Low GPA

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Kingslayer3395

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Hey I am retaking the MCAT next week and was planning to apply to med school this coming June. On my practice exams for AAMC I have been scoring about 497-499. I can never top that because I can never get above a 122 in CARS. I am a senior so I am already taking a gap year. I was just confused on what to do during it. I got into some SMP programs at Toledo, Case Western, LECOM, and Toruo (waiting on VCOM) but am not sure which one to choose. I have heard great things but also recently heard that although Toruo offers direct acceptance into their med school, it is extremely rigorous and students are graded on standard deviation. Not sure if I should do an SMP now or what is the best way for me to get into and DO or MD school. Just very confused and do not know where to go from here. No one is telling me to hang up the towel and just do something else but some of these threads are so discouraging.
 
We'll need more stats to be able to help you. What is your cGPA, sGPA, extracurricular hours, work hours, LoRs?

Kingslayer3395 said:
Not sure if I should do an SMP now or what is the best way for me to get into and DO or MD school. Just very confused and do not know where to go from here. No one is telling me to hang up the towel and just do something else but some of these threads are so discouraging.
Click to expand...

It depends on your career goals. Are you gunning for MD or DO? From your post, it seems like you don't have a preference. I'm sure you know that SMPs without a direct linkage to a med school is a huge gamble. Even those with a guaranteed interview/acceptance clause is still risky. That's why most would suggest it only as a last resort.

If you are very desperate to start medical school AND your grades are way below the DO average AND your interests lie in primary care, then go with Touro (or VCOM) and ace their SMP while achieving the necessary MCAT to get the guaranteed seat.
 
I'm not sure about the other SMP programs you've mentioned, but when I interviewed at Touro-Harlem's DO program, there was a Q&A with current students. A couple of them matriculated from the SMP program. They talked about how they had lower than average stats, so they decided to do an SMP at Touro because they guarantee acceptance to Touro as long as you have a minimum gpa (3.4 or 3.5 I think). However, they said it was incredibly difficult, one person even redid the program to get the min GPA. Unless your GPA is high enough to offset a very low MCAT, I think a bridge program, like Touro's, where you don't need an MCAT score, would be a good option for you.

However, I also think it's risky because you would have additional debt before medical school. Also, I've heard SMP programs are incredibly rigorous, so there's no guarantee you'd even get in and you'd be left with a lot of debt.

Good luck!
 
Kingslayer3395 said:
Hey I am retaking the MCAT next week and was planning to apply to med school this coming June. On my practice exams for AAMC I have been scoring about 497-499. I can never top that because I can never get above a 122 in CARS. I am a senior so I am already taking a gap year. I was just confused on what to do during it. I got into some SMP programs at Toledo, Case Western, LECOM, and Toruo (waiting on VCOM) but am not sure which one to choose. I have heard great things but also recently heard that although Toruo offers direct acceptance into their med school, it is extremely rigorous and students are graded on standard deviation. Not sure if I should do an SMP now or what is the best way for me to get into and DO or MD school. Just very confused and do not know where to go from here. No one is telling me to hang up the towel and just do something else but some of these threads are so discouraging.
Click to expand...
Focus on the MCAT. If you pop a 505+ youre competitive for a good amount of DO programs. If you want MD then do the SMP get a 3.7+ and shoot for a 510+ MCAT. Youre young and have so much time to figure things out. My advice is work your butt off and shoot for MD (opens more doors)
 
Kingslayer3395 said:
Hey I am retaking the MCAT next week and was planning to apply to med school this coming June. On my practice exams for AAMC I have been scoring about 497-499. I can never top that because I can never get above a 122 in CARS. I am a senior so I am already taking a gap year. I was just confused on what to do during it. I got into some SMP programs at Toledo, Case Western, LECOM, and Toruo (waiting on VCOM) but am not sure which one to choose. I have heard great things but also recently heard that although Toruo offers direct acceptance into their med school, it is extremely rigorous and students are graded on standard deviation. Not sure if I should do an SMP now or what is the best way for me to get into and DO or MD school. Just very confused and do not know where to go from here. No one is telling me to hang up the towel and just do something else but some of these threads are so discouraging.
Click to expand...
I recommend the SMP because your MCAT score will keep you out of med school and nmow it's up to you to prove that you can handle med school.

