Courses that count? Chance?

[mwoods88]

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Does non-college level courses count towards your gpa? I was homeschooled so I had to start at a community college. I was required to take intro to algebra, intermediate algebra, basic writing, and prep chem. They are all below 100 level courses. So, are these calculated into my gpa according to AMCAS?


Also, what are my chances? I am in my second year of college.

Biology 1- B
Chemistry 1- B
English 101- C
Biology 2- B
Chemistry 2- A
Pyschology- A
English Lit- B
Bio 1 (retake) - A
Chem 1 (retake)- A
English 101 (retake)- A
College Algebra- A
Organic Chem- A
Trig- A
Theatre- A
Physics 1- B
Physics 1 (retake)- A
History- A
Organic 2- A
Physics 2- A
Genetics- A
Calculas 1- A
Calculas 2- A


EC: 2 years volunteering in the OR(still doing it)
300 hours of shadowing a world renown neurosurgeon (also on the counsel for SOM)
3 years of taking care of a TBI patient(patient is my brother and still doing it)
Beginning research in a week

Plan on taking MCAT in the fall

 

[Pghboy18]

Does non-college level courses count towards your gpa? I was homeschooled so I had to start at a community college. I was required to take intro to algebra, intermediate algebra, basic writing, and prep chem. They are all below 100 level courses. So, are these calculated into my gpa according to AMCAS?


Also, what are my chances? I am in my second year of college.

Biology 1- B
Chemistry 1- B
English 101- C
Biology 2- B
Chemistry 2- A
Pyschology- A
English Lit- B
Bio 1 (retake) - A
Chem 1 (retake)- A
English 101 (retake)- A
College Algebra- A
Organic Chem- A
Trig- A
Theatre- A
Physics 1- B
Physics 1 (retake)- A
History- A
Organic 2- A
Physics 2- A
Genetics- A
Calculas 1- A
Calculas 2- A

Thank god you retook that B in physics. It really would have killed your medical school application.

In all seriousness, nobody knows your chances. You haven't taken the MCAT or listed any ECs

 

[Mobius1985]

All post-high school coursework will need to be submitted to AMCAS and will be included in the calculation for your application GPA. It looks like you have a nice upward grade trend. What would you say your overall GPA is right now, including the community college classes and original and retaken class grades? Try this
AMCAS GPA calculator: http://medschool.ucsf.edu/postbac/pdf/AMCAS%20GPA_Calculator%20Version%204%20Final.xls if needed.

Your clinical volunteering is good. The shadowing is above average. Research is highly desirable, though not required, so I'm glad you're getting that in. Consider a leadership experience.

What does TBI stand for: Tuberculosis-Class I? Tracheobronchial intubation? What special care did you provide to your brother?

 

[mwoods88]

TBI means Traumatic Brain Injury. I care for him as a nurse would take care of a patient. I have had the chance to meet a lot of world renown doctors who are all willing to give me letters of rec.

Right now, my gpa would be a 3.7

The college website says the courses does not earn any credit hours. They say it is a "3 credit" class for tuition reasons. This is why I am confused. If I didn't earn any credit for the class, then it shouldn't be calculated in my gpa? I have no clue! Haha

Also, I plan on applying to med school next spring. I will estimate over 500 hours of shadowing, 1 1/2 years of research, 5 years of care. Hopefully high gpa and MCAT.

 

[WeAreNotRobots]

who told you to retake all those classes, and are your science classes done at CC's? i'd recommend some significant science coursework at a four-year.

all college level classes go into your amcas gpa.

300 hours shadowing one doc is rather excessive, but make sure you get a great LOR from him/her. start exploring other fields-- if s/he's world renowned, s/he'll have connections.

it's really too early to tell your chances without knowing cumulative gpa/mcat. but keep up the good work.

 

[Mobius1985]

The college website says the courses does not earn any credit hours. They say it is a "3 credit" class for tuition reasons. This is why I am confused. If I didn't earn any credit for the class, then it shouldn't be calculated in my gpa?

Perhaps they will be treated as a pass/fail classes. The hours of credit will be listed on your transcript, but if no grades were given, it will not effect your GPA calculation. If a grade was given, regardless of how the CC calculates "credit" AMCAS will recalculate according to their own rules.

 

[calimed214]

geez.. you retook all those classes that you got B's in? That's kind of insane, but hey, I guess if you have time/money to burn...

Also someone already asked this, but if all of those courses were taken at a CC, then you need to double check with individual medical schools about whether or not they'll be accepted.

 

[Mobius1985]

I plan on applying to med school next spring. I will estimate over 500 hours of shadowing, 1 1/2 years of research, 5 years of care. Hopefully high gpa and MCAT.

I think you'll be in more-than-good-enough shape, especially if you keep your GPA at 3.7, or raise it as your rising grade trend suggests you might.

 

[mwoods88]

Well I have most of my work done at a CC, but the doctor I been working with told me that is fine as long as I get the grades. Also, I have checked with University of Maryland School of Medicine and they allow coursework done at CC. The reason why I had to go to a CC is because I have to care for my brother 24/7. There is no way I could stay on campus and the closest university is over an hour drive. The reason why I retook all of those classes is because I want to make sure I am competitive when applying, higher the grades = better the chance! Every person who reads these forums know, being a pre-med student is STRESSFUL! 24/7, you worry about your grades!

And I agree that I should spread out the specialities, but my story is different. My ultimate goal is a neurosurgeon. So, if you had the chance to learn everything about that speciality and help secure a resident spot in the future, would you stay with that doctor?

My brother was flown to Shock Trauma (one of the leading Trauma Units in the world), I got a chance to meet these wonderful doctors. I spent a lot of time with this neurosurgeon, and you would be surprise when the doctor gets a page, he needs to get the patient to the OR to save the patient's life...it's exciting and rewarding. That's why Neurosurgery is my passion.

 

[WeAreNotRobots]

Well I have most of my work done at a CC, but the doctor I been working with told me that is fine as long as I get the grades. Also, I have checked with University of Maryland School of Medicine and they allow coursework done at CC. The reason why I had to go to a CC is because I have to care for my brother 24/7. There is no way I could stay on campus and the closest university is over an hour drive. The reason why I retook all of those classes is because I want to make sure I am competitive when applying, higher the grades = better the chance! Every person who reads these forums know, being a pre-med student is STRESSFUL! 24/7, you worry about your grades!

bold is true, but i don't think all schools just take the higher grade, and i'm sure there's a point at which too many retakes looks bad... i mean, anyone can do better the second time around. i think most schools average the old/new grades, so retaking B's might not be all that worth it.

so are you at a 4 yr now?

 

[starfishprime]

.

 

[starfishprime]

Every person who reads these forums know, being a pre-med student is STRESSFUL! 24/7, you worry about your grades!

It wasn't STRESSFUL for me. But then again, I'm not neurotic. I have a 3.3, two Cs, and a D, and there's no particular reason why I can't be a neurosurgeon. I did not retake my Cs or my D to get an allo acceptance. I did, however, retake a chill pill.

 

[WeAreNotRobots]

It wasn't STRESSFUL for me. But then again, I'm not neurotic. I have a 3.3, two Cs, and a D, and there's no particular reason why I can't be a neurosurgeon. I did not retake my Cs or my D to get an allo acceptance. I did, however, retake a chill pill.

i think your 40S more than made up for the C's/D, and i'm sure it took more than a few "chill sessions" to pull that off.

well done.