Need some good input for a low GPA :(

[3aliyah]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey people -

I actually took a good look at my cumulative undergrad grades and I'm reminded once again that I can't take back what is already done. My GPA stinks at a whoppin' 2.73. I am now doing my chems and physics that I didn't take then and I intend to get A's. I have my Master's degree in Biology to add to it (don't think that matters too much though), and some research. What else can do to get that GPA up? Taking just the rest of my pre-reqs won't get it there and so do I just keep taking more classes until it gets better????? I feel like I'm in limbo but I'm determined to set things right. Any advice?

 

[imtiaz]

What's your masters GPA?

 

[A. Caveman]

look, i think that the VERY best person to answer this question is your premed advisor, if you have one. our advice should be taken with a heavier grain of salt than that of your advisor's. suggestions:

yes, keep taking classes until it's higher, take classes you like and want to learn about. get both science and cum gpa UP. i hope you did well in your master's program. although it seems schools barely care (even a 4.0 grad gpa sometimes only impresses the lower tier schools--i guess if you don't kick ass in undergrad they make it very hard for you--i think this is wrong because people change).
you also better do 32 or better on mcat just to be sure that a decent number of schools take interest in you. good luck

 

[Hi Everybody]

Have you taken the MCAT? When do you plan on applying?

 

[mongoose]

I believe that raising BCPM GPA is FAR more important than raising cum. GPA. If you do well on the MCAT, ace physics and orgo, and have good ec's, then you probably won't have as much difficulty as you might think. Definitely apply to some lower tier school, as well as some middle and upper tier schools, just to maximize your chances. You may have screwed up any opportunity to go to some place like Yale, Stanford, or UCSF, but all is not lost. Your state school will be much more forgiving.

 

[A. Caveman]

You may have screwed up any opportunity to go to some place like Yale, Stanford, or UCSF, but all is not lost. Your state school will be much more forgiving.


damn that paints an ugly picture for me, i think. state schools will probably send me to hell.

 

[mongoose]

Originally posted by A. Caveman:
•damn that paints an ugly picture for me, i think. state schools will probably send me to hell.•••

I doubt your stats are so bad your state school will show no love. I know people who have been accepted to their state school with 23 and 24 MCAT scores. They had good GPA's, but with MCAT scores like that you can see that state schools are more lenient with their residents.

 

[A. Caveman]

you're right they are more lenient. actually the florida schools (except UM to an extent) pretty much ONLY take FL residents. BUT they seem to be very gpa oriented. all have gpa averages above 3.7, and i think usf might be 3.8!! i'm worried that my 3.45 (accompanied by 3.0 senior year) will not be good enough. actually UF already told me i'm on hold (for interview!!). that sucks

 

[mongoose]

That's pretty darned high for a state school!

 

[sandflea]

Originally posted by mongoose:
•

I doubt your stats are so bad your state school will show no love. •••

this can greatly depend on the state. the first time i applied, my state school didn't even interview me, and being from illinois, my state school is the largest med school in the country! my undergrad science GPA is pretty low but i did decent on the MCAT--i was really surprised that i didn't even get an interview. in my experience, a good MCAT score will help make up for a lower GPA but your GPA is still what matters most--so much for the MCAT being the 'great equalizer'.

3aliyah, you don't say what the 2.73 is--is it your cumulative GPA or your science GPA? your science GPA matters more than cumulative, as mongoose pointed out. and how well did you do in your masters?? how well you hold up in grad school will factor in heavily for those who had less than stellar undergrad records, although caveman is right in that not all schools will care--where you stand a good chance depends on how a particular school takes grad GPAs into account. some schools still screen based on undergrad GPA, which i agree is totally unfair for those of us who have done a heck of a lot since undergrad.

so to bring up your undergrad GPA, you definitely can just keep taking undergrad-level science courses--and pulling all A's--until your GPA rises to something more desirable. it's stupid that admissions works this way (so dependent on undergrad-level stats, even for people with grad degrees) but you can play the game to your advantage. alternatively, there are post-bacc programs designed for people like you who are trying to raise their undergrad GPAs. it's basically the same thing as just randomly taking science courses, only in a more structured program. some of these programs have affiliations with med schools as well.

hope this helps. good luck to you!

 

[shimmer118]

Hi, 3aliyah!

I am in a similar situation regarding undergrad gpa...I almost didn't apply this year because I thought for sure my gpa (and not so hot mcat scores) would keep me out of the running. But after talking to my pre-med advisor, I realized that I will have NO chance of getting in if I don't even try, and some chance if I did apply. So I applied, and have had luck with interviews so far (no acceptances yet, but there's still a lot of time). What's helped me get out of the numbers ditch is that I went to a really good undergrad school, was an aeronautical engineering major for 2 years before switching to biology (so I have some really difficult classes that I didn't get A's and B's in on my transcript), I have tons of ECs (some unusual), good essays, and a bunch of great LORs.

I think your master's degree will help. And make sure you have good ECs and LORs. And an excellent pre-med advisor will do wonders! (I had one that told me I had no chance in heck of getting in, so I switched advisors and now have a wonderful, positive advisor.) And try to raise your GPA if need be, but why not try applying and see if med schools think you need to raise it? I know it's a lot of money to apply, and applying more than once can be a pain...but I'd say give it a shot.

Another thing to think about....I was really discouraged when my old advisor told me I had no chance. I mentioned this to a med-resident friend of mine, and he said this to me "If one person's comment so easily sways you from applying to med school, then maybe you don't really want to go. Med school is full of discouragement...Basically, if you want to go, then apply. Don't let someone stop you. Leave it up to med schools to decide if you're ready." That lit a fire under me, and I applied away. 🙂

Good luck!!!!!! GO FOR IT!!!!!! 😀