Decisions Decisions

[osujic1]

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I'm currently a trying to decide what classes to take for the Fall. Normally it isn't this stressful but this is the first time it might influence whether or not I get accepted next cycle.

I graduated undergrad with a GPA 3.2c 3.0s. Obviously this was too low. I'm currently maintaining a 4.0 in graduate school and have one semster left. Ill also be taking my MCAT in a few weeks and plan on applying this cycle.

My dilemma is that a few advisors have asked me whether I had looked into taking a 5 credit med school course which is offered to grad students (classes are usually 2 credits). Doing well in this course is clearly a great look to prove readiness and all that good stuff. However, historically doing well has usually amounted to getting a B+/B in these courses. For example in a class of 230 grad/med students there we 2 A's. Admissions says that they simply like to see that students who take the course can keep up with the material and pass. Which is true, at least for this school and reflected in their selection for interview candidates. However my school offers guaranteed interview with a 3.6 and 508 MCAT, which I should have given my practice scores and my current GPA. This school isnt my first choice, in fact really I'd rather not go here at all for medical school but of courae will apply since Ive got good chances. Other schools who are familiar with this program are also aware that my institution offers these said med school courses and judge our preformance based on choose courseload intensity. Not to say that my courses thusfar lack intensity but the classes I would otherwise take next aren't exactly that hardest (in ny opinion). Schools which are not affliated ptobably know less and will look at the B first. It's been a very hard decison and I keep going back in forth about it. In short I want opinions in what would be better:
Option 1- finishing my graduate degree with a 4.0 and applying
Option 2- finishing my graduate degree with ~3.7 but with a passing med school course and applying

I should note that I am not concered with my ability to perform in the medical school course and am more interested in which route makes me more competitive. I've heard some say schools will look at grades before anything and others say that they will admire the completion of the course if I do well. Right noe im currently enrolled but have until August to drop.

Sorry if this was all over the place. Thanks for any help!

 

[watermelon master]

Absolutely do not take that med school course.

 

[Spr1ngrolls]

Don't take the med school course, especially if you could care less about whether or not you end up going to the school you're currently at for med. Given your lower undergrad GPA, finishing strong with a 4.0 in your graduate classes will make a MUCH better impression than a 3.7 with a B in that said class.

 

[osujic1]

Don't take the med school course, especially if you could care less about whether or not you end up going to the school you're currently at for med. Given your lower undergrad GPA, finishing strong with a 4.0 in your graduate classes will make a MUCH better impression than a 3.7 with a B in that said class.

Do you really think so? I've been seriously torn. Most med schools are pass fail so I thought it might be powerful to show that I can perform but you think the grades would be more attractive?

 

[efle]

What is your overall cGPA and sGPA after finishing grad with a 4.0?

 

[osujic1]

What is your overall cGPA and sGPA after finishing grad with a 4.0?

I haven't calculated it, but why does that matter in terms of this decision?

 

[efle]

I haven't calculated it, but why does that matter in terms of this decision?

If your cGPA and sGPA are precarious, taking a 5-credit class with a harsh curve seems less sensible, no?

 

[osujic1]

If your cGPA and sGPA are precarious, taking a 5-credit class with a harsh curve seems less sensible, no?

Again, I haven't calculated yet but my GPA will be higher without the med school course. I know grad school doesn't hide my undergrad but the point, at least that I'm trying to accomplish, is to demonstrate growth. I think your asking me the same question I came on here asking. Of course if it was just a question of whether I should graduate with a 4.0 vs a 3.7, the answer is obvious. However in the case of the latter, I'm curious what weight completing a medical school course would carry since all of this is after all is to get into medical school. I figure I can't get better then holding my ground in their actual classes. Im in no way fighting to take a 5 medical school course mind you, I want to do whatever increases my chances, and its been my thought that if I can show that I am able to do well, then it might be better than showing that I can do well in upper level grad courses.

 

[efle]

Oh I see where I was confused, I thought this class would affect your cGPA, but it is a graduate course. If a B in a single class like this can drop you 0.3, I am going to guess you're in some kind of 1 year masters degree? If so, honest answer is that 4.0 vs 3.7 really doesn't matter that much, since the master's isn't going to rescue the 3.2 uGPA either way. That needs a post-bacc of undergrad level classes, or an SMP. Or potentially a phenomenal MCAT.

