Low gpa question

[sbarilla]

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Does anyone know of anyone that got into an md school with a 3.2 overall gpa? I have a big upward trend in my last 117 credits of 3.77 including 70 credits BCPM. And a 14/10/11 35R mcat. I think post bacc is a waste of Money since I proved I can handle upper level science classes. A in most upper level science courses except for B in physics. Any advice?

 

[iforget2]

It also depends on what ECs you have, but I've read about people on here who have gotten in with similar stats.

 

[sbarilla]

3 years hospital volunteering over 400 hours
Shadowed 3 doctors
Over 10 community service events
Multiple clubs, honor societies,
Pre med fraternity
Pharmacy technician
5 good LORs

 

[ClemsonFirst]

I haven't heard of anyone getting in with a GPA that low to MD, but I'm sure it could happen. It would be a good idea to contact lower tier schools or any you are interested in and ask.

 

[von Matterhorn]

I've heard of people getting in with lower. Also, a 35 and an upward trend is HUGE. You definitely have plenty of doors still open.

People look at GPA on here too narrowly. They don't just look at your GPA as a number, they're looking at it as a way of measuring your ability to handle med school curriculum. You're clearly demonstrating your academic abilities with a significant upward trend and a strong MCAT.

 

[ClemsonFirst]

Just be careful because schools will filter out low GPA and MCAT.

Besides the low cGPA, your upward trend and ECs at first glance look great. Definitely set yourself up well to balance out the GPA.

 

[Catalystik]

Does anyone know of anyone that got into an md school with a 3.2 overall gpa?

You need look no further than SDN's PreMedAllo mod, MilkmanAl. You can see his MDApps here: http://www.mdapplicants.com/profile.php?id=10116

 

[IncognitoGuy]

You need look no further than SDN's PreMedAllo mod, MilkmanAl. You can see his MDApps here: http://www.mdapplicants.com/profile.php?id=10116

I would also check out MedPR's profile - I'm not sure how accurate it is but he had great success at MD schools as well. I'll edit this post with the URL later as I'm on the phone currently.

EDIT: Here it is: http://www.mdapplicants.com/profile.php?id=25146

As you see, he also had an extreme upward trend culminating in his GPAs (which are higher than yours but still worth considering nonetheless). In his case, this trend was done in post-bacc as well.

 

[Cristobal16]

Just to clarify - that 3.2 GPA is before your upward trend, correct? 🙂

If that's the case, then I think you will have some great options with MD schools. Granted, not as many as someone with the same ECs and those grades from the start, but I think you should feel encouraged to apply to MD schools.

 

[occams_razor]

the guy who ran the blog "stealing med school" wrote that he had a 3.1 cGPA, 3.0 science GPA and 36 MCAT and he got into MD schools. it is possible with a unique story, excellent ECs and an amazing MCAT

 

[occams_razor]

Just be careful because schools will filter out low GPA and MCAT.

Besides the low cGPA, your upward trend and ECs at first glance look great. Definitely set yourself up well to balance out the GPA.

don't most schools filter GPA at 3.0 and below though?

 

[sbarilla]

I had one really bad year. Then I settled in and did a double bachelors. I got a BS in biology with a chemistry minor and a BA in criminology with an English minor to show I can handle everything. I had a 24 credit semester all BCPM with a 4.0 as my last semester to prove I can handle the intensity of medical school. I took cell biology, graduate bio systematics, orgo II, microbiology and lab, graduate coral reef biology, orgo II lab, pre calc II and others

 

[sbarilla]

Any more advice? I'd appreciate it

 

[Instatewaiter]

Does anyone know of anyone that got into an md school with a 3.2 overall gpa? I have a big upward trend in my last 117 credits of 3.77 including 70 credits BCPM. And a 14/10/11 35R mcat. I think post bacc is a waste of Money since I proved I can handle upper level science classes. A in most upper level science courses except for B in physics. Any advice?

If you don't get in, you need an SMP (special masters program). This is basically a year of graduate level courses, often taken with the med school to prove you can hack it.

I got in to med school with well less than a 3.2 because of an SMP

 

[sbarilla]

How expensive are smps?

 

[sbarilla]

Do people think my last 117 credit trend of around 3.8 with all my upper level sciences will be as equally good at a post bac? I feel since I graduated with so many credits my upward trend is equivalent to 4 full years. So even with the rough start, I proved I can handle college and tough schedules. Did the 117 credits in 3 years. Anyone agree?

