No A's in prereq's - problem?

[chillinillinkillin007]

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So...I never got an A in a prereq. premed class - my grades for them ranged from B- to B+ only. My science GPA is still going to be a 3.3 (3.5 cum) hopefully after next semester

how bad does this look? and for u accepted applicants how did u do in prereq. classes?

 

[Catalystik]

The average BCPM GPA for accepted MD applicants is 3.63. Having one that is significantly lower without a recent upward grade trend won't do you any favors.

 

[studpremed]

You don't need As in all your prereq however your BCPM GPA needs to be higher. As the above poster said the average is a 3.63. Just do your best to show an upward trend with your BCPM GPA.

 

[chillinillinkillin007]

do medical schools see trends/grades by semester or year?
and i also took calc. based physics (doesnt say it on my transcript)...will this be taking into account? (got b- in both)

 

[BamaNicole]

What you could do is upper div level science work and rock those classes. It'll help you science gpa and show even with low(ish) pre req grades you understand what you learned in them.

For example taking a molecular biology class or biochem class.

 

[DielsAlder]

Generally, I found my prereqs to be more difficult in that they required a huge time commitment (problem sets, 5 hr ochem labs, etc) rather than the material themselves. Upper level classes will cover generally more difficult material, but you will have a lot more time to study since you won't have those commitments. You may do a lot better since you have much more time to study for those classes.

Look into taking biochem or an upper level biology class and get A's in them.

 

[Catalystik]

do medical schools see trends/grades by semester or year?
and i also took calc. based physics (doesnt say it on my transcript)...will this be taking into account? (got b- in both)

It's easiest to view GPA trends year by year, since they're set up in a nice grid, but since the (separate) AMCAS transcript designates the term you took each class, it's possible to appreciate individual grades and term-by-term progress, but without the calculated numbers.

 

[chillinillinkillin007]

It's easiest to view GPA trends year by year, since they're set up in a nice grid, but since the (separate) AMCAS transcript designates the term you took each class, it's possible to appreciate individual grades and term-by-term progress, but without the calculated numbers.

Are the number of credits taking appear as well? Is course load something that is looked at or usually not as much? I've heard different viewpoints.

And would upper lvl psychology classes look good as well when "appreciating individuals grades" if I got A's in them (im a bio & psych double major) or do adcoms not bother with that much detail

 

[Catalystik]

1) Are the number of credits taking appear as well?
2) Is course load something that is looked at or usually not as much? I've heard different viewpoints.

3) And would upper lvl psychology classes look good as well when "appreciating individuals grades" if I got A's in them (im a bio & psych double major) or do adcoms not bother with that much detail

1) The total credits for each college year, all post bac, and all grad school appear next to the GPAs (BCPM, AO, and cummulative) for that period of time.
2) & 3) How much microanalysis is done depends on individual adcomm curiosity and whether an explanation is desired for questions that arise. Load is important, but academics need not be the only source of the "load". This is where an appreciation of Experiences and their timing becomes important. Course rigor and progression are other factors that may or may not (need to) be evaluated.

 

[ZeaL6]

Schools usually just look at overall sGPA I'd like to think. And without any A's your GPA probably will be against you. I'd try to take some upper division classes to show what you're made of.

 

[V5RED]

This may be a case of pointing out the obvious, but you should probably plan to need to put more time and effort into your MCAT prep than the average applicant.

 

[knv2u]

I recommend a post-bacc OP.