Improving Low Grades

[SteelAurelius]

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Community College (semester system) Transfer Student who graduated from a public university (quarter system)

Major: Biology
Cumulative GPA: 3.3
BCPM GPA: 3.0
My overall CC GPA exceeds my overall university GPA by a lot.

1 C in 2nd Semester of Gen Bio in CC
1 D in 2nd Semester of Ochem in CC
More than 5 C's in upper division science classes at the university
Rest are A's and B's (more B's than A's)

Have not taken the MCAT yet.

What should I do to improve my chances of getting into DO or MD medical schools (e. g. retake the classes at the CC/university or pursue a post bacc/SMP)?

If I should retake classes or take similar classes somewhere, which kinds of schools can I go to (e. g. CC, state university, etc.)? As far as I know, the classes I got C's in are only offered at my university.

 

[Cogitate]

5Cs in upper division biology? Those classes = 0.0001 x med school classes.

Why did you do so poorly? You need to figure out what you did wrong and fix that. Right now you are not ready for med school.

 

[Cogitate]

And your sGPA is about 0.5 lower than it needs.....

 

[mavikedi]

Hi OP! I would definitely look into retaking the classes you did poorly in if you are looking to save money OR look into post bacc programs. Specifically post bacc programs with some sort of admissions or interview guarantee (example: I'm starting VCOM's post bacc program and they offer a guaranteed admissions program). If, when you take the MCAT you knock it out of the park then I may consider taking a chance and applying this cycle. But you are on the edge with that sGPA 3.0.

Don't let people tell you that you are or not ready for medical school, especially when they haven't even gotten into medical school themselves.

 

[Cogitate]

Hi OP! I would definitely look into retaking the classes you did poorly in if you are looking to save money OR look into post bacc programs. Specifically post bacc programs with some sort of admissions or interview guarantee (example: I'm starting VCOM's post bacc program and they offer a guaranteed admissions program). If, when you take the MCAT you knock it out of the park then I may consider taking a chance and applying this cycle. But you are on the edge with that sGPA 3.0.

Don't let people tell you that you are or not ready for medical school, especially when they haven't even gotten into medical school themselves.

How did you get into that program? Was it separate than DO admissions? How do you get the guaranteed acceptance? Sounds like a really neat program.

 

[hyperDO]

The CC route for grade replacement is the safer, cheaper and possibly quicker route, but locks you out of MD schools.

The post bacc option is much more riskier and expensive , but gives you small chance for MD schools.

Consider your current level of performance, weigh out the pros and cons of both and go from there.

 

[mavikedi]

@Cogitate There is a separate application process that goes through a post bacc admissions committee. There are some specific conditions you have to meet to get the guaranteed admissions. If you google it and go to the website it will tell you the conditions.

 

[Cogitate]

What GPA/MCAT did you have to get in?

 

[mavikedi]

cGPA 3.37 sGPA: 3.25 MCAT 27

But a lot of people didn't even have an MCAT score who got accepted and had lower GPAs

 

[SteelAurelius]

Thanks for all the inputs! I got low grades mainly because of health conditions and not getting used to the transition from CC to university. I took several classes out of order (skipped the prerequisites) and overloaded myself in comparison to when I was in CC. As for EC's, I tutored in college, volunteered more than 100 hours at a hospital, and did 2 quarters of research at my university. I improved a bit as graduation grew closer, but I do not think I will apply to medical school until at least a few years from now when I get better grades.

 

[oOKawaiiOo]

cGPA 3.37 sGPA: 3.25 MCAT 27. But a lot of people didn't even have an MCAT score who got accepted and had lower GPAs

Praying I am one of them!

 

[becomingdoctor]

Thanks for all the inputs! I got low grades mainly because of health conditions and not getting used to the transition from CC to university. I took several classes out of order (skipped the prerequisites) and overloaded myself in comparison to when I was in CC. As for EC's, I tutored in college, volunteered more than 100 hours at a hospital, and did 2 quarters of research at my university. I improved a bit as graduation grew closer, but I do not think I will apply to medical school until at least a few years from now when I get better grades.

None of the med school will care about your excuse unless you improve your gardes dramatically. Upper div classes are not easy to retake unless you do a post bac. Maybe DIY ur postbac to only retake the classes u got C

 

[Goro]

Your fastest route to being a doctor is to retake all D/C science coursework and apply to DO Programs.

If you're boning for an MD degree, you'll need to ace a SMP or post-bac, and MCAT as well. There are schools that reward reinvention.

Community College (semester system) Transfer Student who graduated from a public university (quarter system)

Major: Biology
Cumulative GPA: 3.3
BCPM GPA: 3.0
My overall CC GPA exceeds my overall university GPA by a lot.

1 C in 2nd Semester of Gen Bio in CC
1 D in 2nd Semester of Ochem in CC
More than 5 C's in upper division science classes at the university
Rest are A's and B's (more B's than A's)

Have not taken the MCAT yet.

What should I do to improve my chances of getting into DO or MD medical schools (e. g. retake the classes at the CC/university or pursue a post bacc/SMP)?

If I should retake classes or take similar classes somewhere, which kinds of schools can I go to (e. g. CC, state university, etc.)? As far as I know, the classes I got C's in are only offered at my university.