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Drop the micFinished undergrad with 2.75 and MCAT of 21. Lazy, lacked motivation and focus, then decided enough was enough and time to prove my worth. Smacking a 3.9 and ranked in top 4 of my class. I'm pretty sure I'm not the norm as I've seen plenty of classmates that weasel in end up repeating their previous results, get the picture?
To be brutally honest... Most failed out...
"Most" will fail? Perhaps you mean "some might fail..." because there's no way of knowing who started with low GPAs and who didn't, unless of course you ask in an anonymous forum or ascertain administrative records from each pod school. Aren't we studying *evidence* based medicine? Lol^This. Everyone loves an overcoming an obstacle story and they do exist, however unless these individuals have made changes to the way they study, most will fail out or repeat.
When did you apply in the cycle?To answer the original question: I was admitted well below the GPA "requirements" at 2.7 and had a 22 MCAT (equivalent to just below 500 according to the new scoring system). I struggled in my first year, but seemingly everyone does. Life is great! My GPA isn't solid but I'm definitely not at the bottom of my class either. Over and over again I hear that the most important part of this whole process boils down to the ever-ubiquitous 3 P's: progression, personality and persistence. I'm a success story in the making. If I can do it, anyone can. Work! Work like you've never worked before. 2.7? Fuhgettaboutit!
I applied in December 2013, received interview offers in January 2014, received acceptance letters February 2014, and I started school Fall 2014. Be kind and humble when you apply. Write a personal statement from the heart, highlighting your personality and accomplishments, and you'll be fine, friend. Don't let haters on this site get you down. Find a few positive people to rely on for information. For now, I would simply *read* SDN rather than write/reply on here, focusing only on helpful sources. There is a lot of information you're missing out on while you go back and forth with the less-friendly, unsupportive individuals who clearly don't recall how difficult and worrisome applying to any medical program can be. Also, meet often with your pre-med advisor and don't be afraid to open up to podiatric physicians with which you shadowed about your antipathies surrounding the application process. Good luck.When did you apply in the cycle?
It is always good to see people on this forum giving advice not just from someone knows someone, but from actual personal experience. I would agree with Foot_Funguy that you need to take some of the people on this website with a grain of salt. On the other hand, it can be a good way to get to know Podiatry-it was how I fell in love with it.I applied in December 2013, received interview offers in January 2014, received acceptance letters February 2014, and I started school Fall 2014. Be kind and humble when you apply. Write a personal statement from the heart, highlighting your personality and accomplishments, and you'll be fine, friend. Don't let haters on this site get you down. Find a few positive people to rely on for information. For now, I would simply *read* SDN rather than write/reply on here, focusing only on helpful sources. There is a lot of information you're missing out on while you go back and forth with the less-friendly, unsupportive individuals who clearly don't recall how difficult and worrisome applying to any medical program can be. Also, meet often with your pre-med advisor and don't be afraid to open up to podiatric physicians with which you shadowed about your antipathies surrounding the application process. Good luck.
Hi, I was hoping you can guide me on what I should do. I really want to apply this cycle to podiatry school. I'm a rising senior at Loyola University ChicagoTo answer the original question: I was admitted well below the GPA "requirements" at 2.7 and had a 22 MCAT (equivalent to just below 500 according to the new scoring system). I struggled in my first year, but seemingly everyone does. Life is great! My GPA isn't solid but I'm definitely not at the bottom of my class either. Over and over again I hear that the most important part of this whole process boils down to the ever-ubiquitous 3 P's: progression, personality and persistence. I'm a success story in the making. If I can do it, anyone can. Work! Work like you've never worked before. 2.7? Fuhgettaboutit!
It will all depend on how you so on the MCAT,because you have a below average GPA you really need to score well on the MCAT. I'm going to be Frank, the fact that you got a C And C- in ochem should be a little worrisome because that material will show up on the MCAT. It does seem like you are improving but you will need a good MCAT score to offset your GPA.Hi, I was hoping you can guide me on what I should do. I really want to apply this cycle to podiatry school. I'm a rising senior at Loyola University Chicago
Cumulative gpa: 2.859 science gpa: somewhere around there?
I started out bad as a freshmen did poorly in my classes because of no financial help, parents left basically telling me to pay for school. then came back into my life and then both parents went thru major heart surgeries which affected my grades because I took care of them.
-Upward trend I have been getting a 3.1-3.4 since freshmen year
-Did receive a D in physics retaking it now. Retook orgo 1 after getting a D in the first time, passed with a C. just took orgo 2 and got a C-. Pretty bumped out about that
-Do research at university of Chicago Hospital: learned bedside manners, how to talk to patients, and clinical hours.
-Volunteer at Ronald McDonald House of Charities for the past 4 years
-Shadowed 4 podiatrists and MD's, DO's including pediatricians, surgeons, heart specialist, family practice doctors.
- have done 70 hours of Clinical experience in Chicago at a family practice doctor and have done soap notes.
