Do I have a chance with a 2.9 GPA? Extremely discouraged and depressed...

[guri1121]

I have a B.S. in Neurobiology, went to The University of Texas in Austin.
Ended up with 2.9 GPA. I started with a very good GPA and it went downhill from my late sophomore year when I started to experience Major Depression. I pretty much has no purpose of life at this point, which was probably a main cause for this disaster.

I've done several extracurricular activities, such as a cross country biking for cancer research, working in a lab for 4 yrs, research assistant in another lab for 2 yrs, student organization and volunteering in hospitals.

Now, I'm working as a research assistant at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. My name will be published on two papers by the end of this year. Two great rec letters are now available from my workplace.
I am waiting for the response from the Peace Corps for my medical check to clear (due to depression I had a deferral period of 9 months). If I am cleared, I'll have Peace Corps added to my resume.

I thought about going back to school to take some more classes to bring the GPA up, but this was a discouraging option because I'm already 25 years old and it is expensive. I was looking at an option of doing Masters in Tulane University in tropical disease, but there requirement was minimum 3.0 GPA.

The medical school I want to go is Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Disease or School of Medicine.

Thank you for reading this 🙂

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[aSagacious]

As it stands now, it is unlikely that you'll be accepted to an MD school this application cycle.

I agree that a year or more of GPA repair is in order prior to applying. There are a couple of ways to go about this:
- Informal post-bac (go back to your home institution and take more upper-level undergraduate science course work)
- Formal post-bac (check out this forum: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=71)
- Special masters program (check out this thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=346106)

... if you are interested in Tulane, you might want to take a look at this program: http://tulane.edu/som/departments/scb/acp.cfm. If you could bring your GPA up a bit before applying (and nail the MCAT), this program would likely offer you a quicker route into the school, as they are known for their high linkage rate.

 

[wlee43]

how about PA school?

 

[guri1121]

Thank you for your tips.
I am more interested in going back to my school and taking more upper bio classes for GPA repair since it seems to be less costly. Would this cause any form of harm on my status? Would it more beneficial to go for SMP?
At this point, I am so discouraged to think that even the schools for SMPs won't take me into their programs.

As it stands now, it is unlikely that you'll be accepted to an MD school this application cycle.

I agree that a year or more of GPA repair is in order prior to applying. There are a couple of ways to go about this:
- Informal post-bac (go back to your home institution and take more upper-level undergraduate science course work)
- Formal post-bac (check out this forum: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=71)
- Special masters program (check out this thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=346106)

... if you are interested in Tulane, you might want to take a look at this program: http://tulane.edu/som/departments/scb/acp.cfm. If you could bring your GPA up a bit before applying (and nail the MCAT), this program would likely offer you a quicker route into the school, as they are known for their high linkage rate.

 

[guri1121]

Thank you.
But what I really want is an MD. This may sound odd and unrealistic to some people but I want to get an MD so that I can provide medical services in one of the poorest countries. It looks like if I want to work as a medical volunteer this is what I need.

how about PA school?

 

[aSagacious]

I am more interested in going back to my school and taking more upper bio classes for GPA repair since it seems to be less costly. Would this cause any form of harm on my status?

This would certainly be a fine route to go. It is quite common, and by no means viewed unfavorably. Play around with a GPA calculator and see how many credits you'll need to take in order to bring your GPA into a more competitive range: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=590424

Would it more beneficial to go for SMP? At this point, I am so discouraged to think that even the schools for SMPs won't take me into their programs.

Most SMPs claim an average GPA of 3.1-3.2 (with a ~30 MCAT prior to admission). If you could first pull your GPA into this range, then Tulane's SMP might be the best (and cheapest) route.

 

[kcin]

If you struggled with your prior science classes then taking upper level courses isn't necessarily the best option. You may want to give some thought to DO schools, since you would be able to replace the grades of some of the lower level courses. You'd miss out on the school of your choice, but you need to be realistic about whether or not you'll be able to sufficiently drag your GPA up with upper level courses.

edit: re providing medical svc in another country. DOs obviously have different international practice rights, but from what I've read in these forums if you're working under the umbrella of some of the international aid organizations you would still be able to participate in most countries. This is just my impression from perusing the forums, and not a guarantee by any means.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Most SMPs claim an average GPA of 3.1-3.2 (with a ~30 MCAT prior to admission). If you could first pull your GPA into this range, then Tulane's SMP might be the best (and cheapest) route.

My understanding is that to get to ACP you must be waitlisted at some college. Am I incorrect?

 

[aSagacious]

My understanding is that to get to ACP you must be waitlisted at some college. Am I incorrect?

Hmm, I'm not sure (source?). From what I've seen on their website, "This program is designed for students who are in the acceptance range at a US medical school but did not gain admission for lack of some outstanding item in their application." I suppose this means re-applicants (so, perhaps not strictly wait-listers).

 

[Amandabeth]

So, I'm a non-trad (28 y/o, full time nanny/respite caregiver) with great LOR (1 pediatric DO, 1 pediatric MD, 1 PM&R MD, an SLP, and 2 employers for whom I worked during my entire undergrad).

My job entails a bit more medical related responsibility than typical nanny jobs as my charge has a rare genetic disorder. I am responsible for administering medications, tube feeding, PT/OT/Speech therapy "homework", wound care, and taking him to nearly every appointment with a long list of specialists.

However, as I am in a position that requires me to work full time (and then some), I have very little volunteer experience. I have run several 5K, 10K, and half marathon races for charity, and initiated a Childcare-for-Charity campaign that raised $2000 for St. Jude Children's Hospital.

My sGPA had a slight downward trend in my junior year due to my both my mothers and fathers declining health. (Degenerative disc disease and stage 4 cirrhosis, respectively), and the sudden death of a close friend. Because these issues persist, I'd like to stay in-state and apply at Wayne, MSU, MSUCOM, UofM (loooonnng shot), and possibly Oakland University.

Given my stats, what are my chances? Is including my family issues/work important in a PS?

Thanks!