Which SMP? Pick the shorted, cheapest and one the best linkage package. I believe that LECOM fits the bill...autoaccept with a performance of a 3.x or better in the program.
 
Goro said:
I recommend the SMP because your MCAT score will keep you out of med school and nmow it's up to you to prove that you can handle med school.

Which SMP? Pick the shorted, cheapest and one the best linkage package. I believe that LECOM fits the bill...autoaccept with a performance of a 3.x or better in the program.
Click to expand...

LECOM's SMP only gives a guaranteed interview.
 
paradoxic_toxic said:
We'll need more stats to be able to help you. What is your cGPA, sGPA, extracurricular hours, work hours, LoRs?



It depends on your career goals. Are you gunning for MD or DO? From your post, it seems like you don't have a preference. I'm sure you know that SMPs without a direct linkage to a med school is a huge gamble. Even those with a guaranteed interview/acceptance clause is still risky. That's why most would suggest it only as a last resort.

If you are very desperate to start medical school AND your grades are way below the DO average AND your interests lie in primary care, then go with Touro (or VCOM) and ace their SMP while achieving the necessary MCAT to get the guaranteed seat.
Click to expand...
cGPA is a 3.4, sGPA is probably a 3.1ish. Many good extracurricular hours, volunteering, and I think decent LoRs. I would be happy with a DO. Yea I have been hearing a lot of things about the direct linkages (such as touro) that they grade on a standard deviation etc. That's why I was thinking that maybe its better for me to look at Toledo just because it seems like majority of students get into their school or at least some DO school except for maybe 3/4 students. However at Toledo it seems that they do not grade on a standard deviation like Touro. I just want to get to medical school
 
Deecee2DO said:
Focus on the MCAT. If you pop a 505+ youre competitive for a good amount of DO programs. If you want MD then do the SMP get a 3.7+ and shoot for a 510+ MCAT. Youre young and have so much time to figure things out. My advice is work your butt off and shoot for MD (opens more doors)
Click to expand...
Yea I am trying, but in CARS I just can't pass 122 no matter what. I should be above 500 if I can just do better in that. But not sure
 
Goro said:
I recommend the SMP because your MCAT score will keep you out of med school and nmow it's up to you to prove that you can handle med school.

Which SMP? Pick the shorted, cheapest and one the best linkage package. I believe that LECOM fits the bill...autoaccept with a performance of a 3.x or better in the program.
Click to expand...
Yea it seems like LECOM and Toledo are the best based on the research I've done. VCOM and Touro are direct admittance, however Touro grades on a standard deviation, which is kinda scary. The only thing about LECOM is that they guarantee an interview but how many students actually get one and of those students who get one, how many matriculate.
 
Kingslayer3395 said:
cGPA is a 3.4, sGPA is probably a 3.1ish. Many good extracurricular hours, volunteering, and I think decent LoRs. I would be happy with a DO. Yea I have been hearing a lot of things about the direct linkages (such as touro) that they grade on a standard deviation etc. That's why I was thinking that maybe its better for me to look at Toledo just because it seems like majority of students get into their school or at least some DO school except for maybe 3/4 students. However at Toledo it seems that they do not grade on a standard deviation like Touro. I just want to get to medical school
Click to expand...

In this case, hold off on SMP. You're stats are average for DO but not so bad that it warrants an SMP. I would only consider SMP after a few failed cycles.

Perhaps you should do a DIY post bac and raise your sGPA past 3.2 to open up a few more doors. Work on getting an MCAT score above 505 and you should okay for a good amount of DO schools.

The road to med school is a marathon, no need to rush and place yourself in a worse situation.
 
Faha said:
Post your new MCAT score here when available and I will suggest DO schools you could apply to.
Click to expand...
Hey I just received my MCAT score back. 494 (125, 122, 123, 124) 5/11/19 ---- 497 (124, 122, 127, 124) 1/18/20. I am still thinking of applying this May even though its pretty low. I think I am going to retake it again even though I can never get my CARS score above a 122. I am not sure which SMP to pick now though.
 
