acceptance would be low, but for a DO acceptance if you retake Gen Chem I & II would be good.
Retaking Gen Chem for a grade would be in your better interests as the grades earned would be averaged into your uGPA by AMCAS (MD application service), but would substitute for the original grade with AACOMAS (DO application service) effectively removing those C-s from the application GPA calculation for the latter. If you have any other particularly low grades, retaking them would give that same benefit for AACOMAS, allowing a faster uGPA rise.
Your ECs look good, though I suggest you get in some formal physician shadowing. Some of the DO schools prefer a DO LOR, but others will either accept any physician letter or don't require one at all.
Your chances as you are for an MD acceptance would be low, but for a DO acceptance if you retake Gen Chem I & II would be good.
