Postbac grades and chances

[polyploidy516]

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Hi all,

I took 4 classes as a postbac this semester (I'm currently applying and will be sending updates).

Unfortunately, these are my grades

biophysics :A
Biochem: A
Genetics:A
Ecology and evolution: B-

The primary reason for the low ecology grade was due to the fact that I had 3 finals on the same day (not really an excuse but it was the last of the 3 and I was exhausted).

I'm aiming for a range of schools but would like to maximize my chances at a top school (dream schools are columbia and harvard); I would be grateful for any medical school, however.

Am I doomed because of this b- in a postbac? I was doing the postbac for academic enhancement ( currently have a mid 3.4s gpa and 40 mcat).
Or am I stressing for no reason?

Your thoughts would be truly appreciated.

@Goro @LizzyM @Catalystik

 

[Goro]

Not at all.

Am I doomed because of this b- in a postbac?

 

[LizzyM]

Not my area of expertise. Your GPA screened you out of my school at the start of the cycle.

 

[GrapesofRath]

How is your current cycle going? If you already have II's or an acceptance I cant see an acceptance being revoked for a single B- when your GPA is still above a 3.5 especially.

Why send the update if you really are that nervous? You really think 3 more A's is going to swing any decisions your way? 3.45/40 is competitive for a fair number of schools; having that GPA go up to say 3.49 isnt going to change your outlook.


If biochem is a pre req for a school you got into/have an interview at just send your transcript at the end of the cycle. Like I said, the odds of a school that accepts you revoking that once they see a single B- are pretty negligible.

 

[Catalystik]

Your thoughts would be truly appreciated.

@Goro @LizzyM @Catalystik

Your overall GPA for the term is still good. If you could pick which course to get a lower grade in, Ecology would have been the best choice. See my comments on voluntary grade updates here: https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/deciding-to-update-fall-grades.1175595/#post-17253810

 

[GrapesofRath]

You need to read what was linked to you more carefully

a) It's not mandatory to send an informal grade update. If you are that paranoid about it, don't do it.
b) You've had multiple ADCOMs tell you your overall GPA for the semester is still fine.
c) As Catalystik said in the link, if you dont want to include the B- in ecology don't. Just list the A's in the other courses in your update. You are likely overestimating the importance of this "update": there are certainly schools that dont even want them. Those that do accept them likely arent going to put much stock in them in most situations; 4 additional grades aren't going to decide your fate this cycle.

 

[Goro]

One B isn't going to kill you. Chill.
@Goro: thank you; would you classify a B- as a low grade that would raise eyebrows?

 

[LizzyM]

If there is a GPA cut-off and you are below it, nothing else may matter. Each school has its own screens, I suppose.

You aren't required to send an up-date and this late in the cycle, it may not make a difference. How many interview invites have you received to date?

 

[Goro]

For clarification, it should be noted that my learned colleague's school is one those located in the stratosphere. I surmise that they can afford to write reinventors.

Luckily, there are a good number of schools that reward reinvention, even some Big Name ones, like UCSF, Duke and Case.

If there is a GPA cut-off and you are below it, nothing else may matter. Each school has its own screens, I suppose.

You aren't required to send an up-date and this late in the cycle, it may not make a difference. How many interview invites have you received to date?

 

[LizzyM]

For clarification, it should be noted that my learned colleague's school is one those located in the stratosphere. I surmise that they can afford to write reinventors.

Luckily, there are a good number of schools that reward reinvention, even some Big Name ones, like UCSF, Duke and Case.

Let it be said that I don't make the policies but I'm forced to live with them. I think that my school is poorer for them.