Help! Part II

[chitown2011]

---

Members don't see this ad.

xxxxx

 

[Catalystik]

To know your chances based on various MCAT outcomes, we need to know your cumulative GPA and BCPM GPA (including all grades earned, even the C and C-, which if retaken will be averaged in as if they were fresh classes) to answer your question.

If you don't have a copy: AMCAS GPA calculator: http://medschool.ucsf.edu/postbac/pdf/AMCAS%20GPA_Calculator%20Version%204%20Final.xls

 

[TheComebacKid]

I'm confused. So you are saying that you have a 3.42 sGPA WITHOUT the math courses? The math courses contribute to your BCPM (science) GPA. You need to include that in your calculation. If you did really well in them, then your sGPA should increase, or potentially offset some of those C's.

I think at the majority of US allopathic medical schools, you probably need an MCAT score of 30 to get a serious look. But the sky is the limit. So to answer your question regarding what MCAT score range you should be shooting for, the answer is: just do your best and get the best possible score you can.

There are a few threads (and the MSAR book) that will provide you with information on what your statistical chance of acceptance is given a particular GPA and MCAT score.

With a 3.4 sGPA and an MCAT of 27+ you would also be in good contention at many DO programs. Something worth considering.

 

[chitown2011]

xxxxxxxxx

 

[TriagePreMed]

I have a 3.42 WITH math classes. Also, I have thought about it and decided I'm not interested in DO schools. So I'm hoping I have a shot at MD schools.

That's not the point being made. The point is that it doesn't matter if you retake those classes. That C and C- doesn't go away from your AMCAS GPA.

 

[nynnysf]

Yes, I realize this.

 

[sector9]

I'm confused. So you are saying that you have a 3.42 sGPA WITHOUT the math courses? The math courses contribute to your BCPM (science) GPA. You need to include that in your calculation. If you did really well in them, then your sGPA should increase, or potentially offset some of those C's.

I have a 3.42 WITH math classes,

TheComebacKid got a little confused. We need chitown to include all BCPM classes, including the chemistry and physics classes that he got a C and C- in (and the math grades too, but the OP was already using the math grades). OP was saying that his BCPM is artificially inflated by strong math grades.

That's not the point being made. The point is that it doesn't matter if you retake those classes. That C and C- doesn't go away from your AMCAS GPA.

Exactly

(although I realize med schools will average the retakes with the original grade.)

You seem to be a little confused about your GPA, which may have contributed to the overall confusion in this thread. AMCAS doesn't average the retakes. AMCAS includes ALL classes taken, including retakes. The net effect is that when you retake a class, you will have the average grade between the two but with the combined credit hours included too.

Take the following theoretical scenario:
Chem 1- C- for 3 credits
Chem 1 retake- A- for 3 credits

Your average grade is a B- in the class, but it's a B- at 6 credit hours, not 3. So that's why people get confused with the whole "AMCAS averages the grades" thing because they assume that the B- (aka average grade for the class) will only count for 3 credit hours. 6 credits of B- will pull down your GPA a lot more than 3 credits of B-.

And that's why you need to include your C's in the calculations you are giving in this thread.

Yes, I realize this.

😕
Posts like this make me wonder if nynnysf is chitown's second SN and he forgot to switch back?

ETA: Upon further review, it is quite obvious that nynnysf is the same person. And he started a WAMC thread YESTERDAY and apparently didn't get enough responses so decided to start a second one tonight... Wow and I just spend all this time trying to give a good answer to someone who can't follow rules

 

[chitown2011]

xxxxxxxxxx

 

[sector9]

lol....i'm sorry, i did NOT start a new thread because i wasn't getting enough replies. if anything, i am so happy to have found this place and people are responding way faster than expected. i explained the reason for the two ID's in my message to you.

Got it.

So what is your real GPA, including all classes?

 

[nynnysf]

~3.2. I'm realizing that it's a little early for me to be calculatingmy GPA, I'm going to retake those classes (keeping in mind what other posters have said, an A in a retake averaged with a C- will not have the same weight as getting a B the first time around), and then come back to SDN. Thanks for the help! I really appreciate the honesty of all the posters on this board.