Real talk: is it going to be realistic to apply in the future with my stats?

[UnsophisticatedUndergrad1]

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I’m a current junior at a public flagship. I have two bad grades on my transcript—a C- in Gen Bio I and a D- in Intro Botany (I think this can typically serve as an equivalent to Gen Bio II).

It’s clear I need to retake those courses.

However, I also have a C+ when I took Stats as a freshman. That means out of the three classes I’ve taken that fall under the “BCMP” courses (science), I have a science gpa of 1.567 (yikes!).

My cumulative GPA is a 3.1, so that’s not…particularly “good” either. It’s not awful, though.

I’m currently taking Chem I. It’s going okay so far. In theory, I would take Chem I + II, Physics I + II, Organic Chem I + II, Calc I OR Intermediate Stats, and retake Bio I + II. Biochemistry, Cell Bio, and Microbiology all are possibilities too. I could take most of these courses before I graduate.

So if I did well in all of those, my measly initial grades could (in theory) be just a small bump. This would mean my cumulative would also rise.

I also have a summer of research experience, along with multiple leadership roles—both roles that I served in and ones that I will continue to serve in. I also am doing well on MCAT practice quizzes (note that they are not the full practice tests, though).

However, I can’t help but worry about those initial grades (plus two other Cs and a D that I got early on in my college career). Should I consider applying to DO programs (after I finish the basic pre-reqs and get clinical/volunteer hours, of course)—or did those low grades essentially filter out my chance of going to medical school?

Post-bacc is an option I’d consider, but I’d prefer to just work on a few courses if I need to while working a clinical/service-based job when applying to medical schools.

Thanks!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

What have your academic advisors and prehealth advisors told you? They need to clarify your thoughts about Intro Botany since I don't know the course offerings.

With more classes to take, it's too hard to say about your chances. It's smart to consider all your options, but it is too early to advise.

 

[wysdoc]

I’m a current junior at a public flagship. I have two bad grades on my transcript—a C- in Gen Bio I and a D- in Intro Botany (I think this can typically serve as an equivalent to Gen Bio II).

It’s clear I need to retake those courses.

However, I also have a C+ when I took Stats as a freshman. That means out of the three classes I’ve taken that fall under the “BCMP” courses (science), I have a science gpa of 1.567 (yikes!).

My cumulative GPA is a 3.1, so that’s not…particularly “good” either. It’s not awful, though.

I’m currently taking Chem I. It’s going okay so far. In theory, I would take Chem I + II, Physics I + II, Organic Chem I + II, Calc I OR Intermediate Stats, and retake Bio I + II. Biochemistry, Cell Bio, and Microbiology all are possibilities too. I could take most of these courses before I graduate.

So if I did well in all of those, my measly initial grades could (in theory) be just a small bump. This would mean my cumulative would also rise.

I also have a summer of research experience, along with multiple leadership roles—both roles that I served in and ones that I will continue to serve in. I also am doing well on MCAT practice quizzes (note that they are not the full practice tests, though).

However, I can’t help but worry about those initial grades (plus two other Cs and a D that I got early on in my college career). Should I consider applying to DO programs (after I finish the basic pre-reqs and get clinical/volunteer hours, of course)—or did those low grades essentially filter out my chance of going to medical school?

Post-bacc is an option I’d consider, but I’d prefer to just work on a few courses if I need to while working a clinical/service-based job when applying to medical schools.

Thanks!

Did you change majors some time during college?
The reason I ask is that by junior year most science major pre-meds have started taking some of the future classes you mentioned like organic Chemistry 1 & 2 and Physics.
Make your way through the pre-reqs you need, but realize this sounds like a very heavy course load for you if you have struggled with science classes. All colleges have some sort of student center for study skills or tutoring so spending some time in there may help you improve your study strategies that you could use in all your classes.
There is no reason to retake Intro to Botany.
Take Statistics instead of Calculus as that's what most medical schools want.
It's too early to start studying to take the MCAT since you have not yet studied many of the topics the MCAT tests you on- Physics, Statistics, Organic Chem and Biochem. Set thoughts of the MCAT aside and focus on your college courses.

