Low gpa & still gained admissions?

[Hardbody]

This summer I am going to have to study my a$$ in an attempt to try and destroy the MCAT, which is probably my only chance of getting into a U.S. allo school due to poor gpa (nice upward trend, but futile attempt with the number of credits I have). I am hoping to read some inspirational stories of people that have gained admissions with low gpa's. When I say low I am talking in the 2.8-3.1 range. Does anybody have any low gpa and still managed to gain admissions stories?

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[ti89]

This summer I am going to have to study my a$$ in an attempt to try and destroy the MCAT, which is probably my only chance of getting into a U.S. allo school due to poor gpa (nice upward trend, but futile attempt with the number of credits I have). I am hoping to read some inspirational stories of people that have gained admissions with low gpa's. When I say low I am talking in the 2.8-3.1 range. Does anybody have any low gpa and still managed to gain admissions stories?

If you are applyin for class of 2011 taking the summer MCAT will put you at a huge disadvantage.

It might even be better to do some postbac or something like that and then try.

getting in sub 3 is very very hard and applying late is going to make it near impossible imo.

 

[DrKitty]

2.8 - 3.1 GPA (be that BCPM or overall) is very low, it will be risky even with a high MCAT. A post-bac or Masters with strong GPA will help a lot.

 

[QofQuimica]

This summer I am going to have to study my a$$ in an attempt to try and destroy the MCAT, which is probably my only chance of getting into a U.S. allo school due to poor gpa (nice upward trend, but futile attempt with the number of credits I have). I am hoping to read some inspirational stories of people that have gained admissions with low gpa's. When I say low I am talking in the 2.8-3.1 range. Does anybody have any low gpa and still managed to gain admissions stories?

I agree that you should try to raise your GPA above a 3.0 if at all possible. I applied with no undergrad grades or GPA (my college was P/F) but a stellar graduate GPA and MCAT score, and I still had trouble because of my undergrad academic record at some schools. A GPA below 3.0 will get you a pre-secondary rejection at many schools that screen, and a post-secondary rejection at many schools that don't. How far along in school are you? Can you get above a 3.0 by the time you graduate?

 

[NonTradMed]

This summer I am going to have to study my a$$ in an attempt to try and destroy the MCAT, which is probably my only chance of getting into a U.S. allo school due to poor gpa (nice upward trend, but futile attempt with the number of credits I have). I am hoping to read some inspirational stories of people that have gained admissions with low gpa's. When I say low I am talking in the 2.8-3.1 range. Does anybody have any low gpa and still managed to gain admissions stories?

This is what I heard regarding low GPA/high MCAT: med schools will look at such a weird balance with a wary eye, because it implies you were not a conscientious student in college. The MCAT is a one day exam, and it does take lot of studying and a solid foundation in the sciences to really kill it, but that doesn't mean that it will ever compensate for really, really low GPA. What is your science GPA like? If that is pretty high and you had an upward trend and maybe mitigating circumstances, it may offer you a boost.

Anyway, I don't know of anyone who gained admission with your GPA, but never say never, you can go ahead and try for admission...you had an upward trend and they may excuse freshmen follies if you showed maturity and a renewed focus in your studies in the later years. Good luck.

 

[dbhvt]

3.17 AMCAS GPA. August MCAT. I got in.
Granted I'm kind of weird.

Oh, and for some reason I've done better at rolling schools than non-rolling so far, but keep your fingers crossed for me on Monday the 27th.

EDIT: If you're 3.1 though, you'll be much better off than 2.8. I think the AMCA has a GPA graph, and it's darn near zero below 3.0, if I remember right.

 

[ismelllikepoop]

i wouldnt apply this summer if you are taking the mcat. I also have a relatively low gpa, and had an average mcat and didnt get in anywhere last year. I boosted my score 7 points overall on the most recent august test, but since my app was so late, schools that I interviewed with last year said they couldnt even offer me an interview spot this time around. I would try and look into grad programs, which i figure I will be doing if things don't work out in the next month or so.

 

[Hardbody]

2.8 - 3.1 GPA (be that BCPM or overall) is very low, it will be risky even with a high MCAT. A post-bac or Masters with strong GPA will help a lot.

