offset gpa

[Ballwera]

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What are some good ways other than an MCAT score to offset a poor gpa?

 

[Mitch556]

What gpa are we talking about here

 

[Poliscidoc]

If your GPA is "Poor" do post-bac but if its average just have some really cool EC's and a cool life story

 

[Mattabet]

Right, it kind of depends on how poor is 'poor'.

A poor GPA says (to whatever extent) that one has trouble with coursework. A good MCAT would be the best offset (sends the message that while the grades weren't great, material was learned). So anything to offset a bad GPA would have to counter the 'trouble with coursework' assumption. Possibly, something like being a tutor at a class where you didn't do so hot might look nice, but it only offsets that one class.

As above, there's always a post-bac if you're really in the hole.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Very few things will offset a poor GPA besides an SMP/Post-Bac.

Even a stellar MCAT won't do much for a GPA below the 3.3 range in many cases.

 

[shiftingmirage]

As others said, more info may be necessary. If your GPA is low because of bad grades freshamn year, but gets better, then schools like that better than a consistent poor GPA.

 

[TopSecret]

What are some good ways other than an MCAT score to offset a poor gpa?

Pick a school that you are within range of and mention that it is your first choice. And then do really well at the interview.

 

[Ballwera]

both my gpas will probably be in the 3.3-3.4 range around the time I apply...with an upward trend had a terrible freshman year and 1st quarter of sophmore year

 

[Poliscidoc]

both my gpas will probably be in the 3.3-3.4 range around the time I apply...with an upward trend had a terrible freshman year and 1st quarter of sophmore year

What is your major, because if your a double major or even a non science major you could help your case by having a strong science GPA. Also if you have a 3.4 or a little higher with an decent MCAT Score 33+ then you should be good at most mid to lower schools. IMO of course

 

[njbmd]

What are some good ways other than an MCAT score to offset a poor gpa?

The MCAT exam doesn't offset a poor uGPA. A strong MCAT and a strong uGPA are needed for admission into medical school. It isn't one OR the other but both. If you uGPA is poor, do post bacc work and do well (no grade less than B+). If your uGPA is very poor, do a SMP (special masters program) such as the one at Georgetown and ace the work.

 

[Van Chowder]

The MCAT exam doesn't offset a poor uGPA. A strong MCAT and a strong uGPA are needed for admission into medical school. It isn't one OR the other but both. If you uGPA is poor, do post bacc work and do well (no grade less than B+). If your uGPA is very poor, do a SMP (special masters program) such as the one at Georgetown and ace the work.

Meh, Im sure you are right, but to some extent, one can compensate for the other lacking. If I have a 3.2/3.2 overall/sci GPA and get a 41 on the MCAT, I would bet I would get many more interviews than the cat that got the same GPA but rather a 30 on the MCAT. Yes that is a bit dramatic of a jump, but just goes to show that to a very minor extent one can happen with out so much the other.

Edit: But to address the ops question, what are you thinking? I mean honestly, if you get a poor MCAT score and have a poor GPA, what shows you can handle ( or retain the info given) the workload of medschool, if you cant handle undergrad work?
I suggest you by the next available ticket to Kenya to start saving some african babies.. Oh and come up with a better way of naming things in organic chemistry than the annoying IUPAC system.

 

[Ballwera]

All i am saying is..I had one bad year and have matured since and have been doing much better all i am askin is if there is anything else i can do to make my application look better