Downward Grade Trend

[dreaminOfMD>.<]

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Okay, for some reason the search function isn't working for me...so I'm going to attempt to start another thread on this b/c I need some encouragement.

Who has been accepted with a noticeable downward grade trend? I'm talking getting a D for the first time and having to retake it, a serious family illness helping to cause bad grades, etc...I went from 3.7something to a 3.5. I'm pretty freaked out and with AMCAS 2004 up and all, I'm really beginning to feel a tad bit worried. I'm hoping to do well this quarter as it's the last quarter that will go on my apps.

Anybody?

 

[oldtown]

Dreamin

I had a solid 3.65 cum GPA through my first 5 semesters, then over the last 3 semesters, i got a 3.0, 2.9, and 3.3 respectively (included in these semesters were a C- in genetics, B- in Biostatistics, C+ in Environmental chemistry. not earth shatteringly horrible, but it does not look good. especially since i only took 13 units per semester during this time, compared to the 16-18 I took during the first 5 semesters). anyway, I ended up graduating with a 3.43 Cum GPA. I had no good excuse for my slide, I simply stopped studying (it should be noted i was not even considering med school at this point), and partied alot and played a lot of video games and generally wasted a lot of time. i had a lot of fun, and i wouldn't change anything about it. after i graduated, i decided i wanted to pursue medicine. i had taken all my prereq's except organic, so i took that and got an A both semesters, bringing my overall GPA right about up to a 3.5, then i did well on the MCAT. I applied to 22 schools, was invited to 10 interviews, and received 3 acceptances (currently on one waitinglist, withdrew from the other 6 post interview). The key to dealing with this situation is showing maturity. I took all the blame in my personal statement, said some stuff about how I didn't have any direction, wasn't focused, etc. and made no excuses for my slide, and admitted my behavior was foolish. I didn't dwell on that though (dedicated one short paragraph to this explanation) and the rest of the Personal statement was positive. So, although i didn't have a terrible downward trend, it still must have raised some red flags. Just make sure you handle it right and you should be fine.

 

[dreaminOfMD>.<]

thanks for the insight oldtown. i hope i have as much luck as you did with the application process...well, it probably wasn't luck for you (excuse me on that), you're just probably a very well-rounded excellent candidate. is this your first time applying? congratulations on your 3 acceptances by the way.

can anybody else give me some info?🙂

 

[oldtown]

Thanks for the compliment, you don't sound too shabby yourself. This was my first time applying.
Good Luck.

 

[nameless]

Dreamin,

to make a long story short, i share the same pattern as oldtown, starting off solid during my first 2 years (mostly As in the intro Bio classes and General electives), to consistent B/B-s in the sciences during my last 3 (Plus a C in the first G-chem class). Definitely a downward trend that I never pulled out of. Ended up with 3.46 cumulative (with an even lower science GPA).

No one even addressed the issue during my interviews. I applied to way too many schools (30 AMCAS); did about 20 secondaries, received 10 interviews; accepted to 4 schools, waitlisted at another. (The rest I didn't go to the interview or pulled off of waitlist post-interview). And I'm happy with the so-called "prestige" or "tier" that the schools belong to, if that matters any.

It was my first time applying, and my MCAT was above 30 but not stellar. So my numbers weren't the best but I tried to focus my application on my activities. As for your essays, I didn't even mention my grades in mine. However, I did take time off after graduation and it seemed that my activities were what they wanted to talk about during interviews. So whether or not you want to mention it or just let other aspects of your application shine is up to you, in my opinion.

i seriously think you don't have anything to freak out about, especially if you're not set on Harvard or something. good luck.

 

[dreaminOfMD>.<]

bump

 

[dreaminOfMD>.<]

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