HELP!!! Can't decide on how to repair GPA/what chance do I have

[Haitimade_MD]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi everyone! I am so confused on whether to retake undergraduate classes at a community college, or just apply for a post bac program. I really want to be a physician and can't see myself doing anything else but serving patients especially underserved populations. My stats are: African American with 2.84 Cumulative GPA with a horrendous MCAT of 484. I have about 3,000 hours working as a medical assistant & about 2100 hours working as a Nursing Assistant & 740 shadowing hours. I also volunteered in the ER for a while & has done 2 medical trips to Haiti. My grades suffered due to having to work to help support myself & family plus from taking care of my schizophrenic uncle which I have mentioned in my personal statement. I am planning on retaking the MCAT in January 2018 or March. So should I just retake classes to boost GPA or do a post bac? Or can a high MCAT compensate for my low gpa with my stats for DO or MD or Carribean? I'm so sad that AACOMAS doesn't have grade replacement anymore, now my chances are equally slim for both DO & MD. This is my first time posting by the way, thanks in advance for any advice guys.

 

[chemdoctor]

I wouldn't recommend Carribean. And a high MCAT doesnt really make up for a low GPA. Retake or do a post bacc. If your low GPA is due to a lot of science courses, chances are you're gonna have to retake those anyway. I would retake and if you can, just keep trying to boost the GPA.

 

[MonkeyArrow]

How does one accumulate 740 shadowing hours? Even if you shadow every week for 8 hours a week, that is still 92.5 weeks straight.

 

[Princeton Medical Student]

Do NOT take the MCAT yet. You are nowhere near ready. Post bacc and raise your GPA.

 

[Haitimade_MD]

How does one accumulate 740 shadowing hours? Even if you shadow every week for 8 hours a week, that is still 92.5 weeks straight.

I shadowed a pediatric MD doctor from December 2012 to December 2014 I guess I just kept going cause she was like a mentor to me and I really enjoyed being around children. Then this year from February to now I started shadow a Family DO doctor

 

[AttemptingScholar]

We could give better advice if we knew your science GPA and how you have been studying for the MCAT.

 

[Mwooster]

I really want to be a physician and can't see myself doing anything else but serving patients especially underserved populations.

There are other ways besides being a physician to serve patients especially the underserved population. At this point, you're nowhere close to being a medical student material. Need to reevaluate study strategies, time management, and/or work ethics.

740 shadowing hours

Maybe OP should have used all that time studying for classes and the MCAT. Common pitfall of premed students - overextending oneself and neglecting the bread and butter - GPA and MCAT

 

[Princeton Medical Student]

To further clarify on my answer.

While the MCAT is the obvious problem staring you directly in the face, it would be unwise to put focus on it, as your GPA is too low for medical schools, and you run into the problem of your MCAT expiring. Your first step is to evaluate if you want to continue to pursue this profession as it would take you quite a long time given your current position. I would recommend attending a post bacc program, and raising your GPA as much as possible. Upon completion of it, I would recommend retaking the MCAT. I am sure folks on the MCAT subsection can assist you with it further.

 

[Harvest Moon]

I'm sorry to hear about family situation. You seem like a sweet person caught in unfortunate circumstances. Have you considered applying to PA schools or nursing schools instead? You should recognize the fact that there are other ways to serve underserved populations, and physician assistants and nurses are vital members of the healthcare provider team. Without them, no hospitals can function properly.

If you're so adamant on becoming a physician, however, you should take a few gap years to raise your GPA through post-bacc. Once your GPA is within the reasonable range, concentrate on restudying for the MCAT. And Caribbean MD schools are not a bad choice if you plan to stay in that region (there are many underserved communities there). Good luck.

 

[Blanky]

It seems apparent that your knowledge of the prerequisite course is bad and your gpa likely as well. Retake the classes and some other sciences like genetics and micro and show yourself you actually deserve it. Then study and take the MCAT in two years and see how much better your looking then.