-Was a senator in Student government, in south asian student association, in muslim student association, pre-podiatry club
I will be taking my MCAT this august, I will study and put my entire life and soul into that exam. I truly do I want to be accepted into podiatry medical school I think its a wonderful growing field and can really see my self helping others relieve their pain. Please tell me if I have a chance, my low gpa and bad grades really upset me I wish I can go back and repeat my grades but unfortunately life circumstances and time cannot be changed now.
Just wondering what you think and what I should be prepared for. I know I need to do really really well on my MCAT and I have been studying every single day for it. I'm lost with the grades I've gotten but I also have learned so much from it, going into senior year I will make sure that I do get all A's even in my science courses. For example this semester I got all A's except for organic chemistry II lecture a C-.. that kind of stuff throws me off, but I'm a hard working student and I know I an be a great doctor. Please help! thank you
Do you think with a good MCAT score I will have a chance? should I retake organic chemistry II, I can do it my senior year second semester but idk if theres a way to tell the schools that I will be retaking that class, and to look out for my grade in a sense?It will all depend on how you so on the MCAT,because you have a below average GPA you really need to score well on the MCAT. I'm going to be Frank, the fact that you got a C And C- in ochem should be a little worrisome because that material will show up on the MCAT. It does seem like you are improving but you will need a good MCAT score to offset your GPA.
I think that if you score well on the mcat that you will have a good chance at an acceptance. If I were you I would work my tail off like youre doing for the MCAT and apply at the beginning of this next cycle. That way if you do get an acceptance you won't have to waist time and money on a graduate program. If the schools tell you that you need to improve your science GPA then you will have to consider a graduate program. But if you do well enough on your MCAT you will give yourself a decent chance.Do you think with a good MCAT score I will have a chance? should I retake organic chemistry II, I can do it my senior year second semester but idk if theres a way to tell the schools that I will be retaking that class, and to look out for my grade in a sense?
-not sure if i should look into smp or masters program to strengthen my science gpa up and then apply? Kind of need guidance. I'm studying for the MCAT literally 8-9hours a day taking it in August.
The topic of this conversation is whether or not you will be able to handle the curriculum of podiatry school with a lower gpa. I think you'll be able to handle it due to your upward trend.Hi, I was hoping you can guide me on what I should do. I really want to apply this cycle to podiatry school. I'm a rising senior at Loyola University Chicago
Cumulative gpa: 2.859 science gpa: somewhere around there?
I started out bad as a freshmen did poorly in my classes because of no financial help, parents left basically telling me to pay for school. then came back into my life and then both parents went thru major heart surgeries which affected my grades because I took care of them.
-Upward trend I have been getting a 3.1-3.4 since freshmen year
-Did receive a D in physics retaking it now. Retook orgo 1 after getting a D in the first time, passed with a C. just took orgo 2 and got a C-. Pretty bumped out about that
-Do research at university of Chicago Hospital: learned bedside manners, how to talk to patients, and clinical hours.
-Volunteer at Ronald McDonald House of Charities for the past 4 years
-Shadowed 4 podiatrists and MD's, DO's including pediatricians, surgeons, heart specialist, family practice doctors.
- have done 70 hours of Clinical experience in Chicago at a family practice doctor and have done soap notes.
-Was a senator in Student government, in south asian student association, in muslim student association, pre-podiatry club
I will be taking my MCAT this august, I will study and put my entire life and soul into that exam. I truly do I want to be accepted into podiatry medical school I think its a wonderful growing field and can really see my self helping others relieve their pain. Please tell me if I have a chance, my low gpa and bad grades really upset me I wish I can go back and repeat my grades but unfortunately life circumstances and time cannot be changed now.
Just wondering what you think and what I should be prepared for. I know I need to do really really well on my MCAT and I have been studying every single day for it. I'm lost with the grades I've gotten but I also have learned so much from it, going into senior year I will make sure that I do get all A's even in my science courses. For example this semester I got all A's except for organic chemistry II lecture a C-.. that kind of stuff throws me off, but I'm a hard working student and I know I an be a great doctor. Please help! thank you
The low gpa students around 2.8-3.2 in undergrad, how are you doing now in podiatry school? Are you barely surviving or excelling and why? What helped you adapt to the new workload?
Check the range of scores needed from the following:
http://www.aacpm.org/html/careerzone/pdfs/2015 CIB.pdf
Apply to the schools that are within your range. If you're a weaker applicant, apply to the larger schools on the 1st day the cycle opens.
For those of you who are podiatry students and got in with sub 3.2 gpa, who are you doing now? How are you handling the work load?
Ranked in the top 20% of my class with >3.5. Workload is fine. Its all about putting in the time to learn the material. Sure its a lot but its doable. Its not always fun but its worth it.
But I grew up a lot between undergrad and here. Made it a point to work my ass off and be the best me.
That's good to hear. I guess it's all about how much time you put into it.
Mind giving me an idea what your daily schedule is kind of like?
M-Th:
Wake up at 5 and workout. Study 6:30-8am.
