Getting into medical school with a low GPA business degree.

[ElliottPreMed]

I got a bachelor's degree in marketing from the Daniel's College of Business at Denver University and graduated in 2007. I started out pre-med, but went through some personal struggles and ended up switching to business, graduating with a 2.7 GPA. I am currently taking prerequisites and doing very well. I will probably end up with a 3.5 or higher at the school where I am taking my prerequisites. Given my low bachelor's GPA, high current prerequisites GPA, and assuming that I do very well on the MCAT, what are my chances of acceptance into medical school? I will be able to get some very strong letters of recommendation from highly recognized doctors and professors.

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[Furan]

I started in a similar circumstance; I had a business degree with a less than stellar GPA. Due to GPA screening, most MD schools won't look at your application unless your cumulative GPA is a 3.2, and I think almost all of them screen a minimum of 3.0. Some DO schools might take a glance, but your odds are basically nonexistent (especially if you aren't a URM) if you can't get it above 3.0. At that point your only realistic option is some postbacc programs (with guaranteed medical school seats based on performance), but that's extra time and more money -- obviously not ideal.

One thing you NEED to prove while you take your prerequisites is that you can handle a heavy science workload with high performance. With a business background they don't have much to go off of, so it is absolutely 100% necessary that you don't score anything lower than an A- in your o-chem classes. If you do, you better be SURE you score an A in Biochemistry or you won't be taken seriously. Adcoms look at our applications with a skeptical eye, so if there are any holes in it they will find them and use it as a reason to dismiss us. We start this process handicapped, fair or not.

Of course, the MCAT is another area where there is no room for error. I'd say to even think about applying to DO schools you're going to need a 26+, and don't even look at MD without a 30+. I highly recommend devoting a full 3 months to studying for it without working, if you can afford it. Without a background in science, trying to study for the MCAT while working full or part time is just not realistic.

I wish you the very best. I'm sorry if this seems a bit harsh, but it's important to approach the situation realistically and it helped that I had people willing to explain things honestly to me. On a positive note, I can tell you with confidence that your medical school future is very possible.

 

[ElliottPreMed]

I started in a similar circumstance; I had a business degree with a less than stellar GPA. Due to GPA screening, most MD schools won't look at your application unless your cumulative GPA is a 3.2, and I think almost all of them screen a minimum of 3.0. Some DO schools might take a glance, but your odds are basically nonexistent (especially if you aren't a URM) if you can't get it above 3.0. At that point your only realistic option is some postbacc programs (with guaranteed medical school seats based on performance), but that's extra time and more money -- obviously not ideal.

One thing you NEED to prove while you take your prerequisites is that you can handle a heavy science workload with high performance. With a business background they don't have much to go off of, so it is absolutely 100% necessary that you don't score anything lower than an A- in your o-chem classes. If you do, you better be SURE you score an A in Biochemistry or you won't be taken seriously. Adcoms look at our applications with a skeptical eye, so if there are any holes in it they will find them and use it as a reason to dismiss us. We start this process handicapped, fair or not.

Of course, the MCAT is another area where there is no room for error. I'd say to even think about applying to DO schools you're going to need a 26+, and don't even look at MD without a 30+. I highly recommend devoting a full 3 months to studying for it without working, if you can afford it. Without a background in science, trying to study for the MCAT while working full or part time is just not realistic.

I wish you the very best. I'm sorry if this seems a bit harsh, but it's important to approach the situation realistically and it helped that I had people willing to explain things honestly to me. On a positive note, I can tell you with confidence that your medical school future is very possible.

I started in a similar circumstance; I had a business degree with a less than stellar GPA. Due to GPA screening, most MD schools won't look at your application unless your cumulative GPA is a 3.2, and I think almost all of them screen a minimum of 3.0. Some DO schools might take a glance, but your odds are basically nonexistent (especially if you aren't a URM) if you can't get it above 3.0. At that point your only realistic option is some postbacc programs (with guaranteed medical school seats based on performance), but that's extra time and more money -- obviously not ideal.

One thing you NEED to prove while you take your prerequisites is that you can handle a heavy science workload with high performance. With a business background they don't have much to go off of, so it is absolutely 100% necessary that you don't score anything lower than an A- in your o-chem classes. If you do, you better be SURE you score an A in Biochemistry or you won't be taken seriously. Adcoms look at our applications with a skeptical eye, so if there are any holes in it they will find them and use it as a reason to dismiss us. We start this process handicapped, fair or not.

Of course, the MCAT is another area where there is no room for error. I'd say to even think about applying to DO schools you're going to need a 26+, and don't even look at MD without a 30+. I highly recommend devoting a full 3 months to studying for it without working, if you can afford it. Without a background in science, trying to study for the MCAT while working full or part time is just not realistic.

I wish you the very best. I'm sorry if this seems a bit harsh, but it's important to approach the situation realistically and it helped that I had people willing to explain things honestly to me. On a positive note, I can tell you with confidence that your medical school future is very possible.

