opinions on my situation please

[colgate11]

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Hi everyone. this is my first post on sdn but i decided i should post here, maybe for some advice and or feedback or just to share my story.
i applied last year after i graduated, i had no clue what i was doing. i had never calculated my science gpa or anything. bad move.

to the point--when i graduated i had a 2.4 bcp without +/- . yes thats right i said a 2.4. needless to say i was rejected from everywhere i had applied despite that i had a 20aa/20ts on my DAT. i quickly realized i looked like a fool for applying with such a low GPA. i was a biology major in UG however i hadnt taken many upper level biology courses - i had taken courses like a&p1 +2, genetics, etc. once i realized my gpa was a gigantic problem, i began my postbacc.

for the past year i've taken courses like immunology, pathology, histology, embryology, pharmacology, neurobiology, etc etc. as many upper level bio's as i could find. i have completed 50 credits of postbacc so far, with a straight 4.0. i have raised my bcp and science gpa to a 3.1 w/out +/- (and with +/- is about a point higher) , in 3 semesters. I plan to reapply this upcoming cycle (summer 2012) and i have retaken my DAT and recieved a 23aa and 22 ts.
i have countless shadowing hours, and numerous volunteering hours, great /personal LORs.

do you think i have a shot for this coming cycle? what more do you think i should do to boost my chances? i've dedicated so much of my time to try and turn my application around, so please dont tell me to give up and think of a different profession bc i wont. thank u!

 

[invictusx]

colgate11,

All I have to say is... AWESOME!!!!

You're in an amazing position right now. From what I know, schools want to see progression and you clearly have shown that with your GPA and your new DAT. That's all that needs to be said. You seem to have a well-rounded application with a lot of extracurriculars and what not. And you've got good LORs, which is important. You're in good shape, in my honest opinion and I wouldn't wander in the past. Go on and do what you want! You'll get it.

In fact, schools prefer progression more than consistency. Keep that mind. You should apply the upcoming cycle, FOR SURE. You'll be banking interviews here and there.

Good luck!

 

[wizi]

wow....
I am sure that you will get interviews if you apply in JUNE.

If you have time, do research or get some type of awards at your University. That will strengthen your application even more.

You have done an amazing job so far. +++

 

[Waldo2012]

From everything I can see, you are in! I have been told by a few schools that they mainly look at your GPA from the last two years. Keep it up!

 

[colgate11]

colgate11,

All I have to say is... AWESOME!!!!

You're in an amazing position right now. From what I know, schools want to see progression and you clearly have shown that with your GPA and your new DAT. That's all that needs to be said. You seem to have a well-rounded application with a lot of extracurriculars and what not. And you've got good LORs, which is important. You're in good shape, in my honest opinion and I wouldn't wander in the past. Go on and do what you want! You'll get it.

In fact, schools prefer progression more than consistency. Keep that mind. You should apply the upcoming cycle, FOR SURE. You'll be banking interviews here and there.

Good luck!

thank you! this means alot to me. i hope they (adcoms-when i apply) take into consideration my "upward trend" even though my bcp and sci are still only a 3.1, its been difficult for me to raise it even this much....i hope they will realize i am dedicated and persistent with trying to do well and makeup for my sub par UG performance

 

[colgate11]

wow....
I am sure that you will get interviews if you apply in JUNE.

If you have time, do research or get some type of awards at your University. That will strengthen your application even more.

You have done an amazing job so far. +++

thanks for your input! i was planning on applying early in june, however i was also planning on taking 1-2 summer courses as well which would raise my science (not my bcp though) gpa a bit more, do u think i should wait until the class ends (this would be in august though.....) or do you think i should apply in june without summer grades?
also when i was in UG i did research for about 4 months , but that was almost 3 years ago now since i did it my junior year. do you think thats good enough? i've been focusing mainly on my GPA problems over the past year (while keeping up with volunteering) bc i felt like thats what was really lacking in my application.

 

[colgate11]

From everything I can see, you are in! I have been told by a few schools that they mainly look at your GPA from the last two years. Keep it up!

sigh, i hope so 👍😳🙁

 

[euphaire]

thank you! this means alot to me. i hope they (adcoms-when i apply) take into consideration my "upward trend" even though my bcp and sci are still only a 3.1, its been difficult for me to raise it even this much....i hope they will realize i am dedicated and persistent with trying to do well and makeup for my sub par UG performance

They will consider your upward trend for sure. Such hard work...I'm sure it'll pay off soon.

 

[SupDanLOL]

I think you have a shot at pretty much anywhere. With those increasing numbers don't be afraid to apply to even the 'extra-selective' schools. Schools love to see hard work and improvement. From my personal experience with an upward trend in grades (not nearly as bad a start, but not as exceptional a finish, either) you can get in anywhere you apply-- these schools really do look at the "whole package."

 

[DavesNotHere]

Wow...i mean i wouldnt go crazy here guys...he had a 2.4 at one point...and that folder they keep on everyone is going to show his rejection last year. I think youve given yourself a really good shot considering your beginnings but your acceptance is not a sure thing.

Good luck, apply early...be prepared for the questions a resume like yours will obviate.

 

[mahfouz]

thanks for your input! i was planning on applying early in june, however i was also planning on taking 1-2 summer courses as well which would raise my science (not my bcp though) gpa a bit more, do u think i should wait until the class ends (this would be in august though.....) or do you think i should apply in june without summer grades?
also when i was in UG i did research for about 4 months , but that was almost 3 years ago now since i did it my junior year. do you think thats good enough? i've been focusing mainly on my GPA problems over the past year (while keeping up with volunteering) bc i felt like thats what was really lacking in my application.

Colgate11,

I think it's great that you brought up your gpa .7 of a point. That will definitely be important when adcoms look at your application. I remember when someone from NYU came to my school, they said that the upward trajectory is taken into account when they look at the applicant's GPA. With regard to your summer courses, apply early. So if I were you, I wouldn't wait until my summer grades come out, because that means my application will get a look at much later than June. I would just indicate on my AADSAS that I have courses in progress and I plan to have my GPA recalculated and my transcripts updated when they are out.

Good luck!

 

[colgate11]

thanks everyone for the feedback! i'm glad for all the positive comments. the only thing im worried about is, i fear schools might just throw out my app bc of my low "3.1" bcp / science gpa, without actually opening my folder or looking at my records or anything. does this happen? or like some of u mentioned, do they actually look at every single applicant they get to see how well rounded they are?
I'm thinking the schools i applied to during my 1st round, will look at my application bc i'll be a reapplicant

 

[kookoo4tofu]

seems like you've done a tremendous job turning things around and i believe adcoms will look at the total package. my situation was somewhat similar to yours. i graduated with a 2.6 from undergrad as an engineer. after i worked for several years, i went back to school and got a 4.0 with 50+ credit hours to bring up my total gpa to a 3.06. i was worried about the same things as you currently are. so far i've had a total of 7 interviews and 2 acceptances....so dont give up! they will look at your folder!

my only piece of advice moving forward is to make sure to apply as early as possible (VERY important, especially in your case) and to apply as broadly as possible. good luck!

 

[WastedTime]

how bad is it, actually, to apply in august with below average stats?