Yeah I know. It will be damn near impossible for me to get in this cycle. My overall I am projecting to be 3.00 (on the button) and BCPM slightly lower like 2.8ish. I initially thought my numbers were lower than that but I crunched the numbers. I am just looking for some inspirational stories.

I might also add that my prereq's are all solid A's & my one semester of calculus was a solid A. It is really low level science and math classes from a long time ago are what is bringing down the the science gpa.

 

[bmcnd13]

I had a 2.8 overall, 2.5 Science undergrad GPA. After 4 years working in the private sector, I took the MCAT and got a 37. I applied for admission to 14 schools for the 2005 entering class - no interviews, rejected everywhere.

During the 2005 cycle, I enrolled in an MA in Biology program, the bulk of which I completed prior to the 2006 application cycle with a 3.95 GPA. I applied to 16 schools for the 2006 entering class, received a good number of interviews, and got my first acceptance this past weekend.

Judging from my two application experiences, I absolutely agree with the previous advice on this thread: seriously consider a post-bacc or Master's program. A good MCAT only goes so far.

 

[drmota]

3.23 science gpa, (3.54 overall) strong upward trend in grades. got one acceptance, 3 waitlists.

-mota

 

[tacrum43]

This summer I am going to have to study my a$$ in an attempt to try and destroy the MCAT, which is probably my only chance of getting into a U.S. allo school due to poor gpa (nice upward trend, but futile attempt with the number of credits I have). I am hoping to read some inspirational stories of people that have gained admissions with low gpa's. When I say low I am talking in the 2.8-3.1 range. Does anybody have any low gpa and still managed to gain admissions stories?

A high MCAT would certainly help (and an upward trend is good too), but it may not be enough. A masters program would probably help a lot. I recommend Gerogetown's SMP, but you would not be eligible for this year if you won't have an MCAT score before June. Well, you can take the GREs instead, but you would need to do very well on those as well.

Here's a few people who got in with a low GPA but high MCAT:

http://www.mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid=2112
http://www.mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?id=922
http://www.mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?id=2765

 

[Hardbody]

A high MCAT would certainly help (and an upward trend is good too), but it may not be enough. A masters program would probably help a lot. I recommend Gerogetown's SMP, but you would not be eligible for this year if you won't have an MCAT score before June. Well, you can take the GREs instead, but you would need to do very well on those as well.

Here's a few people who got in with a low GPA but high MCAT:

http://www.mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid=2112
http://www.mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?id=922
http://www.mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?id=2765

I still have 1 more semester of undergrad after this semester. I will be graduating December 2006. Do you know if there are any post-bacc programs that are 1 semester (spring 2007), have linkage, and allow students to head directly to med school?

 

[Hardbody]

3.17 AMCAS GPA. August MCAT. I got in.
Granted I'm kind of weird.

Oh, and for some reason I've done better at rolling schools than non-rolling so far, but keep your fingers crossed for me on Monday the 27th.

EDIT: If you're 3.1 though, you'll be much better off than 2.8. I think the AMCA has a GPA graph, and it's darn near zero below 3.0, if I remember right.

Do you happen to have a link to that graph?

 

[Angelyka]

I am freaking out as well. I am ill and it caused me to have to drop classes. My gpa sucks now 2.86. I have like 2 more years and I am definitely doing a post-bacc program. I am starting to do better with my classes now. I am hoping for an upwards trend in grades and my personal essay to help even things out. I am still discouraged though. Maybe I need to meet some new pre-med buddies that can encourage me. 🙂

 

[relentless11]

A sub 3.0 undergrad GPA will always hurt. A very small amount of people with such grades get in, but not a lot. These people got in not because they did something amazing like started a clinic in India for the poor. But they showed they showed a significant improvement to cast away any doubt they were academically incompetent. Such as post-bacc, or graduate school COMBINED with some amazing life experiences (incl. volunteering, clinical, work experience).

You can have someone that got in with a 2.5 undergrad,, but for all you know, they had a 4.0 GPA from in a PhD program and had 4.0's the last year they were an undergrad. These factors aren't shown on AAMC. So do not rely on GPA stats too much, just get the highest possible grade regardless. Essentially you enter the yellow zone (rather than red zone) when you're around 3.0-3.3.

