Chances...Super low...

[Duckwin]

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As like everyone here, I am aiming for MD school. I am completing my bachelor in Bio-pre health with minor in chem. My main disadvantage is my GPA. To keep it simple, everything before this semester was horrible. When i complete my degree and re take all the courses I made F/D/C with an A. My final GPA will only be 2.7. It is because I failed couple times on couple classes and AMCAS doesn't replace and adds it together. My school GPA will be roughly 3.6-3.8 because they replace any/all prior attempts. I know I'll do better from now on because I will complete this semester with a 3.85GPA while taking 14 credits (upper lvl).
I understand to do well on the MCAT. I'm not too worried about scoring ~90%
I will begin research with a professor soon and I will be completing my EMT-basic to volunteer at a local FD for EC.
I have 1+ year hospital exp already
Does anyone have suggestion or tips for me to do to get into medical school? How much longer will my road be for my mistakes? Is it something that is achievable? Has anyone come back from this kind of set back?

Thanks for the read and any help.

 

[candbgirl]

You don’t mention how far along you are in College but one semester of very good grades isn’t impressive. You will need to string together several semesters of very good->excellent grades to prove that you are capable of being successful in med school.
What is your current cGPA and sGPA? How many hours have you taken?

It is all well and good for you to proclaim you will only get As from now on and you will score~90 percent on the MCAT. The road is full of good intentions, achieving those goals will not be easy and DO NOT underestimate the MCAT. Rethink the whole EMT thing. Many ADCOMS consider that ambulance driving. How long ago was your hospital volunteering? Do you have any nonclinical volunteering work? What have you done to show your altruistic side to those less fortunate than yourself? Have you done anything to help the underserved in your community? Any leadership? I’m not sure why you are planning on research, unless it is something you like to do and want to do. It isn’t all that important for your application. Especially when you have so much to do.

Nobody does grade replacement. Have you thought about DO ? You should spend some time researching and reading up on DO schools.

At any rate, after you finish school you will have to take a formal post bacc or a DIY post bacc because a2.7 will not clear any auto screens. Once you get your GPA to 3.0 you should also plan on doing a SMP with linkage . Read up on SMPS. They are sort of a last chance. You take classes with med students. The problem with SMPS is that they are very expensive and you have to get >3.6 or its game over.

You have much to do and much to think about. Why do you want to be a doctor? Has this always been a passion or is it something new?

Good luck as you move forward. Oh and don’t take the MCAT until you are consistently scoring at or above your target score.

 

[hokies101]

As like everyone here, I am aiming for MD school. I am completing my bachelor in Bio-pre health with minor in chem. My main disadvantage is my GPA. To keep it simple, everything before this semester was horrible. When i complete my degree and re take all the courses I made F/D/C with an A. My final GPA will only be 2.7. It is because I failed couple times on couple classes and AMCAS doesn't replace and adds it together. My school GPA will be roughly 3.6-3.8 because they replace any/all prior attempts. I know I'll do better from now on because I will complete this semester with a 3.85GPA while taking 14 credits (upper lvl).
I understand to do well on the MCAT. I'm not too worried about scoring ~90%
I will begin research with a professor soon and I will be completing my EMT-basic to volunteer at a local FD for EC.
I have 1+ year hospital exp already
Does anyone have suggestion or tips for me to do to get into medical school? How much longer will my road be for my mistakes? Is it something that is achievable? Has anyone come back from this kind of set back?

Thanks for the read and any help.

I think it's really important to mention what year in college you currently are. As far as "how long" I really think you should retake the D and C grades along with the required F, which is only ~9-12 credits depending on the breakdown. Your overall GPA is still pretty solid with regards to a poor semester so you may be able to fix this hiccup in just another semester. My college does grade replacement, but the poor grades will still be on the transcript as med schools will see them too even if they do not count towards your total GPA.

From a more personal standpoint, claiming 90%+ on the MCAT is bold. Once you take a diagnostic, or any AAMC practice then I think the reality of the MCAT will set in. It is NO joke and should be taken very, very seriously.

I would start with considering doing a DIY PostBacc program if you are sincerely worried about your GPA. That can be alleviated with your current stats, but your primary focus should be obtaining that 510+ score.

Lastly, I would try to do at least 2 shadowing experiences, volunteering in a hospital, and find a valued leadership position. Schools now more than ever are asking for their applicants to have experience working in a field that they will spend the rest of their lives in. Best of luck with whatever you decide!

 

[CyrusHabs7695]

Not worried about scoring in the 90th percentile on the hardest entrance exam there is? I think after you take your first practice exam, youll rescind that statement. You sound like one of the people who go to SGU with the mindset that theyll try harder in med school and do better on the step 1.

