MD F in Prereq, Poor GPA/sGPA

[Brian700]

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Hi guys, long long time reader and first time poster

Long story short, my apartment's electricity went out over night, alarm clock reset and didn't ring, missed chemistry final (50%), professor didn't care (I don't blame him, my stupid fault), got an F (would have probably gotten an A-/B+). Retook chemistry I and got an A-.

Destroyed my GPA after that, was around a 2.9/2.9 GPA/sGPA after that F. Spent the next 3 years trying to salvage my GPA. I didn't get perfect grades the previous 3 years, but I did okay...

I'm about to graduate with a 3.55/3.45 GPA/sGPA from a rigorous top ~20 school, although reading these boards, I've come to accept it won't help me. I got a 34 MCAT (12P, 12B, 10V).

I have 3 years of research, leadership positions, the cookie cutter EC stuff and I'm going to be a lab tech for a year while I'm applying this cycle. Probably around 300-350 hours of medical volunteering, shadowed 3 or 4 types of doctors, etc etc,. My LORs are probably above average.

I am hoping to go to ANY US MD school. Normally, with a 3.55/34, I wouldn't be freaking out like I am now, but a couple of people have told me that the F is an automatic denial at most schools, especially with it being a prereq grade.

Are my chances basically over because of the F? And the reason for the F is just stupid, so I have no idea of how I'd explain to them that my alarm clock just didn't work...

Has anyone gotten interviews/made it to med with stats around mine and an F in a prereq? Are there schools are are kind of forgiving to situations like this?

Here are a list of schools I'm planning to apply to. I am a VA resident. Any other school suggestions?

EVMS
MCV
UVA (Only applying because I'm instate, otherwise, way out of my league)
Kings College (New VA med school, not sure if it will be ready in time)
Drexel
Rush
GWU
NYMC
Michigan State
South Carolina
Temple
Vermont
Jefferson
Illinois - 4 sites
Tulane
West Virginia
Albany
Maryland
Ohio State
Case Western
OHSU
Missouri
Toledo
Rosalind Franklin

Thank you for the help, I really appreciate it!

 

[bearded frog]

​

 

[Heplayer92]

Agree with bearded frog! That seems like just a strike of misfortune that's out of your control. I can totally see how an F would demolish the GPA, but it seems especially from your re-take and your MCAT score that you know what you're doing. I'd talk to an advisor just to be on the safe side, but you should be ok!

 

[basketcase0a0]

Agree with above posters. I would add TCMC to the list, they tend to be forgiving with GPA (I got in with a 3.55) and your MCAT is solid for them, as are your EC's.

 

[Catalystik]

Hi guys, long long time reader and first time poster

Long story short, my apartment's electricity went out over night, alarm clock reset and didn't ring, missed chemistry final (50%), professor didn't care (I don't blame him, my stupid fault), got an F (would have probably gotten an A-/B+). Retook chemistry I and got an A-.

Destroyed my GPA after that, was around a 2.9/2.9 GPA/sGPA after that F. Spent the next 3 years trying to salvage my GPA. I didn't get perfect grades the previous 3 years, but I did okay...

I'm about to graduate with a 3.55/3.45 GPA/sGPA from a rigorous top ~20 school, although reading these boards, I've come to accept it won't help me. I got a 34 MCAT (12P, 12B, 10V).

I have 3 years of research, leadership positions, the cookie cutter EC stuff and I'm going to be a lab tech for a year while I'm applying this cycle. Probably around 300-350 hours of medical volunteering, shadowed 3 or 4 types of doctors, etc etc,. My LORs are probably above average.

I am hoping to go to ANY US MD school. Normally, with a 3.55/34, I wouldn't be freaking out like I am now, but a couple of people have told me that the F is an automatic denial at most schools, especially with it being a prereq grade.

Are my chances basically over because of the F? And the reason for the F is just stupid, so I have no idea of how I'd explain to them that my alarm clock just didn't work...

Has anyone gotten interviews/made it to med with stats around mine and an F in a prereq? Are there schools are are kind of forgiving to situations like this?

