Encouragement for Low GPA Applicants!!!

[journalistdoingscience]

Hey guys, I've been hanging around SDN for a few months now and noticed that there is a prevailing attitude that you have to have a 3.85 GPA and 42 MCAT to get into medical school which can be extremely disheartening for applicants with mediocre scores. I wanted to post a little bit about my success to hopefully help others feel more confident in their own application even if they don't have stellar numbers.
I went to school for journalism and graduated with a GPA around a 3.3. I then attended a post-bacc program where I averaged about a 3.0 due to a C and several B grades. It was the first time I was taking science classes in almost 5 years and they were tough. I was also working full-time and trying to juggle classes and it was too much. I figured this out about halfway through, slowed down and started taking classes one at a time after a particularly hard semester and my grades shot up. I still ended up applying with a cGPA of less than 3.2 and I was really worried it would preclude me from being a competitive candidate.
Despite my anxiety, I'm excited to say that I got four interviews this cycle and have been accepted into my first school as of this morning. I was terrified that my low GPA was the death knell for my dream of becoming a physician and if I had listened to some of the people (well-meaning, I'm sure) that post on here I don't know that I would have continued but I worked extremely hard every day to improve my application and I made it! All this is to say that if you're in a similar boat and you're feeling down then please take my story as encouragement and keep working as hard as you can to get into school because you can do it!

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[Dr.Zoidberg]

Hey guys, I've been hanging around SDN for a few months now and noticed that there is a prevailing attitude that you have to have a 3.85 GPA and 42 MCAT to get into medical school which can be extremely disheartening for applicants with mediocre scores. I wanted to post a little bit about my success to hopefully help others feel more confident in their own application even if they don't have stellar numbers.
I went to school for journalism and graduated with a GPA around a 3.3. I then attended a post-bacc program where I averaged about a 3.0 due to a C and several B grades. It was the first time I was taking science classes in almost 5 years and they were tough. I was also working full-time and trying to juggle classes and it was too much. I figured this out about halfway through, slowed down and started taking classes one at a time after a particularly hard semester and my grades shot up. I still ended up applying with a cGPA of less than 3.2 and I was really worried it would preclude me from being a competitive candidate.
Despite my anxiety, I'm excited to say that I got four interviews this cycle and have been accepted into my first school as of this morning. I was terrified that my low GPA was the death knell for my dream of becoming a physician and if I had listened to some of the people (well-meaning, I'm sure) that post on here I don't know that I would have continued but I worked extremely hard every day to improve my application and I made it! All this is to say that if you're in a similar boat and you're feeling down then please take my story as encouragement and keep working as hard as you can to get into school because you can do it!

Why did you decide to switch from journalism, and how did you decide on medicine? Did you enjoy science classes before? Just wondering. I always find it interesting to talk to people who made such an abrupt switch, particularly from the humanities.

 

[premedbrah]

Awesome to hear these comeback stories!

 

[ridethecliche]

There's more to the story than just this.

As always, a few other things need to be asked:

1) Are you a URM?
-This matters as the same 'ranges' don't apply.
2) Is this for MD or DO programs?

Your post bacc grades are a pretty huge red flag for most institutions.

Congrats on the acceptance.

Not to steal the OP's thunder, but the exceptions do not make the norm. While there are often exceptional cases that catch the attention of the adcom, people really need to be realistic about this process and act in a way such that all their ducks are in a row when they apply.

 

[swolebrah]

Congratulations , MCAT score?

 

[journalistdoingscience]

Why did you decide to switch from journalism, and how did you decide on medicine? Did you enjoy science classes before? Just wondering. I always find it interesting to talk to people who made such an abrupt switch, particularly from the humanities.

The first job I got out of college was on a large research grant studying emerging pandemic threats. It was incredibly fascinating and I got to work with some amazing epidemiologists, public health specialists and physicians and it made me realize I was interested in medicine so I applied for a post bacc program. I still love writing and write as much as possible!

 

[journalistdoingscience]

There's more to the story than just this.

As always, a few other things need to be asked:

1) Are you a URM?
-This matters as the same 'ranges' don't apply.
2) Is this for MD or DO programs?

