Low Master's GPA... should I withdraw?

[Chippopotamus]

Hello,

I have completed my undergraduate degree with a 3.7 GPA and am currently applying to medical schools (MDs). However, I haven't had much success this cycle and am planning for becoming a reapplicant with an improved app. However, I am currently doing a Master's degree, but my grades so far (halfway into the one-year program) are low at ~3.4 GPA. (This is a regular Master's degree and not a SMP for clarification.) I am considering withdrawing from my Master's degree if the lower grades would negatively affect my reapplication, especially since to my knowledge negative trends in graduate school are not looked at favorably. Would I still need to report my fall semester grades if I end up not completing my Master's degree? Are my chances for a MD school very low if I don't get in this cycle (since I would have to report low Master's grades or a withdrawal)? If anybody has any other advice on how to proceed, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

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[Goro]

Yes, you have to report your grades.

 

[MawbleIM]

I’m curious why you chose to do a masters program? Is this just something for your own entertainment or that you felt you needed?

 

[KnightDoc]

"Very low" chance is relative and impossible to say, especially because a 3.7 GPA is fine for med school and is not the reason you are not having success now.

A high GPA in a masters, other than a SMP, wouldn't have helped you, since they tend to be so grade inflated. I'm not sure whether a 3.4 would hurt you, but it definitely won't help. Neither will a bunch of Ws, which are your other option.

Yes, you need to report everything. AMCAS will find it when they do their verification if you don't, and then you'll have another problem for falsely certifying your application when you submit without it. Good luck!!

 

[Chippopotamus]

I’m curious why you chose to do a masters program? Is this just something for your own entertainment or that you felt you needed?

I am kind of regretting doing the masters now... I didn't do it to improve my GPA, but I originally thought it would be helpful for my career (it's a specialized field unrelated to medicine, similar to an MBA).

 

[KnightDoc]

I am kind of regretting doing the masters now... I didn't do it to improve my GPA, but I originally thought it would be helpful for my career (it's a specialized field unrelated to medicine, similar to an MBA).

I hear you, and it sucks, but I honestly don't think it will be the end of the world. You've already paid for the program and you're already in the middle of it, so you might as well see it through. Will it be over this year, or will you need another? If you need another year and you're not into it, you can drop it with no negative repercussions on the med school front, but there is no reason not to finish out the year, since a semester or full year withdrawal won't look any better than a B+ GPA.

Since a 4.0 wouldn't have meant much to an adcom, hopefully a 3.4 won't either. As I said before, a 3.7 cGPA is fine. CA ORMs have it rough all over the place, but you are definitely viable with a 3.7/516. Maybe bad luck, essays, LORs, ECs, or school list, but your stats should not be keeping you out of a US MD program. I guess the masters might be a decent Plan B, but I think you will be successful in medicine if you remain persistent.

 

[Chippopotamus]

I hear you, and it sucks, but I honestly don't think it will be the end of the world. You've already paid for the program and you're already in the middle of it, so you might as well see it through. Will it be over this year, or will you need another? If you need another year and you're not into it, you can drop it with no negative repercussions on the med school front, but there is no reason not to finish out the year, since a semester or full year withdrawal won't look any better than a B+ GPA.

Since a 4.0 wouldn't have meant much to an adcom, hopefully a 3.4 won't either. As I said before, a 3.7 cGPA is fine. CA ORMs have it rough all over the place, but you are definitely viable with a 3.7/516. Maybe bad luck, essays, LORs, ECs, or school list, but your stats should not be keeping you out of a US MD program. I guess the masters might be a decent Plan B, but I think you will be successful in medicine if you remain persistent.

Thanks for the advice! It's a one-year program, so I think I'll finish and try to do the best that I can next semester. I appreciate the kind words and encouragement 🙂