Recently switched to Pre-Med. GPA questions.

[sharpstickie]

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I am in my junior year in biochemistry and have recently switched to pre-med and I'm rushing like crazy to get everything done by August. I got my associates during high school and finished with a 3.2 GPA due to immaturity. That was 5 years ago and I'm finishing up my Bachelors in Biochem now with a GPAc of 3.87 and GPAs of 3.93. This averages out to be a 3.58 but I would like some advice on how med schools would look at this.

 

[Catalystik]

I am in my junior year in biochemistry and have recently switched to pre-med and I'm rushing like crazy to get everything done by August. I got my associates during high school and finished with a 3.2 GPA due to immaturity. That was 5 years ago and I'm finishing up my Bachelors in Biochem now with a GPAc of 3.87 and GPAs of 3.93. This averages out to be a 3.58 but I would like some advice on how med schools would look at this.

A steep upward grade trend followed by consistently excellent academics is always viewed positively.

What is your BCPM GPA?

What is happening in August?

 

[sharpstickie]

My BCPM GPA is 3.95 then. August is when I've figured when I want to apply. Is that still a competitive date?

 

[candbgirl]

Why are you in such a hurry? How are your ECs? What is your MCAT score? How about shadowing? How about LORs? Slow down and do it right in your first application cycle. You really don't want to be a re applicant. Plan to take a gap year or two and develop the best application possible. Med schools aren't going any where and since you just switched to premed ... And submitting your primary in August is getting late.

 

[Catalystik]

My BCPM GPA is 3.95 then. August is when I've figured when I want to apply. Is that still a competitive date?

Does that BCPM GPA include all dual enrollment math and science grades from HS?

August is late. If you submit then, your transcripts won't be verified for 4-6 weeks. It would be more optimal to be complete by the end of August, with all Secondaries submitted and LORs received, so schools will evaluate your file. This is even more true when an aspect of your application is below average.

 

[sharpstickie]

The reason that I've been trying to go so fast is because I have everything ready to go already. I've got all of the pre-reqs, LORs and I've got 800+ hours of research, 400+ hours of volunteer, 4 positions of leadership with 2 years total. The more that I've looked at it, the more I feel that I'm ready for this cycle. Obviously, with the switch the premed I've had to start shadowing and get patient exposure and by the time I apply I'll have 100hrs of shadowing and 150 hours of exposure.

 

[sharpstickie]

Does that BCPM GPA include all dual enrollment math and science grades from HS?

August is late. If you submit then, your transcripts won't be verified for 4-6 weeks. It would be more optimal to be complete by the end of August, with all Secondaries submitted and LORs received, so schools will evaluate your file. This is even more true when an aspect of your application is below average.

The thing that was great about the associates is that I almost took no math or science there so it hasn't effected it.

 

[Catalystik]

How are you scoring on practice MCATs and when do you plan to take it?

 

[sharpstickie]

How are you scoring on practice MCATs and when do you plan to take it?

Without studying I got a 30 a couple of weeks ago and I've been studying ever since. I've recently gotten the Kaplan books and will be in a class for the next 6 weeks and I'm registered to take it July 17th.

 

[tiedyeddog]

Without studying I got a 30 a couple of weeks ago and I've been studying ever since. I've recently gotten the Kaplan books and will be in a class for the next 6 weeks and I'm registered to take it July 17th.

You'll be pretty late by the time your MCAT comes back. It will likely hurt you some.

 

[sharpstickie]

What would you think about submitting my application before I get my MCAT score?

 

[medic86]

You can do it, but you won't be complete until your score comes in.

 

[Catalystik]

What would you think about submitting my application before I get my MCAT score?

You are risking a non-refundable ~$160 to have your transcripts verified for one school if your MCAT score is suboptimal, which I think is a reasonable risk. But another drawback is that it sounds like you have just begun gaining active clinical experience, and you would have one less completed month listed on your application. And possibly less shadowing, too, though getting that at the last minute isn't a big issue like it is with clinical experience (and 50 shadowing hours is likely to be sufficient).

