Low GPA, have not taken the MCATs yet, just starting bachelors

[Skowler]

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So the long story short of it is that I recently got my AA. I decided towards the end of this that I knew what I wanted to do, that I wanted to become a doctor, specifically an MD.

Unfortunately my GPA is low, mostly from having to retake math classes. My science courses are near perfect. Just a C here or there.

My GPA is currently a 2.7. I'm transferring to begin my bachelors degree in the Fall. I'll be doing a Neuroscience BS. I haven't taken any MCATs yet, and I'm a year ahead of time for that anyways.. but I hear its best to start as early as possible.

I'll do anything to repair my GPA. I'm dedicated and beyond capable, I know that. But is it possible? What do I do? How do I go about this?

Thank you.

 

[Seihai]

First, you need to get your bachelor's degree and get solid grades in your classes from now on. Don't take your MCAT until you have a solid base in the sciences and until you're scoring where you need to be. I strongly recommend you take at least one gap year to repair your GPA if needed, get some experience, and study for the MCAT.

Whether you're dedicated and capable is irrelevant if you can't show that to med schools by doing well in the science prerequisites and doing well on your MCAT by taking it when you're prepared, not when you think you "should."

Here's a great guide that @Goro typed up for people with low GPAs, but it doesn't apply to you quite yet as you need to finish your BS first (you absolutely need to get As in almost every course from here on out).

Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention

So you want to be a doctor, but your GPA is terrible. Is that the end? Rule #1: Take a deep breath, and stop fussing. The sky is not falling. But you are going to need to reinvent yourself. This will take both time and money. And always remember that you’re in a marathon now, not a sprint...

forums.studentdoctor.net

 

[Bonne Nuit]

So the long story short of it is that I recently got my AA. I decided towards the end of this that I knew what I wanted to do, that I wanted to become a doctor, specifically an MD.

Unfortunately my GPA is low, mostly from having to retake math classes. My science courses are near perfect. Just a C here or there.

My GPA is currently a 2.7. I'm transferring to begin my bachelors degree in the Fall. I'll be doing a Neuroscience BS. I haven't taken any MCATs yet, and I'm a year ahead of time for that anyways.. but I hear its best to start as early as possible.

I'll do anything to repair my GPA. I'm dedicated and beyond capable, I know that. But is it possible? What do I do? How do I go about this?

Thank you.

What prereqs have you taken so far and what grades did you get in them?

 

[Select All That Apply]

So the long story short of it is that I recently got my AA. I decided towards the end of this that I knew what I wanted to do, that I wanted to become a doctor, specifically an MD.

Specifically an MD as opposed to what, a DO? Or are you talking about alternative fields such as dentistry or podiatry? What makes you so gung-ho on wanting to have the MD initials?

Unfortunately my GPA is low, mostly from having to retake math classes. My science courses are near perfect. Just a C here or there.

Are your grades perfect or not perfect?
"Just a C here or there" is very much in a different ballpark than "near perfect."

My GPA is currently a 2.7. I'm transferring to begin my bachelors degree in the Fall. I'll be doing a Neuroscience BS. I haven't taken any MCATs yet, and I'm a year ahead of time for that anyways.. but I hear its best to start as early as possible. I'll do anything to repair my GPA. I'm dedicated and beyond capable, I know that. But is it possible? What do I do? How do I go about this? Thank you.

Yeah, no. There's just too many orientation barriers to sort through first before giving out advice. You earned a 2.7 which indicates that you have been neither "dedicated" or "beyond capable" especially when the general rule of thumb is that transfers from CC to bachelor's program perform worse and students with GPAs in the 2.X area tend to be at risk for failing out and never completing a bachelor's altogether. Lots of false self-affirmation in this thread, I'm actually concerned that you won't be able to finish your program.

 

[JustAUser]

My science courses are near perfect. Just a C here or there.

