Just getting started, kinda lost.

[airca12]

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My info:

25 y.o.

B.S. cGPA: 3.3
B.S. sGPA: 3.7

- degree in IT

M.S. cGPA 3.3x

- degree also in IT

- I only have a few of the prereq science courses (one Biology, two physics, one calc, one stat)


Questions:

1. Is there a right way to calculate my GPA? I have some CC credits that aren't even included, but I haven't been able to find the proper method for calculation.

2. I know I need to raise my cumulative GPA and will go to any lengths to improve even slightly. Is it acceptable to go back to abovementioned CC and take some (non-science) classes that I know I can get A's in just for the sake of it? Or is that sort of thing frowned upon?

3. I'm currently waiting on decisions from some formal post-bac programs, which is the route I want to take. What do committees think when they see a science GPA higher than a cumulative GPA?

4. Someday I want to apply to medical school, but obviously that is a long time away. Given that the statistical trend for entrance keeps getting tougher every year, what should I realistically set my sights on? BTW, I'd be happy to get accepted anywhere. I'm not in a position to be picky.

Anyone have any other advice, tips, or suggestions for me?

Thanks in advance.

 

[punkiedad]

My info:

25 y.o.

B.S. cGPA: 3.3
B.S. sGPA: 3.7

- degree in IT

M.S. cGPA 3.3x

- degree also in IT

- I only have a few of the prereq science courses (one Biology, two physics, one calc, one stat)


Questions:

1. Is there a right way to calculate my GPA? I have some CC credits that aren't even included, but I haven't been able to find the proper method for calculation.

I don't know if the cc classes are any different, though a lot here say ADCOMS look at them differently, I am not sure about this. as far as AACOMAS (DO application service) I think you enter them all the same, and therefore they would count the same, but I am not 100% sure on this.

2. I know I need to raise my cumulative GPA and will go to any lengths to improve even slightly. Is it acceptable to go back to abovementioned CC and take some (non-science) classes that I know I can get A's in just for the sake of it? Or is that sort of thing frowned upon?

Don't bother withthe BS classes....Your GPAs are right in the middle (for DO...not sure about MD) and taking worthless classes will be a waste of time, IMHO. If you are set on this and think you want to do it cause you want to raise your GPA, take the intro to your other pre reqs such as general orgo chem, or general science classes that you could get an A in bt also would help prepare you for the main pre reqs

3. I'm currently waiting on decisions from some formal post-bac programs, which is the route I want to take. What do committees think when they see a science GPA higher than a cumulative GPA?

Good idea. though I have heard as far as preparing you for med school, everyone is ona level playing field after the first few months, BUT this may help you get an interview and some consideration at the school you take it at. At a minimum you will get to know people and network (never underestimate networking)

4. Someday I want to apply to medical school, but obviously that is a long time away. Given that the statistical trend for entrance keeps getting tougher every year, what should I realistically set my sights on? BTW, I'd be happy to get accepted anywhere. I'm not in a position to be picky.

It is never too far away....application takes a year in itself and the earlier the better....I had a BA and zero pre reqs when I decided to apply. It will be 3 years almost exactly from when I started my first pre req to entering med school, BUT I took the MCATs twice (after 1 1/2 years the first time)....so time flies....get a plan, map out when the pre reqs are offered and start counting down

Anyone have any other advice, tips, or suggestions for me?



Thanks in advance.

Good luck.......don't give up!

 

[nontrdgsbuiucmd]

1. Is there a right way to calculate my GPA? I have some CC credits that aren't even included, but I haven't been able to find the proper method for calculation.

2. I know I need to raise my cumulative GPA and will go to any lengths to improve even slightly. Is it acceptable to go back to abovementioned CC and take some (non-science) classes that I know I can get A's in just for the sake of it? Or is that sort of thing frowned upon?

3. I'm currently waiting on decisions from some formal post-bac programs, which is the route I want to take. What do committees think when they see a science GPA higher than a cumulative GPA?

4. Someday I want to apply to medical school, but obviously that is a long time away. Given that the statistical trend for entrance keeps getting tougher every year, what should I realistically set my sights on? BTW, I'd be happy to get accepted anywhere. I'm not in a position to be picky.