 

[Catalystik]

Do people think my last 117 credit trend of around 3.8 with all my upper level sciences will be as equally good at a post bac? I feel since I graduated with so many credits my upward trend is equivalent to 4 full years. So even with the rough start, I proved I can handle college and tough schedules. Did the 117 credits in 3 years. Anyone agree?

My vote is a yes. You may still become a victim of the auto-computer cut-off at some schools, but for those that look closer at every application, or at least those that will further evaluate someone with a high MCAT score, your academic capability will be appreciated.

How expensive are smps?

Very.

 

[sbarilla]

that expense is why I do not want a post bacc. It'll set me back too much.
Hopefully some schools show me some love

 

[ichabodbrain]

It all depends on your MCAT. Your GPA is certainly taken into consideration, but the MCAT is the most heavily weighed stat, period. With a GPA like that, you'll probably need to be towards the end of the average MCAT score plus the standard deviation of the schools to which you're applying to be competitive.

https://www.aamc.org/download/161700/data/table21.pdf

 

[jr93]

I got in at 3.22 after pre-reqs taken 7 years after graduating. Graduated with a 3.1 with a Mech Eng degree. 31P on MCAT on first and only try. Accepted at 2 MD schools, waitlisted at 1. It may be different because I'm an engineer and a non-trad but don't buy the SDN hype. Just know what schools to apply to.

 

[RG3forPresident]

Just be realistic about your chances.

As in, don't waste your time doing applications to a ton of reach schools. Be realistic about where your stats will get you into, and that should give you a lot more time to personalize your secondary essays to the schools of your choice. I think you have a decent chance simply because of your upward trend and MCAT, but I'm just a premed so take my words with a grain of salt.

 

[sbarilla]

I got in at 3.22 after pre-reqs taken 7 years after graduating. Graduated with a 3.1 with a Mech Eng degree. 31P on MCAT on first and only try. Accepted at 2 MD schools, waitlisted at 1. It may be different because I'm an engineer and a non-trad but don't buy the SDN hype. Just know what schools to apply to.

Took mcat once. 35R 14/10/11

 

[sbarilla]

Going to apply to low tier schools

Rosalin Franklin
Nymc
Vcu
Vermont
All sunys
Hofstra and some other ny schools
Plus more low tier

 

[sbarilla]

Anyone recommend schools that will take whole app into consideration rather than raw numbers

 

[Donald Juan]

I got in with a 3.19 overall, 3.9ish sGPA, and a 37 mcat. I had gone to college at 17 for a year and pretty much failed everything (saying I "went to college" is an overstatement...). I started college back from scratch at age 24 after spending 3 years in the military as a medic. When I applied I had about 90 hours of 4.0 in 2 years, research experience, tutoring, premed club officer, some sporadic volunteer experiences, and not a single hour of shadowing.

I got interviews at 3 MD schools (Rosalind Franklin and two state schools), I only went to one, because I got accepted at my favorite between the 3 before the other 2 interviews came up. I also applied to many reach schools (about 7) hoping they would overlook the 10 year old GPA...but they didn't. I did apply pretty late (late September because I was waiting on a LOR), so maybe I would've had more success if I had applied earlier, maybe not.

Best of luck to you! My best recommendation to you is to apply...don't wait a year like some people might recommend. I know plenty of people that waited to apply because they thought some aspect of their application wasn't good enough, only to later regret it because they realized they might have gotten in the first round and should've at least taken the chance. Even if you somehow knew you only had a 1/10 chance of getting in, give it a shot to a few realistic places. The couple hundred dollars in app fees is worth the risk. Obviously, keep working to improve yourself, and make plans on what to do in case you don't get in if things aren't looking promising throughout the interview season.

 

[DocGodfather]

My overall GPA is kind of on the low side (<3.5). Do you guys think it would be wise to ace a couple classes over the summer I'm going to take (Stats and A&P), and then complete my application in August? I was going to submit June 1st, but if I can get two A's, my GPA will go up a bit. Since AMCAS doesn't allow us to update our GPA after submitting apps, just thinking it might be wise to apply later. I don't know. Any opinions?

 

[ZFanatic]

A "couple classes" probably won't touch your GPA significantly. Apply, then send your updated transcripts in August would be my suggestion.

 

[DocGodfather]

A "couple classes" probably won't touch your GPA significantly. Apply, then send your updated transcripts in August would be my suggestion.

You're probably right, since I've also done a grad program. Just thought another 8 units of A's in math and bio might be somewhat significant. Wish AMCAS allowed us to update our grades throughout the application cycle.