Regards to the MCAT, don't put too much hope into using that as leverage in getting you in. Most schools treat MCAT and GPA equally. Therefore deficiency in one will hurt you equally, rather than make up for other components. I must digress, GPA/MCAT are the most important during the first part of the application, where school's screen and so forth. But ultimately, assuming you get to interviews, it plays a smaller role...and MANY other factors come into play. The problem is getting an interview 😉 .

Lastly other things to consider is your workload. Are you getting higher grades because you are taking less classes, same amount of classes or more? Traditionally, getting good GPA's when having a high (within reason) workload = good. So even if you had an upward trend, but you are taking less classes, and/or lower division classes ("GPA booster classes..haha") then that will be taken into account too. I found many of the college seniors (myself included) took a few easier classes in the final days before ending our undergrad carerr to boost our GPA. Of course an A in a hard class is better than any GPA booster class..haha.

 

[dbhvt]

Do you happen to have a link to that graph?

Can't find the graph, but here is a table that gives you means and sd.

http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/2005/2005mcatgpa.htm

Oh yeah. It's aamc not amca. Sorry.

 

[Vista04]

2.8 science GPA (3.0 overall)

decided i needed to do a special master's program (smp)
3.97 GPA

2 acceptances this spring (1 top 10 school, the other top 30)

I'm convinced that smp's are the way to go for low gpa folks like myself if you really want to be taken seriously in the application process. the one warning is that you really have to be committed to doing well. many of my classmates in the smp who didn't do well are pretty much out of the game and out of quite a bit of money. the good news, however, is that it does work out for a good portion.

 

[Hardbody]

Can't find the graph, but here is a table that gives you means and sd.

http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/2005/2005mcatgpa.htm

Oh yeah. It's aamc not amca. Sorry.

Thank you!

 

[Hardbody]

2.8 science GPA (3.0 overall)

decided i needed to do a special master's program (smp)
3.97 GPA

2 acceptances this spring (1 top 10 school, the other top 30)

I'm convinced that smp's are the way to go for low gpa folks like myself if you really want to be taken seriously in the application process. the one warning is that you really have to be committed to doing well. many of my classmates in the smp who didn't do well are pretty much out of the game and out of quite a bit of money. the good news, however, is that it does work out for a good portion.

If you don't mind me asking, which smp did you go through?

 

[Vista04]

If you don't mind me asking, which smp did you go through?

i went through the program at BU.

when i did all the research into smp's, BU and Georgetown seemed to me to be the best (mainly b/c they have the best track record). i didn't get into Georgetown's program so that made it easy.

BU has definitely been a great place for me. I've heard others have had good experiences at other programs. Check out the post-bacc thread. there's some good stuff there.

 

[tacrum43]

I still have 1 more semester of undergrad after this semester. I will be graduating December 2006. Do you know if there are any post-bacc programs that are 1 semester (spring 2007), have linkage, and allow students to head directly to med school?

Nope, sorry. The shortest is one year, and most are actually two. There are some post-baccs that do have direct linkages, BUT a post-bacc is for an applicant who has not yet completed the pre-reqs for medical school. An SMP (or other masters degree) is for people who have taken the pre-reqs, but need to do something to help overcome their low undergrad GPA.

Maybe Drexel has a direct linkage SMP type program, but I think it's only for minorities. I think Oregon and UCSF have one too, but again it is only for disadvantaged and/or minorities.

 

[NonTradMed]

Nope, sorry. The shortest is one year, and most are actually two. There are some post-baccs that do have direct linkages, BUT a post-bacc is for an applicant who has not yet completed the pre-reqs for medical school. An SMP (or other masters degree) is for people who have taken the pre-reqs, but need to do something to help overcome their low undergrad GPA.

Maybe Drexel has a direct linkage SMP type program, but I think it's only for minorities. I think Oregon and UCSF have one too, but again it is only for disadvantaged and/or minorities.

Creighton also has one, but it is only for disadvantaged students (have to show near poverty level income growing up etc).

But masters/post-bacc are all good GPA boosters. Anyone with questionable GPAs should look into it while applying. Don't wait until you see no interviews before doing it because that's another year wasted. If you dont' think you'll make it, but you aren't sure. Take the post-bacc/masters while applying. If you get in, great. If not, there's always the new stuff to show off when reapplying.