 

[Goro]

As of right now, no.

You need to fix your learning deficits, and ace things from now on.

 

[UnsophisticatedUndergrad1]

Hi, thanks for the responses.

Yes, I changed my major a few times. I did not know how to study during my first year or two, but since last semester I’ve earned a 3.5+ cumulative GPA.

I did not start on the pre-med track—I initially thought of law school.

My advisor is very lax (super nice though!).

My school also offers an SMP program for non-science majors following graduation. Could this be a smart option—focus instead on raising my cumulative and then taking the majority of pre-reqs after graduation?

 

[wysdoc]

Hi, thanks for the responses.

Yes, I changed my major a few times. I did not know how to study during my first year or two, but since last semester I’ve earned a 3.5+ cumulative GPA.

I did not start on the pre-med track—I initially thought of law school.

My advisor is very lax (super nice though!).

My school also offers an SMP program for non-science majors following graduation. Could this be a smart option—focus instead on raising my cumulative and then taking the majority of pre-reqs after graduation?

It will be better to take your important classes as an undergrad because it will let all your better grades bring up your GPA.
It won’t be seen as negative to take more than 4 years to earn your bachelor’s degree, especially if you changed your major.

 

[Goro]

Only do an SMP if the host school is a med s hool and/or one with good linkage

 

[UnsophisticatedUndergrad1]

Thanks!

Alternatively, what if I focused on my major classes, and take a longer pre-req schedule? I’ll talk to an advisor about this, but this way I could continue the Gen Chem sequence and take a Bio sequence (not botany— traditional general biology I and II); along with maybe Psychology and/or communications—i.e., some of the other important courses that medical schools recommend/require. This could also give me time to shadow, volunteer, and raise my cumulative GPA over the next two years.

Then, following my senior year, I could either 1) take the rest of the pre-reqs as an undergraduate and extend my degree one more year; or 2) complete a post-bacc that ideally has linkage to a medical school.

This could be 1/1.5 years of the rest of the pre-requisites, allowing me to focus time into the 12 or so credits/per semester of pre-requisites for a couple of semesters (and MCAT studying + volunteering).

My undergraduate recommends around 15 BCMP courses for medical school applications. Medical/podiatric schools that I’ve looked at recommend between 8-15 courses, depending on the school.

I’ve taken 3 BCMP courses. So, in theory, a terrible science gpa could be raised significantly (as in, from a science GPA of 1.5667 to around a 3) with even just 5 science classes with good grades. Even then, I’d be taking at least another 3-5 courses on top of that for the MCAT, that could raise the science GPA even higher).

Again, I’ll talk to an advisor…but from my perspective, it seems that although I didn’t do well in a few courses early on…I have time to show academic growth.

Unless a few D/C’s (2 Ds and 3 C’s, all from my first three semester of college) on a transcript (early on) is a major issue—I figure that partially because my cumulative is already above a 3.0—and that with increased dedication, patience, and commitment, I could go from having a weaker profile to having a serious application for admissions.

Again, I’d have to review this with an advisor. Also, this post is incredibly tentative and only represents my opinions and initial thoughts. If I’m incorrect about anything…please let me know!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Tell us what your advisor says. They have more information than we can give you about university policies, degree completion, and impact on financial aid.

 

[PODIATRYCRAZE]

Definitely do not need to retake Botany. Probably no need to retake Biology either.
No need to do postgraduate program either.

Save yourself some time. Just do well on MCAT and future prerequisites. Even a 500 will be enough.

 

[UnsophisticatedUndergrad1]

Hi again,
I wanted to provide a quick update—I have since had an advising session with a dedicated pre-med/pre-dent advisor!