 

[Goro]

The bolded says it all. Do NOT take this course!

I'm currently a trying to decide what classes to take for the Fall. Normally it isn't this stressful but this is the first time it might influence whether or not I get accepted next cycle.

I graduated undergrad with a GPA 3.2c 3.0s. Obviously this was too low. I'm currently maintaining a 4.0 in graduate school and have one semster left. Ill also be taking my MCAT in a few weeks and plan on applying this cycle.

My dilemma is that a few advisors have asked me whether I had looked into taking a 5 credit med school course which is offered to grad students (classes are usually 2 credits). Doing well in this course is clearly a great look to prove readiness and all that good stuff. However, historically doing well has usually amounted to getting a B+/B in these courses. For example in a class of 230 grad/med students there we 2 A's. Admissions says that they simply like to see that students who take the course can keep up with the material and pass. Which is true, at least for this school and reflected in their selection for interview candidates. However my school offers guaranteed interview with a 3.6 and 508 MCAT, which I should have given my practice scores and my current GPA. This school isnt my first choice, in fact really I'd rather not go here at all for medical school but of courae will apply since Ive got good chances. Other schools who are familiar with this program are also aware that my institution offers these said med school courses and judge our preformance based on choose courseload intensity. Not to say that my courses thusfar lack intensity but the classes I would otherwise take next aren't exactly that hardest (in ny opinion). Schools whivh are not affliated ptobably know less and will look at the B first. It's been a very decison and I keep going back in forth about it. In short I want opinions in what would be better:
Option 1- finishing my graduate degree with a 4.0 and applying
Option 2- finishing my graduate degree with ~3.7 but with a passing med school course and applying

I should note that I am not concered with my ability to perform in the medical school course and am more interested in which route makes me more competitive. I've heard some say schools will look at grades before anything and others say that they will admire the completion of the course if I do well. Right noe im currently enrolled but have until August to drop.

Sorry if this was all over the place. Thanks for any help!

 

[osujic1]

Oh I see where I was confused, I thought this class would affect your cGPA, but it is a graduate course. If a B in a single class like this can drop you 0.3, I am going to guess you're in some kind of 1 year masters degree? If so, honest answer is that 4.0 vs 3.7 really doesn't matter that much, since the master's isn't going to rescue the 3.2 uGPA either way. That needs a post-bacc of undergrad level classes, or an SMP. Or potentially a phenomenal MCAT.

Yea the masters is a short one, longer then a year but the class carries a good amount of weight. A post bacc isn't necessary. If anything at this point itd be a waste of time and money. I won't prove anything further by getting an A in bio 101 in place of the C I got during sophomore year. The masters program I'm in is linked to the medical school, I just rather not go there. Still doesn't help with my undergrad GPA very much. I feel like your missing the point of my post, which was to weigh the two options for next semester. They're not the same. 3.7 vs 4.0 is a big deal and I'm only willing to make the sacrifice if that course carries the weight I think it does. Lol however, from all of the commentary thusfar it seems like I'd be better off without it.

 

[efle]

So you are currently in an SMP with linkage to a med school?

Haven't you already been taking and acing a bunch of classes along side med students there then?

 

[osujic1]

So you are currently in an SMP with linkage to a med school?

Haven't you already been taking and acing a bunch of classes along side med students there then?

Nope. For example theres Medical Biochem for grad students and then the Medical Biochem for the first years. The latter is offered once a year via invitation, there are a few other med courses offered in the spring but I graduate this fall so I won't be taking those. Ive attended a few of their lectures and checked out the course outline and from what Ive seen the med course just has a lot more content which comes from the fact that it meets 5 days a week vs 2. If if if I took the class and got in here, I'd be taking the exact same class again during first year since credits don't transfer from the grad degree, which is no biggy and if anything an easy pass. But that's a bit into the future and I guess you guys are saying not the best decision in terms of today.

 

[MCATISEZ]

I haven't calculated it, but why does that matter in terms of this decision?

It sounds like your school has more interest in you taking this course than you do. I could be wrong, but that is how it seems like you are describing it.

 

[osujic1]

It sounds like your school has more interest in you taking this course than you do. I could be wrong, but that is how it seems like you are describing it.

No your right. Im holding on to my GPA for dear life but I also really want to do whatever gets me in. Admissions here really likes the class and I can't figure out if that's just here or would that be an opinion reflected at other schools. I just want to do whatever makes me look better.