Your post bacc grades are a pretty huge red flag for most institutions.

Congrats on the acceptance.

Not to steal the OP's thunder, but the exceptions do not make the norm. While there are often exceptional cases that catch the attention of the adcom, people really need to be realistic about this process and act in a way such that all their ducks are in a row when they apply.

Thanks for the congrats!I am not a URM by any stretch of the imagination. I only applied to MD programs in the US. I politely disagree that I am an exceptional case. I did my best and made sure that every area of my application was as outstanding as possible, I applied broadly and to schools that I felt would match my experiences. I was extremely happy that schools (more than one) were able to look past my unfortunate GPA. I'm not trying to encourage anyone to think "oh hey, my GPA is in the ****ter but I'll probably get in because Journalist did," I'm trying to tell people who have their hearts set on medicine and have worked extremely hard but have less than average stats that they still have a chance and should continue to try their best and improve all areas of their application and have faith that schools will be able to see their worth instead of looking at them as numbers on a page. I definitely agree that all applicants should have their "ducks in a row" but for some, it may not be possible to apply with a brilliant GPA and that shouldn't preclude anyone from pursuing medicine.

 

[journalistdoingscience]

Congratulations , MCAT score?

Thanks!! I took the MCAT three times, the first two times I got <30 and the third time (after taking a prep class) I finally broke 30.

 

[PlasticBag]

I am in a similar boat! I did my BA and MA in humanities and I'm having a bit of a hard time with the post-bac, taking science classes for the first time. I'm hoping for the best, aiming to go to a DO school. With the couple of C's I collected I'm feeling pretty hopeless but perhaps will repeat those classes for the next cycle, if things don't work out this year.

Thanks for posting your story! I'm sure your background in journalism helped with a compelling PS and secondaries

 

[HinduHammer]

Sorry but there are numerous underdog success story threads already in existence and your new unnecessary thread is plain and simple a huge humblebrag. Good for you but lets not pretend it's for the underdogs it's for you to get the congratulations and accolades of Sdn.

 

[journalistdoingscience]

Sorry but there are numerous underdog success story threads already in existence and your new unnecessary thread is plain and simple a huge humblebrag. Good for you but lets not pretend it's for the underdogs it's for you to get the congratulations and accolades of Sdn.

I'm genuinely sorry you feel that way, it sounds very jaded and cynical to assume that the only reason someone would post their story is for attention. I've gotten plenty of accolades and congratulations from friends and family I actually know personally so I don't feel the need to get them from anonymous people on the internet. I didn't find a lot of "underdog success story threads" when I was applying that fit my situation and honestly if even one person feels somewhat encouraged by what I have to say then I'm happy. I see you're a pre-med currently - good luck with your application cycle!

 

[journalistdoingscience]

I am in a similar boat! I did my BA and MA in humanities and I'm having a bit of a hard time with the post-bac, taking science classes for the first time. I'm hoping for the best, aiming to go to a DO school. With the couple of C's I collected I'm feeling pretty hopeless but perhaps will repeat those classes for the next cycle, if things don't work out this year.

Thanks for posting your story! I'm sure your background in journalism helped with a compelling PS and secondaries

Just keep working hard and improving! Early Cs that give way to As will help to show that you're learning how to handle tough classes!

 

[HinduHammer]

I'm genuinely sorry you feel that way, it sounds very jaded and cynical to assume that the only reason someone would post their story is for attention. I've gotten plenty of accolades and congratulations from friends and family I actually know personally so I don't feel the need to get them from anonymous people on the internet. I didn't find a lot of "underdog success story threads" when I was applying that fit my situation and honestly if even one person feels somewhat encouraged by what I have to say then I'm happy. I see you're a pre-med currently - good luck with your application cycle!