 

[relentless11]

There are some post-baccs that do have direct linkages, BUT a post-bacc is for an applicant who has not yet completed the pre-reqs for medical school. An SMP (or other masters degree) is for people who have taken the pre-reqs, but need to do something to help overcome their low undergrad GPA.

Maybe Drexel has a direct linkage SMP type program, but I think it's only for minorities. I think Oregon and UCSF have one too, but again it is only for disadvantaged and/or minorities.

I'd have to disagree. Post-bacc is NOT only for those that have not completed their pre-reqs. Post-bacc is taking any undergrad courses after finishing your bachelor's degree. This includes BOTH who have done or have not done pre-reqs for med school. Hence, AMCAS calling these as post-bacc. Applicants who have a low undergrad GPA are often times encouraged to do post-bacc since they will count towards their undergrad GPA. Conversely applicants are discouraged from doing a traditional graduate program since grad courses do not count for undergrad GPA.

SMPs, such as Georgetown are a different animal. They allow you to take med school courses, which obviously show how well one can do in actual med school conditions (or as close as possible). HOWEVER, the caviat is, med school courses are also considered as grad classes. Here I have to agree, SMPs are more useful for people who had a low GPA and want to show adcoms that they can handle med school courses. The keypoint is the adcoms must recognize that the courses you did well in are actual med school courses for it to work well.

UCSF does not have an SMP program, I believe they have 2 seperate post-bacc programs associated with SFSU. One is for minorites, and the other is for re-applicants. Other UC post-bacc programs are similar, with most favoring URMs. None of the UC post-bacc programs link into their respective schools. Go to AAMC website to see the programs. Only Scripps and Mills have linkages, and Scripps is ONLY for people who did not have pre-reqs (eg: career changers).

We don't have many (or any) SMPs over here in CA. So I'm doing my own version of a special "PhD program". My core requirements have us taking med school courses. But to cover all my bases I am also taking undergrad upper div as electives. These electives, per feedback from our director of admissions, counts for my undergrad/post-bacc GPA even though I am a PhD student. But the med and grad courses will count for my grad GPA.

 

[blee]

I graduated with a GPA somewhere around 2.75, BCPM 2.65 or so. After five years of work, I went through a year of post-bacc and got a 3.93, for a grand total GPA of just under 3.0 and a BCPM somewhere around the same. April 2005 MCAT, 37R. 15 schools, later withdrew from five, five interviews, five acceptances.

According to MSAR, acceptance rates for applicants with GPA around 3.0 are very very low. I consider myself an anomaly, helped somewhat by a very strong recent performance in school and a high MCAT score. But the bottom line is that a low GPA will not bar you forever from med school! You will need to work your a$$ off, and maybe take some time after graduation to work on your grades, but it can be done.

 

[Hardbody]

Does anyone know of any programs (Post-Bach or SMP) that grant automatic admissions into a med school (linkage) if specified conditions are met (X gpa)? I am sure I could probably research this on my own and find it, but if someone has some names off the top of their heads I would sure be glad to save the time.

 

[Hardbody]

I graduated with a GPA somewhere around 2.75, BCPM 2.65 or so. After five years of work, I went through a year of post-bacc and got a 3.93, for a grand total GPA of just under 3.0 and a BCPM somewhere around the same. April 2005 MCAT, 37R. 15 schools, later withdrew from five, five interviews, five acceptances.

According to MSAR, acceptance rates for applicants with GPA around 3.0 are very very low. I consider myself an anomaly, helped somewhat by a very strong recent performance in school and a high MCAT score. But the bottom line is that a low GPA will not bar you forever from med school! You will need to work your a$$ off, and maybe take some time after graduation to work on your grades, but it can be done.

37 on the MCAT would make you an anomaly. This is what I hope to do, although I am not sure how reasonable or realistic that goal is. Only time will tell, but I definitely have the will.

 

[mshheaddoc]

37 on the MCAT would make you an anomaly. This is what I hope to do, although I am not sure how reasonable or realistic that goal is. Only time will tell, but I definitely have the will.

considering a score of 35 is like top 97% of the test takers, yes ... its an anomaly.