Your plan right now should be to spend a full year taking upper level science classes, getting all As. Then, studying for ~6 months for the mcat with the goal of getting 500+ (ideally 505+, but 500+ will work for the new DO schools).


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[candbgirl]

I think it's really important to mention what year in college you currently are. As far as "how long" I really think you should retake the D and C grades along with the required F, which is only ~9-12 credits depending on the breakdown. Your overall GPA is still pretty solid with regards to a poor semester so you may be able to fix this hiccup in just another semester. My college does grade replacement, but the poor grades will still be on the transcript as med schools will see them too even if they do not count towards your total GPA.

From a more personal standpoint, claiming 90%+ on the MCAT is bold. Once you take a diagnostic, or any AAMC practice then I think the reality of the MCAT will set in. It is NO joke and should be taken very, very seriously.

I would start with considering doing a DIY PostBacc program if you are sincerely worried about your GPA. That can be alleviated with your current stats, but your primary focus should be obtaining that 510+ score.

Lastly, I would try to do at least 2 shadowing experiences, volunteering in a hospital, and find a valued leadership position. Schools now more than ever are asking for their applicants to have experience working in a field that they will spend the rest of their lives in. Best of luck with whatever you decide!

I’m not sure you read the OPs whole post. Where did you get the idea he had one bad semester and 9-12 hours? It will be helpful if he tells us how far along in school he is but he did share that if he gets all As from now on his GPA would be 2.7 at graduation. That is too low for medical school. How can you suggest he might consider a DIY post bac “ if you are sincerely worried your GPA”. And I don’t think a 510 MCAT would alleviate a 2.7 GPA. ( We don’t know what his current stats are actually.). I’m all for encouraging students but we have to be careful and provide the best info we can.

 

[hokies101]

I’m not sure you read the OPs whole post. Where did you get the idea he had one bad semester and 9-12 hours? It will be helpful if he tells us how far along in school he is but he did share that if he gets all As from now on his GPA would be 2.7 at graduation. That is too low for medical school. How can you suggest he might consider a DIY post bac “ if you are sincerely worried your GPA”. And I don’t think a 510 MCAT would alleviate a 2.7 GPA. ( We don’t know what his current stats are actually.). I’m all for encouraging students but we have to be careful and provide the best info we can.

I was assuming that they were speaking on behalf of the 3.6-3.8 after the courses are retaken, not referencing the 2.7. It sounded to me as if they were an underclassmen because of how versatile their GPA could fluctuate, naivety towards the MCAT, and starting their first research position remotely soon. I think that regardless of 2.7-3.6 a postbac program should always be considered (I didn't know this existed until I applied to med school) IF they believe they can still score ~90% on MCAT (513) since this is probably because they struggled with premed courses. This would put them at a LizzyM range of 59-70 (GPA 2.7-3.8). I was hoping to encourage, and I think that with a better representation of his current stats and some clarification this WAMC would be much more helpful. Sorry for adding to this confusion.

 

[candbgirl]

I was assuming that they were speaking on behalf of the 3.6-3.8 after the courses are retaken, not referencing the 2.7. It sounded to me as if they were an underclassmen because of how versatile their GPA could fluctuate, naivety towards the MCAT, and starting their first research position remotely soon. I think that regardless of 2.7-3.6 a postbac program should always be considered (I didn't know this existed until I applied to med school) IF they believe they can still score ~90% on MCAT (513) since this is probably because they struggled with premed courses. This would put them at a LizzyM range of 59-70 (GPA 2.7-3.8). I was hoping to encourage, and I think that with a better representation of his current stats and some clarification this WAMC would be much more helpful. Sorry for adding to this confusion.

It certainly is confusing and I don’t see where he said he’d have a 3.6 post bacc GPA but whatever. He did say his college transcript GPA would be 3.6-3.8 after the retakes and that’s assuming he achieves all As from now on. As we all know AMCAS counts ALL courses and OP plainly stated his AMCAS GPA after the retakes would be 2.7. An upward trend is great and noted positively by ADCOMS but with a 2.7 GPA they might not even see that upward trend. I wish OP would come back and supply more info so we could really help him out.

 

[Duckwin]

Sorry for lack of info. I'll try to provide additional info so ya can readily guide me. I got back in school:
Summer 17
Genetic - B+
Bio seminar A

Fall 17 I'll be finishing with
Physiology - A
Physio Lab - A
Physic I - B+
Physic I Lab - A
Biochem I - A
Biochem I lab - A

I worked part time at a hospital at TMC during summer and fall. I will be resigning before Spring 18 starts. I am currently enrolled into an EMT-basic course. I plan to volunteer at a local FD for my direct patient exp and volunteer hours. I begin research with my professor in Summer. I have some physicians I can shadow (later on towards graduating). Currently right now at my university, my GPA stands at 1.8. It will continue leaping higher due to retakes (this Uni replaces all prior attempts). If i continue with my current rigorous studies; I will be finish in Spring 19 with Biology and minor in Chem with ~3.6-3.8 cGPA. I calculated that my cGPA (without grade replacement) will be a 2.7 upon completing my degree in Spring 19 at my current school (not other institutions). My main worry is my low GPA from previous CC. I completed my associates (lower lvl courses) at a CC with poor GPA as well. I do not have the specific figure at the moment.