Here are a list of schools I'm planning to apply to. I am a VA resident. Any other school suggestions?

EVMS
MCV
UVA (Only applying because I'm instate, otherwise, way out of my league)
Kings College (New VA med school, not sure if it will be ready in time)
Drexel
Rush
GWU
NYMC
Michigan State
South Carolina
Temple
Vermont
Jefferson
Illinois - 4 sites
Tulane
West Virginia
Albany
Maryland
Ohio State
Case Western
OHSU
Missouri
Toledo
Rosalind Franklin

Your chances are NOT over because of one F. We've seen folks with more than that still get into MD schools. It helps that the GPA dive happened early in the college years and that you've done well since then. Also, you have a strong MCAT score and some substantial ECs. Many Secondaries give you an opportunity to explain "issues". Be sure to include what you learned from this alarm clock failure and why it won't happen again.

TCMC is lenient, but I've heard they pretty much expect some rural credentials on the application. @basketcase0a0 for an observation about this.

BTW, UIC has 4 sites, but you don't apply to them separately. After acceptance, you're asked to submit your order of preference for the various campuses and are subsequently assigned to one of them.

Consider Oakland in Michigan.

 

[basketcase0a0]

TCMC is very mission driven, hoping to secure primary care physicians for northeastern PA. As far as rural credentials, I am pretty sure that if you can make a compelling argument for why you would be interested in the area, you would be fine (I'm not even from PA). And not everyone who goes there ends up a primary care physician in NEPA, so don't feel like that is a total game changer. It's still a new school, so they are very into high MCAT applicants to raise their numbers, with a preference for individuals who are interested in rural primary care.

That was my impression from the people I interviewed with and that the school gave me.

 

[Goro]

The upward trend counts for something, as there are med schools that appreciate reinvention. However, you have way too many OOS public schools for someone with a below avg GPA.

Aim for all low-tier MD schools, Tufts, Case, all new MD schools, and NY DO school, and you should be fine. Don't forget your state school.

Hi guys, long long time reader and first time poster

Long story short, my apartment's electricity went out over night, alarm clock reset and didn't ring, missed chemistry final (50%), professor didn't care (I don't blame him, my stupid fault), got an F (would have probably gotten an A-/B+). Retook chemistry I and got an A-.

Destroyed my GPA after that, was around a 2.9/2.9 GPA/sGPA after that F. Spent the next 3 years trying to salvage my GPA. I didn't get perfect grades the previous 3 years, but I did okay...

I'm about to graduate with a 3.55/3.45 GPA/sGPA from a rigorous top ~20 school, although reading these boards, I've come to accept it won't help me. I got a 34 MCAT (12P, 12B, 10V).

I have 3 years of research, leadership positions, the cookie cutter EC stuff and I'm going to be a lab tech for a year while I'm applying this cycle. Probably around 300-350 hours of medical volunteering, shadowed 3 or 4 types of doctors, etc etc,. My LORs are probably above average.

I am hoping to go to ANY US MD school. Normally, with a 3.55/34, I wouldn't be freaking out like I am now, but a couple of people have told me that the F is an automatic denial at most schools, especially with it being a prereq grade.

Are my chances basically over because of the F? And the reason for the F is just stupid, so I have no idea of how I'd explain to them that my alarm clock just didn't work...

Has anyone gotten interviews/made it to med with stats around mine and an F in a prereq? Are there schools are are kind of forgiving to situations like this?

Here are a list of schools I'm planning to apply to. I am a VA resident. Any other school suggestions?

EVMS
MCV
UVA (Only applying because I'm instate, otherwise, way out of my league)
Kings College (New VA med school, not sure if it will be ready in time)
Drexel
Rush
GWU
NYMC
Michigan State
South Carolina
Temple
Vermont
Jefferson
Illinois - 4 sites
Tulane
West Virginia
Albany
Maryland
Ohio State
Case Western
OHSU
Missouri
Toledo
Rosalind Franklin

Thank you for the help, I really appreciate it!