Here are my brief notes:

1. They noted that the DO route could be a good opportunity, and discussed how osteopathic schools often value reinvention and holistic admissions. Their suggestions included taking the pre-requisites on a timeline that works for me, getting involved in the various opportunities that my college offers, and highlighting the achievements that I can add to a future application.

2. They also noted that the timeline of when I had a few bad grades (first-year and early second year) is not a dealbreaker, and that a good academic performance in the last 4/5 semesters (upward trend) is an important sign of growth that can serve as a positive on an application.

3. Overall, the advising session was helpful and the advisor reminded me of the many aspects that medical schools may consider. I was somewhat worried that I was potentially in a tough spot in regards to my past grades, but the advisor was confident that if I continued to achieve positive academic results, I may have a real opportunity to apply to medical (or dental!) school. For reference, my cumulative GPA sits at about a 3.0 currently; but my most recent semester GPA was over a 3.5—compared to the 2.7ish I had in my first semester of college.

I'd like to add one more note—

I know that admissions to medical school is a competitive, extensive process, but this advising session helped me realize that the most important thing is to take everything one day at a time.

And thanks y'all! I appreciate the advice that was given to me.

 

[UnsophisticatedUndergrad1]

Hi again,
I have a quick question regarding GPA calculations (I didn’t want to clutter the forum with a separate thread, but please let me know if this is unrelated to my original post).

I recently learned that AACOMAS has a different science GPA calculation compared to AMCAS.

At the time of my initial post, I wasn’t quite aware of the difference in GPA calculations.

The difference, however, is vast for my GPA. Since I’ve taken multiple courses that would be considered under the sGPA for AACOMAS, my sGPA would actually be a 2.54. This is still not close to my current goal of a 3.3 sGPA, but with two years of undergraduate left (and with most pre-reqs that still need to be completed*), there’s still more time to improve it!

While this calculation doesn’t change the fact that I have a few very low grades in the sciences, it seems to put a new perspective on my work so far, and I think it shows a better outlook compared to a 1.56 sGPA (I could be wrong, though, which is why I wanted to ask).

I just want to make sure that I’m setting a good academic foundation—I understand that there are many pathways to medical school!

So, overall, I’m just wondering—does the AACOMAS calculation show a new perspective of my transcript? Or am I reading too much into this?

*edited for typo.

*Additional edit: I want to clarify that I want to apply to DO schools—I appreciate their philosophy, and if I went into medicine, I'd probably go into primary care. My advisors also highlighted the DO route.

 

[PODIATRYCRAZE]

Hi again,
I have a quick question regarding GPA calculations (I didn’t want to clutter the forum with a separate thread, but please let me know if this is unrelated to my original post).

I recently learned that AACOMAS has a different science GPA calculation compared to AMCAS.

At the time of my initial post, I wasn’t quite aware of the difference in GPA calculations.

The difference, however, is vast for my GPA. Since I’ve taken multiple courses that would be considered under the sGPA for AACOMAS, my sGPA would actually be a 2.54. This is still not close to my current goal of a 3.3 sGPA, but with two years of undergraduate left (and with most pre-reqs that still to be completed), there’s still more time to improve it!

While this calculation doesn’t change the fact that I have a few very low grades in the sciences, it seems to put a new perspective on my work so far, and I think it shows a better outlook compared to a 1.56 sGPA (I could be wrong, though, which is why I wanted to ask).

I just want to make sure that I’m setting a good academic foundation—I understand that there are many pathways to medical school!

So, overall, I’m just wondering—does the AACOMAS calculation show a new perspective of my transcript? Or am I reading too much into this?

The new calculation will look much better than your old one.

My best advice to try and get accepted is apply to all 11 schools. I believe you will get in at least 1

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Hi again,
I have a quick question regarding GPA calculations (I didn’t want to clutter the forum with a separate thread, but please let me know if this is unrelated to my original post).

I recently learned that AACOMAS has a different science GPA calculation compared to AMCAS.

