Quick question - looking for guidance

[Neighborr]

---

Members don't see this ad.

What's up SDN,

First time poster here. I'm pursuing a BS in economics and after a few relevant internships I have decided this is not for me. Always had an interest in life sciences and medicine so I have made the calculated decision to take the plunge and enroll in the med school pre-req classes and eventually apply for med school.

However, I was poised to graduate this coming spring with my econ degree. Still going to finish that out, but have decided to begin pre-req classes NOW and delay graduation until after I'm finished with those classes. This was suggested by an advisor because it would allow me to get certain classes needed for MCAT out of the way sooner, and thus apply to med school earlier.

My GPA in econ is low (3.3) but I plan to fully devote myself taking these science classes (which I have a true interest in) and get as close to a 4.0 as possible. I guess my questions are these:

1) In your opinion, did i make the right decision by delaying graduation rather than taking those classes as a post-bacc (there is no formal post-bacc pre med program where I am)?

and

2) Will medical schools look at my whole transcript (including pre-med reqs/grades) rather than just my GPA for my degree? Because I do not believe these science classes I will be taking will count towards my GPA on my degree (since, essentially, they are just extra classes).

Please excuse my ignorance if these questions have an obvious answer or if these are things you can not answer. I'm just looking for any help possible 🙂

 

[QuantumJ]

Med schools will look at both your cumulative gpa and science gpa. Aim to get a 4.0 in all of your science prereqs so you bring up your total gpa (not by much) and you should be in decent shape assuming you do well on your MCAT and start doing some clinical related extra curriculars. A 3.3 is a tad low but a 4.0 in your science classes, a strong mcat, strong ec's and applying broadly will hopefully get you in somewhere.

 

[wiloghby]

1) I think sticking around is a good idea. You can finish your pre-reqs faster, and maybe even avoid the 2015 MCAT. And if taking classes elsewhere would mean taking them at a less prestigious school, then sticking around and getting A's in the pre-reqs shows that you can handle those important pre-med classes unequivocally.

2) Unfortunately, most schools tend to only look at your cumulative GPA, your science GPA, your grade trend, and your MCAT in terms of metrics. Most won't have the time to analyze further which types of courses you did well in and which types of courses you did poorly in. However, if you haven't taken any other science courses (MD schools consider science to mean Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math) in college, getting straight A's in pre-reqs would mean a 4.00 science GPA. A 4.0 sGPA and an amazing MCAT could make up for a low cGPA. By the time you finish the pre-reqs I suspect your overall GPA will be a 3.4 if you do well? a 3.4 cGPA with a 4.0 sGPA and a good MCAT score will still leave you competitive if you have the other elements of a good application, especially at your state schools (unless you live somewhere uber-competitive like California).

 

[Neighborr]

Thanks for the replies so far. Really insightful.

Suppose I (hypothetically) apply to my local state school MD program (not in cali/ny/tx), 3.45 cGPA and 4.0 sGPA, around what mcat score will be needed for interview/acceptance? I understand that is tough to estimate given all of the factors considered, but obviously it would need to be an above average score, say a 34-36? Is this assumption in the right range?

 

[dancingmate]

Just work hard on getting A's in the science classes and scoring high on the MCAT. Also, you need to start focusing on building your resume--clinical/non-clinical volunteering and research, if your interested in that. Definitely try to get in some physician shadowing as well if you can. Joining a hospital volunteer program will hopefully provide you a meaningful clinical experience as well as the opportunity to shadow doctors. Good luck!

 

[dancingmate]

Thanks for the replies so far. Really insightful.

Suppose I (hypothetically) apply to my local state school MD program (not in cali/ny/tx), 3.45 cGPA and 4.0 sGPA, around what mcat score will be needed for interview/acceptance? I understand that is tough to estimate given all of the factors considered, but obviously it would need to be an above average score, say a 34-36? Is this assumption in the right range?

Yeah I would aim for a 33+

 

[Neighborr]

Yeah I would aim for a 33+

Awesome, appreciate the reply.