Gap Year Plans?

[citylights25]

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I recently graduated from my university, however my GPA is very below average and would not be considered competitive. In order to increase my GPA, I am planning on taking extra classes at a local CC due to financial constraints.

As of right now, my cGPA is at a 3.23 and sGPA is a 2.76. If I maintain all A's in the classes I plan to take, I am looking at a cGPA of 3.33 and sGPA of 3.02. I am wondering, given my specific circumstance, if getting my sGPA up to a 3.0 would be acceptable for MD or if that would still be considered too low. I also plan on taking my MCAT early 2020 and I am striving towards a 514+. I will be gaining clinical hours as well.

I am an Arizona resident and plan on applying to University of Arizona COM Tucson & Phoenix and AZCOM. I know my school list should be broad but these are the schools I am most interested in applying to at the moment. Any recommendations/advice would be appreciated. I just feel very lost in the situation I am in, but I am willing to do whatever I can to earn a spot into medical school.

 

[907914]

I recently graduated from my university, however my GPA is very below average and would not be considered competitive. In order to increase my GPA, I am planning on taking extra classes at a local CC due to financial constraints.

Many schools do not accept CC credits. Most schools will, unfortunately, view this as copping out and taking the easy road as opposed to the real financial reasons that it is. At that, a true post-bacc should be made up of predominantly (if not exclusively) upper division science courses. GPA repair is one thing - but you are mostly trying to prove that you can handle the rigors of a difficult course load.

If I maintain all A's in the classes I plan to take, I am looking at a cGPA of 3.33 and sGPA of 3.02

This is a big IF. What makes you feel you can do the best possible? Do you have a strong upward trend through senior year? Feeling confident =/= actual results. Be conservative with your estimates if you have no evidence to suggest that you can actually achieve a 4.0.

if getting my sGPA up to a 3.0 would be acceptable for MD or if that would still be considered too low. I also plan on taking my MCAT early 2020 and I am striving towards a 514+.

3.0 would be the bare minimum, yes. It is still not good, but it is the bare minimum. For MD, even if you get 518+, you are still looking at only a 46% chance of acceptance and should still apply predominantly DO.

https://www.aamc.org/download/321508/data/factstablea23.pdf

Additionally, don't shoot for a high MCAT score. Shoot for what you are capable of. Don't throw around potential scores until you have taken a couple practice tests and know your ballpark range.

University of Arizona COM Tucson & Phoenix and AZCOM but these are the schools I am most interested in applying to at the moment. Any recommendations/advice would be appreciated

Apply to more than just a few schools. If you are going to want the best shot, you need to move out of your comfort zone and apply broadly.