Looking for some encouragement/advice

[booboofah]

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Background story: I graduated my first undergrad with 2.5 overall in Psychology. I haven't done all the calculations but I would say that my sGPA contributed to the low number.

I am currently doing a second bachelor's in Biology and I think it will require about 2 and a half years to complete with taking a four classes a semester.

I got a 4.0 my first semester, and I'm currently on my second and my grades are in the A range so far. I just spoke with a professor about doing research with her and she said she was willing to meet with me.

I haven't really spoken to an advisor who knows about my situation because I am afraid of discouragement (since I've received it many times before) but I was wondering if you guys think I'm doing OK so far and add any advice of what I should do considering my situation.

Thanks 🙂

 

[edgerock24]

A 2nd bachelors isn't truly necessary. Just retake classes in which you received low grades in (especially science ones) to increase your GPA.

 

[kinzav]

GPA is only part of your overall profile. Make sure to have some good healthcare experiences, good letters of recommendation, and a strong MCAT. If you're retaking some of the science classes you didn't do well in, make sure you do well in them now. Doing these things will show perseverance, discipline, commitment to medicine, etc. etc. etc.

 

[booboofah]

A 2nd bachelors isn't truly necessary. Just retake classes in which you received low grades in (especially science ones) to increase your GPA.

My thinking was that I needed a lot of credits to overcome my low scores, so I decided to do a second bachelor's.

GPA is only part of your overall profile. Make sure to have some good healthcare experiences, good letters of recommendation, and a strong MCAT. If you're retaking some of the science classes you didn't do well in, make sure you do well in them now. Doing these things will show perseverance, discipline, commitment to medicine, etc. etc. etc.

I will definitely keep that in mind. Thanks for your help 🙂

 

[BestDoctorEver]

My thinking was that I needed a lot of credits to overcome my low scores, so I decided to do a second bachelor's.



I will definitely keep that in mind. Thanks for your help 🙂

A second bachelor degree is not needed as a previous poster said. Just retake the science classes you had C+ or lower along with other prerequisites needed for DO... Your GPAs will increase faster doing that because of the DO grade replacement policy.

 

[booboofah]

A second bachelor degree is not needed as a previous poster said. Just retake the science classes you had C+ or lower along with other prerequisites needed for DO... Your GPAs will increase faster doing that because of the DO grade replacement policy.

Can you tell me why it will increase faster compared to a second bachelor's? Wouldn't my overall gpa still be low if I did that instead?

 

[Muffinho]

Can you tell me why it will increase faster compared to a second bachelor's? Wouldn't my overall gpa still be low if I did that instead?

If you retake a course, the higher grade is counted in your GPA calculation and the lower grade is "erased".

So, if you took Bio 100 and got a D- and retake it and get an A, the A will be used to calculate your GPA; the D- will not.

 

[booboofah]

Just to add, a lot of my previous credits from my first undergrad transferred over so I am basically taking my prereqs and some upper level biology courses.

 

[BestDoctorEver]

Can you tell me why it will increase faster compared to a second bachelor's? Wouldn't my overall gpa still be low if I did that instead?

If you feel you need another BS, do it then...

 

[Muffinho]

Just to add, a lot of my previous credits from my first undergrad transferred over so I am basically taking my prereqs and some upper level biology courses.

Are you in Canada?

 

[booboofah]

If you feel you need another BS, do it then...

I'm not really familiar with GPA calculation but do you have a very rough estimate of what would happen with a 2.5 GPA with 4.0 on prereqs as opposed to one with prereqs and four or so upper level biology courses? I know there are a lot of variables involved but I guess having a better idea will help me understand the scenario better.

 

[booboofah]

Are you in Canada?

American 🙂

 

[Muffinho]

American 🙂

I was going to say that some Canadian schools will only consider your best two years or last 2 years of undergraduate work. Probably much harder for an American coming to Canada.

 

[jayoh]

Background story: I graduated my first undergrad with 2.5 overall in Psychology. I haven't done all the calculations but I would say that my sGPA contributed to the low number.

I am currently doing a second bachelor's in Biology and I think it will require about 2 and a half years to complete with taking a four classes a semester.

I got a 4.0 my first semester, and I'm currently on my second and my grades are in the A range so far. I just spoke with a professor about doing research with her and she said she was willing to meet with me.

