Low GPA...5th year or 1 year masters?

[244869]

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Hey everyone!

I am debating whether I should take a 5th year undergrad or do a 1 year masters.

For the 5th year undergrad I am planning to take the following science classes: anatomy, physiology, neuroscience I and II, biochem I and II. For the masters program it would be a 1 year biomedical sciences masters at Midwestern University or Rosalind Franklin University in Chicago.

A little background info:
I was originally interested in Optometry but after shadowing a couple of optometrists...I do not have a passion for it. The job itself is cushy, easy, and its fun working with people but they do the same thing over and over again...90% is refraction(exam for eye prescription), 7% red eye or inflamation (prescribe anti inflamatory), and the rest is refer to ophthalmologist.

I decided to look at other careers and stumbled on podiatry. I shadowed a coupld of pods and it blew me away. First pod I shadowed treated pain in the heel spur...something fascitis??...and he injected basically right into the bone. Then he proceeded to see some diabetic patients he had which he did foot amputations for. AND lastly I saw a diabetic with half of the top of her foot exposed...I saw a tendon! So yeah it was very exciting and now I am hooked.

Anyways here are my stats...
GPA: 2.75 overall / 2.7 science
1st year was around 2.9-3.0. 2nd year was around 2.75. and 3rd year was around 2.4-2.5. BUT this past fall I got a 3.3 and so far this semester its looking like >3.5. I will be taking summer classes and if everything goes as planned I should be at around a 2.95-3.0gpa after summer.
I also took the OATs (Optometry Admissions Test) and got a 380 overall / 390 science...highest score is 400 and lowest is 200. This is about a 99 percentile. I havent taken the MCAT yet...date is set on June 18 and looking to get around a 30.

So the question is...with my low GPA should I do a 5th year undergrad or 1 year masters in biomedical science?

 

[GetnMyFtNtheDor]

Take the mcat, score above 22 and you should be fine. Just make sure pod is what you want

 

[p0d]

In your position, I would take the 5th year undergrad over the master's program. That way you can boost your GPA, while getting some background in courses you'll stumble upon in podiatry school. Best of luck to you! 🙂

 

[air bud]

5th year all the way. masters are best for allopathic, and usually have a special purpose. the science classes you are taking are good. they will be directly related to what you will be studying (anatomy/phys), so good grades in those should go a long way. biochem would also be a great idea,

 

[244869]

So I guess the consensus is 5th year over masters. The thing I am concerned about is the timeline for podiatry school applications. Will they see my fall grades?

 

[GetnMyFtNtheDor]

I don't see what the point of a 5th year is. If the pre-reqs have been met, apply. The school will let you know if they want you to boost your gpa or not.

 

[phillypd]

well i got a masters.......and i thought it was better to have. first b/c yeah you could do a fifth year....but that's still undergrad work! If you want to show them that you can handle the intense load of medical school...than going to grad school and getting a grad degree and showing that you can do well really is worth more. Plus you get another degree and another diploma😀

 

[wehealwithsteel]

I would suggest applying if u can get a ~30 on the MCAT...I dont know where the 22 guy is going, but I believe MCAT averages are going up to 25 (they were 24 when I applied, across 7 schools). If you have a weaker MCAT, then go for a few more classes in undergrad. Like a few people have said, not only is it boosting your GPA, but you will have a better foundation when you finally get to pod school. However, at the same time, a Masters does show you can handle the work load......................whats the difference between an exam, test, and a quiz? i don't know because i have 3 of each every week lol

 

[phillypd]

If I may, I would like to say that although the MCAT average is 24.....you don't need to score that high to get in......most schools start at 18 to 19 and go to 29 to 30 that's why the average is 24! i got interviews at every school i applied to, and i got a 21.....

Oh, and i was accepted at ever school to.......

 

[PodunkUDPM]

If I may, I would like to say that although the MCAT average is 24.....you don't need to score that high to get in......most schools start at 18 to 19 and go to 29 to 30 that's why the average is 24! i got interviews at every school i applied to, and i got a 21.....

Oh, and i was accepted at ever school to.......

You probably had a better GPA. GPA and MCAT scores are factored in pretty evenly. A low GPA can be compensated with a high MCAT score and vice versa. A 21 is probably the lower cutoff score for any GPA at most schools.

