I need to get from a 3.05 to 3.8...help

[ashley1125]

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I am currently enrolled as a junior at University of South Alabama and would like to apply to medical school within the next couple of years. When I began in 2005, I was a psych major and was consistently a good student. As of Spring of 2007, I was a rising junior with a 3.8 overall and 4.0 for the 21 hour semester I took! That summer, my husband and I decided we wanted another baby, and since my first pregnancy was uneventful, I figured I would continue school throughout my pregnancy. Unfortunately, I had a terrible pregnancy; I was sick all the time and felt horrible. I was taking 18 hours, but all of my professors were really understanding and gave me an "Incomplete" for the semester since I was too stubborn to drop. What they didn't tell me was that I had 60 days to finish everything after the semester was over or it would all turn into F's, during which time i had the baby. Needless to say, things didn't turn out for me, and my GPA shot down to a 3.05. I was so devastated I took a year off to stay home with my son, but I love medicine so I'm trying to pick up the pieces and make a comeback. My plan is to pursue a dual degree now since I only have a few more classes of Psych, and add a second degree in Biomedical Sciences and a minor in Philosophy which will take 4 years. I plan on and making straight A's in everything if possible, which will leave me with a cum 3.77 upon graduation assuming 3 of those F's are replaced with A's, and a 3.63 if the grade replacement doesn't count. By the time I am done, I will have a BS in Biomedical Sciences, BA in Psychology and the Phl Minor which will add up to roughly 200 hours of college courses overall. I don't mind spending four more years to complete the BMD degree because I feel as though it will help prepare me for medical school and give my son a chance to get to kindergarten before I start med school, but I also don't want to end up with two degrees I can't do anything with if I can't get accepted. Does this sound like a good plan? What should I do? Seriously, if I can't be a doctor I don't know what I want to do with my life. I would really appreciate some feedback! Thanks!

 

[Cro]

Well, first off I highly think that you should consider D.O. schools before you make your decision. If you chose D.O., you could do a post-bacc and retake some of the classes you did poorly in. Unlike M.D. schools, D.O. schools will replace the old grade with the new grade instead of averaging the two. This should allow you to raise your GPA t a competitive level at D.O. schools within a relatively short amount of time. Take the MCAT, make sure your ec's are up to par and you could be applying to medical school within a year and save a lot of money.

If you really want an M.D., your plan would bring your GPA up to a fairly competitive level, assuming things go to plan. Unfortunately, this would be a fairly big time and money dump.

SMP programs I think would be a good option for you if you want an M.D. Some programs require an MCAT score (I think) so you would need to take that before you apply. If you get in and perform well in the medical school classes (3.5+ GPA), you are usually guaranteed an interview and a very high proportion of students ultimately get accepted to medical school.

Good luck!

 

[camaras2480]

SMP programs I think would be a good option for you if you want an M.D. Some programs require an MCAT score (I think) so you would need to take that before you apply. If you get in and perform well in the medical school classes (3.5+ GPA), you are usually guaranteed an interview and a very high proportion of students ultimately get accepted to medical school.

Yes, SMPs (almost all) require an MCAT or GRE score. SMP is something you (OP) should definitely look into.

 

[Stratego]

Be aware that even if your undergrad school forgives the Fs if you repeat the classes, AMCAS will calculate them back in when they figure your application GPA, so that they will essentially average out to a C with the repeat. You would definitely get to your goal faster if you plan on the DO option.