 

[ChymeofPassion]

Id consider a different career.

 

[Dylanation]

Realistically speaking, with the MCAT score and GPA you have, most med schools will probably auto-reject your app from entering the pool. Regardless of a high/low or low/high MCAT/GPA, you have little chance to no chance of getting close to admissions. You have impressive embellishments that could compliment an average/great MCAT/GPA, however, if I were you, I'd take a pause from these extras. With a GPA and MCAT like yours, most admissions will not care about what personal problems you have, but will focus on the fact that you as a student are not prepared for a medical school curriculum. Go retake classes to raise your GPA in a post-bac program and then retake your MCAT.

At this point in your life, you need to reevaluate what you're doing wrong academically and personally. I would strongly recommend making a plan, creating a step by step guideline to where you want to go with short-term and long-term goals. Incorporate the changes made in your academic and personal life to tailor to your goals. These type of changes take time to occur and will only benefit you in the long run if you are consistent. Consider that if your goal is to help people, there are many positions in the medical field that allow you to do that. Being a doctor is not the only way to help people and it's absurd to think that. That being said, I would also strongly recommend making a backup plan in the case your primary plan does not work.

It's not the end of the world if you are considering to be a doctor, just realize you're just going to have to work harder and make a lot of changes and improvements to yourself. Good luck.

 

[chemdoctor]

I wouldn't recommend Carribean. And a high MCAT doesnt really make up for a low GPA. Retake or do a post bacc. If your low GPA is due to a lot of science courses, chances are you're gonna have to retake those anyway. I would retake and if you can, just keep trying to boost the GPA.

An edit to my previous post, do not take the MCAT. That's not the priority right now. And by the time you get the GPA up to a competitive level, it's gonna expire anyway. Fix the GPA through a post bacc and in doing so, you'll be prepping for the MCAT anyway! It'll take atleast a year or two, and then you'll be at the steps of the door. Do not take the MCAT now and maybe take a break form your ECs while you fix the GPA

 

[Goro]

Hi everyone! I am so confused on whether to retake undergraduate classes at a community college, or just apply for a post bac program. I really want to be a physician and can't see myself doing anything else but serving patients especially underserved populations. My stats are: African American with 2.84 Cumulative GPA with a horrendous MCAT of 484. I have about 3,000 hours working as a medical assistant & about 2100 hours working as a Nursing Assistant & 740 shadowing hours. I also volunteered in the ER for a while & has done 2 medical trips to Haiti. My grades suffered due to having to work to help support myself & family plus from taking care of my schizophrenic uncle which I have mentioned in my personal statement. I am planning on retaking the MCAT in January 2018 or March. So should I just retake classes to boost GPA or do a post bac? Or can a high MCAT compensate for my low gpa with my stats for DO or MD or Carribean? I'm so sad that AACOMAS doesn't have grade replacement anymore, now my chances are equally slim for both DO & MD. This is my first time posting by the way, thanks in advance for any advice guys.

As of right now you are too high risk a candidate for med school, and no med school would be doing you any favors by admitting you when you're at such risk for failing out.

Read the following, and also do not consider this pathway until your personal life is sorted out. You can't run home every time there's an emergency. Med students have to be somewhat selfish.

• Goro's Advice for DO Applicants in Absence of Grade Replacement (2016-17 cycle)

Do NOT take the MCAT until you fix your deficits and you are 100% ready for the exam.

And forget the Carbi. Their business model allows them to grow fat and rich on naïve and high risk applicants such as yourself.

