Post-Bacc Problem - Please Help

[ParallelUniverse]

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I have an unusual problem with a second bacc I was working on. I completed my baccalaureate in biology with a 3.7 GPA overall and a 3.65 science GPA, graduating magna cum laude. I also completeled a masters in biology with a 3.88 GPA, graduating summa cum luade. But I also started a second bacc while I was working on my masters, and I took three classes that were difficult for me, Physical Chemistry and Calculus I & II, and I scored straight C's in those classes. Also in my undergraduate course work for my bacc in biology degree, I got a C in the second half of general chemistry. Will these post-baccalaureate C's hurt my chances for getting into medical school? No one seems to be able to give me a straight answer so far. This question has me pulling my hair out in clumps, any help anyone can give would be greatly apprecaited. Back to studying for my MCAT's in April.

 

[racergirl]

Wil these grades HELP? No. Will they hurt? Doubtful. They seem to be isolated incidents, rather than a trend. Your grades look great over all, so don't pull any more hair out! Assuming you do well on the MCAT and everything else is in order, you'll do fine. These few isolated so-so grades are CERTAINLY not a "deal-breaker" for you.

 

[Papa Smurf]

I'll give you the opposing viewpoint. Schools look at the trend in science GPA probably just as closely as they look at the total science GPA. Believe me, this I know to be true. I have a 3.7 SGPA, 3.8 overall. However, it was down from a 4.0 my freshman year, mainly cause I took crazy course loads, and also had a rather difficult major. However, they didn't even take that into account before rejecting me. The trend can make you or break you, ain't that right, Caveman?

 

[Ben01]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Papa Smurf:
•I'll give you the opposing viewpoint. Schools look at the trend in science GPA probably just as closely as they look at the total science GPA. Believe me, this I know to be true. I have a 3.7 SGPA, 3.8 overall. However, it was down from a 4.0 my freshman year, mainly cause I took crazy course loads, and also had a rather difficult major. However, they didn't even take that into account before rejecting me. The trend can make you or break you, ain't that right, Caveman?•••••There must have been other reasons for your rejection. I somehow doubt that the med schools saw the "decline" in your GPA from a 4.0 to a 3.8 as a problematic trend. 4.0 to a 3.8 is essentially the difference between all As and As mixed in with A- s . You have a great GPA - I don't think that was the reason you were rejected. If that's what the admission people told you then....wow... that's ridiculous. Apply to some other schools I'm sure they'd be gald to have you.

 

[reesie0726]

I do not think that these C's will keep you from going to medical school. However, when you get interviews and if you score on the mcat, you hopefully will, be prepared to explain the grades.

 

[KDocGirl]

I agree with the above comments. My advice would be to study a lot for your Physical section. I didn't do great in my Physics classes in school, but I kind of made up for it by getting a 12 on the MCAT. It just shows that it may have been the class more than the material that made it difficult for you.

 

[otter]

I agree with Trix that you really need to try to get a good Physical Science score on the MCAT. This will at least give you an arsenal with which to say that you're capable in the physical science and analytical areas even if your school grades show otherwise. However, I do feel that those postbac C's will hurt you to some extent. Although they're isolated occurrences, it doesn't help to get C's in math and chemistry in your recent coursework. I think it depends on the school and who's reviewing your application. Therefore, I would recommend applying to a large number of schools. Also, if you feel that you can improve upon your C in calculus, can you perhaps consider retaking at least the Calculus II this summer?

 

[Papa Smurf]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Ben01:
•There must have been other reasons for your rejection. I somehow doubt that the med schools saw the "decline" in your GPA from a 4.0 to a 3.8 as a problematic trend. 4.0 to a 3.8 is essentially the difference between all As and As mixed in with A- s . You have a great GPA - I don't think that was the reason you were rejected. If that's what the admission people told you then....wow... that's ridiculous. Apply to some other schools I'm sure they'd be gald to have you.•••••You know, that's what I thought too. It couldn't possibly be my GPA. But I called em up, and the lady said, well, right off the bat we got a declining science GPA. Apparently, pulling a 3.6 science in your junior year while studying for the MCAT and taking a full load looks terrible if you had higher grades before. She suggested a postbacc to correct the trend. <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> 🙄