GPA fell under 3.4 - I have one semester left. What to do?

[chillinillinkillin007]

I have one semester left in college left with a 3.38 GPA. I don't really have that much a trend except a good junior year but this last semester turned out to be below average (3.2). Should I overload on science classes (3 science classes) and 2 electives to prove I am ready to go for applying after graduation? I have a 33+ MCAT score by the way. Any advice on what classes (already took biochem).

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[Dr Van Helsing]

Let the force be with you.

 

[rodmichael82]

I have one semester left in college left with a 3.38 GPA. I don't really have that much a trend except a good junior year but this last semester turned out to be below average (3.2). Should I overload on science classes (3 science classes) and 2 electives to prove I am ready to go for applying after graduation? I have a 33+ MCAT score by the way. Any advice on what classes (already took biochem).

You don't want a 3.2 GPA in a semester towards the very end. I would suggest you follow your plan. Take a couple science classes and try to crank the semesters GPA > 3.7 and make such that your cGPA > 3.4
As a general rule 3.4 is on the low end but tolerable for most MD schools especially with your decent MCAT score however a 3.3x is NOT.

 

[allantois]

Spend less time on SDN.

 

[mke520]

you have a solid MCAT but low GPA, so take classes where you can raise your GPA. the classes you take don't matter, unless you need to take science courses to boost your sGPA, but otherwise just take courses you can ace this final semester and reach the 3.4+ mark to give yourself a decent shot at an acceptance

 

[chillinillinkillin007]

should i get research credit to bring up my gpa and take 2 science classes + 2 electives? does that sound good? I can get 3.7+ that semester most likely

 

[JimmyB123]

I'm sorry to break bad news but it will be really rough applying only MD with a 3.4 GPA unless everything else on your application is superb. Take it from me, it didn't work. I suggest adding DO schools (I'm certainly thankful I did).

 

[W19]

should i get research credit to bring up my gpa and take 2 science classes + 2 electives? does that sound good? I can get 3.7+ that semester most likely

That sounds like a good idea... Bring it up to 3.5+...

 

[ProudMD]

A GPA (cumulative or science) of 3.3 will NOT keep you out of an MD school if the rest of your application is strong. Your MCAT certainly is, but what about your ECs? If they are only average, then you'll need to significantly raise your numbers.

 

[altblue]

I'm sorry to break bad news but it will be really rough applying only MD with a 3.4 GPA unless everything else on your application is superb. Take it from me, it didn't work. I suggest adding DO schools (I'm certainly thankful I did).

He does have a 33+ MCAT though, which really helps his chances at MD I think. Though DO schools are probably good to have too.

 

[ProudMD]

OP, how much higher than 33 is your MCAT? There's a huge difference between a 33 and a 38.

 

[Conflagration]

I'm applying in June '15 with 3.4 cGPA too, OP.

The advice I got from my WAMC thread was that, as long as I chose what MD schools to apply to with the utmost care and applied as early as I could, I may get some luck.

However, I'm going to try to apply to at least 8 DO schools too. If you're vying for MD only, you may want to beef things up more.

 

[ProudMD]

I'm applying in June '15 with 3.4 cGPA too, OP.

The advice I got from my WAMC thread was that, as long as I chose what MD schools to apply to with the utmost care and applied as early as I could, I may get some luck.

However, I'm going to try to apply to at least 8 DO schools too. If you're vying for MD only, you may want to beef things up more.

You'll get more than just luck. I have many peers with 3.3 sGPAs who got into top 30 schools. The rest of their applications are superb, of course.

In addition, according to stats, the average accepted student from my undergrad has a 34 MCAT and a 3.4 c/sGPA. In other words, for applicants who graduated from my alma mater, a 3.4 GPA is all that is required to get in somewhere.

 

[Conflagration]

You'll get more than just luck. I have many peers with 3.3 sGPAs who got into top 30 schools. The rest of their applications are superb, of course.

Thanks for the vote of confidence!

I'm not aiming for anything that high- I'm perfectly happy to go anywhere where I can be a good doctor. 😀

 

[ProudMD]

Thanks for the vote of confidence!

I'm not aiming for anything that high- I'm perfectly happy to go anywhere where I can be a good doctor. 😀

Well even better then! If you have a great MCAT, strong ECs, good LORs, and apply early and broadly, your chances should be very good.

 

[EvenStevens]

A GPA (cumulative or science) of 3.3 will NOT keep you out of an MD school if the rest of your application is strong. Your MCAT certainly is, but what about your ECs? If they are only average, then you'll need to significantly raise your numbers.

Woah woah woah ProudMD are you on the right website? You're spewing heresey! Everyone knows that in SDN land only 3.8 gpas get into medical school