I'm sorry, I misinterpreted the first part of your reply, so I edited my response. I appreciate your honesty. I realize that I can't get in anywhere with a 2.7 GPA, and am taking all of my sciences over again. So you're saying it's very possible if I get all A's on my prerequisites and do very well on the MCAT? I test very well and am in a better place in my life and am doing well in my current classes, so I am confident I can do those things.

You said you were in a similar position. What did you do?

 

[stitchattack]

I got a bachelor's degree in marketing from the Daniel's College of Business at Denver University and graduated in 2007. I started out pre-med, but went through some personal struggles and ended up switching to business, graduating with a 2.7 GPA. I am currently taking prerequisites and doing very well. I will probably end up with a 3.5 or higher at the school where I am taking my prerequisites. Given my low bachelor's GPA, high current prerequisites GPA, and assuming that I do very well on the MCAT, what are my chances of acceptance into medical school? I will be able to get some very strong letters of recommendation from highly recognized doctors and professors.

You should calculate how many classes you need to take (getting A's in them) to boost your cum gpa to 3.0. If you have no preference of MD or DO, then cum 3.0 with upper trend and mainly A's in your science classes will be fine as long as your MCAT is still competitive for the school. After taking your core classes, you should look into taking some upper div science courses to make you look competitive. This is like a 1-2 yr journey we're talking about to boost your gpa up but don't give up. I was in your shoes after my 2nd year of college and felt hopeless..especially with all the negative people in my life telling me my dream of becoming a doctor was over. However, with hard work and time, I managed to boost it higher than I thought possible at that time. Don't give up..keep working on it. You need to have a solid plan for the next 1-2 yrs so plan wisely 🙂

 

[ElliottPreMed]

You should calculate how many classes you need to take (getting A's in them) to boost your cum gpa to 3.0. If you have no preference of MD or DO, then cum 3.0 with upper trend and mainly A's in your science classes will be fine as long as your MCAT is still competitive for the school. After taking your core classes, you should look into taking some upper div science courses to make you look competitive. This is like a 1-2 yr journey we're talking about to boost your gpa up but don't give up. I was in your shoes after my 2nd year of college and felt hopeless..especially with all the negative people in my life telling me my dream of becoming a doctor was over. However, with hard work and time, I managed to boost it higher than I thought possible at that time. Don't give up..keep working on it. You need to have a solid plan for the next 1-2 yrs so plan wisely 🙂

That is great advice! By cumulative GPA, do you mean the 2.7 GPA from Denver University where I earned my BA, combined with the med school prereqs I am taking currently? So, with that theory, I could take all of the science prereqs I need, and take other potentially random classes, (hopefully easy ones because I will have to be working), until my GPA goes up?

 

[stitchattack]

That is great advice! By cumulative GPA, do you mean the 2.7 GPA from Denver University where I earned my BA, combined with the med school prereqs I am taking currently? So, with that theory, I could take all of the science prereqs I need, and take other potentially random classes, (hopefully easy ones because I will have to be working), until my GPA goes up?

Well, med schools will see all your gpa: post bac, cum (undergrad + post bacc + anything else), bcpm, etc. I'm not 100% sure of all the categories but it helps a lot if you have an upward trend. Since you graduated, there's nothing you can do about your Denver U gpa BUT you can take more classes (these will be considered post-bacc) and that will add onto your cum gpa. You do not want to take random classes...they will be a waste of money as they will show med schools little in your abilities. You need to focus on taking science classes, specifically ones relating to med school subjects since the whole purpose of doing this post bacc is so you can prove that you are capable of handling med school, ie. take biochem instead of ecology. I don't know how many more classes you need to take to boost your overall gpa to 3.0 so you'll just have to do the math and figure that out. I'm saying 3.0 for cum because many schools I've looked at have a cut off of 3.0 to apply.

 

[pyaramosam]

This is like a 1-2 yr journey we're talking about to boost your gpa up but don't give up. I was in your shoes after my 2nd year of college and felt hopeless..especially with all the negative people in my life telling me my dream of becoming a doctor was over. However, with hard work and time..

______________
GuL

 

[ElliottPreMed]

Well, med schools will see all your gpa: post bac, cum (undergrad + post bacc + anything else), bcpm, etc. I'm not 100% sure of all the categories but it helps a lot if you have an upward trend. Since you graduated, there's nothing you can do about your Denver U gpa BUT you can take more classes (these will be considered post-bacc) and that will add onto your cum gpa. You do not want to take random classes...they will be a waste of money as they will show med schools little in your abilities. You need to focus on taking science classes, specifically ones relating to med school subjects since the whole purpose of doing this post bacc is so you can prove that you are capable of handling med school, ie. take biochem instead of ecology. I don't know how many more classes you need to take to boost your overall gpa to 3.0 so you'll just have to do the math and figure that out. I'm saying 3.0 for cum because many schools I've looked at have a cut off of 3.0 to apply.