 

[phillypd]

Well to tell you the truth..........my GPA sucks........undergrad sucks and grad isn't too great either......
maybe it was my charming personality😍

 

[GetnMyFtNtheDor]

I'd just like to re-iterate what i said previously. Just apply and see what they say. If they say you need a higher GPA, do the 5th year. If they say you need a higher MCAT, retake it. Just have your pre-reqs done...it's simple really.

 

[244869]

Thanks everyone for the responses so far!

I forgot to add something to my background info. Technically my pre-reqs are not done...I am retaking Orgo II this summer since I got a D in it. I would apply now but seems useless if my pre-reqs aren't finished and I am taking the MCAT 6/18...the last day most of the schools accept them.

Looks like what I have to do now is finish up this semester with high marks....around 3.5ish gpa. Take MCAT June 18 and do well...high 20's or 30ish. Take 5th year and apply as soon as possible. 😀

 

[GetnMyFtNtheDor]

ok, I see. Even though your pre-reqs are not all the way complete, you can still apply and receive a conditional acceptance; based on you passing the pre-reqs

 

[244869]

ok, I see. Even though your pre-reqs are not all the way complete, you can still apply and receive a conditional acceptance; based on you passing the pre-reqs

Should I still apply now even though I have not taken the MCAT? I am scheduled for June 18 which will be within the deadline of all the colleges except AZPOD and SCPM.

 

[JEWmongous]

Should I still apply now even though I have not taken the MCAT? I am scheduled for June 18 which will be within the deadline of all the colleges except AZPOD and SCPM.

I don't think SCPM will even offer an interview before you have taken the MCAT (at least this year). I've heard of NYCPM doing the same thing.

AzPod, Temple will interview you w/o scores but not offer acceptance until they are in. I know CSPM/Barry/OCPM will interview and conditionally accept w/o having your test in.

Just realize it's a bit later in the cycle and things may be different now, especially with classes filling up.

 

[smartman716]

To the OP:

First, your stats are low but don't despair there is hope. A few things though, you need to rock the MCAT, especially at this time in the cycle, as others have pointed, with classes filling up quick. Therefore, aiming for a 30 is smart on your part. Not only does that make you more competitive, it will definitely make things easier for you.
Second, a fifth year undergrad may help but not a whole lot. Right, now your CGPA is at 2.75, from what you posted you're looking at about a 3.0 post- summer, the upward trend a good thing but overall not too impressive. This is where the MCAT and extracurriculars will factor in much. As per a 1 year masters, it wouldn't hurt, but you have to make sure you excel in the program; a poor or subpar performance on the 1 year masters may hurt even more, but an above average or very good performance will definitely help as it will show the adcom that you can handle grad work and basic medical science courses, a point you can touch on in your interview.
Third, the fact that you are hooked on Podiatry is great but may not be convincing enough, as human minds are known to change a lot. Do(extracurricular) and say (interview/personal statement)things that will convince everyone that you really want to be a Podiatrist, and make sure you get strong letters of recommendation from the doctors you shadow and your professors too.
Last but not least, call the schools you are interested in and find out what they factor in more in their admissions i.e undergrad or grad coursework, then go from there.

 

[244869]

Just took the mcat...I got a 31!!

So I got a 2.9ish gpa and 31 MCAT. Founder and president of pre-podiatry club in my school and had a leadership position in the pre-optometry club for 2 years. Doing volunteering for chicago diabetes project right now. Retaking orgo II and genetics (D and C respectively)...looks like both are gonna be A's. Might or might not take fall classes...will be meeting with scholl admissions to talk about this.

What do you guys think are my chances??

 

[podpod]

Just took the mcat...I got a 31!!

So I got a 2.9ish gpa and 31 MCAT. Founder and president of pre-podiatry club in my school and had a leadership position in the pre-optometry club for 2 years. Doing volunteering for chicago diabetes project right now. Retaking orgo II and genetics (D and C respectively)...looks like both are gonna be A's. Might or might not take fall classes...will be meeting with scholl admissions to talk about this.

What do you guys think are my chances??

way to kick some ass man!!!! consider urself accepted... just apply early and ur in.

 

[air bud]

good job

 

[244869]

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[podpod]

Even to more competitive schools like Scholl, DMU, Arizona? I would really like to stay in the chicago area so Scholl is my top choice.

if u apply in september i think ur a def sure shot. i would stick to a place u want to be for at least 4 years. if u like north chicago id just stick with scholl.

 

[handoverfist77]

Just apply, you will get in 👍