1. Though it may sound jaded and cynical, I have a feeling it is accurate
2. People routinely post things on the internet to get attention from people on the internet, see: facebook, twitter, google+, instagram, etc ad infinitum
3. If you did even the simplest of searches you would see that there are numerous underdog success threads: non-trads, under 3.0, etc etc. The fact that you did not search for them before posting your story goes back to point #1.
a. The benefit of posting in the already existing underdog threads is that many people who need them have them as a "watched thread" so that new responses will show up as alerts. By just posting your story in the pre-allo forum it will dissapear in a couple days, posting in the currently existing underdog threads will save the story for posterity to help others who actually need it and look for those threads for encouragement
4. You talk about not needing accolades and seeing that I'm a pre-med, but you changed your status today from pre-med to accepted...so clearly this label of being accepted is important to you (as well it would be to me and most pre-meds), but please don't sound so humble...you're not that great
5. thanks for your wishes on my app cycle. I am confident I will get in somewhere, sometime.

 

[reapplicanthelpme2014]

1. Though it may sound jaded and cynical, I have a feeling it is accurate
2. People routinely post things on the internet to get attention from people on the internet, see: facebook, twitter, google+, instagram, etc ad infinitum
3. If you did even the simplest of searches you would see that there are numerous underdog success threads: non-trads, under 3.0, etc etc. The fact that you did not search for them before posting your story goes back to point #1.
a. The benefit of posting in the already existing underdog threads is that many people who need them have them as a "watched thread" so that new responses will show up as alerts. By just posting your story in the pre-allo forum it will dissapear in a couple days, posting in the currently existing underdog threads will save the story for posterity to help others who actually need it and look for those threads for encouragement
4. You talk about not needing accolades and seeing that I'm a pre-med, but you changed your status today from pre-med to accepted...so clearly this label of being accepted is important to you (as well it would be to me and most pre-meds), but please don't sound so humble...you're not that great
5. thanks for your wishes on my app cycle. I am confident I will get in somewhere, sometime.

Why so angry? You could have just ignored the thread if it irritated you. Now you just showed your ass and look extremely bitter.

 

[HinduHammer]

Why so angry? You could have just ignored the thread if it irritated you. Now you just showed your ass and look extremely bitter.

I'm really not angry at all, I had a wonderful day. Humblebrags bother me and I think people who post them should be called out. I also think people with legit underdog stories should, if they care so much about helping others, post them in the correct place so when people search for, say, "underdog success stories," they will easily be able to find them.

Not sure what you mean by 'I just showed my ass,' but it sounds like an insult.

 

[journalistdoingscience]

1. Though it may sound jaded and cynical, I have a feeling it is accurate
2. People routinely post things on the internet to get attention from people on the internet, see: facebook, twitter, google+, instagram, etc ad infinitum
3. If you did even the simplest of searches you would see that there are numerous underdog success threads: non-trads, under 3.0, etc etc. The fact that you did not search for them before posting your story goes back to point #1.
a. The benefit of posting in the already existing underdog threads is that many people who need them have them as a "watched thread" so that new responses will show up as alerts. By just posting your story in the pre-allo forum it will dissapear in a couple days, posting in the currently existing underdog threads will save the story for posterity to help others who actually need it and look for those threads for encouragement
4. You talk about not needing accolades and seeing that I'm a pre-med, but you changed your status today from pre-med to accepted...so clearly this label of being accepted is important to you (as well it would be to me and most pre-meds), but please don't sound so humble...you're not that great
5. thanks for your wishes on my app cycle. I am confident I will get in somewhere, sometime.

It's clear you're trying to instigate something and again, it's just making you sound incredibly bitter. I'm very proud of getting accepted (hence the change in status!) and don't remember saying anywhere that I'm a humble (or great?) person. My reasons for posting have been stated and if you have a problem or prefer to believe differently you can always excuse yourself from this thread!

 

[HinduHammer]

It's clear you're trying to instigate something and again, it's just making you sound incredibly bitter. I'm very proud of getting accepted (hence the change in status!) and don't remember saying anywhere that I'm a humble (or great?) person. My reasons for posting have been stated and if you have a problem or prefer to believe differently you can always excuse yourself from this thread!

In all seriousness, congratulations on being accepted. I am sure your well-deserved victory tastes even sweeter having overcome the odds, and I hope you enjoy it.

 

[journalistdoingscience]

No need to be rude, kids. @HinduHammer, there are much more polite ways to alert someone that they have posted in the wrong place and I'm sure your suggestions would be appreciated if you were to do so in a nice manner.

