Combatting a lower GPA

[nainzui]

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Hey everyone,

So I still have another year before I start applying, but I don't feel that good about my GPA and do not have many science classes to really bring it up.

• Physics 1 - A
• Physics 2 - A
• Calculus 2 - A
• Genetics Lab - A
• Calculus 3 - B
• Discrete Math - B
• Chem 1 - B
• Chem 2 - B
• Bio 1 - B
• Genetics -B
• Orgo 1 - C

I'm hoping for As in Orgo 2, Orgo Lab, and Biochem - but that will only bring my sGPA up to like a ~3.5. I've completed one semester of clinical research so far, shadowed a doctor, and work as a medical scribe (~120 hours so far, will continue until graduation).

What can I do to compensate for this if my goal is to get into medical school right after graduation. I'm aware that my MCAT needs to be very high in order to get compensate for my less than par GPA, but do you guys have any other suggestions?

 

[tiedyeddog]

[QUOTE="nainzui, post: 16451591, member: 688905What can I do to compensate for this if my goal is to get into medical school right after graduation. I'm aware that my MCAT needs to be very high in order to get compensate for my less than par GPA, but do you guys have any other suggestions?[/QUOTE]
That's about it. Do your best in your remaining classes.

 

[moisne]

It's not that bad. I didn't calculate it but looks like around 3.3 ish? If you get it to 3.5 and get a mCAT say 30+ - you can try for mid and low tier Md or try DO.

If you get 35+, then I think you can still be competitive for mid tier

 

[hoihaie]

do everything else better: ECs, rec letters, mcat, interviews

 

[Goro]

You have plenty of time to take some upper level Bio courses, and ace them. Key phrase: "ACE them."

Do well on MCAT, and get in some ECs that aren't cookie cutter, like work in hospice or a nursing home.

Hey everyone,

So I still have another year before I start applying, but I don't feel that good about my GPA and do not have many science classes to really bring it up.

• Physics 1 - A
• Physics 2 - A
• Calculus 2 - A
• Genetics Lab - A
• Calculus 3 - B
• Discrete Math - B
• Chem 1 - B
• Chem 2 - B
• Bio 1 - B
• Genetics -B
• Orgo 1 - C

I'm hoping for As in Orgo 2, Orgo Lab, and Biochem - but that will only bring my sGPA up to like a ~3.5. I've completed one semester of clinical research so far, shadowed a doctor, and work as a medical scribe (~120 hours so far, will continue until graduation).

What can I do to compensate for this if my goal is to get into medical school right after graduation. I'm aware that my MCAT needs to be very high in order to get compensate for my less than par GPA, but do you guys have any other suggestions?

 

[sawed-off]

do everything else better: ECs, rec letters, mcat, interviews

This, and also try to write a stellar personal statement. Sometimes I think it's the only reason I even got into medical school. Still, your personal statement and EC's don't mean squat if you don't have anything valuable to say in them. So my advice is to really pay attention to what's going on around you, how it affects you, and what you're learning from it. While you're doing that continue to improve your grades and seek help before you need it. Good luck!

 

[GrapesofRath]

Do the best you can in your remaining classes obviously, but its not as simple as just saying "oh I'm going to work hard and just get A's in OChem 2 and Biochem". OChem 2 is ALOT more information than OChem 1. You have to reflect and look back at why you didn't do as well as you wanted to in Ochem 1. Bad study habits in Ochem 1 will come back to bite you in Ochem 2. Go through your stuff and try to understand why you did poorly and more importantly what are the types of things that can allow me to do better. One side note is that quality and difficulty of Ochem professors vary tremendously. Do research, talk to people, to see who are the harder Ochem 2 professors at your school and try to avoid them. People might not like suggesting something like that, but if you get stuck with a brutally hard ochem professor who grades ruthlessly, that can ruin lots of hard work and understanding of the material.

 

[altblue]

What's your typical credit load looking like? Do you have many ECs or work a lot of hours?

If you don't have enough time to commit to each class, you might be setting yourself up for Bs and Cs.

 

[nainzui]

Thank you all for the responses! You have definitely made me feel better. I wish I could take some more upper level bio classes, but as an engineering major it's not as easy to do so on top of my other engineering courses I'm required to take.

How do you think medical schools will perceive experience as a Medical Scribe compared to working in hospice/nursing home. I'm working in the ED and get to visit the patients with the doctor and document the visit and also update the medical charts, so I get to learn medical terminology and anatomy. It's pretty awesome.

 

[nainzui]

One more question - would you guys say George Washington U is mid or upper tier?