I used a "raise my GPA" calculator I found online and if there is any accuracy, I need 55 hrs of maintaining a 4.0 to bring my cumulative up to a 3.0. That is not including my current semester. So, if I take summer classes, I will be done with phase one in a year and a half. Provided, of course, that I maintain a 4.0. It seems possible, but it will definitely be a challenge. This plan leaves no room for error!

 

[ElliottPreMed]

This is like a 1-2 yr journey we're talking about to boost your gpa up but don't give up. I was in your shoes after my 2nd year of college and felt hopeless..especially with all the negative people in my life telling me my dream of becoming a doctor was over. However, with hard work and time..

______________
GuL

Another thought... I won't get too much into detail, but this journey originally started with my wanting to go to nursing school because I didn't think that it was practical or realistic for me to go to medical school at 30 years old. At the school I am currently attending, the nursing program is an associates degree and upon completion I would be an RN. I would imagine that an RN with a 3.5 GPA associates degree in nursing would have a pretty good shot right? Is it possible that it would cause them to put less weight on my original undergrad?

 

[stitchattack]

Another thought... I won't get too much into detail, but this journey originally started with my wanting to go to nursing school because I didn't think that it was practical or realistic for me to go to medical school at 30 years old. At the school I am currently attending, the nursing program is an associates degree and upon completion I would be an RN. I would imagine that an RN with a 3.5 GPA associates degree in nursing would have a pretty good shot right? Is it possible that it would cause them to put less weight on my original undergrad?

Can't make any comments about the nursing thing. I think nursing majors take different courses..not sure if you guys take core science classes like pre-meds. The important thing for med school are those core science courses and any other science courses you take. Also, they'll emphasize more on your last 2-3 yrs so I would take they'll take your nursing grades into consideration. If you're doing courses for RN, are you going to be able to do the science courses on the side too?

 

[Holmwood]

It's not realistic to raise the GPA well enough to apply to MD schools.
Just retake the classes you did poorly in and apply DO schools.
They will replace your previous grade with the retake grade.

Your GPA will improve well enough to apply, but only DO. MD schools will average the grades rather than replace it, making very little difference in the overall gpa calculation.

The biggest hurdle is the MCAT.

 

[ElliottPreMed]

Can't make any comments about the nursing thing. I think nursing majors take different courses..not sure if you guys take core science classes like pre-meds. The important thing for med school are those core science courses and any other science courses you take. Also, they'll emphasize more on your last 2-3 yrs so I would take they'll take your nursing grades into consideration. If you're doing courses for RN, are you going to be able to do the science courses on the side too?

The science cores are there actually, you just get into the nursing specifics shortly after.

 

[stitchattack]

The science cores are there actually, you just get into the nursing specifics shortly after.

I agree with @Holmwood about it being harder to apply to MD with your stats, although I don't think it's completely off limits depending on how you do in your classes and for how long you're willing to attempt to bring up your gpa to be able to apply to MD. If you have no pref for either MD or DO then just apply broadly when the time comes. Retaking classes may be something you might want to do...I never retook my core classes and opted to take harder upper div bio courses in hopes that my A's in those will show that I'm capable. I'm sure everyone has different reasoning but as a non-trad, I'm paying for classes out of my own pocket and I would rather take upper div courses that will be beneficial to me in preparation for med school versus retaking courses I've done before. This is just one person's opinion and I'm sure you will find a path that is compatible for you. Also, with my undergrad gpa, my advisor did not mention retaking any of the core courses...I was advised to just take more upper div courses relevant for med school.

 

[Holmwood]

The fastest route to a medical school is the DO route. By retaking coursework, you can get it to 3.2-3.4 gpa range easily because they allow retaken coursework to replace the grade of the previous coursework. For the mcat, you need preparation in biochemistry and physiology. These tend to be upper division coursework and good preparation in upper division science courses will help prove that you are competent enough to survive a medical school curriculum. Postbacs are traditionally the route for nontrads to finish the med school prerequisites and accomplish coursework for mcat preparation. Once you get your cGPA in the 3.2-3.4 range but find that your sGPA is still lower than the average matriculants of the schools you are applying to, you should do an SMP (and do extremely well).

I disagree with @stitchattack in that MD is completely unrealistic with your cGPA. As I said before, MD schools do not honor grade replacements for retakes (while DO schools do). According to your calculations, you need 55 credit hours of straight As to get to a cGPA of 3.0. The average matriculant GPA for MD schools is 3.4-3.6, so those 55 credit hours of straight As are not going to cut it. You're going to need 100+ credit hours of straight As with an SMP. Can you imagine the cost of 5 additional years of coursework?

@stitchattack, your case is likely different from the OP's. If your GPA requires minor improvement (whether it's cumulative or sGPA) and you are applying to MD schools, the recommendation is that you take some higher level coursework rather than retaking coursework. Retaking the same course doesn't do very much for an applicant to MD schools because the score will be averaged out regardless. So if you had a C in an introductory bio course, retaking that same bio course and getting an A will give you the same result as retaking an upper division bio course and getting an A. The recommendation is that you do the upper division course because it helps build your case of sufficient preparation for medical school coursework.