I don't go to all classes so my schedule can change but basically study or go to class from 8-6 with about 30 min off at lunch.
Take an hour or so after 6 to eat dinner/watch something on tv/talk to family or friends/catch up on sports. Then study from 7-9:30/10:00.
Friday night I stop at 6 for the night no matter what.
Weekends:
Depends on the upcoming schedule. May study all day may study 4-5 hours or not at all.
First year I hardly ever studied past 8pm and I never studied Friday night or at all on Sunday. Second year is a different animal so I tend to study more.
I'm surprised by how little you study each day (except weekends) when you have classes from 8 AM to 6 PM. I'd think you'd have to study quite a lot every day if you are thrown that much material to memorize. In undergrad I had to study 3 hours a day just for 12 units (in the quarter system).
I didn't have absurdly low grades, but they weren't great in my undergrad overall (3.15-ish).
I got my act together and scored a 29 on the MCAT and am so far sitting on around a 3.8 in Podiatry school (not amazing, but a lot better than my undergrad GPA). As long as you put forth an effort, you should do fine.
The classes are generally straight forward (at least in the first year) but are comprised of a TON of material. If you can find a good and efficient method for memorizing lots of material at once, it really isn't that hard. Just time consuming. A lot of my undergraduate upper division science classes (Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry and Advanced Orgo) were far more challenging conceptually.
I'm surprised by how little you study each day (except weekends) when you have classes from 8 AM to 6 PM. I'd think you'd have to study quite a lot every day if you are thrown that much material to memorize. In undergrad I had to study 3 hours a day just for 12 units (in the quarter system).
So I don't have class 8-6 everyday. Usually 8-12 but maybe a lab/clinic/workshop in the afternoon 1-2x a week.
When I said I study/go to class 8-6 I meant I don't go to every class so some days I study 8-6 without class but some days I may have class for 2-4 hours mixed in. I study a minimum of 6 hours a day. When I have clinic/workshop/lab in the afternoons it may be a little less but I tend to skip class in the morning if it's an option on those days.
I'm surprised by how little you study each day (except weekends) when you have classes from 8 AM to 6 PM. I'd think you'd have to study quite a lot every day if you are thrown that much material to memorize. In undergrad I had to study 3 hours a day just for 12 units (in the quarter system).
I'm sitting in class right now. Big mistake.Sidebar, but relevant imo-
My grades improved significantly when I stopped going to lecture mid-semester. Most profs at my school don't take attendance. My daily schedule is still the same as if I went to class, but instead of going to class, I go to the library and study. Lecture is mostly the professors reading to you from their slides or text, which I have access to anyway. I find it a much better use of my time to go through it at my own pace, rather than sit through class and be subject to their pace.
Same. I stopped going to lectures after the first week.
I feel that either I can double speed the lecture and get through it a lot more quickly than I could in class, or the lecture is detailed enough that I wouldn't be able to get good notes live anyway (have pause and rewind in these cases).
Professors complain about it, but I and my friends who relied on streams did fine.
Sidebar, but relevant imo-
My grades improved significantly when I stopped going to lecture mid-semester. Most profs at my school don't take attendance. My daily schedule is still the same as if I went to class, but instead of going to class, I go to the library and study. Lecture is mostly the professors reading to you from their slides or text, which I have access to anyway. I find it a much better use of my time to go through it at my own pace, rather than sit through class and be subject to their pace.
Unfortunately this was my case in undergrad too. It seems like a waste of time when certain professors just read off of their power point presentations. If all they do is a couple examples on the board and it's being video recorded then why not just save time and watch lecture at home...
But yea my biggest fear of podiatry school is failing out, which was the point of my first post lol. I don't even know what I'd do with my life if I had to remove myself from school especially with all of that debt.
If that is your biggest fear, then it will not happen. We only had one student asked not to come back, and a few others on the fence. Speaking in generalities and from my personal perspective about this small group- they don't have that fear. They just assume they'll do enough and it will work out. With that attitude, it won't.
I had the same fear as you. I felt before every test that it would be the one to ruin me. But, you get by. Sometimes I got an A. Most times I got a B. Once in awhile I got a C (head and neck) and even once, I got a D (end of semester completely checked out). If you have that fear, it will drive you. I'm in my second semester and that fear isn't in the forefront of my mind anymore. It still drives me, but I don't think about it. You learn what you have to do to survive and you just do it.
Economics major here. I will be graduating in the top 25% of my class. My undergrad science GPA was a 3.1, which I think was slightly below average. I took only the required premed classes to get into pod school. I had a shaky first two months, even failing a midterm, but turned all my grades around and rocked my first semester and so forth. I'm sure taking classes like physiology, anatomy, and biochem as an undergrad would be helpful, but by no means are they required to do well. By the way, I am the only non-science major at my school of 50.also not to hijack this thread. I'll add another dimension to it:
To all the non-science majors now in pod school.. how are you doing?
Splendid. Like the ice tea.