can i reinvent? if so, is my current plan/schedule good? please help me out : )

[bigspongebobfan]

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hello!

first off, i would like to thank you to anyone who takes their time to read this and help me figure our what to do. i will be eternally grateful.

I recently graduated with a 2.6 sGPA. I have a really bad downward trend because of mental health issues. I won't justify my poor academic performance, but all i will say is i struggled a lot with mental health (ADHD + Depression/Anxiety) throughout my undergrad years and it was a battle to get medicated as my family believed praying would make it all go away. However, I have now been medicated for a few months and have been receiving therapy. While it is a long road, my life has changed for the better and I look forward to the future.

I recognize that the road from here on out is very rough and I dug myself a deep whole, but winning that battle against my family really allowed me to believe in myself once again. Please feel free to be as honest as you would like.

I have read Goro's guide to reinvention and tried to align my classes according to that. I will attach a tentative schedule. A major concern of mine is that this current schedule will have me commute to campus 4x a week (M W Th F). Should I drop the Genetic Diseases class to take Orgo lab instead? Or, is my current schedule okay? I would like to spend my free days studying for my classes or the MCAT. (The Tuesday class is virtual).


I believe my biggest concerns are:

1. Should I focus on retaking classes I did poorly in, or just take upper level bio classes?
2. Should I continue to do a DIY post-bacc, or should I consider an SMP if things look well academically?
3. How many credits should I take to establish an upward trend?
4. I would just like to clear this misconception because I have been second-guessing a lot on this. I planned to quit my clinical job as I think I really need to focus on my academics and nothing else for now. After bringing this up to my coworkers, they're pretty adamant that I should continue to work because my boss is very flexible compared to other clinics and will be able to incorporate me in the schedule to my terms and I need the clinical hours. I feel my boss would want me to work Tuesdays and Fridays, but I feel like that is too much and I will not be able to sufficiently handle my classes and MCAT prep. Should I just quit my job, or ask to only work Tuesdays?

Thank you so much if you took the time to read this. I appreciate it.

 

[Goro]

I believe my biggest concerns are:

1. Should I focus on retaking classes I did poorly in, or just take upper level bio classes?

Retake any courses that you got below a C in (that includes C-). Retake anything that you feel will help you for MCAT

1. Should I continue to do a DIY post-bacc, or should I consider an SMP if things look well academically?

If your mental health issues are under control, continue with the DIY post-bac.

While many schools reward reinvention, there are those that still have a strict GPA cutoff. Therefore, you may want to consider an SMP hosted at a med school.

A year of postbac can show that you ready to get back into the swim of things academically and can handle the stress.

1. How many credits should I take to establish an upward trend?

30

1. I would just like to clear this misconception because I have been second-guessing a lot on this. I planned to quit my clinical job as I think I really need to focus on my academics and nothing else for now. After bringing this up to my coworkers, they're pretty adamant that I should continue to work because my boss is very flexible compared to other clinics and will be able to incorporate me in the schedule to my terms and I need the clinical hours. I feel my boss would want me to work Tuesdays and Fridays, but I feel like that is too much and I will not be able to sufficiently handle my classes and MCAT prep. Should I just quit my job, or ask to only work Tuesdays?

If you feel that you can't juggle work and academics, quit the job.

 

[bigspongebobfan]

Retake any courses that you got below a C in (that includes C-). Retake anything that you feel will help you for MCAT

Just for further clarification, if I received a C+ in my prerequisites, I shouldn't retake them?

While many schools reward reinvention, there are those that still have a strict GPA cutoff. Therefore, you may want to consider an SMP hosted at a med school.

SMP hosted at any med school, or one with linkage?


Thank you so, so much for your reply!

 

[Goro]

Just for further clarification, if I received a C+ in my prerequisites, I shouldn't retake them?

Reread my answer

SMP hosted at any med school, or one with linkage?

With linkage

 

[bigspongebobfan]

Hello!

I am just reaching out with some questions and wondering what areas I need to fix before applying in the future. I am currently in a DIY post-bacc and attempting to instill study habits that will aid me in the future, as well as being medicated. I'm happy to say that things seem to be going well!

Academics:
CGPA: 2.76
SGPA: 2.6
MCAT: TBD (plan to take in Feb/March for SMP applications; have been studying since Sept, did okay-ish on BP diagnostic (496); 502 on the sample Kaplan Free Sample).


Extracurriculars:
Research: about 300
Volunteering: about 800 with women and children (internationally- been doing since HS); planning to do some more when I visit in the spring, and prepare to help out at a local underserved clinic after MCAT
Clinical hours: 517 as an MA who did clinical and administration tasks. Hours are low, but I definitely had a lot of meaningful experiences I can write about.
Shadowing: 60 hours with Internal Medicine; as advised to shadow more with different specialties, so might do so with OB/GYN and Urologist
Leadership: Board member for student org (2x years) - 400 hours (?); Club president for a student org (170 hrs)

I am aware that my GPA is singlehandedly killing my application, so I am planning to spend the most effort on fixing that. However, while I'm at it, I just thought I'd reach out and ask about other factors as well, so I can gain insight and plan out a timeline.

