no chance at all?

[almond]

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I hope someone out there can give me some advice. I went to a well known public university with the intention of doing my best and ending up at med school. Due to circumstances at home, however, I was unable to achieve that. During all my undergraduate years, I had to commute a total of 4 hours each day to and from campus while maintaining 2 part time jobs as well as a volunteer position at a local clinic. I tried my best in all my classes, but ultimately ended up with a 2.67 GPA (2.0 science). I have always wanted to go to med school, and my experience at the clinic has only confirmed that desire. However, due to my GPA, I highly doubt my chances of entering med school.

I have researched graduate schools as well as post-bacc programs, but these alternate routes of entering med school also seem impossible since the programs also have a 2.8 minimum GPA requirement. I am at a loss on what else I can do. I know that most people would say that my undergrad GPA reflects my potential at med school, but I feel that this is not the case in my circumstance. I would like nothing more than to be able to get into any med school, and would appreciate any advice on how I can take a step in the right direction. 😕

 

[Dr JPH]

First of all, there graduate programs available that have GPA standards less than a 2.8.

It seems to me that you feel as though you shouldn't be judged based on your academic performace due to extenuating circumstances.

Well, there is not much else to go on.

Have you taken the MCAT? GRE?

I would work towards one of these exams. Most medical schools will accept MCAT scores that are up to 3 years old.

If you were to take the MCAT, an awesome score on that could maybe overshadow your GPA. Will it get you in? Probably not...but it's one step closer.

What year are you in?

Have you applied to any graduate programs?

I would find out about graduate and post-bacc programs available to you. If you search around I am sure you will find one that will work out for you. Take the GRE and do really well. Take the MCAT and kick butt.

I am the last person that would ever tell someone to give up on their dream. Many of the people whom I know will make fantastic physicians never maintained an A average.

Keep working hard, shop around, take the exams, and focus on your goal. You can't go back and change your grades. Trying to justify poor grades at this point may not help too much. What you do from THIS point on will determine your future.

Good luck to you.

 

[almond]

Thanks so much for the encouragement! 🙂 I actually have taken the general GRE and just took the MCAT last month (still waiting for scores). I haven't applied for graduate schools yet since I was discouraged when I started researching and found out the standard GPA requirement. Should I just go for it and apply anyways? I did fairly well on the GRE.

I haven't heard of universities letting students take classes post-graduation. Is this an option?

 

[Stinky T]

I don't mean to sound harsh, but you literally have no chance at getting into medical school with a 2.0 science GPA. Your application at 99% of US MD and DO schools would automatically be tossed.

If you are set on going to medical school, I would advise you to do things to raise that Science GPA. Consider doing a Post-Bacc or Masters if you get accepted. Good luck.

 

[jmejia1]

Like someone mentioned try and see if you can retake a few of your classes to bring your GPA up and then do a postbacc. Learn from your mistakes and kick butt in your classes from now on. I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure that a 2.0 science gpa, no matter how well you do on the MCAT, will exclude you from gaining admission to any medical school in the U.S. It's OK to feel discouraged, but don't feel hopeless. It can be done with lots of hard work.

 

[Hamster]

Hmmm, I would see what the MCAT scores look like. If you have some really high score on the MCAT and write a personal statement explaining your circumstances ( 2-hour commute, 2 jobs to pay for college and 4 kids etc..) I don't think some of the "Lower-tier schools" will toss your application.
Some may be able to recognize your drive and the achievements you have made despite it. Now if you have your heart set on Harvard or some other high ranking medical school, I would give up the dream and consider a post bacc. But if you are just concerned with going to medical school, I think you may have some options out there.
If you do really well on the MCAT (30+). I would call some Admissions Offices and get their opinions. Besides Isn't that what the MCAT is for? To reveal discrepancies in GPA and recognize an individual's true knowledge?
Oh well applying to Med school IS a big investment and I can see not wanting to waste the money. Post bacc is a terrific idea that I know works.
Lots of Luck

 

[Big Bill]

I would see what your MCAT scores are like and e-mail some post-baccs. if the scores are good then the post -baccs might be willing to accept you. If not then try a masters in a science then apply.

 

[Stinky T]

The problem is that the application wouldn't even make it that far. With a 2.0, the application would be automatically tossed at almost all US Schools. Unless someone is pulling some strings, the AdComm won't even see the application nor will he/she be reading the personal statement.

I think that there is this misconception that AdComms will understand a lower GPA for extenuating circumstances. Sure, this may be true, but to a much smaller extent than people think. Plus, there are many applicants with extenuating circumstances who have much higher GPAs. There would really be no reason for them to take someone with a 2.0 (if they even see the application). Yes, the MCAT is weighed heavily, but it can't overcome a 2.0 GPA.

I'm only saying this because I think it would be a waste of time and money applying without raising your science GPA. Incidentally, is the 2.0 rounded up, rounded down, or is it exactly 2.0?

Don't give up if this really what you want to do, just realize that you still have a lot of work to do.

 

[omores]

Originally posted by almond:
[QB]

I have researched graduate schools as well as post-bacc programs, but these alternate routes of entering med school also seem impossible since the programs also have a 2.8 minimum GPA requirement.[QB]

Although "official" post-bacc programs may have a minimum GPA requirement, you can always arrange a "do-it-yourself" post-bacc. I took all my pre-med requirements post-bacc at my local state school -- there was no formal program, but I got everything I needed. And because I already had my BA, I was automatically eligible to take these courses. The school didn't ask for GPA, transcripts, SAT scores, or anything else.

Keep in mind, too, that you're better off with post-bacc courses than you are with graduate ones, because only post-baccs will help raise your GPA -- AMCAS puts graduate work in a separate category.

Good luck.

🙂

 

[almond]

Thanks for all the advice guys! Just out of curiosity, if I do decide to do an "unofficial" post-bacc program, would it be preferable to retake science classes I've already taken or to select those I haven't taken yet? And how many units of these classes should I take before even attempting to apply? 30? Is there a difference between taking an "official" or an "unofficial" post-bacc course? How is a master's GPA considered in med school applications compared to an undergrad GPA? Sorry for all the questions. 🙂

 

[yigit]

OK, here's my opinion.

Applying to med school is still a few years in your future so taking MCATs at this point is a complete waste of your time.
You need to go back to school and prove that you can get good grades.

If you say you can do it, then I believe you can, but my biggest concern is that you are going to need some $$$ to do it and it sounds like you've got none to spare.

Hypothetically, if you were able to raise the cash, you'd need to go back to undergrad classes. Med schools are going to want to see you do well in undergrad classes, not those easy grad classes (not yet at least). Go get another degree. For instance if you majored in biology, go back and get a degree in chemistry or microbiology, or anything that will raise your science gpa and help you do better on the mcat.

If you bust your ass, you'll be done in a year with a bunch of A's and a higher gpa. Then go to grad school and bust your ass some more. I recommend an MS/MBA. That way you show that you are still interested in science/medicine, impress them with a business background (which will teach you SO much about management and working with others), and best of all it will open up all kinds of doors if you don't get in to med school. That'll take 3 years.

I hope you are good at standardized tests though, cause you're going to need AT LEAST a 30 MCAT and probably more even after all this.

So, 4 years later, with a lot of ass busting and a serious amount of debt, you can start med school, which will be another four to ten years of ass busting and debt accumulation.

Do you want it that bad cause that's what it's going to take? 🙄 🙄 😱