 

[Psych_hopeful]

Hi everyone! I am so confused on whether to retake undergraduate classes at a community college, or just apply for a post bac program. I really want to be a physician and can't see myself doing anything else but serving patients especially underserved populations. My stats are: African American with 2.84 Cumulative GPA with a horrendous MCAT of 484. I have about 3,000 hours working as a medical assistant & about 2100 hours working as a Nursing Assistant & 740 shadowing hours. I also volunteered in the ER for a while & has done 2 medical trips to Haiti. My grades suffered due to having to work to help support myself & family plus from taking care of my schizophrenic uncle which I have mentioned in my personal statement. I am planning on retaking the MCAT in January 2018 or March. So should I just retake classes to boost GPA or do a post bac? Or can a high MCAT compensate for my low gpa with my stats for DO or MD or Carribean? I'm so sad that AACOMAS doesn't have grade replacement anymore, now my chances are equally slim for both DO & MD. This is my first time posting by the way, thanks in advance for any advice guys.

Gonna be blunt: This statement right here makes me think that you aren't ready for medical school. The reason is that when people take a look at a statement like this and think about you as a doctor, they will see someone who says to a patient "I'm sorry I messed up the treatment for your cancer, but my dad has leukemia." The thing is that: although your situation might be true and you might have had a difficult time because of work and supporting your uncle, you STILL have to perform regardless.

Not an adcom myself, but I feel like when they read a statement like this, they will say "So what you are telling us is that if your father has an episode and has to be hospitalized or some tragedy befalls you, you are telling us you cannot function. You are gonna fall apart at the first sign of tragedy. -_-;;;; That is a GREAT way for someone to be if they want a doctor in a hospital. The "I just want you to know that I'm gonna fall apart at the first sign of trouble"".

As an aside, I know a pathologist who recently had his wife die and currently has advanced Multiple Sclerosis. He STILL shows up to work and STILL does a great job doing pathology sessions with the attendings, residents and students. And although he might be an ideal case, it is expected that you put your work as a priority in spite of whatever difficulties you have. You cant just break down.

 

[em20178]

Yeah I'd say your situation is a tough one but never make excuses on your personal statement. I had a horrible MCAT/gpa a few years ago and got in through a masters' program that lead me to DO school. I am impressed with your clinical background which I think will make you a good candidate to some post bacc/masters programs. But make sure you give up excuses, either on your application or in the interview. People here do not look well on those at all, even if what you are saying is completely factual or true

 

[PreMedTexan]

Personally, if I was in that situation, I would try to get into a graduate program and focus on getting as high of a graduate GPA as possible then study extensively for the MCAT to get a competitive score. I took a gap year working and studying to retake the MCAT and have had much more success this time around. A gap year will also present you with different opportunities that will allow you to grow as a person to be more prepared for medical school. I would avoid the Caribbean.

Best of luck to you!

 

[Princeton Medical Student]

Personally, if I was in that situation, I would try to get into a graduate program and focus on getting as high of a graduate GPA as possible then study extensively for the MCAT to get a competitive score. I took a gap year working and studying to retake the MCAT and have had much more success this time around. A gap year will also present you with different opportunities that will allow you to grow as a person to be more prepared for medical school. I would avoid the Caribbean.

Best of luck to you!

Grad degree wouldnt fix the 2.8 gpa unfortunately.

 

[PreMedTexan]

Grad degree wouldnt fix the 2.8 gpa unfortunately.

The positive trend may say something but you’re right it probably won’t amount to much

 

[DokterMom]

Once you get your numbers (GPA and MCAT) up to the necessary minimum, I think you'll be a very successful candidate.

BUT - You've simply got to get your numbers up to that minimum before you will be considered. (Minimum would be 3.0 GPA or 2+ years of 3.8 or better high-level science-heavy coursework at an accredited non-CC bricks & mortar university, plus a 500 or better MCAT.)

Priorities should be GPA repair first, then MCAT. And sorry - it'll be a multi-year process.

Cut back on your volunteering and shadowing while you do this -- you're over-extended, and you've already got FAR more than enough to show you're dedicated and altruistic. You'll need to demonstrate that you can prioritize your own needs too...

 

[PreMedMissteps]

You'll need to demonstrate that you can prioritize your own needs too...

