Please don't give up! Do everything you can to achieve your dream.

[dontforgetxx]

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I graduated college with a 2.8 overall GPA (and probably a lower science GPA). I got a 19 on my first MCAT (I guess the equivalent of a 488?). Pre-med advisors, professors, family and friends told me I would never get into medical school. And for a while, I honestly believed them. I didn't think I was smart enough and to be honest, it's EXHAUSTING being rejected all the time.

I'm not trying to make this post about my story. It's about YOUR story and where you decide to go from here. Yes, it sucks retaking the MCAT. Yes, it sucks taking gap years. Yes, it sucks when your friends all move on to grad school without you. But are you willing to keep working? Are you really willing to push and give everything you have to become a doctor?

Don't let the fear of grades hold you back. There are some pretty inspiring stories on this forum, but the SDN-anxiety can also overwhelm you. Take the good advice, the encouragement and use it towards your goal. Focus on making yourself better and better.

I just want to give a little bit of hope to some people who may not think they have what it takes. KEEP GOING, please. If you work hard it will come to you. I'm a first year now and I finished my fall semester with a 3.8. If I can do it then YOU CAN ABSOLUTELY DO IT. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If it's something that you want, keep going. There's always a way to make yourself better, to make your application better. Don't let the fear of anything hold you back! I really wish you guys all the best of luck - I would spend hours on here over-analyzing everything. If you work hard I truly promise that you will make it.

 

[dillydilly2]

Did you get in on your first try? And MD or DO?

 

[dontforgetxx]

Did you get in on your first try? And MD or DO?

No, definitely not. I did a lot of GPA repair. Retook all my basic science courses and applied. Didn't get a single interview. Then I retook my MCAT, attended an SMP. MCAT was still too low for acceptance. I retook my MCAT for a third time, did much better, and was accepted to a DO program. I also received a few other interviews. Point is that it's a long road and it's really easy to lose sight of your goal. I worked as hard as I could and put everything I had into it, and only at that point was I ready to give up if it didn't work out. There's lot of people who will tell you you're not good enough or you'll never make it, but I just wanted to provide some hope for people who may be asking themselves if they can do it. I was in that position a few years ago and so I know that it's really easy to give up, especially after hearing people tell you that you're not good enough.

 

[balston82]

Totally agree with this. Had 0.7 GPA after freshman year, this fall I'll be attending a MD SMP with linkage. Despite my horrendous start I still have the opportunity to be a doctor. Self-assess, work hard, and don't give up!

 

[GypsyHummus]

What were your MCAT scores? A 510+ can overcome a lot of previously bad MCATs, especially at newer DO schools.

And SMPs are deff the way to go if all else fails. Its a back door into medical school.

No, definitely not. I did a lot of GPA repair. Retook all my basic science courses and applied. Didn't get a single interview. Then I retook my MCAT, attended an SMP. MCAT was still too low for acceptance. I retook my MCAT for a third time, did much better, and was accepted to a DO program. I also received a few other interviews. Point is that it's a long road and it's really easy to lose sight of your goal. I worked as hard as I could and put everything I had into it, and only at that point was I ready to give up if it didn't work out. There's lot of people who will tell you you're not good enough or you'll never make it, but I just wanted to provide some hope for people who may be asking themselves if they can do it. I was in that position a few years ago and so I know that it's really easy to give up, especially after hearing people tell you that you're not good enough.

 

[premedbrah]

Hey can I ask how old you are? I was in a similar situation...2.5 UG GPA then 3 years post bacc. Accepted DO this cycle. Im 28 now...most of my peers are mid to early 20s...but who cares....I'm gonna be a DOctor!

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using SDN mobile

Wow your stats closely mirror mine... I have a 2.5 now and I am 25 (will be 26 this year). Im looking at matriculating by the time I'm 28! (if everything works out)

 

[Futurecareerinmedicine]

Wow your stats closely mirror mine... I have a 2.5 now and I am 25 (will be 26 this year). Im looking at matriculating by the time I'm 28! (if everything works out)

Both of your stats are similar to mine! I am 26, I have about a 2.4 gpa and looking to matriculate by the time I am 28 as well. I am currently taking higher level grad courses as well as undergrad post bacc! It would be cool to start a thread for people with similar stats trying to get into med school so we can support each other! 🙂

 

[Futurecareerinmedicine]

I graduated college with a 2.8 overall GPA (and probably a lower science GPA). I got a 19 on my first MCAT (I guess the equivalent of a 488?). Pre-med advisors, professors, family and friends told me I would never get into medical school. And for a while, I honestly believed them. I didn't think I was smart enough and to be honest, it's EXHAUSTING being rejected all the time.

I'm not trying to make this post about my story. It's about YOUR story and where you decide to go from here. Yes, it sucks retaking the MCAT. Yes, it sucks taking gap years. Yes, it sucks when your friends all move on to grad school without you. But are you willing to keep working? Are you really willing to push and give everything you have to become a doctor?

Don't let the fear of grades hold you back. There are some pretty inspiring stories on this forum, but the SDN-anxiety can also overwhelm you. Take the good advice, the encouragement and use it towards your goal. Focus on making yourself better and better.

I just want to give a little bit of hope to some people who may not think they have what it takes. KEEP GOING, please. If you work hard it will come to you. I'm a first year now and I finished my fall semester with a 3.8. If I can do it then YOU CAN ABSOLUTELY DO IT. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If it's something that you want, keep going. There's always a way to make yourself better, to make your application better. Don't let the fear of anything hold you back! I really wish you guys all the best of luck - I would spend hours on here over-analyzing everything. If you work hard I truly promise that you will make it.

Thank you for your inspiring words! I was wondering how many clinical hours did you have? And how much volunteering did you do?

 

[Futurecareerinmedicine]

I have a buddy from same UNI with 2.4 UG GPA. We supported each other for 3+ years...from classes to MCAT to applications to interview prep. He will be matriculating to MD at 27. I think it's very important to find a SMALL group of peers who can support you through the process. I've also seen the alternative where people who didn't have that same support drop like flies to find alternative careers while in postbacc.

Did he do a post-bacc and what was his MCAT score? That is really impressive 🙂 I am so glad to hear that.
Yes, I have already been speaking to another person on sdn with similar stats! We should really start a thread. Yes, I am sure it happens all the time sadly. Someone once told me being a doctor is more about how much you want it. But, yes I agree

 

[premedbrah]

Did he do a post-bacc and what was his MCAT score? That is really impressive 🙂 I am so glad to hear that.
Yes, I have already been speaking to another person on sdn with similar stats! We should really start a thread. Yes, I am sure it happens all the time sadly. Someone once told me being a doctor is more about how much you want it. But, yes I agree

Theres this! Below 3.0 gpa Support Group/Thread

 

[dswiggles]

Totally agree with this. Had 0.7 GPA after freshman year, this fall I'll be attending a MD SMP with linkage. Despite my horrendous start I still have the opportunity to be a doctor. Self-assess, work hard, and don't give up!

Which SMP program did you attend if you don't mind me asking?