Is English your first language? Have you tried using a MCAT tutor, especially for CARS? 497 is pretty low averaged that would be about a 496) It’s not your GPA that will keep you out of DO school -it is your MCAT.
 
candbgirl said:
Is English your first language? Have you tried using a MCAT tutor, especially for CARS? 497 is pretty low averaged that would be about a 496) It’s not your GPA that will keep you out of DO school -it is your MCAT.
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Yea English is my first language and I did have a tutor this time around for my second attempt. Didn't help I guess
 
Deecee2DO said:
Do you think you need extended time? Do you get testng anxiety? or felt super rushed?
Click to expand...
I think for me usually for most of the passages I do fine, but there are always like 2 of them where I get majority wrong. That is where I take the biggest hit.
 
Kingslayer3395 said:
Hey I just received my MCAT score back. 494 (125, 122, 123, 124) 5/11/19 ---- 497 (124, 122, 127, 124) 1/18/20. I am still thinking of applying this May even though its pretty low. I think I am going to retake it again even though I can never get my CARS score above a 122. I am not sure which SMP to pick now though.
Click to expand...
I would hold off. You would waste your money on a futile application. Don't apply too early with a less than stellar application. Don't rush until you figure out the MCAT. A third rushed attempt would potentially sink your chances for a long time because all scores are reported on the application.

If you got into an SMP that also includes test prep, that should be an option. Take care of your grades and testing issues before trying again with the MCAT.

Sent from my SM-N960U using SDN mobile
 
Deecee2DO said:
How many practice tests did you take before you took it and how well did you simulate test day for them?
Click to expand...
In total, I have taken 18 practice exams for both attempts. Repeated the AAMC exams twice. My scores have ranged from 491 (on kaplan exams) to 504 (on official AAMC sample). I simulated them pretty well to the real thing.
 
Kingslayer3395 said:
Hey I just received my MCAT score back. 494 (125, 122, 123, 124) 5/11/19 ---- 497 (124, 122, 127, 124) 1/18/20. I am still thinking of applying this May even though its pretty low. I think I am going to retake it again even though I can never get my CARS score above a 122. I am not sure which SMP to pick now though.
Click to expand...
Pick a program given at a med school. Has some sort of linkage, the least tuition, and is one year in length
 
Kingslayer3395 said:
In total, I have taken 18 practice exams for both attempts. Repeated the AAMC exams twice. My scores have ranged from 491 (on kaplan exams) to 504 (on official AAMC sample). I simulated them pretty well to the real thing.
Click to expand...
why would you take the real MCAT with scores in this range? Still pretty lethal for DO/MD. I would say SMP with linkage and perhaps an MCAT retake after the SMP if you were thinking of applying other places. That tutor stole your money for sure.
 
Kingslayer3395 said:
In total, I have taken 18 practice exams for both attempts. Repeated the AAMC exams twice. My scores have ranged from 491 (on kaplan exams) to 504 (on official AAMC sample). I simulated them pretty well to the real thing.
Click to expand...
I would seek out a better tutor. I think you can get into medical school if you play your cards right and stay imformed about the process and lastly work your butt off. Youll get there we have faith in you. Keep trying dont give up
 
Kumorebi said:
why would you take the real MCAT with scores in this range? Still pretty lethal for DO/MD. I would say SMP with linkage and perhaps an MCAT retake after the SMP if you were thinking of applying other places. That tutor stole your money for sure.
Click to expand...
Because I already pushed it back from September to January. I had to take it at some point.
 
Deecee2DO said:
I would seek out a better tutor. I think you can get into medical school if you play your cards right and stay imformed about the process and lastly work your butt off. Youll get there we have faith in you. Keep trying dont give up
Click to expand...
Do you know of any good tutor companies or where to find one? Clearly the last one didnt work lol
 
Goro said:
I believe that LECOM has a very good linkage deal.
Click to expand...
Yea I am definitely leaning that way. I heard its super challenging and a lot of students can't matriculate after but hopefully it works out. The amount of courses at a given time seem pretty daunting
 
Kingslayer3395 said:
Yea I am definitely leaning that way. I heard its super challenging and a lot of students can't matriculate after but hopefully it works out. The amount of courses at a given time seem pretty daunting
Click to expand...
You can do it you just have to be willing to put in the time. Remember anyone with avg intelligence or better can do med school they just have to be willing to bust their tail. You dont need a crazy high IQ (im not insinuating yours is avg or low just saying some people think you need to be a genius to get through med school. you dont. you just need to work hard and smart). Trust me im avg intelligence and im here-my work ethic got me here.
 
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