 

[Lucca]

It is very important in this game to apply early. If you look at the "what do you wish you had done differently this cycle" thread from last week most of the replies comment on applying earlier. It sounds like with a decent McAT score you have a strong application so it's important that you do not weaken your application by applying any later than "early" where early

 

[Catalystik]

You can do it, but you won't be complete until your score comes in.

Definitions vary here.

Your file won't be ready for screening by a med school until verification is complete and the score comes back. Some schools send Secondaries to everyone immediately and others screen the application first. Secondaries, LORs, and other supplemental materials must be received to be Complete.

You can prewrite the Secondary essays while waiting for the score so your turn-aound time when officially invited to to return the Secondary is very short. Prompts can be found here on SDN.

 

[ZedsDed]

Without studying I got a 30 a couple of weeks ago and I've been studying ever since. I've recently gotten the Kaplan books and will be in a class for the next 6 weeks and I'm registered to take it July 17th.

This alone says you aren't ready. I don't think you have your priorities straight if you took the MCAT without studying simply because you wanted to "go now." A suboptimal MCAT score will null your upward GPA trend. Take a deep breath, take an additional gap year, get more clinical exposure, maybe get a job; think about what you're doing please.

 

[Vain Brother]

OP would benefit from fewer people beating around the bush

you're not quite ready yet. you could benefit from some more clinical exposure and shadowing experience, not to mention time studying for the MCAT. (given that you report taking a practice exam recently and scoring a "30", you're going to want to devote some studying time for the new MCAT, which is on a 528 point scale and has different sections.) and yes, waiting until august will put you at a disadvantage, no matter how you slice it. furthermore, your grades are borderline at the moment (i'm not sure you understand that your associate's grades will be factored into your cGPA), so you would also benefit from having your senior year grades show up on your application, to continue your upward trend. there's no rush -- most people take a year between undergrad and med school. there's no reason you need to strive to be the exception

 

[Fenixak]

I am in my junior year in biochemistry and have recently switched to pre-med and I'm rushing like crazy to get everything done by August. I got my associates during high school and finished with a 3.2 GPA due to immaturity. That was 5 years ago and I'm finishing up my Bachelors in Biochem now with a GPAc of 3.87 and GPAs of 3.93. This averages out to be a 3.58 but I would like some advice on how med schools would look at this.

Its fine.

1) They will see your science GPA> Non science
2) They will see that your lower class were taken many years ago while in high school (which is weird).
3) A lot of schools I've seen only tend to look at the last 60 credit hours.
4) Lastly, even a 3.58 isn't a bad GPA.

 

[sharpstickie]

Thanks to everyone that posted here. I've been wondering for awhile if it's the right thing to do to get ready as fast as I can but from what I've seen, the general trend is "apply right the first time or don't apply at all".

 

[ZedsDed]

Thanks to everyone that posted here. I've been wondering for awhile if it's the right thing to do to get ready as fast as I can but from what I've seen, the general trend is "apply right the first time or don't apply at all".

Re-applicants are at a disadvantage, for sure.

 

[Goro]

Rising trends are always a good thing, and there are plenty of med schools that value reinvention.

I am in my junior year in biochemistry and have recently switched to pre-med and I'm rushing like crazy to get everything done by August. I got my associates during high school and finished with a 3.2 GPA due to immaturity. That was 5 years ago and I'm finishing up my Bachelors in Biochem now with a GPAc of 3.87 and GPAs of 3.93. This averages out to be a 3.58 but I would like some advice on how med schools would look at this.

 

[cactus8910]

This alone says you aren't ready. I don't think you have your priorities straight if you took the MCAT without studying simply because you wanted to "go now." A suboptimal MCAT score will null your upward GPA trend. Take a deep breath, take an additional gap year, get more clinical exposure, maybe get a job; think about what you're doing please.

I'm pretty sure OP meant s/he took a baseline practice exam. I don't think that indicates anything about wrong priorities.

However, @bon22 , I agree with the others that you would benefit from an additional year before applying. You'll be able to pull up your GPA further, get more clinical experience, and apply early.