Chances?...especially need opinion on UG marks

[NG01]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello,
This is not actually my first post, I made a new account b/c I am so embarassed to just put myself out there like this, but I really need some opinions on my chances.

My final undergrad GPA was: 3.13 (i know, disgusting)
1st year: 1.34,2.54
2nd year: 3.27, 3.04
3rd year: 3.24, 3.60
4th year: 3.80, 3.86

I did a masters in engineering, which is a course-based program:
A-, B+, B+, A-, A-, A, A+, and a (med-related thesis)..Total: A- average

Now I am doing graduate research (med-related).
A- in all course requirements
I think I will (hopefully) publish something soon

Have not written the MCAT yet, but I think I can do well on it

Lastly, I am Canadian, so I will be applying as international student.

Do I have a chance at the "mid-tier" schools in the states?

 

[anxiousteen]

it's hard to evaluate you without an mcat. 3.13 is really low. you're gonna need a really high mcat.

 

[redlight]

because you are an international student, want to say no. i'm not sure how many schools would be forgiving of a 3.1X gpa from an international student and we all know you guys have it rough. you need to REALLY rock the mcat, but then again there's a mod who had like a 40something mcat but didnt get in untill he pulled a couple years of 4.0 and got his cgpa up tp 3.4.

 

[NG01]

Thanks for the replies....

How much does the masters in engineering help? (1 year course-based program). I think an A- average would translate to about 3.6

Also, if I apply as a graduate student, how much emphasis will the put on the UG gpa...which is essentially being dragged down by marks from 5-6 years ago.

 

[Stratego]

In the US a masters GPA is not regarded in the admissions process, except maybe by a few schools when the masters degree is in a hard science. Rather, applicants are screened by their undergrad GPA and MCAT score. So taking additional post-baccalaureate classes can help, as they would be included in the undergrad GPA calculation. An exception to this general rule is the SMP (Special Masters Program) specifically meant to redeem a low GPA, where you take classes along with med students. If your resulting GPA is sufficiently competitive, they'll maybe guarantee you an interview at the med school they are linked to. You can read up on this option in SDN's Post-baccalaureate Forum.

 

[JJMrK]

It's hard to tell you anything without an MCAT score. I will say that you have a few things stacked against you (international, low GPA).

Study really hard for your MCAT and take as many practice tests as possible. Check out the MCAT sub-forum for more information.

 

[NG01]

Yeah I wish I know about post-bac and smp programs when I did the masters in engineering....b/c that I had the same purpose in mind: to make up for my UG gpa

I guess I can look into finnishing up graduate research quickly, and doing a one year post-bac or smp....

 

[physicsnerd42]

Yeah I wish I know about post-bac and smp programs when I did the masters in engineering....b/c that I had the same purpose in mind: to make up for my UG gpa

I guess I can look into finnishing up graduate research quickly, and doing a one year post-bac or smp....

As an international student, you have a higher bar to meet. You have an upward trend in your GPA, which is good, but it's still low. Find every med school in the US which accepts (and offers loans to) international students and apply to them. Even with a very good MCAT, this will be a reach. So, kill the MCAT.

Also, consider DO schools (as long as you do well on the MCAT). Does anyone know if DO schools consider international students?

 

[NG01]

Do you think its a good idea to take 1 year of courses after finnishing research Masters degree? I have to look more closely, but I dont think there are SMP programs in Canada

I am pretty sure I could get all A's if I do the basic medicine prereq's full year courses. A schedule something like this:

Biology
Chemistry
Physics
(something interesting/thesis/work part-time)

The problem is that I would be paying on a per course basis, and it would be another year away from my life...but I would consider this if straight A's in these courses would make up for my UG marks

Is this a good idea?

 

[Stratego]

Straight As in the pre-med prerequisite courses will not sufficiently repair your low GPA to get you into an MD school unless you happen to get an MCAT score of 36+, but they will prepare you to take the MCAT and enter an SMP program. Completing an SMP with a GPA of 3.5-3.7+ gives you a better chance of acceptance into med school, it does not guarantee that you will. With a lower MCAT score, you'd have a reasonable chance of getting into a DO med school, many of which take Internationals.

I don't recall reading that there are SMPs in Canada, just the US.

 

[NG01]

So maybe after Masters degree I should do a SMP in the states, instead of 1 year of undergrad courses?


I just want to sum up what I think I will have by next summer, b/c I am getting some very bad news here:

GPA: 3.13 (with upward trend)
M.Eng: A- average
M.Sc: A- average, 1 publication (hopefully)
Mcat: 35-40 (for arguments sake lets assume I get that)

At this point, I think the consensus is that I would NOT get into an MD program especially as international.

Obviously my UG GPA would be the only thing holding me back.

Please suggest what would be the best option for me at this point
(1 year undergrad courses to show I can do it ? Special Masters Program?)

Thanks again for all the replies

 

[physicsnerd42]

Please suggest what would be the best option for me at this point
(1 year undergrad courses to show I can do it ? Special Masters Program?)

Thanks again for all the replies

So here are the issues:
Grad work isn't factored into undergrad GPA. A SMP is special case where you're doing med school work, so they care how you do. Going back to undergrad probably won't do it because even with a year of a 4.0, your GPA would still be very low (a 3.3 maybe?). The other thing to consider is that SMPs, as far as I know, only exist in the US and they are EXPENSIVE. The fact that you're international really limits the schools you can get into and your financing options if accepted (you don't qualify for US federal subsidized loans).

You can always try to apply MD and see how it goes, but your odds aren't great.

I honestly think your best choice is to try for a DO school. Is there any reason you don't want to do a DO?

 

[NG01]

So here are the issues:
Grad work isn't factored into undergrad GPA. A SMP is special case where you're doing med school work, so they care how you do. Going back to undergrad probably won't do it because even with a year of a 4.0, your GPA would still be very low (a 3.3 maybe?). The other thing to consider is that SMPs, as far as I know, only exist in the US and they are EXPENSIVE. The fact that you're international really limits the schools you can get into and your financing options if accepted (you don't qualify for US federal subsidized loans).

You can always try to apply MD and see how it goes, but your odds aren't great.

I honestly think your best choice is to try for a DO school. Is there any reason you don't want to do a DO?

Thanks for the advice, I guess I will have to consider DO schools if I want to go to the states....