Something doesn't add up here. You can't randomly have a C here or there and say your science grades are near perfect. Also, your math courses will count in your science GPA (sGPA).

My GPA is currently a 2.7. I'm transferring to begin my bachelors degree in the Fall. I'll be doing a Neuroscience BS. I haven't taken any MCATs yet, and I'm a year ahead of time for that anyways.. but I hear its best to start as early as possible.

Don't take the MCAT until you've taken all your pre-reqs (gen chem, bio, ochem, physics, etc) and did well in those classes. Just because you (probably) took 2 years for your associates, does not mean you should feel rushed to take the MCAT within a year. First focus on your academics ie making A's in your coursework. Once you've managed that, I would then recommend sprinkling in other ECs such as volunteering, leadership, etc.

But is it possible? What do I do? How do I go about this?

It is possible, but it won't be easy. Take an extra year to get your degree so you can take more classes. But most importantly, you need to figure out what you're doing wrong and improve. You're going to need a lot of A's from here on out if you want to increase your GPA. Also, go to your school's learning center if they have one.

 

[Skowler]

First, you need to get your bachelor's degree and get solid grades in your classes from now on. Don't take your MCAT until you have a solid base in the sciences and until you're scoring where you need to be. I strongly recommend you take at least one gap year to repair your GPA if needed, get some experience, and study for the MCAT.

Whether you're dedicated and capable is irrelevant if you can't show that to med schools by doing well in the science prerequisites and doing well on your MCAT by taking it when you're prepared, not when you think you "should."

Here's a great guide that @Goro typed up for people with low GPAs, but it doesn't apply to you quite yet as you need to finish your BS first (you absolutely need to get As in almost every course from here on out).

Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention

So you want to be a doctor, but your GPA is terrible. Is that the end? Rule #1: Take a deep breath, and stop fussing. The sky is not falling. But you are going to need to reinvent yourself. This will take both time and money. And always remember that you’re in a marathon now, not a sprint...

forums.studentdoctor.net

Thank you so much! I read it over and its extremely helpful. I know its not impossible, but its certainly difficult.

 

[Skowler]

Specifically an MD as opposed to what, a DO? Or are you talking about alternative fields such as dentistry or podiatry? What makes you so gung-ho on wanting to have the MD initials?



Are your grades perfect or not perfect?
"Just a C here or there" is very much in a different ballpark than "near perfect."



Yeah, no. There's just too many orientation barriers to sort through first before giving out advice. You earned a 2.7 which indicates that you have been neither "dedicated" or "beyond capable" especially when the general rule of thumb is that transfers from CC to bachelor's program perform worse and students with GPAs in the 2.X area tend to be at risk for failing out and never completing a bachelor's altogether. Lots of false self-affirmation in this thread, I'm actually concerned that you won't be able to finish your program.

As an answer to your first question, specifically MD because I have a huge interest in surgery. I was a first assist in the veterinary field for a year and now I work in the human field in surgery currently. Though all the doctors I work with are over 50+ at least, so they advised I asked people closer to my generation. But I fell in love with it either way. I chose MD because after reading into it I preferred it, but mainly because surgery residencies don't accept DOs I believe?

 

[Skowler]

Something doesn't add up here. You can't randomly have a C here or there and say your science grades are near perfect. Also, your math courses will count in your science GPA (sGPA).



Don't take the MCAT until you've taken all your pre-reqs (gen chem, bio, ochem, physics, etc) and did well in those classes. Just because you (probably) took 2 years for your associates, does not mean you should feel rushed to take the MCAT within a year. First focus on your academics ie making A's in your coursework. Once you've managed that, I would then recommend sprinkling in other ECs such as volunteering, leadership, etc.



It is possible, but it won't be easy. Take an extra year to get your degree so you can take more classes. But most importantly, you need to figure out what you're doing wrong and improve. You're going to need a lot of A's from here on out if you want to increase your GPA. Also, go to your school's learning center if they have one.

Thank you so so much.

