MUST RAISE GPA...but how?

[Unepetitevoix]

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Hello. I post here a lot needing advice, and this is no exception! I graduated with my BS two months ago, with two D's in my last quarter. My lower division (community college, where I took a lot of my science courses) GPA was a 3.2. My 4-year GPA was a 2.3. I'm guessing that puts me somewhere in the 2.7-2.8 overall range, with an ugly downward trend. I probably need to take classes before applying to SMPs and post bac. Which types of classes should I be taking? I don't know if I should re-do the science courses I took in community college, especially the ones I got C's in, or if I should just take random science upper division classes and at least get my GPA up to a 3.0. What would you recommend? (By the way, I would prefer to apply to programs that have linkage, which I understand are more competitive.)

 

[Valence23]

I would probably start by retaking the core classes that you got C's in (what classes were the D's in?) Also, was there any particular reason for the downward trend? (You might want to mention the reason, if any, when you do start applying for post-bac programs)

 

[Perrotfish]

I'm assuming you've finished the prereqs for med school, with grades of at least a C in all of them? If so:

If you're planning on applying to MD schools, take the easiest upper level science courses you can

If you're planning on focusing on DO schools, retake the courses you recieve the lowest grades in and ace them (assuming you think you CAN ace them, don't get a C twice).

Remember the key to getting into a competitive, high linkage SMP is going to be your MCAT, so make sure you're not planning on taking a lot of classes or working the semester you're studying for that.

g'luck

 

[Unepetitevoix]

Hello! Thank you for responding. 🙂

My two D's were in Neuroscience courses (but they were both in the Psych department. Does that count as science?)

The downward trend was because of many factors, the two major ones being personal problems and illness.

And, just curious, any reason why DO schools prefer re-taking core science courses and MD schools prefer taking upper divisions?

Thank you!

 

[yadave]

study your ass off like uve never done before, from what i know after getting advice myself, any courses you have gotten lower than a C in you really need to retake and get all A's. You know, i know it takes a lot of messing up to get yourself in the hole of a bad GPA but honestly it will come up faster than you realize. Just put in effort. If you really wanna be a doctor it will really pay off to put in this extra time and money because in the end you will see what you worked your butt off for. Keep at it and you'll get there just like the rest of us 🙂 Best of luck to you.

 

[PmDawn]

I just had one question, can you re-take the basic science courses that you got a C or lower in at a Community College, or would it be better to take these classes at a 4-yr University?

 

[naijachica]

I just had one question, can you re-take the basic science courses that you got a C or lower in at a Community College, or would it be better to take these classes at a 4-yr University?

You should definitely take those classes at a 4-yr university because it is obviously more rigorous and can better attest to your academic abilities. If there is one class that you had to take at a community college for some reason, I don't think it would hurt too bad, but it is definitely in your best interest to take classes at a 4 yr if possible.