 

[HinduHammer]

No need to be rude, kids. @HinduHammer, there are much more polite ways to alert someone that they have posted in the wrong place and I'm sure your suggestions would be appreciated if you were to do so in a nice manner.

Fair enough.

Though it wouldn't be the internet if people were polite

 

[TheLionheart]

I don't buy in to this whole sdn says you need a 42 mcat to succeed. Been lurking for a while and recently started posting, and there really isn't any of that.

When the average MCAT of all matriculants is a 31, then it's perfectly reasonable to say that a '30' isn't a stellar MCAT score. It's on the lower end of competitive, but by no means mediocre, and I doubt any regular poster here would say that.

Nonetheless, congratulations on your acceptance. It's all about odds. The probability of a (relatively) low GPA leading to an acceptance isn't great. Hell, the odds of getting in with a good GPA aren't great either. You are an exception to the rule, and there are far more applicants GPA-wise like yourself that are rejected than accepted.

 

[journalistdoingscience]

I find it's often a good thing to practice being nice and polite in all areas of life, including when posting on the internet although our interactions here are made less personal by the fact that we're separated by infinite cyberspace we all still have feelings and it's important to remember that and act accordingly.

 

[journalistdoingscience]

I don't buy in to this whole sdn says you need a 42 mcat to succeed. Been lurking for a while and recently started posting, and there really isn't any of that.

When the average MCAT of all matriculants is a 31, then it's perfectly reasonable to say that a '30' isn't a stellar MCAT score. It's on the lower end of competitive, but by no means mediocre, and I doubt any regular poster here would say that.

Nonetheless, congratulations on your acceptance. It's all about odds. The probability of a (relatively) low GPA leading to an acceptance isn't great. Hell, the odds of getting with a good GPA aren't great either. You are an exception to the rule, and there are far more applicants GPA-wise like yourself that are rejected than accepted.

I'm glad you've had such a positive experience then! I think perhaps people are misunderstanding my intentions of posting. I personally know people and have seen posts from individuals really stressed about a below average GPA and I thought it would be encouraging to hear that all hope is not lost. If people continue to be offended by this thread I really have no problem deleting it if that would make everyone feel better!

 

[TheLionheart]

I'm glad you've had such a positive experience then! I think perhaps people are misunderstanding my intentions of posting. I personally know people and have seen posts from individuals really stressed about a below average GPA and I thought it would be encouraging to hear that all hope is not lost. If people continue to be offended by this thread I really have no problem deleting it if that would make everyone feel better!

It's not about offense really, it didn't rub me the wrong way or anything. I'm just wary of encouraging individuals to spend thousands in applying when their application is at such a significant disadvantage relative to the larger pool, hence the cautionary tone of mine and @ridethecliche posts above.

 

[Chansey]

Congrats!

Was your personal statement stellar? As a journalist, you probably knew how to write a fantastic personal statement. Always helps!

 

[journalistdoingscience]

Totally legitimate point! I think it's important to consider your application as a whole and if you're significantly at a disadvantage then it's worth waiting to improve before applying. I continued to take upper level science courses to up my GPA and would recommend the same to anyone in a similar situation. I just didn't look at my grades and immediately think ok, never getting in cuz of that damn C so might as well give up now.

 

[Goro]

Our friend @mimelim is now a vascular surgery resident and he had a 3.4 GPA. It's doable...one just has to apply strategically and have a good package.

Hey guys, I've been hanging around SDN for a few months now and noticed that there is a prevailing attitude that you have to have a 3.85 GPA and 42 MCAT to get into medical school which can be extremely disheartening for applicants with mediocre scores. I wanted to post a little bit about my success to hopefully help others feel more confident in their own application even if they don't have stellar numbers.
I went to school for journalism and graduated with a GPA around a 3.3. I then attended a post-bacc program where I averaged about a 3.0 due to a C and several B grades. It was the first time I was taking science classes in almost 5 years and they were tough. I was also working full-time and trying to juggle classes and it was too much. I figured this out about halfway through, slowed down and started taking classes one at a time after a particularly hard semester and my grades shot up. I still ended up applying with a cGPA of less than 3.2 and I was really worried it would preclude me from being a competitive candidate.
Despite my anxiety, I'm excited to say that I got four interviews this cycle and have been accepted into my first school as of this morning. I was terrified that my low GPA was the death knell for my dream of becoming a physician and if I had listened to some of the people (well-meaning, I'm sure) that post on here I don't know that I would have continued but I worked extremely hard every day to improve my application and I made it! All this is to say that if you're in a similar boat and you're feeling down then please take my story as encouragement and keep working as hard as you can to get into school because you can do it!

