MD Need advice

[controlxt]

Hello all. I am a senior biology major currently on track to graduate in the spring. right now I have a 3.0 sGPA and a 3.7 cGPA. I have only 1 summer of research experience due to working throughout my undergraduate career. I am considering applying to med school and I know how uncompetitive my stats are. I have three options that I am struggling with
1. apply to med school and see what happens (highly unlikely)
2. take a postbacc (i will have 120 credits by graduation so idk how beneficial this is)
3. an SMP or an MPH

I will be taking the MCAT next year. I want a full year of studying to go into it so I can get the highest score possible to offset the low GPA
Is there any advice for someone in my position? I want to boost my application in any way I can

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[DelayedGratification]

As a biology major I presume you have already taken many of the upper level bio classes and not done so well in them...I think you should look for a graduate-level program unless you score 515+ on your mcat. I can't see a postbacc helping here, and unfortunately MPH does not prove ability to take hard sciences.

How is your GPA trend? clinical experiences? other ECs?

 

[Faha]

You need to increase your sGPA. You could do this by taking science courses at a local college (community college is fine).

 

[controlxt]

As a biology major I presume you have already taken many of the upper level bio classes and not done so well in them...I think you should look for a graduate-level program unless you score 515+ on your mcat. I can't see a postbacc helping here, and unfortunately MPH does not prove ability to take hard sciences.

How is your GPA trend? clinical experiences? other ECs?

Its a relatively upward trend i would say. Mostly during my junior/senior years even though these are my hardest courses

 

[controlxt]

As a biology major I presume you have already taken many of the upper level bio classes and not done so well in them...I think you should look for a graduate-level program unless you score 515+ on your mcat. I can't see a postbacc helping here, and unfortunately MPH does not prove ability to take hard sciences.

How is your GPA trend? clinical experiences? other ECs?

Its a relatively upward trend i would say. Mostly during my junior/senior years even though these are my hardest courses

 

[controlxt]

You need to increase your sGPA. You could do this by taking science courses at a local college (community college is fine).

As in graduate then take science courses or delay graduation and take more science courses?

 

[DelayedGratification]

Its a relatively upward trend i would say. Mostly during my junior/senior years even though these are my hardest courses

This is good, definitely a positive. If you don't mind me asking, what upper level bios have you taken, and what do you have left that is offered at your school?

 

[controlxt]

This is good, definitely a positive. If you don't mind me asking, what upper level bios have you taken, and what do you have left that is offered at your school?

I am currently taking:
- biochemistry
-neurobiology
-animal behavior

I have taken:
- organic chem
-pop bio
-gene

i can take:
- behavioral neuroscience
-molecular biology
-immunology
-endocrinology

there are others I could take but I would have to look at the specifics

 

[DelayedGratification]

You have a lot of upper level bios left; i would suggest looking into possibly taking any of - anatomy and physio, immunology, microbiology, cell biology, developmental biology

 

[candbgirl]

You really have to get your sGPA up quite a bit. Why do you only have a 3.0 in your major? The first thing you have to figure out is why you are only at 3.0 and when you do that then you need to start getting As in all of your science classes. How are your ECs? Any shadowing, clinical experience, nonclinical volunteering? You shouldn’t even think about applying. You really aren’t ready to apply and you really only want to do it one time with the best possible application. So take your time and do it right.

 

[controlxt]

You really have to get your sGPA up quite a bit. Why do you only have a 3.0 in your major? The first thing you have to figure out is why you are only at 3.0 and when you do that then you need to start getting As in all of your science classes. How are your ECs? Any shadowing, clinical experience, nonclinical volunteering? You shouldn’t even think about applying. You really aren’t ready to apply and you really only want to do it one time with the best possible application. So take your time and do it right.

what are your suggestions?

 

[controlxt]

You have a lot of upper level bios left; i would suggest looking into possibly taking any of - anatomy and physio, immunology, microbiology, cell biology, developmental biology

That is what i'm leaning towards. I may have to extend my graduation 1 more year to take some upper bio coursework

 

[Faha]

As in graduate then take science courses or delay graduation and take more science courses?

Either way is fine.

 

[candbgirl]

what are your suggestions?

Whatever you have to do but don’t take any more classes until you figure out why you are only getting Bs. Bs won’t be of any use to you. You have to get As to move your sGPA up. You have to prove to ADCOMS that you can handle med school. A 3.0 sGPA won’t do it.

 

[candbgirl]

A couple of us have asked about your ECs. How are they?

And a high MCAT won’t offset a low sGPA. How many science hours do you currently have? Are you currently 9 or 12 science hours? Do you expect to get As in these courses?