Is this impossible?

[kmaranatha7]

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Hi

I'm looking for all the advice I can get so I'll get right to it. I have a degree in Biology so I've taken all the science requirements (some more than once). My overall GPA is 2.25 and my math/science GPA is 1.90. I know it's horrible, but is it hopeless??

I've been out of full-time study for 5 years, done some soul searching and realize where my problems are. I know it's not because I can't do the work. I just don't know whether I can get in anywhere to show that I can.

Would any post-bacc program even accept someone with scores like mine? Will a grad program?

Given the fact that I've taken some of my science courses more than once, should I take them again?

As you can see I'm at a complete loss. I would really appreciate any help I can get.

Thanks alot

 

[Lbgem]

It's not hopeless, but it's definitely not going to be easy either. If I were in your position I'd start enrolling in classes via an extension program that a 4 year university offers. That is, redo the Bio, Chem, O Chem, Physics for starters. Since you've been out of college (I am assuming) for five years it would be a good refresher anyways. You need to pull that gpa up and show a recent upward trend.

And then after a year or so with solid grades behind me I'd apply to a post-bac/ SMP.

It's definitely an ouch gpa but if you want med school badly enough it will be extremely tough but doable.

That's my 2 cents.

 

[daeojkim]

I think you need a fresh start. You have been out of school for 5 years so I think that is actually better. Also a lot will depend on what you have been doing in the last 5 years.

I would say you wll probably have to retake at least 2 year's worth of undergrad science classes and do very very well in them to show that you are now committed to do well. Also some humanity classes. Going for a second Bachelor's degree may not be a bad idea but in some tougher major like biochemistry. At the same time do volunteer work in hospital and some research is higly recommended. Do well in MCAT by getting 33 or above. To make things more competitive, doing an SMP program after all that and doing very well could make it happen.

And of course, a really good personal statement really reflecting how you turned yourself around and why would be very important.

I would say investing 2-3 years of very hard work could turn things around. I don't want to give false hope, but at the same time I don't think it is hopeless.

Good luck.

 

[Maxprime]

A few things to think of:

1) There is a reason that your UG GPA was so bad, if it's not 100% obvious and fixable - you're giving yourself false hope. If you worked your hardest and got that GPA, it just wasn't meant to be.

2) Post-bacc is usually harder than UG for a few reasons. First and foremost, you need to be building up extra-curriculars (volunteering, shadowing, research, etc.) en masse while working with a large course load and getting straight A's. I can attest that it will be much harder than UG - so just remember that.

3) It's not going to be cheap. You'll lose a few years of your life to a library & hospital (volunteering), be sure you know how badly you want it. Most kids that apply (in my opinion) look superhuman on paper - you'll need to do the same to even think about getting in. For us low GPA'ers, a spot of luck and a jaw dropping MCAT score is usually the only way to get in after all this work.

 

[relentless11]

Hi

I'm looking for all the advice I can get so I'll get right to it. I have a degree in Biology so I've taken all the science requirements (some more than once). My overall GPA is 2.25 and my math/science GPA is 1.90. I know it's horrible, but is it hopeless??

I've been out of full-time study for 5 years, done some soul searching and realize where my problems are. I know it's not because I can't do the work. I just don't know whether I can get in anywhere to show that I can.

Would any post-bacc program even accept someone with scores like mine? Will a grad program?

Given the fact that I've taken some of my science courses more than once, should I take them again?

As you can see I'm at a complete loss. I would really appreciate any help I can get.

Thanks alot

I'm going to assume that you know what went wrong, therefore will not get into that. You may have to look into doing an informal post-bacc program, through some kind of non-degree earning program. However as others have pointed out, this may take some time.

I don't think there are many if any formal post-bacc programs that would allow your GPA. Most programs have a minimum GPA of 2.7-2.9. The better programs are even higher (3.3?). Graduate school is also out of the question for two reason: (1) graduate courses do not improve your undergrad GPA, and undergrad GPA is weighted more for med school admissions, (2) although graduate programs are less competative to get into, they also have standards to keep. Most programs require a 3.0 GPA, with special considerations for people who have done well in recent classes that are applicable to the program curriculum.

Given your very low science GPA, you will have to maintain a 4.0 GPA to realistically boost your GPA within a reasonable amount of time. You have 3-5 years worth of undergrad science classes, therefore post-bacc performance will be diluted by your previous work. The other alternative is to retake classes, and apply for a DO school since DO schools take the best grade. Whereas MD schools take ALL grades. Again, I acknowledge that you have thought about why you received such grades. However you might (I can't say really) have reached the point of no return. Given that you are a biology major, and your science GPA is 1.9, most schools would've booted you out already for not meeting their performance standards.

I personally think that its possible to recover from that, but the time and money to get your GPA to a competative level may not be worth it for you. The "magic" number is at least a 3.0 undergrad GPA. Magic meaning you won't be screened out, but it certainly DOES NOT guarantee admission (or a secondary or interview for that matter). My question to you is, how long will it take to get to an OVERALL undergrad GPA of 3.0. Is it possible for you to do? This is based on you taking a full-time courseload of UPPER DIVISION undergrad classes. No easy classes from here on out.

 

[ToGodALLGlory]

It is definitely possible. Retake your prerequisites and ace them, volunteer, work in a medical setting, and shadow....in doing this you attempt to show you can take a full courseload plus the ECs (and handle rigors of medical school). If no one lets you in, apply to an SMP with your new stellar GPA. Make sure you know what you did incorrectly the first time and eliminate the problem. Good luck!

 

[Instatewaiter]

You need to understand that you are in for a long haul. To bring your 2.25 up to a 3.0 you need to get a 4.0 in 67 credtis worth of classes. That is the equivalent of ~2.5 years of classes when you take them full time.

If then you decide to apply to an SMP that adds another year. Realistically you are looking at 3.5 years if you were to dedicate all of you time to getting in. Isn't it funny that if you have a poor GPA from Ugrad and take post-bac classes, you could do better than the average med student in more advanced classes after you graduate and still not be as competitive?

DO may be the best route as they tend to be more lenient (SP?) and especially toward people who have had GPA trouble and have worked through it. Good luck.