I haven't really spoken to an advisor who knows about my situation because I am afraid of discouragement (since I've received it many times before) but I was wondering if you guys think I'm doing OK so far and add any advice of what I should do considering my situation.

Thanks 🙂

I definitely came back from a much worse situation. I had about a 1.6 gpa from my first attempt at undergrad, then came back to it later and knocked out the rest with a 4.0. I just finished this application cycle and I was pretty happy with the amount of attention (and acceptances) I got. (Both Md and DO)

Point being, you are not screwed. Just keep getting good grades and do all the normal stuff (shadow and volunteer) and you'll be fine.

The only advice I would offer is to do some volunteering and stuff now, so that when you start applying you can say you have a billion hours over a long period of time.

 

[BestDoctorEver]

I'm not really familiar with GPA calculation but do you have a very rough estimate of what would happen with a 2.5 GPA with 4.0 on prereqs as opposed to one with prereqs and four or so upper level biology courses? I know there are a lot of variables involved but I guess having a better idea will help me understand the scenario better.

Take the DO prerequisites and try to get A on them. Then retake classes that you had C+ or lower. I guarantee you that your GPAs will be competitive for DO ( assuming you do well in these classes). You can also add a couple upper division science since most schools look at them favorably. You should be able to do that in 3-4 semesters. Do NOT get another BA/BS degree if you want do that in a faster time and spend less money...

 

[radkat101]

Yeah OP, don't get another degree. Retake the classes you did poorly in for As and you will majorly reduce the time you planned to stay in school.

 

[hallowmann]

I'm not really familiar with GPA calculation but do you have a very rough estimate of what would happen with a 2.5 GPA with 4.0 on prereqs as opposed to one with prereqs and four or so upper level biology courses? I know there are a lot of variables involved but I guess having a better idea will help me understand the scenario better.

You're missing the point people are saying: retaking a course you did poorly in has a bigger positive effect on your GPA than taking new classes.

For example: Say your old grades were

Bio 1 D - 3 credits
Psych 1 C - 3 credits
Chem 1 B - 3 credits
English 1 A - 3 credits
GPA = 2.5, total of 12 credits

If you were to retake Bio 1 and Psych 1, and get As your GPA would become 3.75 because of grade replacement of your low grades. At the same time, if instead you took other classes (like Bio 2 and Cognitive Psych) and got As, your GPA would be a 3.0.

Breakdown:

*Bio 1 A - 3 credits
*Psych 1 A - 3 credits
Chem 1 B - 3 credits
English 1 A - 3 credits
GPA = 3.75, total of 12 credits
*Grades replaced

OR

Bio 1 D - 3 credits
Psych 1 C -3 credits
Chem 1 B - 3 credits
English 1 A - 3 credits
Bio 2 A - 3 credits
Cog. Psych A - 3 credits
GPA = 3.0, total of 18 credits

Now whether you get a new degree or not doesn't matter, as long as you retake all/most of your bad grades, but you might save time by taking strategic retakes as opposed to spending time on a new degree.

No one here can calculate your GPA without knowing all your courses, and I don't recommend you tell us that info. There are files and GPA calculators all over the place, so you're better of doing it yourself. It is simple math afterall.

 

[GypsyHummus]

I hope they never get ride of grade replacement

You're missing the point people are saying: retaking a course you did poorly in has a bigger positive effect on your GPA than taking new classes.

For example: Say your old grades were

Bio 1 D - 3 credits
Psych 1 C - 3 credits
Chem 1 B - 3 credits
English 1 A - 3 credits
GPA = 2.5, total of 12 credits

If you were to retake Bio 1 and Psych 1, and get As your GPA would become 3.75 because of grade replacement of your low grades. At the same time, if instead you took other classes (like Bio 2 and Cognitive Psych) and got As, your GPA would be a 3.0.

Breakdown:

*Bio 1 A - 3 credits
*Psych 1 A - 3 credits
Chem 1 B - 3 credits
English 1 A - 3 credits
GPA = 3.75, total of 12 credits
*Grades replaced

OR

Bio 1 D - 3 credits
Psych 1 C -3 credits
Chem 1 B - 3 credits
English 1 A - 3 credits
Bio 2 A - 3 credits
Cog. Psych A - 3 credits
GPA = 3.0, total of 18 credits

Now whether you get a new degree or not doesn't matter, as long as you retake all/most of your bad grades, but you might save time by taking strategic retakes as opposed to spending time on a new degree.

