Quite the predicament - what should I do??

[City212]

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Biology major, biopsych minor.
Cumulative GPA: an awful 2.64, with a science GPA to match.
~100 hours of volunteering. 2 research experiences (doing one this summer, the other was not published). Will take MCATs this upcoming school year (About to enter senior year of undergrad).

I've already made it clear to myself that there's no way that I could realistically apply to med school right now. The question is - is there any hope for me?

Here's what I've considered doing with my last year of undergrad, and the years to follow:

Senior year: Retake some of my science courses to increase science GPA since I have already completed all requirements for graduation. Might as well try to improve my science/GPA while I still have the chance? Get some kind of research with faculty during the year.

Post Undergrad plans is where I need the most advice...
Option A: Post Bacc, and then perhaps a year of research.
Option B: SMP but is it worth it?

What else can or should I do to improve my chances... cause I know I need it. HELP.
Be honest. Be brutal if you think appropriate.

 

[DrBrizzle]

You will have an extremely hard time (read: impossible) getting into an MD program applying with a 2.6 regardless of MCAT. Your EC's are good, keep rounding those out. most importantly, you have some major GPA work to do. I might consider a post-bacc or whatever other undergrad classes you can take/afford. AACOMAS (DO) will replace old grades with new ones for the same class, which will help you tremendously for DO if you do well in the classes. I might refrain from SMP right out of school. Many of them even have a 3.0 GPA cutoff; they are meant for students with a competitive MCAT, and a GPA thats just not quite there. Take as many undergrad classes as you can, 4.0 all of them, then apply in a few years. Even if you break a 3.0 overall, w/o a monster MCAT an MD acceptance will be a challenge. Doable, if you work at it enough, but a challenge. Id explore the DO option, which is a great way to do it; your still a doctor. Hope this helps! best of luck!

 

[Mobius1985]

I agree that DO is your best option as you can take advantage of their grade replacement policy and raise your GPA faster (if the credit hours are the same). Repeat the classes which will make the most impact. Repeat any prerequisite where you got a C or lower. Read about Osteopaths in the Preosteopathic Forum of SDN.