 

[efle]

The masters program I'm in is linked to the medical school

Nope.

Alright I'm a little lost. When you say you are in a masters, which isn't an SMP but is linked to the med school, what does that mean? Does getting a certain GPA in your masters program guarantee you an admit, an interview, or neither? If there is such a guarantee, is that GPA requirement below 3.7?

 

[osujic1]

Alright I'm a little lost. When you say you are in a masters, which isn't an SMP but is linked to the med school, what does that mean? Does getting a certain GPA in your masters program guarantee you an admit, an interview, or neither? If there is such a guarantee, is that GPA requirement below 3.7?

This masters is an SMP. Its liked to the medical school. The majority of our classes are not offered with the med students, but a few are with permission. The school will guarantee an interview with a 3.6 GPA and a 508 MCAT. I haven't taken my MCAT yet, its scheduled for June 1st. This was the only time I could take it with my classes. My problem was that I don't want to go there but will apply given I have the best chance of entry. In terms of applying everywhere else, and maybe applying in general, I wanted to know if a med course is worth it.

 

[efle]

Having glanced at your post history, it looks like there is a prior MCAT of 488 about a year and a half ago? How is it looking this time around, have you taken one of the AAMC official practice tests recently and scored close to 508?

It sounds like you're not a fan of the linked med school, but this might be a case of "beggars can't be choosers." You really need to take advantage of having increased odds at this linked program. If this med school class would probably drop you to 3.7, I think it's too dangerous to be worth taking. One other class going a little poorly, or the med class being even tougher than expected, could drop you down past 3.6 and lose you the best chance you've got at an MD interview.

Are you planning to apply DO as well?

 

[osujic1]

Having glanced at your post history, it looks like there is a prior MCAT of 488 about a year and a half ago? How is it looking this time around, have you taken one of the AAMC official practice tests recently and scored close to 508?

It sounds like you're not a fan of the linked med school, but this might be a case of "beggars can't be choosers." You really need to take advantage of having increased odds at this linked program. If this med school class would probably drop you to 3.7, I think it's too dangerous to be worth taking. One other class going a little poorly, or the med class being even tougher than expected, could drop you down past 3.6 and lose you the best chance you've got at an MD interview.

Are you planning to apply DO as well?

I've been taking the new MCAT practice exams and been doing well, and am not worried in regard to the retake. I'm actually not worried about anything except the one class decision I posted about. I'm not applying to any DO schools. I appreciate your and everyone else's input and will look into dropping the course.

 

[efle]

I've been taking the new MCAT practice exams and been doing well, and am not worried in regard to the retake. I'm actually not worried about anything except the one class decision I posted about. I'm not applying to any DO schools. I appreciate your and everyone else's input and will look into dropping the course.

Yeah if your practice exams have been 508+, so you're likely to get this interview, then I wouldn't risk your GPA.

 

[osujic1]

Lol 2 years ago. Glance or dig? None the less I've been taking the new MCAT practice exams and been doing well, and am not worried in regard to the retake. I'm actually not worried about anything except the one class decision I posted about. I'm not applying to any DO schools. I appreciate your and everyone else's input and will look into dropping the course.

 

[efle]

Lol 2 years ago. Glance or dig?

You can search for keywords under poster names. "MCAT score" + your name = a few posts incl. that one

I'm actually not worried about anything except the one class decision

This seems rather detached from the reality of your situation, then.

 

[osujic1]

You can search for keywords under poster names. "MCAT score" + your name = a few posts incl. that one


This seems rather detached from the reality of your situation, then.

I know how to search, I'm just not interested in general advising outside of this matter which you've been so insistent on giving, even now. Im very aware of my situtation, kind of hard not to be when its your life. I appreciate the concern, but my worries are in the right place. You're of course welcome to hold the thinking of your choosing.

 

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

What kind of medical school has a graded class with 1% A's? Not only should you not take the class, don't apply to that med school.

 

[efle]

I know how to search, I'm just not interested in general advising outside of this matter which you've been so insistent on giving, even now. Im very aware of my situtation, kind of hard not to be when its your life. I appreciate the concern, but my worries are in the right place. You're of course welcome to hold the thinking of your choosing.

good luck

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

You really need to be thinking about DO schools unless you get 512+ on your MCAT retake....