Low GPA

[butlerw2]

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Here is my situation: in my earlier years of undergrad, I had no idea whether I wanted to go to medical school or grad school. I am a biochemistry major and we have two tracks: preprofessional and research. Research is much more rigorous requiring you to take organic chemistry 3, two semesters of physical chemistry, advanced analytical chemistry, advanced inorganic, etc. The thing is I did well in my science classes getting almost all A/A- (besides physics where I got a B-). My GPA is low though because I put all my work into those hard classes that my gen eds I mostly got Bs in which brought my cum down to a 3.25. I'm only a junior so I'm hoping to have that up by the time I apply to med school (I am taking a gap year when I graduate). But am I screwed? If I could go back in time I would have chosen an easier major and had a better gpa but I didn't know what I wanted to do then so my gpa is lowish. I do have some shadowing experience with doctors, volunteer stuff, etc. But the cum GPA is killing my chances

 

[DoctorKrieger]

Here is my situation: in my earlier years of undergrad, I had no idea whether I wanted to go to medical school or grad school. I am a biochemistry major and we have two tracks: preprofessional and research. Research is much more rigorous requiring you to take organic chemistry 3, two semesters of physical chemistry, advanced analytical chemistry, advanced inorganic, etc. The thing is I did well in my science classes getting almost all A/A- (besides physics where I got a B-). My GPA is low though because I put all my work into those hard classes that my gen eds I mostly got Bs in which brought my cum down to a 3.25. I'm only a junior so I'm hoping to have that up by the time I apply to med school (I am taking a gap year when I graduate). But am I screwed? If I could go back in time I would have chosen an easier major and had a better gpa but I didn't know what I wanted to do then so my gpa is lowish. I do have some shadowing experience with doctors, volunteer stuff, etc. But the cum GPA is killing my chances

So your science gpa is close to 4.0? You're fine for DO schools. The science and cumulative gpa are separated in the app process. Concentrate more on the MCAT. Why the gap year?

 

[BrawnsNBrain]

@DoctorKrieger his science GPA can't be close to a 4.0 with a B- and A-.

I'm assuming your cGPA is 3.2 and sGPA is 3.4. If these GPAs stay the same, and you get a 30 on the MCAT, you'll have a shot at DO (most likely get at least 1 acceptance). For MD however, it would be a long shot. I'd recommend taking some classes in the gap year to get As in classes you originally got anything lower than an A-. You don't need a postbacc program, but if you can afford it, do it.

 

[DoctorKrieger]

@DoctorKrieger his science GPA can't be close to a 4.0 with a B- and A-.

I'm assuming your cGPA is 3.2 and sGPA is 3.4. If these GPAs stay the same, and you get a 30 on the MCAT, you'll have a shot at DO (most likely get at least 1 acceptance). For MD however, it would be a long shot. I'd recommend taking some classes in the gap year to get As in classes you originally got anything lower than an A-. You don't need a postbacc program, but if you can afford it, do it.

He said he got one B out of all his science courses, and the rest As. My school didn't use the +/- grading system so maybe that's where I'm misunderstanding.

 

[BrawnsNBrain]

He said he got one B out of all his science courses, and the rest As. My school didn't use the +/- grading system so maybe that's where I'm misunderstanding.

An A- is a 3.65, a B- is a 2.7. You'd be surprised how a handful of A- will affect the overall GPA in a +/- grading system 🙂

 

[DoctorKrieger]

An A- is a 3.65, a B- is a 2.7. You'd be surprised how a handful of A- will affect the overall GPA in a +/- grading system 🙂

A 2.7 for a B-? Sounds brutal. Glad I didn't have to worry about every couple of points making such a big difference.

 

[butlerw2]

Yeah my sgpa is around a 3.45. Cum is 3.25.

I just hope that committees will look at the fact that my schedule was more rigorous than some other premed tracks.. And take that into account

 

[DoctorKrieger]

Yeah my sgpa is around a 3.45. Cum is 3.25.

I just hope that committees will look at the fact that my schedule was more rigorous than some other premed tracks.. And take that into account

They will. Also, a 3.45 sgpa is still well within competitive range for DO schools, especially with a ~27+ MCAT and I'm going to guess you won't have a problem getting that on the MCAT.

 

[Goro]

Your cGPA is fine for pretty much any DO program, so quit fussing.

Here is my situation: in my earlier years of undergrad, I had no idea whether I wanted to go to medical school or grad school. I am a biochemistry major and we have two tracks: preprofessional and research. Research is much more rigorous requiring you to take organic chemistry 3, two semesters of physical chemistry, advanced analytical chemistry, advanced inorganic, etc. The thing is I did well in my science classes getting almost all A/A- (besides physics where I got a B-). My GPA is low though because I put all my work into those hard classes that my gen eds I mostly got Bs in which brought my cum down to a 3.25. I'm only a junior so I'm hoping to have that up by the time I apply to med school (I am taking a gap year when I graduate). But am I screwed? If I could go back in time I would have chosen an easier major and had a better gpa but I didn't know what I wanted to do then so my gpa is lowish. I do have some shadowing experience with doctors, volunteer stuff, etc. But the cum GPA is killing my chances

 

[Blackxp]

End strong and apply with much vigor and you got this! 😀

As Goro said your cGPA is plenty fine for a DO school and they do look at your overall application. They can sense when an applicant took easy courses to fluff their GPA and when they are like you who took on brutal courses and came out covered in blood, sweat, and tears. But you made it out alive and with a very impressive GPA for your major.

Take the MCAT, that will be a large indicator of how competitively you are for MD schools if thats what you are worried about. But as Goro said you are definitely competitive to apply to medical school. So I would not sweat it. Focus on the more important steps right now.

Good Luck!