No one here can calculate your GPA without knowing all your courses, and I don't recommend you tell us that info. There are files and GPA calculators all over the place, so you're better of doing it yourself. It is simple math afterall.

 

[booboofah]

I definitely came back from a much worse situation. I had about a 1.6 gpa from my first attempt at undergrad, then came back to it later and knocked out the rest with a 4.0. I just finished this application cycle and I was pretty happy with the amount of attention (and acceptances) I got. (Both Md and DO)

Point being, you are not screwed. Just keep getting good grades and do all the normal stuff (shadow and volunteer) and you'll be fine.

The only advice I would offer is to do some volunteering and stuff now, so that when you start applying you can say you have a billion hours over a long period of time.

Congratulations on your acceptances and completing your application! Thanks for the advice and encouragement. I will start volunteering right away. Can you tell me a bit about what you did for your GPA comeback?

You're missing the point people are saying: retaking a course you did poorly in has a bigger positive effect on your GPA than taking new classes.

For example: Say your old grades were

Bio 1 D - 3 credits
Psych 1 C - 3 credits
Chem 1 B - 3 credits
English 1 A - 3 credits
GPA = 2.5, total of 12 credits


If you were to retake Bio 1 and Psych 1, and get As your GPA would become 3.75 because of grade replacement of your low grades. At the same time, if instead you took other classes (like Bio 2 and Cognitive Psych) and got As, your GPA would be a 3.0.

Breakdown:

*Bio 1 A - 3 credits
*Psych 1 A - 3 credits
Chem 1 B - 3 credits
English 1 A - 3 credits
GPA = 3.75, total of 12 credits
*Grades replaced

OR

Bio 1 D - 3 credits
Psych 1 C -3 credits
Chem 1 B - 3 credits
English 1 A - 3 credits
Bio 2 A - 3 credits
Cog. Psych A - 3 credits
GPA = 3.0, total of 18 credits

Now whether you get a new degree or not doesn't matter, as long as you retake all/most of your bad grades, but you might save time by taking strategic retakes as opposed to spending time on a new degree.

No one here can calculate your GPA without knowing all your courses, and I don't recommend you tell us that info. There are files and GPA calculators all over the place, so you're better of doing it yourself. It is simple math afterall.

Thanks for that breakdown, that was helpful. When you say retake most of my bad grades, do you mean just the prereqs? Does that include English as well?


I am currently enrolled as a second bachelor's but after hearing your advice, I may try to stick with the prereqs. So far I've taken:

Bio 2: A
Intro Chem 1: A
History: A
English: A

Current semester
Genetics
Bio 1
Chem 2
Stats

Summer 2014
Microbiology
Principles of Ecology

Fall 2014:
Orgo 1
Physics 1
Calc 1
Independent Research

Do you think I will be okay if I just finish my second cycle of Orgo, Physics, Calc, and another English?

By the time I realistically finish it will be 2015, which will be the new MCAT. Would I have to take (or retake) the subjects that are on the new MCAT?

Thank you all for saving me time and money.

 

[jayoh]

Congratulations on your acceptances and completing your application! Thanks for the advice and encouragement. I will start volunteering right away. Can you tell me a bit about what you did for your GPA comeback?

Thanks, and I guess it's hard to lend advice on what I changed because I changed everything. my first time around I didn't care at all, never went to class, etc... then second time around I cared a lot, stressed a lot, and worked hard. But I think if you put your classes and your grades at the highest priority in your life then that's the important thing. Also, if you can manage to have a few solid semesters in a row, it will show that you've made an improvement.

Also, this echoes what a few others have said-- I would focus on doing well in your pre-reqs as well as retaking any classes you did poorly in. In a fairly short period of time (2-3 semesters?) you can be done with prereqs and have a solid AACOMAS GPA. Also if you start volunteering asap, you can just do that once a week or something and by the time the next few semesters have gone by you'll have the grades, the prereqs, and the volunteering. shadowing is easy and you'll also meet docs when you volunteer.

