Need Some Help!!!

[dnkhant]

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Hey guys!

My gpa is really terrible (around 3.0), and I plan on pulling it up to at least a 3.4 - 3.5 (I just finished my sophomore year in college). I have yet to take the MCAT. This past year has been really brutal on me due to my best friend's death, which had its toll on my grades. I had solid grades my freshman year but during my sophomore year, I had C's in easy A+ classes (like intro to sociology and statistics). I just wanted to know how I could explain this incident to the admissions committee, and also would it even help?

p.s. I had a bunch of volunteer work in high school but nothing in college. I was a part of the intramural football team both years and the Housing Judicial Board during my sophomore year (doubt that helps any). Just trying to see if I still have a chance at my life long goal. Thanks in advance for your insight.

 

[Catalystik]

Many med school Secondary essays give you a chance to explain special circumstances that resulted in academic challenge. Having a good reason, however, doesn't excuse you from needing to redeem the poor grades. In your case, you'll need straight As for an equal number of credit hours to get your GPA to a 3.5 by graduation. With a strong MCAT score, like 32+, you'd still have a shot at allo schools. Osteopathic schools are more forgiving of academic difficulty and have a grade replacement policy that can help you if perfect grades aren't possible for you.

Two years is still enough time to get in the needed clinical experience, shadowing, community service, research, and possibly leadership and teaching. But your priority right now is great grades, so don't be distracted by ECs until your academics are under control. There's no requirement for applying to med school straight out of undergrad.