Need Some Advice

[brownboots]

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Hi everyone.

So I just graduated with a BA in chemistry and recently decided to pursue medicine, but my problem is my gpa. I have a cgpa of 3.2 but a sgpa of 2.7. My low science gpa is due to my last semester with heavy lab clases (4 and 5 credits) that I did not due well (C+ for both) in due to some personal issues that I have since learned to deal with. Also I received a D in pchem and analytical chem, but I had to retake them and got an A- and B the second time around. I have calculated that I would need about 32 credits to bring my sgpa up to at least a 3.0. I have been studying and plan to take the mcat in January. So my question now is do you think I would be eligible for an SMP or guided post-bac or should I just do and informal post bac and apply for an SMP once my grades are better? Also I am a urm. Thanks.

 

[ModernAlchemist]

Hi everyone.

So I just graduated with a BA in chemistry and recently decided to pursue medicine, but my problem is my gpa. I have a cgpa of 3.2 but a sgpa of 2.7. My low science gpa is due to my last semester with heavy lab clases (4 and 5 credits) that I did not due well (C+ for both) in due to some personal issues that I have since learned to deal with. Also I received a D in pchem and analytical chem, but I had to retake them and got an A- and B the second time around. I have calculated that I would need about 32 credits to bring my sgpa up to at least a 3.0. I have been studying and plan to take the mcat in January. So my question now is do you think I would be eligible for an SMP or guided post-bac or should I just do and informal post bac and apply for an SMP once my grades are better? Also I am a urm. Thanks.

If i were you, being URM, I would retake classes through a formal or informal post-bacc and apply to medical school after that. With a slightly higher than 3.0 science gpa and a good MCAT, you should get a good amount of interview with URM status. For more info, I would suggest talking to the SDN member named MedPR. Good luck!

 

[NJD519]

Hi everyone.

So I just graduated with a BA in chemistry and recently decided to pursue medicine, but my problem is my gpa. I have a cgpa of 3.2 but a sgpa of 2.7. My low science gpa is due to my last semester with heavy lab clases (4 and 5 credits) that I did not due well (C+ for both) in due to some personal issues that I have since learned to deal with. Also I received a D in pchem and analytical chem, but I had to retake them and got an A- and B the second time around. I have calculated that I would need about 32 credits to bring my sgpa up to at least a 3.0. I have been studying and plan to take the mcat in January. So my question now is do you think I would be eligible for an SMP or guided post-bac or should I just do and informal post bac and apply for an SMP once my grades are better? Also I am a urm. Thanks.

Informal post-baccalaureate, 32+ credits as close to 4.0 as possible. You probably aren't eligible for formal post-baccs because you have already taken some of the pre-req courses. This is no big deal. I would hold of on the MCAT until you have done at least half of your post-bacc credits and are closer to applying to medical school (or SMPs) so that you don't have to worry about expired MCAT down the line; in case something comes up in life or you need to re-apply later. STRAIGHT As! Or at least close to it. This is key for your trend, GPA repair, as well as a good story for your essay.

I recommend no SMP until you are at 3.0+ cGPA. This is important because a lot of schools require a 3.0 minimum GPA, and don't necessarily screen applicants (read their admissions page).

So, find a good/affordable place to take post-bacc courses on your own. Destroy them. Research SMPs and medical schools. Prepare for MCAT, take MCAT. Continue to take post-bacc courses until you matriculate to your SMP or get accepted into medical school!

Definitely possible for you to gain acceptance. You have a couple years though, depending on if you are working or just doing school and MCAT.

 

[brownboots]

Thanks so much for the advice! I will start taking classes at my state school next semester then.