 

[journalistdoingscience]

Congrats!

Was your personal statement stellar? As a journalist, you probably knew how to write a fantastic personal statement. Always helps!

I mean, I thought it was pretty great (since I wrote it and all) but did I think it would blow adcoms away? No, not really. I hoped that combined with the rest of my application, my research and experiences, the sum of the individual parts would prove my dedication and passion for medicine.

 

[journalistdoingscience]

Our friend @mimelim is now a vascular surgery resident and he had a 3.4 GPA. It's doable...one just has to apply strategically and have a good package.

Thank you @Goro! My sentiments exactly.

 

[ridethecliche]

There's a difference between having a 3.4 in undergrad 10 years ago vs now, especially given that post bacc grades are a make it or break it dealio.
My point isnt to put down the op, but to remind people that the exceptions do not make the norm and that people often overestimate themselves.

There's a lot about the op we don't know. Ie mcat, pubs, ex currics, who wrote the lors, etc.

These tales are great for hope, but my advice regarding these declarations is precautionary. I don't agree with Hinduhammer at all. I think the op is well intentioned but there's always too much unknown when we're just talking about one aspect of the app like gap.

I'm dead serious in congratulating the op. However, I still caution the populace that is yet to apply. The aamc mcat/gpa table doesn't lie.

 

[ski89]

Thanks for the congrats!I am not a URM by any stretch of the imagination. I only applied to MD programs in the US. I politely disagree that I am an exceptional case.

Congrats on your acceptance!! I think it is great to hear stories like yours to remind everyone that you don't need to be perfect to get into medical school. That being said, you are by definition exceptional. According to the below figure (the acceptance data for white applicants), only 16% of applicants were accepted with GPAs between 3.0 and 3.19.
https://www.aamc.org/download/321518/data/factstable25-4.pdf

 

[premedbrah]

Talk about raining on parades smh only in Pre-Allo.

And for the inevitable "look at the stats!" "the truth hurts!" responses, any level headed individual should know an outlier when the see one, but that doesn't mean it need be completely disregarded as a legitimate example of achievement through perseverance.

I don't see this thread as a subtle brag whatsoever hell I'd definitely do the same thing once I got my acceptance. It's like a pay it forward to all who have posted their underdog stories and for future applicants as well. (btw I'm sure the journalism major is cringing at my grammar errors)

 

[crossfit4lyfe]

Sorry but there are numerous underdog success story threads already in existence and your new unnecessary thread is plain and simple a huge humblebrag. Good for you but lets not pretend it's for the underdogs it's for you to get the congratulations and accolades of Sdn.

Dang, who cares? I think almost everyone seeks some praise when they get accepted, it's something to be proud of and there's nothing wrong with that. Just because we see it on this site daily doesn't make it meaningless.

Congrats OP - I am in a similar situation (not grades though, but criminal stuff) and was finally able to get an acceptance at a DO school! I truly believe that no matter your past, if you are 100% committed to something you can make it happen!

 

[journalistdoingscience]

Talk about raining on parades smh only in Pre-Allo.

And for the inevitable "look at the stats!" "the truth hurts!" responses, any level headed individual should know an outlier when the see one, but that doesn't mean it need be completely disregarded as a legitimate example of achievement through perseverance.

