Please Help!

[Galaxy781]

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My apologies if this has been asked over and over again, however I am new to the forums. I was hoping for some advice for other non-trad's on my situation.

Went to UG 99-04
majored in psychology/sociology. GPA not great...2.8ish prob...
age, life....things got in the way. Really just a few classes on quarter that drug me down, classess that have nothing to do with science...upper level classical studies classes...did some independent studies in psych...

Graduated...found my interest wasn't in my current field. Worked for a few months at a physicians office, while completing pre reqs at a CC for graduate school.

Took micro/a&p, received straight A's. Accepted into a Masters of Nursing program. Graduated in 06 with 3.9 GPA. Working now in extremely high acuity Neuroscience ICU. Still need: organic chem, physics


So...I want to go to medical school. I have always wanted to, however, thought all hope had been lost until I found this forum.

I know I need to do something with my UG GPA..I have a great GPA from my Grad. degree, however, how will my UG GPA affect me? Do I just go back and take some more UG classes? Is that pointless if I have already finished my Masters degree? I still have a couple of pre reqs I need to take...My gen chem is now 7 years old...is that too old?? Need some advice!!

 

[Meatwad]

Taking undergrad courses is definitely a good idea. Get your GPA to over a 3.0, minimally. I'd personally retake chemistry, just to refresh it in my mind and prepare for the MCAT. Speaking of which, score as high as you can (you want to hit at least a 30 to have a good shot).

Once you hit that 3.0+/30+, if you have your other things in order (good reccomendation letters, extracurriculars, volunteer activities, etc.) then apply.

 

[t33sg1rl]

I disagree...

Your Master's in Nursing more that proves your academic ability. You just need a great MCAT to have a really solid shot at a good med school. Shoot for at least 32. Try to take the test only once-spend lots of time studying, and take a commercial prep class-two thirds of med school matriculants used a classroom based MCAT prep class. Ideally, schedule the test very soon after finishing your physics and organic chem. Aim for two A's, and you'll be in great shape to apply to any med school you have your eye on.

 

[DrMidlife]

I disagree... Your Master's in Nursing more that proves your academic ability.

Unfortunately this isn't the likely perception of a med school admissions committee that is reviewing one app against 5000 competitors. The GPA breakdown emphasizes undergrad work. Graduate GPAs are allegedly considered to be inflated compared with undergrad GPAs. Look for comments by LizzyM and NJBMD, adcoms who frequent these forums, to substantiate this.

Without a nice tidy undergrad record, we nontrads have to rely on the eyeball phase of app review, which usually we don't survive without a strong upward trend in undergrad work, or multiple years of great grades in a postbac.

That said, a killer MCAT is indeed the most powerful tool for the OP, I agree.

 

[146233]

I agree with DrMidlife on the interpretation of graduate GPA's. My grandfather once told me, "The lowest grade they give in graduate school is a C." While there are exceptions to every rule, that did seem to be the general trend in my graduate program (Criminology). Not that gGPA's hurt; just take their impact with a grain of salt. Good luck.

 

[drizzt3117]

how many prereqs did you take at the CC (at 4.0)? because that will affect your uGPA.