Realism vs. Drama

[Meli]

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Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to get some feedback regarding comments made to me by my pre-med advisor. I will be entering a post-bac program this fall. I am coming in with a 3.46 GPA and have virtually all of my sci classes to complete. The advisor explained to me that I needed to get As in everything, particularly Orgo and Physics. I know GPA is extremely important, but I want to know whether or not my chances go down the toilet if I get a B or two (or, heaven forbid, a C). I will absolutely do my best but that's a lot of pressure. What do you think--is my situation really so dire?

 

[cjw0918]

I did a post-bacc with my undergrad in occupational therapy entering with a 3.71 GPA. My post-bacc GPA is about 3.5-3.6, so altogether it's about 3.60 overall. I have been accepted to one med school this year so far. I would do the best you can possibly do, but I do not think it is necessary to get all A's. Your pre-med adviser is probably just saying this to encourage you to do the best you can. Also, some pre-med advisers like to try to discourage people to see who really wants to go to med school and who's just playing. They get tired of Joe Schmoe with a 2.5 and no hospital experience saying, "I want to go to med school...what is this MCAT thing?..." You'll do great...best of luck...

 

[Meli]

Thanks for the encouragement! I'm really excited to get started with the coursework but it is also scary...will be quitting a good and secure job to follow my heart. I think you're right that my advisor is taking things to the extreme. Then again, we all know that getting into med school is far from an easy task!

 

[gower]

Getting A in everything is more motivational than literally true. Get Cs in one or two courses and you are your way down the tubes. One or two Bs, not fatal but skirting the danger zone. In any case, grades alone are not THE decisive factor unless they are really weak.

Take your work seriously.

 

[Deoxynando]

Gower is right about the motivational bit. A B+ average is a 3.3 while an A- average is a 3.7, and you want to have a higher GPA during their post-bac than your current 3.46 GPA. Bottom line: you need to show improvement. A "B" won't matter unless you get enough that prevent you from getting a 3.5+ GPA.