Concerns about my application

[NewEngland21]

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Hello SDNers. I have consulted this website ALOT in the past years and found answers that have been extremely helpful. But, today I have my own concern. I had a rough start with school and had never really been motivated academically. I went to a CC for a degree in Computer Information Technology and my performance and grades were pretty much horrible (cGPA ~ 1.9). I hated the subject, but at the time I thought it was my only option. Won't go through the whole story, but I decided I wanted to go to medical school, so I transferred to a 4-year to do my pre-med studies. I am currently a junior with a 4.0 gpa and am studying to take the MCAT at the beginning of May and applying to med school in the summer. Im not worried about the MCAT, and I have good ec's. But what I am worried about is that, although I should graduate with at least a 3.9, because of the poor performance at the CC my cumulative GPA will be low. Without the CC grades I would be an excellent candidate for med school, but Im worried that Ill get pre-screened and the low cGPA because of the CC will take me out of candidacy. I'm sure not many people have the same case as me but has anyone had something close or anyone have any advice?

Anything will be helpful, thanks!

 

[TexasPhysician]

How long ago was your CC experience?

 

[NewEngland21]

2007 and then I started by bacc in fall 2008

 

[Torr]

Is your science GPA a 3.9-4.0? How low is your overall GPA including the CC grades (if you've calculated it already)?

 

[chrisoc13]

Hello SDNers. I have consulted this website ALOT in the past years and found answers that have been extremely helpful. But, today I have my own concern. I had a rough start with school and had never really been motivated academically. I went to a CC for a degree in Computer Information Technology and my performance and grades were pretty much horrible (cGPA ~ 1.9). I hated the subject, but at the time I thought it was my only option. Won't go through the whole story, but I decided I wanted to go to medical school, so I transferred to a 4-year to do my pre-med studies. I am currently a junior with a 4.0 gpa and am studying to take the MCAT at the beginning of May and applying to med school in the summer. Im not worried about the MCAT, and I have good ec's. But what I am worried about is that, although I should graduate with at least a 3.9, because of the poor performance at the CC my cumulative GPA will be low. Without the CC grades I would be an excellent candidate for med school, but Im worried that Ill get pre-screened and the low cGPA because of the CC will take me out of candidacy. I'm sure not many people have the same case as me but has anyone had something close or anyone have any advice?

Anything will be helpful, thanks!

What exactly is your cumulative GPA? Depending on what it is your improvement should be enough to get you in if you do well on the MCAT (never assume you will, that test catches many people by surprise).

Mine wasn't near as bad, but I had a 2.5 my first semester and a cumulative 2.9 by the end of my first year. After several years of 3.8+ grades I brought it up to a 3.6. I've been accepted to multiple schools, but still some high end schools rejected me quickly and I am pretty sure it is because my GPA was still only around a 3.6. Had it matched my MCAT (not going to say it, but very high) I am pretty sure I would have gotten more love from them. I had some love from a handful, but not as many as my MCAT would make you think.

So depending on your cumulative you might be in good shape still. Most schools simply asked me what was different from when I got such bad grades, and I told them I was immature and hadn't made the commitment to put school first and to put the necessary time into school that year. Everyone nodded and said "Well you certainly have had no problem since."

Good luck

 

[Catalystik]

While you are calculating the information requested, perhaps you could also calculate what your cGPA and BCPM GPA would be if you waited to complete another year of GPA repair before applying. It might help to have this: AMCAS GPA calculator: http://medschool.ucsf.edu/postbac/pdf/AMCAS%20GPA_Calculator%20Version%204%20Final.xls

And if needed: AMCAS grade conversion guide: https://www.aamc.org/students/download/125250/data/2011conversionguide.pdf.pdf

 

[NewEngland21]

Is your science GPA a 3.9-4.0?

My science gpa is a 4.0, I didn't take in science courses at CC.

 

[chrisoc13]

My science gpa is a 4.0, I didn't take in science courses at CC.

And you cumulative including all college courses?

 

[NewEngland21]

perhaps you could also calculate what your cGPA and BCPM GPA would be if you waited to complete another year of GPA repair before applying.

I also had a question about this. I calculated my cGPA as 3.0 at the end of this year with a tentative ~3.3 at graduation. Would it be more beneficial to, instead of applying for admission into 2012, wait until graduating and apply for 2013 admission? When admission boards see the amcas application do they only see the cGPA from all schools or do they see the individual school GPA and the cGPA?

