Is this a mistake?

[kustu]

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I’m hoping somebody can give me advice on my particular situation, and I apologize in advance for the long post! I was in school from 2006-2010 and have a BA in biology with a minor in a non-related field. My GPA is hovering around a 3.05 right now, with a sGPA that’s even lower. I have technically “taken” all the prerequisites for medical school but am not happy with my grades, and you will see that some are horrifying!

Biology I: B
Biology II: D then D
Gen Chem I: B
Gen Chem II: C
O Chem I: D then B in class, B in lab
O Chem II: F in class, B in lab
Physics I: B
Physics II: B
Biochem: not taken

Human Anatomy w/lab: A
Human Physiology w/lab: A
Genetics: A
Mammalian Physiology: F then D
Physiology of Organisms: D

Okay, looking at that all together makes me feel worse, but it is what it is, and I refuse to give up. I know it will be difficult to raise my GPA at this point, but I am willing to retake all of the classes listed (minus the A’s and minus physics) in a “DIY post-bacc” at the same school - mainly to show that I am capable of getting good grades in these classes and for use as a refresher for myself. My main school I want to apply to is MD, but I know DO might be a better route if I am able to replace my bad grades with A’s. I also plan to take a few more upper level biology classes that I haven't taken before. I’m just wondering if I am completely wrong in thinking it’s a good idea to retake all of the core science prerequisites? Am I better off going about this in a different way, or am I completely delusional in thinking I can still get into a med school? I am willing to put in the extra work and years of school, but I want to make sure I’m going in the right direction. I haven’t taken the MCAT yet and am not planning to until I refresh my memory and retake these classes. I have ~100 hrs volunteer experience in a local E.D. and am currently working as a photographer/scribe/medical technician for an office of retina specialists. Thanks in advance for any insight, and I apologize if this subject has been beaten to death already. I’ve done my research on SDN but just feel like I need some more personal advice before I make a (potential) mistake.

 

[darklabel]

MD isn't out of the question. I had an F and a D and some other people on here have had worse stats and made it in. It just depends how hard you're willing to work.

First is everything below a C has to be retaken, especially the pre-reqs. What will concern schools though is that for some classes, you already retook them but couldn't manage at least a B.

DO is just a simple case of retaking classes and your GPA will raise quickly and that's it.

MD will require you to not only retake courses and take additional courses to boost up your GPA to 3.2+, but you'll also need an MCAT of 32+ and to do an SMP after to show medical schools you can handle the curriculum. Some good ones include Georgetown, Cincinnati, BU MAMS, etc.

Good luck and realize you have a long road ahead.

 

[kustu]

Thanks for the reply. I know the red flag on my transcript is not only my bad grades but the fact that I did retake a few and still got terrible grades (not studying, laziness, not caring, etc). I wish I could go back and shake myself, but I'm trying to just keep looking forward. Do you think an SMP is a must in my case? I hadn't heard of them before SDN and while it's not out of the question, I was hoping to raise my grades and better myself as a candidate through my current uni (no SMP here). Also, do you know if it matters what I re-enroll as? I have already been readmitted to my university, but I'm pretty sure it has me down as an undergrad with an undecided major. I didn't know if my current status at my uni has any meaning or if it just doesn't matter as long as I have the classes under my belt. Thanks again!

 

[doktorcardinal]

Thinking about SMP might be a bit too hasty at this point. first do your DIY postbac and get the core requirement clases straight. Then you should take the MCAT.. you can then evaluate if you have what it takes to apply SMP or continue with your DIY if that is what you choose