 

[booboofah]

Thanks, and I guess it's hard to lend advice on what I changed because I changed everything. my first time around I didn't care at all, never went to class, etc... then second time around I cared a lot, stressed a lot, and worked hard. But I think if you put your classes and your grades at the highest priority in your life then that's the important thing. Also, if you can manage to have a few solid semesters in a row, it will show that you've made an improvement.

Also, this echoes what a few others have said-- I would focus on doing well in your pre-reqs as well as retaking any classes you did poorly in. In a fairly short period of time (2-3 semesters?) you can be done with prereqs and have a solid AACOMAS GPA. Also if you start volunteering asap, you can just do that once a week or something and by the time the next few semesters have gone by you'll have the grades, the prereqs, and the volunteering. shadowing is easy and you'll also meet docs when you volunteer.

Thanks for the advice. So I had quite a few C's throughout my first undergrad with my non-science courses...should I retake those as well?

 

[Goro]

100% concur.

A 2nd bachelors isn't truly necessary. Just retake classes in which you received low grades in (especially science ones) to increase your GPA.

 

[hallowmann]

Congratulations on your acceptances and completing your application! Thanks for the advice and encouragement. I will start volunteering right away. Can you tell me a bit about what you did for your GPA comeback?



Thanks for that breakdown, that was helpful. When you say retake most of my bad grades, do you mean just the prereqs? Does that include English as well?


I am currently enrolled as a second bachelor's but after hearing your advice, I may try to stick with the prereqs. So far I've taken:

Bio 2: A
Intro Chem 1: A
History: A
English: A

Current semester
Genetics
Bio 1
Chem 2
Stats

Summer 2014
Microbiology
Principles of Ecology

Fall 2014:
Orgo 1
Physics 1
Calc 1
Independent Research

Do you think I will be okay if I just finish my second cycle of Orgo, Physics, Calc, and another English?

By the time I realistically finish it will be 2015, which will be the new MCAT. Would I have to take (or retake) the subjects that are on the new MCAT?

Thank you all for saving me time and money.

You want to retake all/most/as many as you can that you got <B- in. That includes non-pre-reqs, but obviously the pre-reqs should be your priority. If after you take all the pre-reqs your GPAs are ~3.4-3.5, I'd say its not necessary to retake any more classes (unless you want to), provided you have an average MCAT.

I believe the new MCAT starts in 2015, so you will likely have to take it. Double check the pre-reqs for the schools you want to apply to. Some will already require things like x credits in behavioral/social science. If they don't I wouldn't worry about it, but noone really knows what the new MCAT will be like with any confidence.

 

[booboofah]

You want to retake all/most/as many as you can that you got <B- in. That includes non-pre-reqs, but obviously the pre-reqs should be your priority. If after you take all the pre-reqs your GPAs are ~3.4-3.5, I'd say its not necessary to retake any more classes (unless you want to), provided you have an average MCAT.

I believe the new MCAT starts in 2015, so you will likely have to take it. Double check the pre-reqs for the schools you want to apply to. Some will already require things like x credits in behavioral/social science. If they don't I wouldn't worry about it, but noone really knows what the new MCAT will be like with any confidence.

I imagine the AACOMAS are very thorough in grade replacement, but I remember the new undergrad I went to had trouble recognizing one of my former English classes as an English and I had to send in the syllabus of the professor's class. Do you think people have run into this sort of problem when applying DO?

 

[tripl3s3v3n]

I suggest you make a spreadsheet with your grades and set it up to calculate your GPA bot cumulative and science so that you can see which changes have the biggest impact and help you to form a plan of attack.

 

[hallowmann]

I imagine the AACOMAS are very thorough in grade replacement, but I remember the new undergrad I went to had trouble recognizing one of my former English classes as an English and I had to send in the syllabus of the professor's class. Do you think people have run into this sort of problem when applying DO?

As long as the courses sound similar and the course descriptions sound similar you shouldn't have a problem. AACOMAS doesn't go out of its way to disapprove of a grade replacement, and its not going to be as strict about accepting retakes as colleges usually are about accepting transfer credits.

Just make sure that the title sounds similar, the course description sounds similar, and the credits of the retake are equal to or greater than the original course.