 

[gafft]

Overall GPA: 3.2
Acceptances: Columbia P&S and Stony Brook
Pending decisions: Cornell and Stanford.
(Caucasion Male)

There are no rules. Never quit.

 

[bainsstatic]

I am freaking out as well. I am ill and it caused me to have to drop classes. My gpa sucks now 2.86. I have like 2 more years and I am definitely doing a post-bacc program. I am starting to do better with my classes now. I am hoping for an upwards trend in grades and my personal essay to help even things out. I am still discouraged though. Maybe I need to meet some new pre-med buddies that can encourage me. 🙂

Relax, you're talkin to someone with a ~2.5, AMCAS gpa is lower and it's my 3rd year. I'm confident I'll get in somewhere though.

edit
3rd year, but sophomore

 

[eg77ff1]

Overall GPA: 3.2
Acceptances: Columbia P&S and Stony Brook
Pending decisions: Cornell and Stanford.
(Caucasion Male)

There are no rules. Never quit.

Do you mind giving your MCAT scores and was undergraduate school a top school!!! Thanks.

 

[gafft]

Do you mind giving your MCAT scores and was undergraduate school a top school!!! Thanks.

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[psychRN]

Does anyone know of any programs (Post-Bach or SMP) that grant automatic admissions into a med school (linkage) if specified conditions are met (X gpa)? I am sure I could probably research this on my own and find it, but if someone has some names off the top of their heads I would sure be glad to save the time.

University of MS Med Center has a program with direct linkage. This program is called the Professional Portal Track. It is only if you are denied acceptance to med, dental, etc school. After 2 yrs in this program, you will be guaranteed admission to these programs.

 

[Will Ferrell]

PS: 9 VR: 12 BS: 14 WS: S

Undergraduate: St. John's College, Annapolis, Md (400 students unknown liberal arts college)

St. John's is well known. Isn't it the 2nd oldest school?

 

[Hardbody]

University of MS Med Center has a program with direct linkage. This program is called the Professional Portal Track. It is only if you are denied acceptance to med, dental, etc school. After 2 yrs in this program, you will be guaranteed admission to these programs.

Wow, thanks a million for your response. After reading the criteria I didn't realize that I came from an official "environmental/educational disadvantaged" background. I had no idea that there were federal guidelines for such a term. I mean I know that I came from a "environmentally/educationally disadvantaged" background but didn't think that I officially came from one.

 

[gafft]

St. John's is well known. Isn't it the 2nd oldest school?

3rd oldest after Harvard and William and Mary. Out of nine interviews, only two interviewer claimed to know it and I believed one of them. And yeah, Fiske guide says it's the "most intellecutal college in the country." But try explaining to an interviewer that there are no lectures, text books, exams or majors.

 

[Rafa]

There are no rules. Never quit.

Kickass. This gonna be my motto for the rest of the semester. Maybe I can still pull off an A in O-chem.

 

[DeaconMD04]

3.26 overall, 3.3 science (2.6 freshman year, around 3.5 after that) 32 MCAT. Undergrad: Wake Forest. Med school: Wake Forest. 4 interviews, 2 waitlists, one acceptance. I got in off the waitlist June 27th and classes started July 25th. Hang in there!

 

[Diceman M.D.]

3.23 science GPA, 3.55 overall GPA, Psychology major, 33 MCAT. NO AMCAS interviews! Applied as a Texas resident to the Texas match, right out of college. Got interviews at 5 of 6 MD schools, matched to my second choice and was waitlisted at the first choice in the upper quartile. Got bumped up to acceptance at my first choice (UT Southwestern) and matriculated there.

Factors that hurt me:
LOW SCIENCE GPA, only one basic science professor recommendation, took MCAT in August, late interview, straight out of college

Factors that did not help or hurt:
Psychology major, 33 MCAT (not low enough to hurt me, but not high enough to raise eyebrows), personal statement, travels, most extracurriculars, med school interview

Factors that helped me:
Graduation with Honors, winner of a pretty prestigious research medal for my honors thesis, Graduated from top-tier university (Stanford), that kind of thing), extensive clinical medical research, 4 years of volunteering and leadership within a veteran's health organization, significant upswing in grades in senior year. TEXAS STATE RESIDENCY!!!!!!!!!

