currently, 3.13 GPA

[DG2010]

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I recently completed my sophomore year of undergrad, going into junior year this fall. I haven't taken the MCATs yet (b/c I haven't taken Physics yet).

I'm a Neuroscience Major, French Minor with a current 3.13 GPA. I'm South Asian and I've shadowed a neurosurgeon, an ob/gyn, and this is my 3rd summer working in a research facility (2 summers at NIH, 1 at OSU). I've also volunteered at hospitals in Washington DC and in rural India. I am an active member of my sorority- I go to a small public state university.

I know my GPA is really low. I don't know what my science GPA is b/c I don't know how to calculate it...but it's probably lower than 3.13. I know that I have to really work hard and bring up my grades. What kind of MCAT score do I need to have a chance at getting into medical school??

I'm really not interested in doing a post-bac thing or getting a master's degree - i just want to go straight into medical school but it looks like I may need to work for a year before applying or something.

I'm so worried..I'm panicked that I'm not going to get in anywhere and I'm kicking myself for letting my grades be this way. Anyone have advice for me?

 

[MilkmanAl]

Let's put it this way: I had a 3.12 at the time of application and a fairly impressive 35 on the MCAT. I got 1 interview out of 28 applications. In other words, unless you score a 42 or something unbelievable that'll make schools look twice, you're in bad shape. Raise that GPA the best you can, and you should probably apply after your senior year so you have more (good) grades factoring into your overall GPA. If it makes you feel any better, my grades were worse than yours after my sophomore year, and I still (barely) got in. It's possible, but it won't be easy, especially with a major like neuroscience.

 

[Mobius1985]

Even if you get straight As from this moment onward, regardless of your MCAT score, I'd suggest including applications to DO schools in your plan, to make an acceptance somewhere more likely. You might get lucky, like MilkmanAl, and get into an allopathic school too, if you get a great MCAT score. With a GPA that low, I'd strive for a score in the upper 30s to 40s. Fortunately, your extensive research experience will make your application stand out, but without a high MCAT, automatic screening cut-offs will keep many schools from evaluating the rest of your application.

 

[DG2010]

What kind of a GPA should I shoot for? If I follow the typical plan of admissions/taking the MCAT..I should have two more semesters to bring up my GPA.

I guess I could always follow Milkman's advice and apply after senior year so that I have more time to bring up my grades. Can you apply to medical school twice? Like..could I apply next June, and if I am not happy with the way the process is going..I could take a year off, do something interesting and apply again? I've heard the application process is so stressful taht I wouldn't want to do it over again...

Also is there a place where I can find a list of schools that do GPA or MCAT score cutoffs? I tried googling but I was unsuccessful.

edit.
I just calculated. Even if I get a 4.0 the next two semesters, my cumulative GPA will be a 3.42..which I still don't think is good enough. I'm guessing my GPA after junior year will be somewhere around 3.25...

 

[Mobius1985]

Yes, you can apply again if the first cycle is not successful, but aside from the horrific stress, expense is another significant consideration to keep in mind. Waiting to apply is more likely to be productive, even if you end up doing a fifth undergrad year, to continue boosting your GPA, unless your MCAT is amazing (statistically, not a good outcome to rely on).

A GPA of 3.6 is the mean of all accepted applicants, so that's a good goal to aim for.

 

[Mobius1985]

Also is there a place where I can find a list of schools that do GPA or MCAT score cutoffs? I tried googling but I was unsuccessful.

Some school websites have that information stated, but I am unaware of an on-line source that collates that information from multiple schools.

 

[MilkmanAl]

What kind of a GPA should I shoot for?

The obvious answer is "the highest possible." Ideally, you'd want something like a 3.6. You could probably get away with a 3.3 if you really kill the MCAT. Those numbers are assuming that your GPA and BCMP are roughly the same.

Also is there a place where I can find a list of schools that do GPA or MCAT score cutoffs?

Most schools do not publish these numbers. I suggest calling the admissions offices of schools you're interested in to see if they screen, but they might not divulge their cutoffs at all.

Can you apply to medical school twice?

You can apply as many times as you like, but it's a good idea to improve your application significantly between each try.

