How to strengthen ones application?

[Whtsupdoc23]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hi, I am premed student and I wanted to know what are the best ways to improve an application for med school, right now my situation is kind of bad becuase I dont have a high gpa, and also my only hope is the MCAT and ECs, I was wondering what else can I do besides this , also like for essays and personal statemnts I know that is important too, but what else more I can do to improve and hide my low gpa ?

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Well, it's difficult to give you advice since we don't know how low your GPA is and what your ECs look like. If your GPA is below a 3.0, even a high MCAT and great ECs are rarely enough to get you accepted. There's no such thing as "hiding" a low GPA, unfortunately. If you could give more specific information about your personal situation we could probably offer better advice!

 

[bravofleet4]

there's no quick way to hide or improve a GPA...you just work harder to improve your grades by making it your number 1 priority. Sometimes though I admit it's the major you're in which is why grades are low. Keep in mind medical schools analyze your grades by looking at just the science courses called your sGPA and then your cumulative GPA called your cGPA. Therefore, you can't just boost up your grades also by taking really easy breadth courses. However, one good thing you can take away is that medical schools always look positively on upward trends on GPA. You don't have to go from 2.0 to 4.0 in one quarter to feel like you're on the right track. Be happy if you can just improve your GPA quarter after quarter.

 

[alexlex143]

you need to get your GPA up if it's below a 3.2. Depending on how long before you apply, you should volunteer and get as much clinical experience as possible. you could look into research opportunities or mission trips. you didn't really give any specifics so it's hard to tell you how to improve your situation. But like the previous poster said, there's no such thing as "hiding" anything.

 

[Whtsupdoc23]

A) As of right now my gpa isnt above 3.2 its acutally 3.2, as for volunteering I am currently volunteering in the ER at an hospital, I have shadowed an internal doctor, and I need more experience in shadowing, also I volunteer at Compassionate Care Network , where we provide free health screenings to uninsured patients . I volunteered in a food shelter, I have enjoined in certain organizations and clubs in school, what else can I do , any other tips?

B) What is the best way to improve my gpa, as for my science gpa its a lower than my cummultative would your recommend post bacc or should I just see how I do on my MCAT , and decide from there?

 

[bravofleet4]

See that's the confusing part, though, when you ask us how you would improve your GPA. We don't have any explanation from you for why your grades are the way they are. If you said that you haven't been taking your courses seriously and just procrastinating, then we would just tell you to buckle down. If you said that you didn't have the time to study, then we would say take on a lighter load or cut back on the EC's. If you said you try as hard as you can but can't make the grade, then we say go to office hours, go see your TA, and ask questions after class.

If you do a post bac it's not entirely clear your grades would improve at all. What makes you think that you will get A's then? I'm just asking b/c you haven't given any indication that your stronger in the sciences than non-sciences. Most people that do a post bac do it in a subject they feel especially strong in or have an interest in.

Yes, let's not consider a post bac right now. Focus on getting better grades and doing well on the MCAT.