Grauduated. should i try to improve my gpa somehow?

[luckylee3]

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I graduated top 50 university with 3.66 cgpa, 3.53 sgpa, 3.87 AOgpa. i know that my grades aren't stellar but not terrible either. I defintatelt know my sgpa is my weak point. To have the best chance of getting in, should I try to improve my gpa somehow? like retake classes or do take more classes, or some programs? is it worth the time and money to do it? what are my options?

 

[Mr Avante]

I graduated top 50 university with 3.66 overall, 3.53 sgpa, 3.87 cgpa. i know that my grades aren't stellar but not terrible either. I defintatelt know my sgpa is my weak point. To have the best chance of getting in, should I try to improve my gpa somehow? like retake classes or do take more classes, or some programs? is it worth the time and money to do it? what are my options?

mcat?

 

[luckylee3]

mcat?

yes. mcat is 27. gonna retake and improve that also

 

[tantacles]

yes. mcat is 27. gonna retake and improve that also

Just improve the MCAT. Your GPA is fine.

 

[gettheleadout]

I graduated top 50 university with 3.66 overall, 3.53 sgpa, 3.87 cgpa. i know that my grades aren't stellar but not terrible either. I defintatelt know my sgpa is my weak point. To have the best chance of getting in, should I try to improve my gpa somehow? like retake classes or do take more classes, or some programs? is it worth the time and money to do it? what are my options?

Just a note on terminology here, cGPA means cumulative GPA, meaning overall. AO GPA would be "all other" meaning non-science.

 

[NeuroNYC]

In my opinion your GPA is competitive. I don't know if you're going to get into a top20 research medical school with that kind of GPA, but the only thing to make up for a weak GPA is more grades. A strong MCAT goes a long way, but if you are worried about that GPA because you intend on going to a top tier school, then I would consider spending a year and getting a masters degree. That being said, your grades are fine for many schools.

 

[luckylee3]

In my opinion your GPA is competitive. I don't know if you're going to get into a top20 research medical school with that kind of GPA, but the only thing to make up for a weak GPA is more grades. A strong MCAT goes a long way, but if you are worried about that GPA because you intend on going to a top tier school, then I would consider spending a year and getting a masters degree. That being said, your grades are fine for many schools.

so if i dont intend on top 20, dont do a masters, and focus on mcat?

 

[NeuroNYC]

That's what I would say. Having taken the MCAT once and getting a 27 is going to hurt you a little bit. Apply broadly, and do some research and see which schools will superscore the MCAT, and which will only consider the most recent score. I believe most schools (someone correct me if I'm wrong) will average your most recent scores together.

 

[luckylee3]

That's what I would say. Having taken the MCAT once and getting a 27 is going to hurt you a little bit. Apply broadly, and do some research and see which schools will superscore the MCAT, and which will only consider the most recent score. I believe most schools (someone correct me if I'm wrong) will average your most recent scores together.

no I think it's the other way. most schools consider most recent. some schools average them

 

[NeuroNYC]

Sounds like you know what to do 🙂

 

[Plecopotamus]

Your GPA is fine as long as you pick your MCAT up significantly. I caution you to not take the MCAT until you feel very certain that you will improve significantly -- even if you have to delay by an application cycle. If you retake and don't improve significantly, subsequent retakes are going to be of diminishing significance and of no significance at some schools. If you apply with the low MCAT and get rejected, you will get marked as a re-applicant the next time, which also causes some schools to essentially screen you out.

 

[luckylee3]

Your GPA is fine as long as you pick your MCAT up significantly. I caution you to not take the MCAT until you feel very certain that you will improve significantly -- even if you have to delay by an application cycle. If you retake and don't improve significantly, subsequent retakes are going to be of diminishing significance and of no significance at some schools. If you apply with the low MCAT and get rejected, you will get marked as a re-applicant the next time, which also causes some schools to essentially screen you out.

even if i improve my mcat im gonna get screend out? why?

 

[Plecopotamus]

even if i improve my mcat im gonna get screend out? why?

are you asking about my statement regarding re-applicants? or about taking the MCAT 3+ times?

Some schools don't really consider re-applicants or at least give them lower regard. They are often not upfront about it and are happy to take your application fee. These are often but not always low/mid-tier programs that mediocre applicants will apply and re-apply to b/c per statistics they think they're competitive. I don't think it's particularly fair or justified, but essentially they take the approach that your application has previously been reviewed and found to be too weak by their own adcom or another, so they don't need to carefully review it. On the other hand, some schools will view reapplication as a sign of commitment to your goal. However, you never know which schools will do this, so if there is any risk that your ultimate maximum MCAT will be on the low end, I would not risk putting yourself in the re-applicant group and getting knocked out of competition for the spots at those many low/mid-tier schools.

If you're asking about the MCAT issue. My school won't keep you from submitting numerous MCAT scores, but if you've taken it more than 2 times, unless you have a really compelling reason to have done it, you're almost guaranteed a rejection. You don't get to sit for your board exams multiple times, so you're a liability if you look like you need to take practice runs to conquer standardized tests, b/c you open up increased risk that they'll have a student who fails Step 1 or 2 or has difficulty in the match.

 

[NeuroNYC]

Agree whole heartedly with Plecopotamus. I have had multiple advisers tell me the same. if you're going to take the MCAT, you need to be ready. If you're going to take it a second time, there needs to be a marked and significant improvement. Otherwise adcoms start asking themselves all sorts of nasty questions you just don't want to deal with.

 

[Starry]

How many schools did you apply to? From your posting history, I think that your stats aren't the problem. Seems like you didn't apply very broadly. I might be wrong however.

Also, an attitude like this isn't going to get you far:

not gonna submit my secondary. they are not getting my $200 only to reject me

Have more confidence! Your GPA is fine. Your MCAT isn't bad. Idk about your EC's. You haven't heard back from Western yet, don't give up so fast!

If you do decide to reapply, yeah you would probably need to improve your MCAT. Aim for 30+.
I also think that this thread that you started yesterday is horrible advice, but I digress: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=1036981

 

[Mavs88]

What kind of schools are you interested in? A lot depends on your EC, but lower tier MDs you are good for, as well as most DO.

 

[aspiring20]

how are your essays and personal statement, OP?

did you make any spelling mistakes such as "grauduated"?

anyways, your GPA is rock solid. and if you can wipe out a 36+ on the MCAT, even the top tiers are within reach provided your ECs are solid.

 

[BlackBox]

Just improve the MCAT. Your GPA is fine.

+1

Also, make sure you stay active! Many secondaries will ask what you've been up to following graduation or what you plan on doing prior to matriculation.

 

[Mr Avante]

yes. mcat is 27. gonna retake and improve that also

Just improve the MCAT. Your GPA is fine.

+1

Also, make sure you stay active! Many secondaries will ask what you've been up to following graduation or what you plan on doing prior to matriculation.

What blackbox said... Oui? 🙂

licka tyll, Luckylee3!

 

[Goro]

Quit fussing, your numbers are fine!

I graduated top 50 university with 3.66 cgpa, 3.53 sgpa, 3.87 AOgpa. i know that my grades aren't stellar but not terrible either. I defintatelt know my sgpa is my weak point. To have the best chance of getting in, should I try to improve my gpa somehow? like retake classes or do take more classes, or some programs? is it worth the time and money to do it? what are my options?

 

[pietachok]

Quit fussing, your numbers are fine!

Hmmm. A 27 MCAT is fine? Some people will definitely get in with that score, but it's not in a realm where I'd call concern "fussing" rather than practical.

 

[La Presse]

State of residence?