Anyone have any other advice, tips, or suggestions for me?

Thanks in advance.

gpa calc - this may sound convoluted, but the easiest way that I know of is take total hours of A classes, divided by total hours of classes. Then add 3. This presumes all non-A hours earned are B hours.

For example, 45 hours of A grades divided by 78 total hours would be .58, add 3 to get a 3.58 gpa. If you've got C classes, reduce the number of A hours by the C hours, so if 78 total hours were taken, consisting of 10 C hours, 45 A hours, and the rest B hours, you'd have 35 A hours divided by 78 = .45 + 3 3.45 GPA.

CC hours count the same as any other college. DO schools from what I've read let you "replace" low grades with higher grades, MD schools do not; every grade earned counts.

Need to make sure you're comparing quarter hours only, or semester hours only, I've done both & am not sure of the conversion factor.

2) boosting GPA? Only thing to keep in mind if you take non-science classes is that you'll need a story for why you did what you did when interviewing. Med School Admissions folks want one who has "tested different areas" or "followed their interest", NOT someone who has taken a bunch of easy classes to boost their GPA. It's sementics, largely. Keep in mind most schools have a GPA threshold that you must hit to be considered, these typically are unposted, but schools will sometimes share these with you if you ask them.

3) not sure of the question - my science GPA was slightly lower than overall due to a 5 hour C many, many years ago, it did not come up in interviews. Maybe if science gpa was FAR lower than overall gpa this would be a red flag indicating low capability; higher science than overall would be positive, if noted at all.

4) Every med school is difficult to get into in my experience, most applicants would be happy to get in anywhere. Prepare to work really hard, this will only get tougher if you wait 5 years, check out the AAMC trends for gpa/mcat scores over the last 5 years to verify this.

The reason for mentioning this is to ensure you're aware that you've got to put everything you've got into this, as that's what your competition is doing. It's possible, just put on your running shoes for this marathon that is the app process. Took me 3 yrs to finish college, and almost exactly 2 years fulltime effort (including premed courses) from when I decided to do this until getting an acceptance letter.

 

[mrmandrake]

My info:

25 y.o.

B.S. cGPA: 3.3
B.S. sGPA: 3.7

- degree in IT

M.S. cGPA 3.3x

- degree also in IT

- I only have a few of the prereq science courses (one Biology, two physics, one calc, one stat)


Questions:

1. Is there a right way to calculate my GPA? I have some CC credits that aren't even included, but I haven't been able to find the proper method for calculation.

2. I know I need to raise my cumulative GPA and will go to any lengths to improve even slightly. Is it acceptable to go back to abovementioned CC and take some (non-science) classes that I know I can get A's in just for the sake of it? Or is that sort of thing frowned upon?

3. I'm currently waiting on decisions from some formal post-bac programs, which is the route I want to take. What do committees think when they see a science GPA higher than a cumulative GPA?

4. Someday I want to apply to medical school, but obviously that is a long time away. Given that the statistical trend for entrance keeps getting tougher every year, what should I realistically set my sights on? BTW, I'd be happy to get accepted anywhere. I'm not in a position to be picky.

Anyone have any other advice, tips, or suggestions for me?

Thanks in advance.

I was in a similar situation and just recently got accepted to a school in the midwest. I started when I was around 24 and I'm almost 26 now. I have a 3.4 cGPA and 3.6 sGPA with a 34 MCAT. I was also in the computer industry as a programmer as I got my computer science degree.

1. I don't think you should worry about calculating your exact GPA as long as you are close. Those numbers are lower than average but you can still get in.

2. I think the important thing is to show an upward trend. Get all A's from now on. I avoided CCs at all costs (literally, i paid $1000 for each course while at a CC it would have been $77 per course) but I'm not sure what the general consensus is on CCs. You will save A LOT of money if you go to a CC though.

3. I think a sGPA higher than a cGPA is a good thing. It means you did well in the classes that mattered more.

4. I think if you can get all A's from now on (which is what I did), and can score 30+ on the MCAT, you have a good chance of getting into a US med school if you apply broadly (30+ schools). Try to do one EC and stick with it for a long time.

I have some more tips I posted here: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=592396

Good luck. I was in your shoes just 2 years ago. It's possible if you really want it.