I don't see this thread as a subtle brag whatsoever hell I'd definitely do the same thing once I got my acceptance. It's like a pay it forward to all who have posted their underdog stories and for future applicants as well. (btw I'm sure the journalism major is cringing at my grammar errors)

This is basically exactly what I'm trying to say, thanks

 

[journalistdoingscience]

Congrats on your acceptance!! I think it is great to hear stories like yours to remind everyone that you don't need to be perfect to get into medical school. That being said, you are by definition exceptional. According to the below figure (the acceptance data for white applicants), only 16% of applicants were accepted with GPAs between 3.0 and 3.19.
https://www.aamc.org/download/321518/data/factstable25-4.pdf

Your argument is valid but I want to point out that these tables are aggregated data from the entire pool of medical school applicants who went through AMCAS. This means that there could be a large number of applicants who only applied to only a few schools, applied extremely late or with huge red flags on their application that had little to do with their GPA. Statistics don't always tell the whole story and that's why it can be helpful to look for personal examples which is what I'm trying to provide. I did a lot of things to bolster the other parts of my application and focused on my research in all of my essays. I also applied as early as possible, sent out updates often and was extremely selective in choosing which schools to apply to (only schools within my MCAT range that value upward trends and have a holistic review process). I think anyone else in a similar situation would have the same luck as I did.

 

[CharlieKelly]

@journalistdoingscience , remember

Just know there are people out there rooting for you and love your story, myself included

 

[mimelim]

Our friend @mimelim is now a vascular surgery resident and he had a 3.4 GPA. It's doable...one just has to apply strategically and have a good package.

It be true . Gotta be smart about everything else. Gotta get the best grades you can, just not at the exclusion of other things that are going to make you a better doctor.

There's a difference between having a 3.4 in undergrad 10 years ago vs now, especially given that post bacc grades are a make it or break it dealio.
My point isnt to put down the op, but to remind people that the exceptions do not make the norm and that people often overestimate themselves.

There's a lot about the op we don't know. Ie mcat, pubs, ex currics, who wrote the lors, etc.

These tales are great for hope, but my advice regarding these declarations is precautionary. I don't agree with Hinduhammer at all. I think the op is well intentioned but there's always too much unknown when we're just talking about one aspect of the app like gap.

I'm dead serious in congratulating the op. However, I still caution the populace that is yet to apply. The aamc mcat/gpa table doesn't lie.

First, I'm not that old... (I swear!)

Second, grades matter. Anyone that tells you differently is completely full of it or delusional. I think that the take home point for me is that good grades don't make good doctors and anyone that thinks about it for a little while knows this to be intrinsically true (including virtually every adcom). Schools and residencies invest a ton of time, energy and money on each of their students and it is all wasted if you can't survive the training, which IS long, hard and requires you to be a competent student. But, at the end of the day, there are so many other things that are more important for the development of a good and the next step, great physician.

Third, your point about overestimation is well taken. Consistently, I will read someone's LOR that they have read themselves and tout it as a "great letter" and make me really wonder if we read the same piece of paper.

 

[journalistdoingscience]

@journalistdoingscience , remember

Just know there are people out there rooting for you and love your story, myself included

hahaha thank you so much for this!

 

[ridethecliche]

@journalistdoingscience , remember

Just know there are people out there rooting for you and love your story, myself included

No one said that they hated the OP. The point was to make sure people realistically looked at their chances instead of believing solely in their exceptionalism.

First, I'm not that old... (I swear!)

Second, grades matter. Anyone that tells you differently is completely full of it or delusional. I think that the take home point for me is that good grades don't make good doctors and anyone that thinks about it for a little while knows this to be intrinsically true (including virtually every adcom). Schools and residencies invest a ton of time, energy and money on each of their students and it is all wasted if you can't survive the training, which IS long, hard and requires you to be a competent student. But, at the end of the day, there are so many other things that are more important for the development of a good and the next step, great physician.

Third, your point about overestimation is well taken. Consistently, I will read someone's LOR that they have read themselves and tout it as a "great letter" and make me really wonder if we read the same piece of paper.

I completely agree with you. My point wasn't to put down the OP, but to make sure other applicants were being even realistic about their application and chances.

I haven't experienced what you did re: letter, but I think of myself as a decent candidate. I had okay grades (3.5) and a good mcat on a retake (34), but I think it was my excurrics that brought the story out and that's probably why I got in. There were plenty of people with better grades and good mcat scores that apply as well. Schools do look at the entirety of what you have to offer.