So it's hard to put a number on it because I'm not near a computer to count and add all these grades up, but I have a total of around 12 science grades and only one or two C's. Far as the math goes, they have grade forgiveness at my college. So you retake and the new grade replaces it. I failed pre-calc, retook and got an A and now thats in its stead now for example.

When I get home I'll create a proper list and calculate out GPA of my sciences with math inculded.

 

[penpenclown]

Med school doesn't do grade replacement, so both grades are taken into account.

 

[gyngyn]

I chose MD because after reading into it I preferred it, but mainly because surgery residencies don't accept DOs I believe?

That is incorrect.

 

[Select All That Apply]

@Skowler They accept DO students, but anecdotally it has been students who are top of the class/DO superstars.

Only ~5% of my students have gone into Gen Surg, these tended to be at the top of their Class. On the whole, ~75% of ACGME PDs surveyed for Surgery will either seldom/never rank or interview a DO. Best to ask your more senior classmates or graduates.

Quotation sourced from this gem of a thread with an interesting discussion on why DOs are under represented in ACGME general surgery residencies based on NRMP data. Although you are generally correct that aiming for an MD acceptance would increase your chances of getting a general surgical residency (or a surgical subspecialty) the fact that you have had a previous failure and are transitioning from a 2.7 GPA (possibly lower AMCAS GPA due to how this is a school re-calculated GPA with failure forgiveness in place) means that a perfect GPA for end game would still leave you around a 3.5 (being incredibly generous). This means that if you are seriously considering "only MD" programs that you are then going to have to get in through a formalized post-bac linkage program where you will likely be barely scraping by just in order to get in e.g. apply to all of them and hope that you get accepted into one.

 

[Goro]

As an answer to your first question, specifically MD because I have a huge interest in surgery. I was a first assist in the veterinary field for a year and now I work in the human field in surgery currently. Though all the doctors I work with are over 50+ at least, so they advised I asked people closer to my generation. But I fell in love with it either way. I chose MD because after reading into it I preferred it, but mainly because surgery residencies don't accept DOs I believe?

Beggars can't be choosy, you will need to have DO schools on your list.

Your goal now is to right the ship, and get into medical. You don't have the luxury of "uber-specialty or bust" mindset.

 

[chemdoctor]

Beggars can't be choosy, you will need to have DO schools on your list.

Your goal now is to right the ship, and get into medical. You don't have the luxury of "uber-specialty or bust" mindset.

Completely agree. Honestly, I don't think anyone really has the luxury of "uber-speciality or bust".

OP, right now you need to GET INTO medical school which is a difficult enough task as it is. It's fine to have an interest in surgery but do keep in mind that most people change their minds.

 

[JustAUser]

Thank you so so much.

So it's hard to put a number on it because I'm not near a computer to count and add all these grades up, but I have a total of around 12 science grades and only one or two C's. Far as the math goes, they have grade forgiveness at my college. So you retake and the new grade replaces it. I failed pre-calc, retook and got an A and now thats in its stead now for example.

When I get home I'll create a proper list and calculate out GPA of my sciences with math inculded.

Unfortunately, medical schools will see all your grades (including those fails). When they calculate your GPA, there will not be any grade replacement.

You can Google "amcas gpa calculator" and plug in the number of credits and grades to see where you're actually standing at.

Your 2.7 GPA is probably with all these grade replacements which just means your actual GPA is much lower and you have a long long path ahead of you. Right now, instead of thinking about which medical specialty you want to go into IF you become a doctor, you need to work on at least getting into a medical school.

 

[Skowler]

Thank you all so much. All your advice is extremely helpful. I'm going to do my best to aim for as high as I can, so even if I can't get to the top of my limit I can reach, I'll hopefully be close. I'll for sure keep DO schools in mind.

Also, for my GPA, grade forgiveness is a thing BUT they also don't give you a misleading GPA based on that. They calcualte it all. I'll calculate it myself just to be sure though.