As you can see, a low science GPA will literally take you within one hit point of death (for the gamers here) as far as your application goes, if it doesn't kill it right away. You have to compensate extremely well in other fields in order to even stand a chance. In many ways, I was extremely lucky, and by all rights I'd be screwed if I weren't a Texas resident applying from out of state. For most other people, you'll really have to do a postbac program to stand a chance.

 

[phutureMD]

Here's my story. Hopefully if anyone out there is in the position I was ever in, they can get some hope...

I finished UG with ~2.8 BCPM GPA, 2.9 overall and 26 MCAT. As expected, didn't get into any U.S medical school (year #1). Everyone told me 1 of 3 things:

1. Apply to caribbean/foreign MD schools
2. Apply to DO schools
3. Choose another career (dentistry, opto, etc etc)

While those were all valid suggestions for someone in my position, it simply was not what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to be an M.D., I knew I was intelligent, and I knew I could gain admission to a US medical school... so I stuck with my plan and took an ALTERNATE route.

I attended a post-bacc program. The classes were a lot harder, stiff competition, and I had to work harder. Also, busted my ass some more for the MCAT and finished post-bacc with a 3.0/33R stat line.. strong MCAT, low GPA.. Didn't get in. (year #2)

I spent another year to do research to earn a MS degree. While doing the MS, I took more classes to improve my GPA.. 3.12/33R. Got in (year #3)


Here's my advice:

1. Know your weaknesses and improve them. My weakness was my GPA and I kept trying to improve it. Unfortunately, the Graduate classes were difficult in the beginning and my grades slipped.. I caught onto things later, but my graduate GPA was not where I hoped it would be. PLEASE don't take my story for more than what it's worth. I got into med school with a low GPA, and I am very lucky and blessed. I'm only telling you my story as 1 person's path to medical school. Everyone has their own situation.

2. A low GPA and strong MCAT does not look good. That was my application profile (3.12/33R), and I ran into dead-ends at a lot of medical schools who wondered why my GPA was low. A really high MCAT with a low GPA is a red flag saying - this is a bright kid who just doesnt work very hard. NOT a good impression for the ad-com!!!

3. Stick to your goals. Like I said, many people told me to pursue other paths early in my application process (total of 3 application rounds). I could have gone to the caribbean after UG, but I personally was not interested in that option. Same with DO, and another career was outta the question. My goal was a US medical school (M.D.) and I got it because I was persistent.

4. Connections are great to make, but don't take anything for granted. I cannot stress this enough. During my UG years all I heard was "It's so key to make connections for med school admission. It's not what you know, it's who you know". That's bull****. I had some great connections at a number of schools which I got rejected from. Now, I know I had a low GPA.. but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't extra disappointed with rejections from certain schools that I had "connections" at. Sometimes, connections do help and the saying proves true. But, it's a toss-up. And you can't put all your eggs in 1 basket. My point is, take NOTHING for granted.. DEFINITELY meet people (Deans, committee members, admissions counselors), be active, show them how badly you want to be an MD ... BUT don't think, not for 1 second, that Dr. XYZ is going to "pull" you into med school.. Only YOU can do that. The fact that I had connections did not overshadow my GPA. The MOST important thing is having a high GPA and strong MCAT. That's priority #1

5. Stay humble. ALWAYS stay humble. Don't get bitter, jealous, and when you get in, don't brag. Med school admissions is a very long, painful and draining process for most people. Be respectful. I'm only writing this post to give people hope who are in the same situation I was in 2 years ago... My med school admission process, although its over, was a VERY humbling experience. It has really opened my eyes and I've learned lessons about all kinds of things.

 

[mshheaddoc]

University of MS Med Center has a program with direct linkage. This program is called the Professional Portal Track. It is only if you are denied acceptance to med, dental, etc school. After 2 yrs in this program, you will be guaranteed admission to these programs.

doesn't RF have a program like this as well?

 

[RxnMan]

considering a score of 35 is like top 97% of the test takers, yes ... its an anomaly.

