GPA/grad school style question...

[Darkstar25]

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Hey guys,

I just joined SDN and was instantly hooked. One thread regarding Undergrad GPA's and post-grad classes got me especially interested. Here's my situation in terms that are related to the question: I had a 3.0 cumulative gpa (3.26 science) that was mainly due to a really bad freshman year. I have been doing research in a lab at UMD SOM for ~2 years and am halfway finished with a Masters in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins. I've taken biochem, two advanced cell bio courses, molecular and will take immunology, virology and other strictly science-based courses to finish the degree (they offer business-style courses for those who want to pursue biotech in that way). I have a 4.0 so far. In undergrad I got C's in gen chem (freshman year). Is this something that I should consider re-taking before applying to both DO and MD schools? Obviously in terms of the MCAT this would help, but I guess I'm more interested now in how that would look to admissions as well as what it would do for my GPA. Any comments regarding this would be grately appreciated.

 

[Pemberley]

My understanding is that for DO it'll definitely help because they'll use your new grades instead of the old grades for calculating your GPA. (This is second-hand, but I've heard it a whole lot around these boards.)

For MD, don't bother. You can always take different undergrad-level classes that you're interested in, but it'll take a fair few to raise your GPA, so do it slowly and methodically if at all. There's no advantage to repeating the same ones.

Hey guys,

I just joined SDN and was instantly hooked. One thread regarding Undergrad GPA's and post-grad classes got me especially interested. Here's my situation in terms that are related to the question: I had a 3.0 cumulative gpa (3.26 science) that was mainly due to a really bad freshman year. I have been doing research in a lab at UMD SOM for ~2 years and am halfway finished with a Masters in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins. I've taken biochem, two advanced cell bio courses, molecular and will take immunology, virology and other strictly science-based courses to finish the degree (they offer business-style courses for those who want to pursue biotech in that way). I have a 4.0 so far. In undergrad I got C's in gen chem (freshman year). Is this something that I should consider re-taking before applying to both DO and MD schools? Obviously in terms of the MCAT this would help, but I guess I'm more interested now in how that would look to admissions as well as what it would do for my GPA. Any comments regarding this would be grately appreciated.