Concerned about my future

[awasdeq]

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Hey everyone, I hope this message finds you well. I am currently going into my Junior year, and I am sort of worried. So I started off really badly in my academic career, and I shot myself in the foot. But this last spring semester, I ended up doing well and ended up with a term GPA of 3.6. Compared to last term's 2.7. This boosted me from a 2.8 to 3.15. I also took Anatomy and Physiology I, and I ended up getting an A in the class, which, even though it was 4.5 credits, will push me to a 3.19 GPA. Mind you, this is just my overall GPA. I am managing my time better and actually studying, and trying to actually show a strong upwards trend, but I can't help but feel discouraged. If this is my overall GPA, I am very concerned about what my science GPA would be. And correct if I am wrong, but do schools have a cut-off for BCPM GPA or just CGPA? I know that I have to work hard, and I am willing to take a gap year, but I highly dislike the thought of multiple cycles. I have 2 more years to go

 

[Toffifay]

You can get more definitive specific answers within MSAR about cutoffs and I'd recommend you do that for the specific schools to which you apply. It can change from year to year. Showing an upward trend in GPA should help you though; additionally, a productive focused gap year could improve your chances.

 

[LizzyM]

Keep in mind that your application will show your GPA, your science GPA and your "other" (non-science) GPA by school year, not by semester or trimester. So, some of that uneven performance will even out. Also, it is almost guaranteed that the worst terms will be those in which you took organic chemistry. Typically there is a bounce back after that (Nike swoop is not uncommon). Give it time and plan on applying after senior year to give you the maximum time to improve your GPA then plan on working during your gap year for that important experience which will make you a better medical student.

 

[pablo213]

Hey everyone, I hope this message finds you well. I am currently going into my Junior year, and I am sort of worried. So I started off really badly in my academic career, and I shot myself in the foot. But this last spring semester, I ended up doing well and ended up with a term GPA of 3.6. Compared to last term's 2.7. This boosted me from a 2.8 to 3.15. I also took Anatomy and Physiology I, and I ended up getting an A in the class, which, even though it was 4.5 credits, will push me to a 3.19 GPA. Mind you, this is just my overall GPA. I am managing my time better and actually studying, and trying to actually show a strong upwards trend, but I can't help but feel discouraged. If this is my overall GPA, I am very concerned about what my science GPA would be. And correct if I am wrong, but do schools have a cut-off for BCPM GPA or just CGPA? I know that I have to work hard, and I am willing to take a gap year, but I highly dislike the thought of multiple cycles. I have 2 more years to go

An upward trend in your GPA during later college years (presumably filled with harder classes) will help you. Keep working hard to get that up. I will say, though, that most important for your application and for getting your foot in the door at schools is your MCAT score. A great score can ease certain doubts that may rise due to a lower gpa