I Desperately Need Advice

[Alisia S]

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I graduated in '07 with a BCPM of 2.6. and MCAT of 20. I took a year off to work and am about to reapply as well as retake the MCAT. I am scheduled to take four classes this fall and three in the spring. Do you guys think this is wise? Am I jumping the gun? Ive spoken with a few admissions advisors and they say what I'm attempting is feasible for admission for Fall '09 but few have succeeded at this. I'm scared. I want so bad to get in and am willing to do whatever it takes. Help!!!!

 

[kami333]

What's your overall GPA?

 

[Alisia S]

My overall was a 3.01

 

[helpfuldoc2b]

My overall was a 3.01

Well no one can tell you if you will get in or not. Obviously your stats are very low. That does not mean you dont have options. If you apply with those stats today you wont get into any school, i can almost assure you of that. If you pump the MCAT a bit I am sure you will get into some DO schools and almost all Carib medical schools, with a SMP with a great GPA and a MCAT >35 you have a good chance of getting into more statewide medical schools. Nothing is impossible, just stick to your goal and do it with full confidence that you ARE going to get in and YOU will succeed, dont doubt yourself...

 

[flip26]

I graduated in '07 with a BCPM of 2.6. and MCAT of 20. I took a year off to work and am about to reapply as well as retake the MCAT. I am scheduled to take four classes this fall and three in the spring. Do you guys think this is wise? Am I jumping the gun? Ive spoken with a few admissions advisors and they say what I'm attempting is feasible for admission for Fall '09 but few have succeeded at this. I'm scared. I want so bad to get in and am willing to do whatever it takes. Help!!!!

Until you get an MCAT score north of 30, with that GPA, you will have very low chances at allopathic schools, and maybe not much better chances at DO...most people in your boat take more than one year of post bacc classes, or they attend an SMP (if not doing both)...not suggesting you not apply this cycle, but you should continue to take courses this year to raise your GPA, and hopefully to raise that really low BCPM...develop a "Plan B" which might include an SMP in your future, and consider DO which will treat any BCPM retakes much more favorably in GPA calculations (DO will replace a lower grade with the higher - Allo simply averages the grades).

 

[DH78]

Think of it this way: You could keep trying, or you can quit. One or the other.

Yes, your GPA and MCATs are low. Yes, you need to improve upon that, and it looks like you are trying to do just that. One piece of advice: Make sure you can handle what you are attempting to do. You're better off taking a bit more time, and getting better grades than rushing through it. I don't know what classes you're planning on taking, but it's better to take two and get A's than to take four and get B's. If you graduated in 2007, then I would assume you're still pretty young, so don't feel too much of a rush.

Good luck, though. My pre-med advisor always says that getting in is more of a marathon than a sprint, so hang in there!

 

[DrJosephKim]

Do you have any interest in doing some research to bolster your chances? If you can get engaged in some research opportunities, that may be helpful. It would require a time investment on your part.

The other thing that may help if you're absolutely determined - go for a master's degree in a scientific area (or public health) and strive to get a fantastic GPA. That's quite an investment as well (both time and $), but if you're really determined, it may be worth it.

 

[njbmd]

Do you have any interest in doing some research to bolster your chances? If you can get engaged in some research opportunities, that may be helpful. It would require a time investment on your part.

The other thing that may help if you're absolutely determined - go for a master's degree in a scientific area (or public health) and strive to get a fantastic GPA. That's quite an investment as well (both time and $), but if you're really determined, it may be worth it.

Neither research or a graduate degree (outside of an SMP for grade enhancement) will be of much use to the OP. Research and graduate work (other than an excellent performance in a SMP) will increase one's chances of getting into medical school if low uGPA "damage control" needs to be done. A graduate degree in Public Health is only useful if the OP wants to go into public health rather than medical school.

As others have said, post bacc (SMP for grade enhancement) and raise the MCAT score. These things take time and they are expensive so be ready for a long haul.

 

[gman33]

Don't reapply this year, you have no shot.
I'm not trying to be harsh, just realistic.

If you are interested in DO schools, retake all your science classes less than a B.

For MD schools, you have a very long road ahead. Maybe 2 years of upper level science classes and a SMP.

I'd also strongly advise against taking 4 science classes this semester. Your past record would lead me to believe that you won't be able to handle this and get all A's. Yes, you need all A's in a whole bunch of classes. Nothing else is really going to help. I'd rather see you take 1-2 classes and do really well. Once you can handle this, take on more work if you think you can.

Don't rush into this. With consistent excellence, you can reapply in a few years. Anything less than near perfection at this point, will really sink your chances for ever getting in.

 

[NukeQuazar]

100% agreement with gman. Do not take more classes than you can get A's in (no more than two sciences, in my opinion), and plan on spending at least two years to do this You cannot risk getting another bad grade -- you can give reasons why your undergrad GPA was low, but there is no excuse for low postbacc grades. And do everything you can to make yourself a strong applicant -- volunteering, research, etc... Also, don't retake the MCAT until you're ready -- practice scores consistently over 30. Good luck!

 

[Bouncingboy]

I just want to re-emphasize that grad school is a bad idea for the OP. Even my cat can score a 4.0 GPA in grad school - grade inflation baby!

I also agree with the others to plan on a 2-3 year journey with ZERO grades less than an A. Drop the class instead of risking a "B", no more than two science labs per term, etc.....

 

[Barfalamule]

Patience is a virtue here. I suggest a 2 year postbacc at ~40 credit hours, with the first and last semester being lighter loads than the middle two semesters. Do not rush the rehabilitation, otherwise you will dig the hole deeper. Be methodic and diligent in your plan and in your execution.
You really want to use your first semester to feel out your limits with your renewed focus and determination. Then as you progress in your postbacc, you can fine tune your study habits and get a better sense of your capabilities as you open up full throttle. Finally, in your last semester as you're ramping down, ramp up the MCAT study and tackle that beast with your new-found discipline. You can do it. You just have to be smart in the planning. Give yourself the best chance possible to realize your dreams.