Questions:

• I need 42 postbacc credits to reach a 3.0 sGPA; 32 credits would only bring me to 2.92. Should I take the extra 10 credits at UCB Extension to hit 3.0, or use that summer for rest/ECs before starting an SMP (assuming I have a strong MCAT score)?
• got a C- in Orgo Lab II. Retaking it at my alma mater would cost $2K without Pell Grant support. Would retaking it through UCSD Extension or a community college be acceptable, or would that hurt my app? I have asked and CC will offer some aid.
  • I would prefer to take lab virtually to accommodate traveling with family and volunteering in underserved areas. While I have taken other online prerequisites lectures, I have not taken any labs online. As a result, I worry this may shorten my school list.
• If I took General Chemistry/Genetics/Biochem lectures online (labs being in-person), will that disqualify me from certain schools? Should I retake them in person if possible? Am I able to inform them of my circumstances, which led me to prefer online courses?
• Lastly, when would be an ideal time to an SMP to be a competitive candidate?

Thank you so much!

 

[bigspongebobfan]

Oh, I can also provide an excel sheet that represents my transcript if that will allow better insight. : )

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Previously

B

Thread 'can i reinvent? if so, is my current plan/schedule good? please help me out : )'

Aug 26, 2025

hello!

first off, i would like to thank you to anyone who takes their time to read this and help me figure our what to do. i will be eternally grateful.

I recently graduated with a 2.6 sGPA. I have a really bad downward trend because of mental health issues. I won't justify my poor academic performance, but all i will say is i struggled a lot with mental health (ADHD + Depression/Anxiety) throughout my undergrad years and it was a battle to get medicated as my family believed praying would make it all go away. However, I have now been medicated for a few months and have been receiving...

• bigspongebobfan
• advice advice for premed low bcpm low gpa reinvention
• Replies: 8
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Are you eligible for retroactive withdrawals according to your institutions? If so, when?

GPA Repair and Management for Pre-Health Applicants | Student Doctor Network (SDN)

Happy new year, and for many of you, happy new semester! This article is for community college or university students starting a new set of classes this

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[bigspongebobfan]

Previously

B

Thread 'can i reinvent? if so, is my current plan/schedule good? please help me out : )'

Aug 26, 2025

hello!

first off, i would like to thank you to anyone who takes their time to read this and help me figure our what to do. i will be eternally grateful.

I recently graduated with a 2.6 sGPA. I have a really bad downward trend because of mental health issues. I won't justify my poor academic performance, but all i will say is i struggled a lot with mental health (ADHD + Depression/Anxiety) throughout my undergrad years and it was a battle to get medicated as my family believed praying would make it all go away. However, I have now been medicated for a few months and have been receiving...

• bigspongebobfan
• advice advice for premed low bcpm low gpa reinvention
• Replies: 8
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Are you eligible for retroactive withdrawals according to your institutions? If so, when?

GPA Repair and Management for Pre-Health Applicants | Student Doctor Network (SDN)

Happy new year, and for many of you, happy new semester! This article is for community college or university students starting a new set of classes this

www.studentdoctor.net

Unfortunately, I am not. I tried to get a retroactive withdrawal for the Orgo II C- as I believe that was a situation far out of my control. However, it was not granted, so I do not think my school offers them out often, unless it is for dire situations.

Thank you for the link!

 

[GoSpursGo]

Hello!

I am just reaching out with some questions and wondering what areas I need to fix before applying in the future. I am currently in a DIY post-bacc and attempting to instill study habits that will aid me in the future, as well as being medicated. I'm happy to say that things seem to be going well!

Academics:
CGPA: 2.76
SGPA: 2.6
MCAT: TBD (plan to take in Feb/March for SMP applications; have been studying since Sept, did okay-ish on BP diagnostic (496); 502 on the sample Kaplan Free Sample).


Extracurriculars:
Research: about 300
Volunteering: about 800 with women and children (internationally- been doing since HS); planning to do some more when I visit in the spring, and prepare to help out at a local underserved clinic after MCAT
Clinical hours: 517 as an MA who did clinical and administration tasks. Hours are low, but I definitely had a lot of meaningful experiences I can write about.
Shadowing: 60 hours with Internal Medicine; as advised to shadow more with different specialties, so might do so with OB/GYN and Urologist
Leadership: Board member for student org (2x years) - 400 hours (?); Club president for a student org (170 hrs)

I am aware that my GPA is singlehandedly killing my application, so I am planning to spend the most effort on fixing that. However, while I'm at it, I just thought I'd reach out and ask about other factors as well, so I can gain insight and plan out a timeline.

Questions:

• I need 42 postbacc credits to reach a 3.0 sGPA; 32 credits would only bring me to 2.92. Should I take the extra 10 credits at UCB Extension to hit 3.0, or use that summer for rest/ECs before starting an SMP (assuming I have a strong MCAT score)?
• got a C- in Orgo Lab II. Retaking it at my alma mater would cost $2K without Pell Grant support. Would retaking it through UCSD Extension or a community college be acceptable, or would that hurt my app? I have asked and CC will offer some aid.
  • I would prefer to take lab virtually to accommodate traveling with family and volunteering in underserved areas. While I have taken other online prerequisites lectures, I have not taken any labs online. As a result, I worry this may shorten my school list.
• If I took General Chemistry/Genetics/Biochem lectures online (labs being in-person), will that disqualify me from certain schools? Should I retake them in person if possible? Am I able to inform them of my circumstances, which led me to prefer online courses?
• Lastly, when would be an ideal time to an SMP to be a competitive candidate?

Thank you so much!

I am merging your related threads, as some of the advice you received last time likely remains relevant.

Step 1 is succeeding in your DIY post-bacc, and probably continuing through the spring. If you are doing well now (anticipated semester GPA >3.7) then keeping up that pace in the spring may prepare you for a successful SMP application. Beyond that and doing well on your MCAT, there isn't any real secret sauce--do what works for you that will ensure you no only do well, but excel from here on out.