I've heard the application process is so stressful taht I wouldn't want to do it over again

Uh...yeah. Applying sucks. We'll leave it at that.

I also suggest applying to DO schools, by the way. Being on track to practicing medicine beats the **** out of applying again, let me tell you.

 

[JDOC13]

My recommendations:

-Shoot for a 35+ on the MCAT
-Do really well your junior year
-Shoot for a 3.6+ GPA (although 3.4 seems to be the highest possible)
-Stop calling the MCAT "MCATs"

 

[m015094]

I'm really not interested in doing a post-bac thing or getting a master's degree - i just want to go straight into medical school but it looks like I may need to work for a year before applying or something.

I'm so worried..I'm panicked that I'm not going to get in anywhere and I'm kicking myself for letting my grades be this way. Anyone have advice for me?

I've got a three step plan to help you out:

Step 1: Cry me a river.

Step 2: Build a bridge.

Step 3: GET OVER IT!


Are you serious? A 3.13 after sophomore year is completely recoverable. Why are you so worried about this? Are you in a race with someone over who can get done with med school the fastest? Slow down. Breathe. Take a Valium or eh...beer..or soda or something. Never mind.

 

[Fighter1]

I think a 3.13 is definately not competitive enough, but you have a year to recover it. I think if you can manage to bring it upto a 3.4, you should be fine. AIM FOR STRAIGHT A's. from now on. A 3.4 and a 30 if not a 32 should work out fine 4 u.

 

[omelette1230]

how much can a post bacc help? i had a 3.1 in undergrad and took 30 hours of upper level science courses and got a 3.9 (repeating some courses from undergrad). will they care? i was just curious if they looked at those trends. i've worked in a neurology lab and ive coauthored 11 publications-1 in nature, 2 in neuron, and 1 in new england journal of medicine. will this even matter to them?

 

[MilkmanAl]

They look at trends, and your postbac performance will be a definite plus. It sounds like it will figure into your undergrad GPA, too. Your research experience is also a huge plus.

 

[Mobius1985]

1) how much can a post bacc help? i had a 3.1 in undergrad and took 30 hours of upper level science courses and got a 3.9 (repeating some courses from undergrad). will they care? i was just curious if they looked at those trends.

2) i've worked in a neurology lab and ive coauthored 11 publications-1 in nature, 2 in neuron, and 1 in new england journal of medicine. will this even matter to them?

1) When your GPA is low, but you've shown a significant upward trend in most recent classes, it definitely shows you are capable of the work required in med school. Yes, they will notice, and it does make a difference, so a post-bac, even if unofficial, will help your situation. Be sure to explain your evolution in attitude in the Personal Statement.

2) Research listed under your "Experience" section on the AMCAS application, especially when it is as significant as yours appears, will increase the chances that they will take a more careful look at the rest of your application. IMO amazing ECs (extracurriculars) help with damage control when your stats are not optimal.

 

[omelette1230]

to mobius and milkman for your encouragement. i know i have mistakes to atone for and ive tried to do that. i did the post bacc while working full time and those papers are the result of three years of 10-12 hour days and no vacation( i even worked on x-mas ). i just want to let them know i want it bad and am willing to do whatever it takes. IMO, i think if anyone in a bind adopts this attitude they can make it even if it may take longer.

thanks again.

 

[Mobius1985]

i did the post bacc while working full time and those papers are the result of three years of 10-12 hour days and no vacation( i even worked on x-mas ).

I predict that you'll find the hard work was worth it. Good Luck.

 

[Lokhtar]

how much can a post bacc help? i had a 3.1 in undergrad and took 30 hours of upper level science courses and got a 3.9 (repeating some courses from undergrad). will they care? i was just curious if they looked at those trends. i've worked in a neurology lab and ive coauthored 11 publications-1 in nature, 2 in neuron, and 1 in new england journal of medicine. will this even matter to them?

Yes, they'll care. You should definitely apply to schools that value research. I am surprised you aren't considering research as your career goal considering your past experience.

 

[omelette1230]

yea i have thought about it. but the reason i did all that work was to get into medical school. i thought that if i overwhelmed them this way, it may help to offset a low GPR. arent there a lot of medical schools in the philly area? maybe i should try there.