This ^^

The stories about your job and family demands aren't going to be convincing when they see that you spent a highly unusual number of hours shadowing.

You need to demonstrate that you're able to prioritize appropriately - and not mostly based on what you more enjoy doing.

What were you SAT or ACT scores? I'm asking to see if you have trouble with standardized tests.

What were your grades in:
Bio I and II
Chem I and II
Ochem I and II
Physics I and II
Biochem
Other BCPM courses:

 

[Rhabdoviridae]

Gonna be blunt: This statement right here makes me think that you aren't ready for medical school. The reason is that when people take a look at a statement like this and think about you as a doctor, they will see someone who says to a patient "I'm sorry I messed up the treatment for your cancer, but my dad has leukemia." The thing is that: although your situation might be true and you might have had a difficult time because of work and supporting your uncle, you STILL have to perform regardless.

Not an adcom myself, but I feel like when they read a statement like this, they will say "So what you are telling us is that if your father has an episode and has to be hospitalized or some tragedy befalls you, you are telling us you cannot function. You are gonna fall apart at the first sign of tragedy. -_-;;;; That is a GREAT way for someone to be if they want a doctor in a hospital. The "I just want you to know that I'm gonna fall apart at the first sign of trouble"".

As an aside, I know a pathologist who recently had his wife die and currently has advanced Multiple Sclerosis. He STILL shows up to work and STILL does a great job doing pathology sessions with the attendings, residents and students. And although he might be an ideal case, it is expected that you put your work as a priority in spite of whatever difficulties you have. You cant just break down.

Give me a break. No one is expecting you to take care of anyone until many years after you start medical school. Besides, most people I have seen have matured significantly while in medical school (not that OP has even said anything to suggest he is immature).

 

[Prometheus123]

Consider another career. Only the uninformed and the irrationally driven pursue medicine.

If you fall into the latter category, first learn to study and simplify your life as much as possible. When I started premed, I was carrying a 2.8 GPA spread out over 2.5 years of undergrad. I spent time learning how to study, and now I do well, even though I never have enough time to study and spend most of my time on other responsibilities. It's not easy, but anyone can do it if you're willing to make the sacrifices, including you.

 

[Psych_hopeful]

Consider another career. Only the uninformed and the irrationally driven pursue medicine.

If you fall into the latter category, first learn to study and simplify your life as much as possible. When I started premed, I was carrying a 2.8 GPA spread out over 2.5 years of undergrad. I spent time learning how to study, and now I do well, even though I never have enough time to study and spend most of my time on other responsibilities. It's not easy, but anyone can do it if you're willing to make the sacrifices, including you.

=/. I was pretty critical of the OP in my earlier post, but I'm gonna have to say I disagree that the OP should only "Consider another career". The OP has issues where he is priortizing other people's needs over his own and not performing as a result. Even if he did another career, it would come up.

I would advise the OP get counseling in order to learn how to better manage the issues with his dad to a point where he can function in an academic environment. Once he succeeds in that realm, he can then make the decision whether to continue pursuing medicine or choosing another career.

Overall, I would want the OP to be functional to a point where he knows when to prioritize his needs over others. You cannot help others if you can't help yourself after all.

 

[Prometheus123]

=/. I was pretty critical of the OP in my earlier post, but I'm gonna have to say I disagree that the OP should only "Consider another career". The OP has issues where he is priortizing other people's needs over his own and not performing as a result. Even if he did another career, it would come up.

I would advise the OP get counseling in order to learn how to better manage the issues with his dad to a point where he can function in an academic environment. Once he succeeds in that realm, he can then make the decision whether to continue pursuing medicine or choosing another career.

Overall, I would want the OP to be functional to a point where he knows when to prioritize his needs over others. You cannot help others if you can't help yourself after all.

I agreed with your earlier post. I was just adding in a perpspective that hadn't already been given. I could be wrong, but my guess is that inefficient study techniques are also at play here.