 

[Calizboosted76]

Thank you all so much. All your advice is extremely helpful. I'm going to do my best to aim for as high as I can, so even if I can't get to the top of my limit I can reach, I'll hopefully be close. I'll for sure keep DO schools in mind.

Also, for my GPA, grade forgiveness is a thing BUT they also don't give you a misleading GPA based on that. They calcualte it all. I'll calculate it myself just to be sure though.

Some two years ago I was in the same mindset as you when I began my reinvention journey. Frankly it was ignorant. Wanting to becoming strictly an MD when you, like I, have a terrible GPA. Yes getting into a competitive specialty is more capable for MD but its possible, like others have said. My aunt who owns a very well known animal hospital told me not to go DO. She of course doesn't know what she is talking about. From my experience as a medical scribe in four different EDs it doesn't matter if you go DO or MD. I have met neurosurgeons who are DO. Also most of the department heads of the hospitals are DO. I know DO who make over $500k as an ED doc (He is also the program director). Just worry about getting your GPA reinvented right now and worry about what you are going to apply to when the time comes. It can be done but I can tell you from my experience, it will be tough and you will be making sacrifices. Good luck.

 

[Skowler]

Some two years ago I was in the same mindset as you when I began my reinvention journey. Frankly it was ignorant. Wanting to becoming strictly an MD when you, like I, have a terrible GPA. Yes getting into a competitive specialty is more capable for MD but its possible, like others have said. My aunt who owns a very well known animal hospital told me not to go DO. She of course doesn't know what she is talking about. From my experience as a medical scribe in four different EDs it doesn't matter if you go DO or MD. I have met neurosurgeons who are DO. Also most of the department heads of the hospitals are DO. I know DO who make over $500k as an ED doc (He is also the program director). Just worry about getting your GPA reinvented right now and worry about what you are going to apply to when the time comes. It can be done but I can tell you from my experience, it will be tough and you will be making sacrifices. Good luck.

This helped incredibly. It gave me some peace of mind. I know it's stupid to be so narrow minded towards one specialty, and I know in the back of my mind that if it doesn't work out I have specialties I like as well just in case... but I love surgery. Enough to do anything to get to that point. I will focus on repairing my GPA. After that, I'll look at all of my options, MD, DO, and apply to them all.

Also, how many years of school did you do prior to med school, not including your AA?

When did you take the MCAT's?

When did you start applying to med school?

 

[candbgirl]

Thank you so so much.

So it's hard to put a number on it because I'm not near a computer to count and add all these grades up, but I have a total of around 12 science grades and only one or two C's. Far as the math goes, they have grade forgiveness at my college. So you retake and the new grade replaces it. I failed pre-calc, retook and got an A and now thats in its stead now for example.

When I get home I'll create a proper list and calculate out GPA of my sciences with math inculded.

When you are calculating your GPAs for us include EVERY course you have ever taken. AMCAS does not do grade replacement so you must include every course, because they will. You might as well know now what your real GPAs are and not what you think they are. Again, include every course you have ever taken, including all of the courses you have replaced with a new grade.

 

[Calizboosted76]

This helped incredibly. It gave me some peace of mind. I know it's stupid to be so narrow minded towards one specialty, and I know in the back of my mind that if it doesn't work out I have specialties I like as well just in case... but I love surgery. Enough to do anything to get to that point. I will focus on repairing my GPA. After that, I'll look at all of my options, MD, DO, and apply to them all.

Also, how many years of school did you do prior to med school, not including your AA?

When did you take the MCAT's?

When did you start applying to med school?

I am applying this cycle. I still have a GPA under 3.0 but my upward trend and story is pretty significant. I take my MCAT on the 20th of July. I am also wanting to go into a surgical specialty (more so neurosurgery because that's where my love for medicine stems.) but of course I understand if I go DO I will have to bust my ass when I am in medical school. Just like I said worry about those grades and which you can control now. Bust your butt.