I understand that my MCAT score will have to be almost pristine if I want to come back from my past.

I am ok with continuing this fight to get into medical school. I just don't know how much of an uphill battle it is for me. I would like to get a better idea. My main focus is GPA repair since AAMC takes into consideration all F's (which I have a lot) when computing GPA.

What additional info would ya like about my past grades? I am not entirely sure what to include. Does my CC associate degree GPA/hours/etc matter? should I consider post-bacc or masters program?

Thank you in advance for everyone's help. I am serious about getting into medical school and the struggle it takes to redeem myself of my past.

 

[candbgirl]

Every class you have ever taken at a CC, University or College counts in your AMCAS GPA. So the 2.7 you hope to finish with doesn’t include the classes taken at a CC? Or does it?

 

[Duckwin]

Every class you have ever taken at a CC, University or College counts in your AMCAS GPA. So the 2.7 you hope to finish with doesn’t include the classes taken at a CC? Or does it?

unfortunately no, the 2.7 doesn't include my other failures.
If AMCAS does include everything...this is really against me. My CC years were horrible. If I do finish at my current Uni with A's and everything I mentioned in my previous post. I am thinking post-bac won't save me. I calculated, for me to raise my 2.7 to a 3.12cGPA (not including CC), I would have to take roughly 60 credits with make all A's.
If I complete my degree and do a master's...would this change my situation much?

 

[Saifa]

I think the key here is going to be to take your time. The MCAT is an animal that shoots down cocky students all the time. Put the time in to do well (taking it once) and you're essentially the person SMPs were made for. Best of luck OP.

 

[Shotapp]

unfortunately no, the 2.7 doesn't include my other failures.
If AMCAS does include everything...this is really against me. My CC years were horrible. If I do finish at my current Uni with A's and everything I mentioned in my previous post. I am thinking post-bac won't save me. I calculated, for me to raise my 2.7 to a 3.12cGPA (not including CC), I would have to take roughly 60 credits with make all A's.
If I complete my degree and do a master's...would this change my situation much?

AMCAS will include every grade you have earned from every institution you have attended.

 

[candbgirl]

I’ll repeat, every course counts so it isn’t an “if” AMCAS counts the CC courses. They do. So does ACCOMAS (?) the DO schools equivalent to AMCAS. Figure out what your current GPA is with all of your courses and let us know. A Masters won’t help with grade repair for MD school but I’m pretty sure it would/does help for DO.

If you can string together the next three semesters with straight As that will be a very good start . You’ll still have a huge hill to climb but ...

You really need to look into DO schools. They are more forgiving of low GPAs.

 

[Goro]

As like everyone here, I am aiming for MD school. I am completing my bachelor in Bio-pre health with minor in chem. My main disadvantage is my GPA. To keep it simple, everything before this semester was horrible. When i complete my degree and re take all the courses I made F/D/C with an A. My final GPA will only be 2.7. It is because I failed couple times on couple classes and AMCAS doesn't replace and adds it together. My school GPA will be roughly 3.6-3.8 because they replace any/all prior attempts. I know I'll do better from now on because I will complete this semester with a 3.85GPA while taking 14 credits (upper lvl).
I understand to do well on the MCAT. I'm not too worried about scoring ~90%
I will begin research with a professor soon and I will be completing my EMT-basic to volunteer at a local FD for EC.
I have 1+ year hospital exp already
Does anyone have suggestion or tips for me to do to get into medical school? How much longer will my road be for my mistakes? Is it something that is achievable? Has anyone come back from this kind of set back?

Thanks for the read and any help.

Read this:

• Goro's Advice for DO Applicants in Absence of Grade Replacement (2016-17 cycle)

 

[zurc2014]

Not worried about scoring in the 90th percentile on the hardest entrance exam there is? I think after you take your first practice exam, youll rescind that statement. You sound like one of the people who go to SGU with the mindset that theyll try harder in med school and do better on the step 1.

Your plan right now should be to spend a full year taking upper level science classes, getting all As. Then, studying for ~6 months for the mcat with the goal of getting 500+ (ideally 505+, but 500+ will work for the new DO schools).


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This lowkey made me chuckle. I said the same thing before actually taking the full length test. It seems simple until youre taking that beast. It took me 7 practice test just to get over that 500 mark lol. No lie.