Low GPA: diy or post-bacc? (and more)

[halo1789]

Hey, SND Fam, I'm new to the website and I finally figured out how to post a new thread. I have posted these questions elsewhere and have gotten some stellar responses and advice. I deleted most of my posts but the responses are still up. I'm still seeking advice and I hope that this helps anyone out there in a similar situation as I am

I have an incredibly low cGPA (3.10 before repair) and currently I'm in a gap year to make sure that the medical field is something I really want. Now that I do realize that it's still something I want to do, I feel like my GPA is too low for med school. Should I do a post-bacc program? Or is there any way I can get into a program, maybe with a killer MCAT score?

More about me:
Graduated May 2016
Volunteer hours: >750
Shadowing hours: ~200
Currently a medical scribe
Taught high school level algebra I&II, Geometry, Pre-cal, science, Biology, Chem, and Spanish
URM
Interned at a humanitarian non-profit for 3 months
Resident Adviser for 2.5 years and Senior Resident Adviser for 1 year
Various campus organizations throughout undergrad (given for any student)

I'm not sure what my science GPA is, but its probably in the high 2s. I haven't retaken any courses yet, but I've already graduated with a BS. So I may retake classes at a community college? I'm not even sure if that is possible.

I'm taking some classes at a CC Spring 2017, while studying for the MCAT, and working as a scribe. I just want to do whatever it takes to be a unique and viable candidate.
I'm honestly not sure, should I apply to both MD and DO schools? Should I apply to PA school as well or would that be frowned upon?

Hey guys I'm back. I've been up researching about post-bacc and diy for retakes and reading other threads. So does that mean if I begin to retake classes Spring 2017, my timeline should look like:
Retake classes- Spring and Summer 2017
MCAT- April 2017
Application- May 2017
Interviews-2017-2018?

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[halo1789]

Low GPA = no problem. The chances of getting into a medial school is obtainable. Post-bacc? sure. Grade repair = a must.

Remember, MCAT and GPA is just a factor (a big one) but it's not everything. You have to delivery the whole package. Your hours are good. Focus on repairing those grades and LORs from the doctors you work for.



I used to be in the same position as you. Yes you can retake classes from a comm. college. On top of that, they are relatively cheaper than your say.... universities.



PA = less time in school, flexible opportunities to switch from specialities, better lifestyle, but at the price of reputation and income.

I know many SMART students who wanted to go to medical school - they had the capacity and drive. But due to their situation (prefer less time in school, wanted a life outside of work/school), they chose to go to PA school. Is it look down upon? Of course not. One of the best providers I know is a PA student. She provided far superior comprehension care than most of the doctors I've scribed with.



Remember, apply when you're ready. Apply with the best package you got. This is not a race. I knew people who applied 3x before they got accepted. That's ridiculous and $$$ wasted -- unless your parents are loaded.

Thank you so so much for the thorough responses. I really appreciate you taking the time to address each of my concerns and giving me reasonable and encouraging me at the same time.

 

[oOKawaiiOo]

Thank you so so much for the thorough responses. I really appreciate you taking the time to address each of my concerns and giving me reasonable and encouraging me at the same time.

Your welcome.

For now, stay focus and build up that application. Lessen your distractions and give it your all. You can do it.

 

[halo1789]

If URM is AA then GPA is almost irrelevant for MD - GPAs down to 2.0 don't matter much so long as you clear the equivalent of a 30 on the MCAT...>2.0 and >30 => >40% chance of admit, meaning most are getting interviews. 3.1 and a 30 would give you a 75% chance at matriculating, which really goes to 95% if you have shadowing volunteering and don't signal serial killer in interviews

https://www.aamc.org/download/321514/data/factstablea24-2.pdf

If its hispanic then URM status matters much less. And there's bizarre preference for some subsets of ethnicities but not others.

DO doesn't grant as many bonus points for your skin color. Median URM has a 3.3 in DO, which is only slightly lower than MD

CCs are fine for most schools. Check out where you want to go on MSAR and make sure your target schools don't blanket reject them. Most schools are fine with it.

Shadowing and volunteering both are going to pass almost all cutoffs wouldn't put much time into it.

I'm an Asian female. I looked for the data on the website but could only find the GPA, MCAT, to race mean and standard deviation.

 

[gamieg]

first and foremost, figure out what your sGPA is. it's not all about numbers, but being informed and realistic about them is important.

gaining more clinical exposure and taking the time to figure out if this is the right field for you is great. that's something that you can definitely talk about in your personal statement and interviews because the maturity to find out the realities of medicine is essential. scribing = great choice.

yes, you should definitely apply both MD and DO, aiming for lowered-tiered MDs and a broad range of DOs. I'd recommend grade replacement as that will give you an especially good boost for DO schools (of course depends on how many science units you have, but in general). become familiar with how to calculate your cGPA and sGPA (google is your best friend), as that literacy is important. your retakes need to be A's or A-'s, nothing lower, especially at a cc. I'd also research some specific programs you're interested in and make sure that they accept cc prerequisites.. I'm not super well-versed in this, but I hear some schools don't take/frown upon prerequisites taken at a cc. it's worth taking the time to find that out so you don't waste your time/money taking more courses at a cc or applying to schools that don't accept them.

good luck on your MCAT. and lastly, yes -- it's difficult applying as an asian female taking stats into consideration, but at this point, you should do the best you can with grade repair, gain as much experience and clinical exposure as possible, and score as high as you can on the MCAT. don't obsess too much about the numbers (I say this because I've been there) because it doesn't really help.. and can feel hopeless. work on your personal statement early, have anyone and everyone read it and give you feedback, and really present yourself in a way you're happy with.