Help! Graduated early with low stats.

[Timkim]

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I unexpectedly graduated from UW-Madison in 2 years with 131 credits due to financial reasons. Majored in Biology and have a year of lab experience (no publication).

Problems:
1) 3.1 GPA
2) Used AP credits for premed requirements (biology, calc bc)
3) No MCAT score + low volunteer experience
4) Weak EC

What should I do?

Some suggestions I've been told are:
1) Get a MS and use that GPA (for domestic med school)
2) Allopathic, DO, or Caribbean Med school
3) Go back to school and boost GPA (for domestic med school)

 

[unhappytnt]

I'd go with #3 (assuming your financial situation is better now & can afford the tuition) and also get some volunteer experience during the process.

 

[CoolWhipp]

2 years? That's awesome. I wouldn't worry about the MCAT because you need to save your GPA first(i.e. Post-bacc or Masters programs). Then you could go ahead and up your ECs while you're at that.

I'd still shoot for a domestic medical school, DO.

 

[startswithb]

AP for the pre-reqs might make the MCAT more difficult. And, I think some schools do not accept them for the pre-reqs. Something to look into.

 

[Timkim]

Should I do a MS or go back to undergrad?

 

[tomh98]

Should I do a MS or go back to undergrad?

I think a master's would be better, no? It's a step up.

 

[bonsaipalmtree]

MS programs are counted separately from your undergrad GPA, largely. I was always advised to go back to undergrad classes and to earn As to boost UG cumulative and science GPAs. SMP is an option too, albeit an expensive one.

 

[painmd87]

With regard to the AP credits, there are some schools that will not accept them for pre-reqs. Many schools accept them, while others will accept them on the condition that you took a higher level course (ex: took AP credit for biology 101 and 102, but took bio 301, 304, 410, etc.). Contact the schools for the latest policies.