Low bcpm b/c of B-...does it matter?

[volcanicglass]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I just calculated by bcpm vs. non-bcpm gpa and my bcpm looks terrible at a 2.7 (non-BCPM gpa at 3.6), but I only got 2 Cs and 1D, and 1C & the D (both calculus, which aren't even required at many schools I'm applying to...) were from freshman year when I had an awful year adjusting, besides math never was my strong suit. Anyways, I've gotten mostly B-, some B, some B+, some As in all bcpm courses besides that (I'm a non-science major so I don't have tons of science, just the pre-reqs + some extras) but while I was generally happy getting my B- (it's still a B! and I'm at a difficult private university), I didn't realize through the years that a B- was sub-3.0. So...my question is, do you think schools will take into account exactly what's making up my bcpm? I have a sweet upward gpa trend, mcat of 29, and am a URM if that helps any. *shrug* I know the best thing I could do would be to take a year off and raise my bcpm gpa, but am I crazy to try to apply this year? I'm thinking of applying to my state schools, the lower tiers, and some middle tiers (like mssm, tulane, etc.)? I think I'm a strong applicant EC/personal statement/etc. wise.

 

[DrBowtie]

Adcoms will probably question whether you can handle the rigor of the science courses in med school. I think you would be a very good candidate for a post bacc. You can retake the classes and get your science gpa up to 3.5 ish pretty easily.

If you have the money go for it.

 

[Zephyrus]

Ace post-bac and then apply to solid mix of MD and DO.

Z

 

[Kazema]

I noticed in another thread that your science scores on the MCAT were BS: 12 and PS: 7. Great job on the BS, but the PS along with your BCPM is concerning.

I don't know, a 2.7 BCPM is going to get you screened out of a couple schools completely, and even upon closer inspection an upward trend that ends in mostly B's might not do the trick without some post-bacc work to bring it over a 3.0.

I really don't know how much URM will help you, maybe someone else can comment on that. I think it's a tough call, but your 2.7 probably requires a post-bacc.

 

[volcanicglass]

Thanks Kazema, but it's an upward trend that ends in all As. (If that helps). Oh and my mcat breakdown was 12VS, 10BS, 7PS. Yeah, the PS annoys me too. *sigh*

 

[doc05]

volcanic: if you're serious about med school, apply to a postbacc program. don't waste your time and money applying to med school now because your bcpm is awful, and you'll get rejected based on that alone. URM status helps somewhat, but your numbers are so dreadful, being a URM won't help at all. MSSM and Tulane are likely out of reach for you even with a high (3.8+) postbacc gpa. what is your state of residence?

goran: if you're a URM, you can get in with a 3.5 overall/3.1 science. If not, you're better off taking additional EASY courses and aceing all of them. what's your state of residence?

 

[Goran]

volcanic: if you're serious about med school, apply to a postbacc program. don't waste your time and money applying to med school now because your bcpm is awful, and you'll get rejected based on that alone. URM status helps somewhat, but your numbers are so dreadful, being a URM won't help at all. MSSM and Tulane are likely out of reach for you even with a high (3.8+) postbacc gpa. what is your state of residence?

goran: if you're a URM, you can get in with a 3.5 overall/3.1 science. If not, you're better off taking additional EASY courses and aceing all of them. what's your state of residence?

Hey Doc05, thanks for the response. I'm not a URM, and I'm from NY. Lots of state schools, but lots of applicants, so that won't make it easier, right?

I have a great record otherwise. It's just that darn sci gpa...

 

[DrMojorisin]

I think the numbers are good enough for med school of the caribbean or a DO school.

Maybe if you there is an instate school where you manage to impress the dean of admissions you'd have a shot, too.

 

[doc05]

Hey Doc05, thanks for the response. I'm not a URM, and I'm from NY. Lots of state schools, but lots of applicants, so that won't make it easier, right?

I have a great record otherwise. It's just that darn sci gpa...

a 3.1 bcpm is low for a non-URM at NY state schools. get more "A"s.

 

[Hoberto]

I have a similar issue, but with a slightly lower overall gpa (~3.5) and slightly higher bcpm (~3.1). I came in with AP credits for a bunch of the intro classes, so that sci gpa comes from physics, orgo, and some upper level bio classes (cell bio and biochem). I also go to a really competitive school, although I doubt that will make much of a difference in applications, because let's face it, there are lots of competitive schools out there.

I have one more year before I apply, but I'm thinking of taking only a few more upper levels before then, mainly in the fall. I don't think my sci gpa will be above a 3.5 by the time I apply, although with some luck, maybe I can raise it to a 3.2-3.3. What do you guys think?

Not all schools accept AP credit for the year of Bio and Chem. You might want to check into what the school you're interested in require. It might just be best to take Bio I and II and Chem I and II rather than upper level courses.

 

[KK82]

what does urm mean??
thanks

 

[Goran]

what does urm mean??
thanks

under-represented minority

 

[riceman04]

volcanic: if you're serious about med school, apply to a postbacc program. don't waste your time and money applying to med school now because your bcpm is awful, and you'll get rejected based on that alone. URM status helps somewhat, but your numbers are so dreadful, being a URM won't help at all. MSSM and Tulane are likely out of reach for you even with a high (3.8+) postbacc gpa. what is your state of residence?

goran: if you're a URM, you can get in with a 3.5 overall/3.1 science. If not, you're better off taking additional EASY courses and aceing all of them. what's your state of residence?

So volcanic glass and I attended the same univ. I have similar stats to that person, but my overall is 3.45 with a sci gpa of 3.24 (all b/c of first sem. gen chem. "C" and first sem calc. "C". But besides that things have been great. I got A's in biochem, pathophysiology, Functional neuroanatomy, orgo, and an A&P class I took at Baylor college of medicine through a summer program. I have been involved in a lot of meaningful EC's (never slept), supervised research in my major (Psychology) and carried 3 jobs to support myself. I had a signif upward trend (more than a point in btwn 1st sem frsh yr and 2nd sem sr yr). I will be in a postbacc program at UPenn this yr just to boost my gpa (it has bothered me sooooooo much).

Did pretty well on MCAT. I am a URM (afr. amer 😀 )
My question to you and others reading this is: Should I sit out this yr and wait till after my postbacc?

Thx much

P.S. I do not really like putting my info out there like that, but it seems like you and others are really helpful.

 

[Mixtli]

Hard call...

I say you should apply if you want to get in. I say you should wait if you care about which school you get into.