Re-applicant Help - screwed forever?

[TheAppleJuice]

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So I will probably be a re-applicant and I received 0 interviews this cycle so idk what to do. I am currently a senior so I will have an extra year of grades in, but I did not do much better unfortunately. I am a CC transfer and my GPA dropped for 2 semesters although it was an extremely heavy course load (35-40 credits, only 8 credits non-science). I transferred to a top 20 school after 1 year. NC resident by the way

Year 1 (CC): 4.0/4.0s (no pre-requisites taken at cc, btw)
Year 2 (Top 20): 3.5/3.4s
Year 3: 3.3/3.3s
-------shown on current app cycle, all pre-reqs taken---------
Year 4 (estimated) : 3.4/3.85s (between 3 upper division biologies which I got A/A-'s

MCAT: 129/128/127/129 taken once

what are my chances at chapel hill

For the record, physics ****** me - got C's in both; however, I did get A's in organic (at my top 20 school).. I made a lot of B's/B-'s in a lot of non-science classes which brought down my gpa. I have 3 C's total

so as you can see I will have about a ~3.4ish gpa/sgpa or lower with a downward trend. I cannot afford to go another year to raise grades or if I do it would just be at community college so after this next cycle I'm done 🙁

EC's:

Clinical: 100-150 depending on this semester
Non-Clinical: <100
Research: ~100
Shadowing: ~100
Job (during cc) >1000 hrs
2 medical related clubs

thank you so much for reading/taking the time @Goro @LizzyM @Med Ed @gonnif

 

[TheAppleJuice]

Post your AMCAS GPA Grid

I have to say that is a little too revealing... I am telling the truth about the 35-40 credits my soph/jun years, with majority science, if that's what you are looking for

 

[Master Thinker]

I think the main issue for OP is the consistent drop in GPA following transfer to a 4-year college. That is a red flag for admissions. Perhaps you can look into grade-replacement for DO or do a post-bacc?

 

[TheAppleJuice]

I think the main issue for OP is the consistent drop in GPA following transfer to a 4-year college. That is a red flag for admissions. Perhaps you can look into grade-replacement for DO or do a post-bacc?

I think there is no grade replacement for DO and like I said, the so called "post bac" would just be at community college (making it someone pointless). would not pay for another year or two at my school, unfortunately :/

 

[Master Thinker]

I think there is no grade replacement for DO and like I said, the so called "post bac" would just be at community college (making it someone pointless). would not pay for another year or two at my school, unfortunately :/

I believe Goro mentioned that DO schools have a thing where they replace grades if a class if retaken, I might be wrong though.

If money is an issue, you can look into taking a year or two off to work at a medical related job. That way you take care of clinical exposure and tuition funds in one go.

 

[Dwight K Schrute]

I believe Goro mentioned that DO schools have a thing where they replace grades if a class if retaken, I might be wrong though.

If money is an issue, you can look into taking a year or two off to work at a medical related job. That way you take care of clinical exposure and tuition funds in one go.

DO schools no longer do grade replacement.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

OP doesn't need grade replacement...they could still probably snag DO acceptances with their current GPA + MCAT.

 

[Goro]

I think the main issue for OP is the consistent drop in GPA following transfer to a 4-year college. That is a red flag for admissions. Perhaps you can look into grade-replacement for DO or do a post-bacc?

Major red flag. And as Dwight mentioned, there is no more grade replacement. Chances probably best at UNC and Brody.

 

[Goro]

OP doesn't need grade replacement...they could still probably snag DO acceptances with their current GPA + MCAT.

Not with that declining GPA trend.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

Not with that declining GPA trend.

I stand corrected: definitely listen to Goro over me, OP.

 

[Dwight K Schrute]

The big thing holding you back is that GPA trend. You’ve got a solid MCAT score for MD and great for DO. You could use some more non-clinical hours and maybe clinical. You really can’t go back to school? Even 2 classes a semester? You don’t need a full course load or a degree. Just some upper division level sciences to demonstrate you can do well. Did you apply DO?

 

[persistenceofmemory]

I am in a similar boat- also transferred to a top school and my GPA dipped... didn't even complete the prereqs and got A/Bs in my upper div courses. 3.8 GPA to 3.33 UC GPA.I've been doing extensive research about this topic (DIY) since I also can't afford 30k for an additional year.

After UC I took some years off to deal with personal things, got a full time job as an MA in a private practice neurology clinic, moved up to EEG tech- racking me up a ton of paid clinical hours and amazing references from M.D.s - it has opened a lot of doors for me so I definitely recommend this path.

I have done most of my prereqs at a respected cc due to $$$ and have a 4.0 . I've read multiple times on SDN that you need to have a 3.5/3.6 + to pass their filter, and once you pass it, they will then spend the time to look at your application if you do indeed have a compelling story/reason for your GPA dip.

However, you still need to show committees that you are capable of a rigorous science course load. Because there is a GPA drop it shows committees that you probably won't be able to handle their course load, and they really don't want to accept people who are at high risk of failing out.

In my case, because I have sooo many cc credits> uni credits, I have to tackle on courses at a UC. So yes, I will have to cough up some money but it will be completely worth it once I have an acceptance. I will be taking upper div courses similar to those in medical school. In your case, taking upper div bio classes at a uni of equal level will help give you that upward trend, assuming you do well in them, and it will show them that you can handle the work.

I know that some schools have "open enrollment" where you can crash courses, and it's easier at state schools. I have not taken the MCAT nor have I finished all my prereqs yet- but definitely wanted to share my experience/ the feedback I've been getting from experienced M.D.s in hopes it will help you and others find the best path. Good luck!

 

[persistenceofmemory]

Also, I know there are 1 year SMPs but beware that those are very high risk!

 

[Catalystik]

Also, I know there are 1 year SMPs but beware that those are very high risk!

. . . . . And very expensive.

 

[Catalystik]

I cannot afford to go another year to raise grades or if I do it would just be at community college so after this next cycle I'm done 🙁

If you get a university-based job, free tuition is often one of the benefits.