At the time of my initial post, I wasn’t quite aware of the difference in GPA calculations.

The difference, however, is vast for my GPA. Since I’ve taken multiple courses that would be considered under the sGPA for AACOMAS, my sGPA would actually be a 2.54. This is still not close to my current goal of a 3.3 sGPA, but with two years of undergraduate left (and with most pre-reqs that still need to be completed*), there’s still more time to improve it!

While this calculation doesn’t change the fact that I have a few very low grades in the sciences, it seems to put a new perspective on my work so far, and I think it shows a better outlook compared to a 1.56 sGPA (I could be wrong, though, which is why I wanted to ask).

I just want to make sure that I’m setting a good academic foundation—I understand that there are many pathways to medical school!

So, overall, I’m just wondering—does the AACOMAS calculation show a new perspective of my transcript? Or am I reading too much into this?

*edited for typo.

Why don't you apply to DO programs? What's stopping you? Is it just fear? Did your advisors not point this option out?

 

[UnsophisticatedUndergrad1]

Hi,
I'm sorry if my post was a bit confusing! I would like to apply to DO programs, I appreciate their philosophy, and if I went into medicine, I'd probably go into primary care. My advisors also highlighted the DO route.

What I meant to say was that when I initially calculated my science GPA (so far), I used the AMCAS framework. I didn't realize until recently that AACOMAS (and the podiatry colleges!) use a broader framework that raises my current science GPA much higher.

Therefore, I was asking if this changes anything regarding admissions—but I want to clarify that I'm still about two years away from finishing my undergraduate degree, so I won't be applying for over a year.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Hi,
I'm sorry if my post was a bit confusing! I would like to apply to DO programs, I appreciate their philosophy, and if I went into medicine, I'd probably go into primary care. My advisors also highlighted the DO route.

What I meant to say was that when I initially calculated my science GPA (so far), I used the AMCAS framework. I didn't realize until recently that AACOMAS (and the podiatry colleges!) use a broader framework that raises my current science GPA much higher.

Therefore, I was asking if this changes anything regarding admissions—but I want to clarify that I'm still about two years away from finishing my undergraduate degree, so I won't be applying for over a year.

I would reach out to the admissions professionals at the programs you are interested in before you start on your applications in earnest. The realization that not everyone calculates GPA's the same way is a revelation to YOU, not to the admissions committees.

 

[UnsophisticatedUndergrad1]

Thanks for the advice!

I’m sorry, what I said wasn’t very clear. I meant to reference the earlier advice in this thread. As in, does the properly calculated science GPA change anything regarding admissions advice—not that of the actual admissions process.

Once again, I’m sorry that I wasn’t clear with my question—I hope I didn’t come across as rude regarding the admissions process! I recognize that it was my mistake not to realize this earlier—as the actual calculation itself has been around for a long time.

Again, thank you for the advice so far, I appreciate it!

 

[UnsophisticatedUndergrad1]

Upon further thought, I also recognize that some great advice will be from my advisors, and as @Mr.Smile12 suggested, any program-specific questions might be best answered by admissions professionals.

Thanks again!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Thanks for the advice!

I’m sorry, what I said wasn’t very clear. I meant to reference the earlier advice in this thread. As in, does the properly calculated science GPA change anything regarding admissions advice—not that of the actual admissions process.

Once again, I’m sorry that I wasn’t clear with my question—I hope I didn’t come across as rude regarding the admissions process! I recognize that it was my mistake not to realize this earlier—as the actual calculation itself has been around for a long time.

Again, thank you for the advice so far, I appreciate it!

I know this process can be a little confusing, so it's good to value the advice of those with access to details about the classes you need to take. Hopefully the schools can give you the perspective you need for a formal strategy forward for a strong application.

Yes, in general, you will need stronger course performance... that should be your focus, not on whether you can be a marginal student based on the GPA spreadsheets each application generates for admissions committees. Let us help affirm any advice; we have experts here with experience in candidate screening and evaluation.