Crummy 3.4 cGPA/3.2sGPA, not sure what to do.

[hydraphoenix15]

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I go to a state school (SUNY), lets say Stony for the sake of arguement but not really, the problem is that I've taken all my pre-reqs already and thats my final GPA...so what other classes do I take? The only other classes there are, are upper level and I doubt I'd be able to pull off an A in those. I'm currently a sophomore though, should I retake all of my classes that I did terrible in? Go osteo? Pharm? Looking for a bit of comfort/advice I guess, here are my stats.

Freshman 1 - 20 Credits
Bio I - C
Orgo I - B
Physics I - B+
Chem I - A-
Calculus I - B

Freshman 2 - 19 credits
Bio II - B+
Orgo II - B+
Physics II - A
English I - A
Chinese Mythology - A

Sophomore 1 - 18 Credits, TA for 2 credits
Cell Biology - A-
Organometallics - A-
Orgo Lab - A
Microecon - A-
Calculus II - B-
Physics I TA - Pass (Pass/Fail option only)

Anesthioslogy Shadowing - 60 hours
Surgical ICU Shadowing - 30 hours
Summer Internship at Hospital (Filing health insure at a hospital and running errands)
Member of Clubs but no interest in pursuing leadership position.

I plan on TAing for Physics and Orgo next semester (surprisingly for Orgo) and start doing research at my school, not sure if I should go for a Honors Thesis paper, seems intimidating/too work intensive. But doing ECs seems useless if I decide to pursue something else. What should I do?

My sudden concert came from some other posts ive read where people with high gpas and 35+ mcats arent getting into schools high and low tier. Plus Medical admissions are getting competitive since I'm with the wave of students affected by the recession, the number of medical applicants hit a new high this year.

 

[J ROD]

For MD, start making alot of A's and destroy the MCAT....that simple!!


I would seriously start looking at DO.

It would be your best shot.

Just do the best you can the rest of the way and on the MCAT and apply to DO and a few MD schools.

Also, you need to get going on getting some clinical volunteering...

Raise that GPA some and get a 27/28 MCAT and you will be a strong app for DO.

 

[hydraphoenix15]

I was considering surgery versus prim care, not sure if DO would be the better option, but I have no problem with DO, ill probably end up trying for MD anyway.

Is retaking a few courses a better option?

 

[Catalystik]

You are only a sophomore with three semesters under your belt. You have three to go before the more traditional time of application, or five if you need it. You should be able to raise your GPAs into a more competitive range for allopathic med schools if you want it bad enough. You must demonstrate an ability to do well in upper-level sciences classes, because you MUST raise your BCPM GPA and prove to adcomms you can succeed in their curriculum.

The most important EC to start immediately is weekly clinical volunteering, as 1.5 years of this is average for applicants. This gives you both clinical exposure as well as community service.

Teaching is an important EC to list on the AMCAS application and you'll be strong in this. Also, the subject matter will stay fresh so you can do well on the MCAT. I TA'd OChem myself and loved it.

Your shadowing is fine as it is, but I suggest you spend just one day with a doc in Internal Med, Peds, or Family Med, too.

Any research is good, but about a year seems the average.

Any leadership is good to list, even if it's short-term, like carrying thorough a fund-raising effort or campus cleanup, or food collection with friends.

If you can, nonmedical volunteerism would be good to see too, even if short-term.

Clubs don't count for much. An honors thesis isn't too helpful, but you could discuss it in detail under "Other", if it isn't research. If grad school is your backup plan, it might be a good idea to do it.

DOs and MDs can be surgeons. For DO you should probably repeat Bio I. For MD you're fine if you can get some As in upper-level Bio classes.

 

[hydraphoenix15]

What if I were to Ace Upper level science classes or take a heavy workload? Would that compensate for a low gpa (3.5ish)

-Thanks a ton guys.

 

[Catalystik]

As in upper-level science will raise both GPAs. If the cGPA is still low, then a higher than average MCAT score can compensate. DO NOT let a heavy workload compromise your ability to get great grades. Demonstrating good time management is important for adcomms too.

 

[J ROD]

Sorry, I did not catch only being 3 semesters in this morning.

You have time to turn it around....but you need to get to work on it so that you dont have to 34+ MCAT.

Also, work on ECs because they are just as important as MCAT and GPA at many places.

 

[Anesthetic]

Freshman 1 - 20 Credits
Bio I - C
Orgo I - B
Physics I - B+
Chem I - A-
Calculus I - B

That is the most insane first semester of college i have ever seen.

 

[J ROD]

That is the most insane first semester of college i have ever seen.

and the worst grade was in the easiest class!!

 

[rctriplefresh5]

I go to a state school (SUNY), lets say Stony for the sake of arguement but not really, the problem is that I've taken all my pre-reqs already and thats my final GPA...so what other classes do I take? The only other classes there are, are upper level and I doubt I'd be able to pull off an A in those. I'm currently a sophomore though, should I retake all of my classes that I did terrible in? Go osteo? Pharm? Looking for a bit of comfort/advice I guess, here are my stats.

Freshman 1 - 20 Credits
Bio I - C
Orgo I - B
Physics I - B+
Chem I - A-
Calculus I - B

Freshman 2 - 19 credits
Bio II - B+
Orgo II - B+
Physics II - A
English I - A
Chinese Mythology - A

Sophomore 1 - 18 Credits, TA for 2 credits
Cell Biology - A-
Organometallics - A-
Orgo Lab - A
Microecon - A-
Calculus II - B-
Physics I TA - Pass (Pass/Fail option only)

Anesthioslogy Shadowing - 60 hours
Surgical ICU Shadowing - 30 hours
Summer Internship at Hospital (Filing health insure at a hospital and running errands)
Member of Clubs but no interest in pursuing leadership position.

I plan on TAing for Physics and Orgo next semester (surprisingly for Orgo) and start doing research at my school, not sure if I should go for a Honors Thesis paper, seems intimidating/too work intensive. But doing ECs seems useless if I decide to pursue something else. What should I do?

My sudden concert came from some other posts ive read where people with high gpas and 35+ mcats arent getting into schools high and low tier. Plus Medical admissions are getting competitive since I'm with the wave of students affected by the recession, the number of medical applicants hit a new high this year.

looking at your grades, it shows you are smart, but lack the drive to push through. i mean you got a c in bio i but an B in bio 2. bio 1 is waaaaaaaay easier than bio 2. same with your physics and orgo chems.

also how did yo utake orgo at the same time you took chem 1? and wheres chem 2? i wish i could skip chem 2. im taking that in the spring and im dreading it hehehs.