Need Advice, Ideas --- LOW GPA

[SereMariposa]

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[Blunt Dissection]

Hello Everyone,

I am so glad I found this forum, lots of good advice.

So I am pretty much in a big hole. I graduated from Undergrad about a year ago with a horrible GPA. I had lots of things going on during my undergrad but I will not get into details as that is not the point of my post.
According to the UCSF calculator my GPA is:

overall GPA 2.6
sGPA 2.5
all other GPA 2.7

So basically I want to start taking classes this summer. I will do a DIY post bacc as I have to work to feed myself. I am planning to take classes at a university, I have heard that taking classes at a CC is not a good idea because adcoms look down upon them. Is this true? Also should I take all upper div science courses? or some lower divs are good? I did most of my pre-reqs at a CC, If do retake can I retake at the CC or should I do it at the 4 yr univ? The only problem I see if the difference in units.
I just need general advice about how to go through this all. I know I have the potential to be a doctor.

Thank you so much!

At this point, you should not be concerned with whether or not you're taking classes at a CC or not. Adcoms won't care whether or not your classes are coming from a CC - they're going to care that you have a sub 3.0 GPA. If taking classes at a CC is going to allow you to not work and focus on classes, then go to a CC. Retake any F/D/C classes whether or not you've taken them before - if your CC won't let you, go take it at a different CC. After you've developed the study habits and can pull near a 4.0 with a full course load at your CC, you can start considering taking upper divs through a university extension or through a formal postbac. At this point you've got at minimum 2 years of grade repair to do before you even stand a chance at applying to medical school.

 

[deleted480308]

DO grade replacement till your gpa is in the 3.4ish range, then mcat, then applly

 

[SpartanWolverine]

The problem is that, assuming your degree is somewhere around 120 credits, you will have to take a lot of coursework to average out to an acceptably high GPA. I agree that DO grade replacement is your best bet (still a big battle) to get your GPA up above a 3.0. Even with a 3.1-3.2 and a 30+ MCAT, your chances at decent DO schools is mediocre.

So, for now, think about the most efficient ways you can boost your GPA up. I might consider a structured postbacc, but I believe most of the programs require somewhere around a 3.0 minimum.

 

[deleted248403]

At this point, you should not be concerned with whether or not you're taking classes at a CC or not. Adcoms won't care whether or not your classes are coming from a CC - they're going to care that you have a sub 3.0 GPA. If taking classes at a CC is going to allow you to not work and focus on classes, then go to a CC. .

They absolutely will care

Retake any F/D/C classes whether or not you've taken them before - if your CC won't let you, go take it at a different CC. After you've developed the study habits and can pull near a 4.0 with a full course load at your CC, you can start considering taking upper divs through a university extension or through a formal postbac. At this point you've got at minimum 2 years of grade repair to do before you even stand a chance at applying to medical school.

However, your approach is correct

It is only offered as an online course at my CC, are online courses okay?

Unless you are in the military and deployed overseas, no - online is not ok for grade redemption situations

 

[deleted480308]

Unless you are in the military and deployed overseas, no - online is not ok for grade redemption situations

You'll need to cite this.....I don't believe you are correct

 

[deleted248403]

You'll need to cite this.....I don't believe you are correct

Cite what? The fact that I've been part of an adcom at my med school and we dont like online classes unless there is a compelling reason because a) there isnt necessary academy integrity and b) why are you avoiding interacting with other humans directly?

So, uh, yeah... about that.

 

[deleted480308]

Cite what? The fact that I've been part of an adcom at my med school and we dont like online classes unless there is a compelling reason because a) there isnt necessary academy integrity and b) why are you avoiding interacting with other humans directly?

So, uh, yeah... about that.

It's my assumption we're all agreeing that MD just isn't in the cards here and we're discussing DO grade replacement in which case the online courses work just fine for that policy. Any school high end enough to turn down their nose at online or cc classes isn't touching this student anyway. As a non-trad working to pay their bills, online cc/state school is clearly their best option for everything that isn't a lab class.

 

[deleted248403]

It's my assumption we're all agreeing that MD just isn't in the cards here and we're discussing DO grade replacement in which case the online courses work just fine for that policy. Any school high end enough to turn down their nose at online or cc classes isn't touching this student anyway. As a non-trad working to pay their bills, online cc/state school is clearly their best option for everything that isn't a lab class.

Nope - CC is an option to get into the swing of learning how to get As, not to get into med school.

OP will need to take 1 or 2 classes at CC, get an A, then move to a 4-year, get more As, then take an SMP or something.

Online is simply not an option in grade redemption situations. And the need for DO grade forgiveness for classes taken at the CC is a worrying sign, and they will see it as such. Both grades get reported, but only the higher grade goes into the GPA. They will notice that it took you two bites at the apple to get a respectable grade at a below-competitive level.

 

[deleted480308]

Nope - CC is an option to get into the swing of learning how to get As, not to get into med school.

OP will need to take 1 or 2 classes at CC, get an A, then move to a 4-year, get more As, then take an SMP or something.

Online is simply not an option in grade redemption situations. And the need for DO grade forgiveness for classes taken at the CC is a worrying sign, and they will see it as such. Both grades get reported, but only the higher grade goes into the GPA. They will notice that it took you two bites at the apple to get a respectable grade at a below-competitive level.

My 90% DO interview invite rate with mediocre grades rehabbed solely by online classes while all of my sciences (these were hybrid) were taken at a community college would disagree with you.

You are speaking in absolutes and you are wrong, sorry

 

[deleted248403]

My 90% DO interview invite rate with mediocre grades rehabbed solely by online classes while all of my sciences (these were hybrid) were taken at a community college would disagree with you.

You are speaking in absolutes and you are wrong, sorry

You are one lucky individual. and n=1, doesnt prove your rule

I am speaking in the majority of cases, not the odd one or two cases that differ

 

[deleted480308]

You are one lucky individual. and n=1, doesnt prove your rule

I am speaking in the majority of cases, not the odd one or two cases that differ

In the DO universe, you are simply wrong

 

[deleted248403]

In the DO universe, you are simply wrong

Outside of your n=1, you are simply wrong

 

[deleted480308]

Outside of your n=1, you are simply wrong

your objection is noted...

 

[ayylmao]

your objection is noted...

Don't disagree with the internet experts, don't you know?

 

[deleted480308]

I like the little debate xD, I actually don't like online classes, so I will avoid this to be safe. I am only planning to retake 3 courses at CC. I could do it at a 4 but I don't know how to make the conversion from a semester class to be replaced by a quarter class, because I want to replace one Chem class that is part of a series.
so if I am understanding grade replacement
I got an F for a computer class for 5 units at a quarter. This could be replaced by a 4 unit comp class at a semester school right?

The rules applies after conversion? in this case 3.3 ( after conversion ) to be replaced by 4 units

Thank you!

I would contact aacomas directly with oddball specifics....