 

[chrisoc13]

I also had a question about this. I calculated my cGPA as 3.0 at the end of this year with a tentative ~3.3 at graduation. Would it be more beneficial to, instead of applying for admission into 2012, wait until graduating and apply for 2013 admission? When admission boards see the amcas application do they only see the cGPA from all schools or do they see the individual school GPA and the cGPA?

As a disclaimer this is only my opinion, but I would apply this year if you indeed are above a 3.0 and you do very very well on the MCAT. If you are actually at 2.98 or something I certainly would not apply yet because many schools will simply not look at any apps below a 3.0. If you are above a 3.0 I would apply to a few schools and see what happens. Worst case scenario you waste a few hundred bucks and have to apply again the next year anyways. Best case scenario you are in.

Have you given any thought to DO? Your cumulative GPA is low enough even with an upward trend I would take a look at a few of them. But only apply to them if you actually will go to them. Don't apply anywhere you won't go, because if it is the only place you get accepted, it is hard to explain the next year why you didn't take it.

Again this is simply my opinion, so take it for what it is worth.

 

[AnonymousHandle]

Thinks about MD, but keep your mind open with DO (Doctor of Osteopathy). Some schools have great reps and pretty admirable matching history for residency. There's more than one way to be a physician.

You can easily apply to both and see how you fare. Good luck on trying to bring your grades up.

 

[mvenus929]

After several years of 3.8+ grades I brought it up to a 3.6. I've been accepted to multiple schools, but still some high end schools rejected me quickly and I am pretty sure it is because my GPA was still only around a 3.6. Had it matched my MCAT (not going to say it, but very high) I am pretty sure I would have gotten more love from them. I had some love from a handful, but not as many as my MCAT would make you think.

Shocking as it may be to some people, your grades are not everything. Neither is the MCAT, for that matter. Personality and experience counts for quite a bit.

OP, your upward trend will go in your favor, but if your cumulative GPA is still on the lower side (like 3.3 or below), it'll probably keep you out of some higher end schools. Assuming you have a wide range of experiences and can write good essays (and interview well), there's no reason that first year GPA should keep you out of medical school, provided you apply to the right schools for you.

 

[chrisoc13]

Shocking as it may be to some people, your grades are not everything. Neither is the MCAT, for that matter. Personality and experience counts for quite a bit.

OP, your upward trend will go in your favor, but if your cumulative GPA is still on the lower side (like 3.3 or below), it'll probably keep you out of some higher end schools. Assuming you have a wide range of experiences and can write good essays (and interview well), there's no reason that first year GPA should keep you out of medical school, provided you apply to the right schools for you.

That was never my point. While personality and experiences count for a great deal, most important is still going to be MCAT and GPA. I was simply sharing my experience to hopefully help the OP to some degree. Do you have intimate knowledge of my application that I am unaware of? No you do not. Your stab at what I said was unnecessary.

Even if OP gets a 45 on the MCAT the acceptance rate for applicants with his/her GPA and a 39-45 is under 50% (44%). If the OP gets a 30-32 there is a 29% acceptance rate. Sometimes it is time to be realistic and understand you may need to look at all your options.

The upward trend will certainly help, but it still may be wise to look into other options such as DO schools.

 

[NewEngland21]

Haha, no need for this thread to become hostile. I understand that GPA, MCAT, EC's, LOR's, personal statements, and the like are all important factors in the admission process.

Does anyone know if individual school gpa's are listed on the application or only the cGPA?

 

[Catalystik]

Does anyone know if individual school gpa's are listed on the application or only the cGPA?

Individual school's GPAs are not listed on the AMCAS application. All classes taken and grades earned are listed. On the summary page at the end, your grades and credit hours will be displayed (BCPM GPA, AO, and cGPA) year-by-year: Fr, SO, JR, SR (not semester by semester). Senior year will include every grade after the third year until you graduate. From this, adcomms can easily appreciate a steep upward grade trend.

 

[NewEngland21]

Individual school's GPAs are not listed on the AMCAS application. All classes taken and grades earned are listed. On the summary page at the end, your grades and credit hours will be displayed (BCPM GPA, AO, and cGPA) year-by-year: Fr, SO, JR, SR (not semester by semester). Senior year will include every grade after the third year until you graduate. From this, adcomms can easily appreciate a steep upward grade trend.

Thank you