I'm in the same situation. I have a 2.35 ugrad GPA and a 36 MCAT. I've received interviews at CU the last two cycles. I think part of the game is getting to the 3.0 GPA mark - anything lower than that will knock you out of most school's screening process regardless of circumstances under which you earned the grades. Once there, hopefully with some stellar last-minute 4.0 semester/quarter GPAs, then get some great expereiences. I've volunteered a lot and I have a great clinical/research job, all of which generated great material for my essays and interviews. Then never give up.

One of the other posters wrote about not getting angry or jealous. That is very hard, and I have trouble doing this, but if you can, then it will make this time of year much more bearable.

It also helps having another career. That way you can get a little $$$, get a little experience, and do things to make yourself look good for the next round of apps.

 

[relentless11]

Here's my advice:

1. Know your weaknesses and improve them. My weakness was my GPA and I kept trying to improve it. Unfortunately, the Graduate classes were difficult in the beginning and my grades slipped.. I caught onto things later, but my graduate GPA was not where I hoped it would be. PLEASE don't take my story for more than what it's worth. I got into med school with a low GPA, and I am very lucky and blessed. I'm only telling you my story as 1 person's path to medical school. Everyone has their own situation.

2. A low GPA and strong MCAT does not look good. That was my application profile (3.12/33R), and I ran into dead-ends at a lot of medical schools who wondered why my GPA was low. A really high MCAT with a low GPA is a red flag saying - this is a bright kid who just doesnt work very hard. NOT a good impression for the ad-com!!!

3. Stick to your goals. Like I said, many people told me to pursue other paths early in my application process (total of 3 application rounds). I could have gone to the caribbean after UG, but I personally was not interested in that option. Same with DO, and another career was outta the question. My goal was a US medical school (M.D.) and I got it because I was persistent.

4. Connections are great to make, but don't take anything for granted. I cannot stress this enough. During my UG years all I heard was "It's so key to make connections for med school admission. It's not what you know, it's who you know". That's bull****. I had some great connections at a number of schools which I got rejected from. Now, I know I had a low GPA.. but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't extra disappointed with rejections from certain schools that I had "connections" at. Sometimes, connections do help and the saying proves true. But, it's a toss-up. And you can't put all your eggs in 1 basket. My point is, take NOTHING for granted.. DEFINITELY meet people (Deans, committee members, admissions counselors), be active, show them how badly you want to be an MD ... BUT don't think, not for 1 second, that Dr. XYZ is going to "pull" you into med school.. Only YOU can do that. The fact that I had connections did not overshadow my GPA. The MOST important thing is having a high GPA and strong MCAT. That's priority #1

5. Stay humble. ALWAYS stay humble. Don't get bitter, jealous, and when you get in, don't brag. Med school admissions is a very long, painful and draining process for most people. Be respectful. I'm only writing this post to give people hope who are in the same situation I was in 2 years ago... My med school admission process, although its over, was a VERY humbling experience. It has really opened my eyes and I've learned lessons about all kinds of things.

I think someone should sticky this comment. 🙂

 

[gafft]

Kickass. This gonna be my motto for the rest of the semester. Maybe I can still pull off an A in O-chem.

When I was 19 I had a 1.8 gpa in college. As of now, I'm going to P&S this fall. TAKE NO GODDAMN PRISONERS. MAKE THE A IN ORGO HAPPEN.

 

[noonday]

me: non-trad, have a master's in an unrelated science

accepted one MD program (i don't know if i'll go or not, leaning towards no. the lesson, as always, is to not apply somewhere you're not 100% sure you'd go. mistake i made.), waiting to hear from two DO programs (one i would go to definitely, one i don't know really yet):

BCPM undergrad: 2.6
overall undergrad: 2.9
BCPM grad: 3.6
overall grad: 3.8
BCPM total: 3.0
overall total: 3.1
MCAT: 35S (13V, 11P, 11B)

(ooh, recalculating that for my new application cycle...must go change my MDapp profile, it's off on there).

 

[SailCrazy]

Also, if/when you apply DO, they will count only your most recent attempt of a class in your GPA calculations, so if you've retaken any classes in an attempt to raise your GPA, the earlier classes don't count in your GPA. (That's for DO only, not MD.)

Good luck.