 

[Dr.Zoidberg]

Why did you decide to switch from journalism, and how did you decide on medicine? Did you enjoy science classes before? Just wondering. I always find it interesting to talk to people who made such an abrupt switch, particularly from the humanities.

That sounds like a fascinating job, and a fantastic reason to switch into medicine. Congrats on your success. Best of luck!

 

[QuentinT88]

congrats!

 

[FutureOncologist]

Firstly OP, congratulations. The long and strenuous road has just begun, but if you made it thus far, then your commitment to medicine will pull you through medical school.

Second, don't let anyone downplay your achievement. Can you let us know what ECs you did before and/or during your post-bacc? I would love to see the whole picture. The way I got IIs at JHU, UCSF, and Stanford with my decent (at best) stats was publications from research and LORs. It would serve the current premeds reading your thread a great purpose if you shared us what volunteer work, clinical work, etc. that you got before you applied.

 

[PreMedBeauty]

There's more to the story than just this.

As always, a few other things need to be asked:

1) Are you a URM?
-This matters as the same 'ranges' don't apply.
2) Is this for MD or DO programs?

Your post bacc grades are a pretty huge red flag for most institutions.

Congrats on the acceptance.

Not to steal the OP's thunder, but the exceptions do not make the norm. While there are often exceptional cases that catch the attention of the adcom, people really need to be realistic about this process and act in a way such that all their ducks are in a row when they apply.

This was a bold posting.

 

[PreMedBeauty]

No need to be rude, kids. @HinduHammer, there are much more polite ways to alert someone that they have posted in the wrong place and I'm sure your suggestions would be appreciated if you were to do so in a nice manner.

This is outrageous coming from a future doctor. People don't like to feel out shine or have "underdogs" as their "competitors".

 

[deleted577188]

There's more to the story than just this.

As always, a few other things need to be asked:

1) Are you a URM?
-This matters as the same 'ranges' don't apply.
2) Is this for MD or DO programs?

Your post bacc grades are a pretty huge red flag for most institutions.

Congrats on the acceptance.

Not to steal the OP's thunder, but the exceptions do not make the norm. While there are often exceptional cases that catch the attention of the adcom, people really need to be realistic about this process and act in a way such that all their ducks are in a row when they apply.

I guess if he took only your advice and not followed his gut feeling...he'd be back in the "what are my chances" thread, huh???

 

[ridethecliche]

This was a bold posting.

Okay?

I guess if he took only your advice and not followed his gut feeling...he'd be back in the "what are my chances" thread, huh???

Your reading comprehension needs work and quite a bit of it at that.

 

[mehc012]

Our friend @mimelim is now a vascular surgery resident and he had a 3.4 GPA. It's doable...one just has to apply strategically and have a good package.

Or, you know, be as much as a bada$$ as mimelim is. That one number is the only thing about his app that wasn't ridiculous, let's be real.

 

[deleted577188]

Okay?



Your reading comprehension needs work and quite a bit of it at that.

*some insignificant man or woman who wouldn't bust a grape at a fruit fight*

 

[ridethecliche]

*some insignificant man or woman who wouldn't bust a grape at a fruit fight*

Come back when you've gotten in somewhere...

Also good job tough guy:

Hey, I'm a URM and I currently have a 2.831 cum gpa according to my school. This factors in the 60-something credits I earned during high school, which also gave me my associates degree along with the 30ish university credits I've earned. I wanted to know if I raise my gpa to a 3.3ish what are my chances of getting into medical school if my MCAT is a rough 28ish, my EC's are solid, but were started after freshman year, and my work experience is very strong. I am URM, as I've said and I come from a really broke family lol. I know I could look at the acceptance chart data but I really want to know if anyone has any firsthand experience with a situation like this? Thanks for any constructive input.

 

[deleted577188]

Okay?



Your reading comprehension needs work and quite a bit of it at that.

Okay there tough guy:

That does not affect me in any way lol. What's your point?

 

[ridethecliche]

That does not affect me in any way lol. What's your point?

Basically that you're an insignificant pre-med, as you say when you sign most of your posts. You should probably keep doing that because you have no idea what you're talking about and you clearly didn't understand what I said in the post you quoted.