remedy for low science gpa

[gatewasani]

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I have been reading every where on this site NOT to retake classes if you didn't get a C- or lower.

Over Undergrad I have gotten 4 C's (ALL science unfortunately)

I graduated my GPA is 3.3 and sgpa is 2.8...

Do you think I should retake a couple of those classes over the summer and try to get my sgpa over 3?

I'm planning to apply this cycle but am worried that I will get screened out early because of low sgpa.

 

[billw]

Sure. If you are going osteopathic, grade replacement will be a big help for your GPA.

For allopathic, all you can really do is take more science courses to try to average up your GPA.

 

[DrDre2001]

I retook classes with C +'s. I think that would be my limit, and not C -'s.

Maybe you should look into whether or not school's screen out based on Science GPA. I didn't think they would.

 

[gatewasani]

since I have already graduated, will these be considered part of undergrad coursework still if I retake?

also, I am planning on submitting my AACOMAS EARLYYYYYY, how will that work if I am registered for summer classes? Is it it going to be a problem as I will not have any grades in when secondaries come around

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I have been reading every where on this site NOT to retake classes if you didn't get a C- or lower.

Over Undergrad I have gotten 4 C's (ALL science unfortunately)

I graduated my GPA is 3.3 and sgpa is 2.8...

Do you think I should retake a couple of those classes over the summer and try to get my sgpa over 3?

I'm planning to apply this cycle but am worried that I will get screened out early because of low sgpa.

Retake a few science class, and try to take some more upper level science classes and do well in them...

 

[gatewasani]

thanks for the replies.
Since I have already graduated and hold an undergraduate degree and will be taking these classes at a DIFFERENT university than my undergrad, Can I put 'senior standing' on my AACOMAS or do I need to put 'post bacc' cause that changes things. If I can put senior standing I can up my sgpa to a 3.2 by retaking 2 classes.

Also, do I have to retake the lab portions or do you think they will let me opt out of those since I already completed the classes. I really do not want to repeat the labs.

 

[beckhunter116]

Yes, it will be considered post bacc, but when they look at your overall science gpa it will show a difference.

 

[donkeykong1]

yeah I'm in the same boat regarding taking a class over without the lab portion. Does anyone have any prior experience with these classes?

 

[Valvool]

I had a couple of Cs in science courses, but instead of retaking them, I took other upper level science courses and did well in them.

 

[gatewasani]

Yes, it will be considered post bacc, but when they look at your overall science gpa it will show a difference.

thanks, what about the timing, I am planning on submitting my AACOMAS the day it becomes available so should I just put planned coursework and not submit my secondaries until the courses are completed sometime in August or should I submit secondary as soon as possible.

I should also mention I am planning on doing an SMP

 

[gatewasani]

Also, this may be a stupid question but is it completely out of the question to retake these a couple of these classes at community college.

I'm guessing it wouldn't look too good but it would essentially have the same effect on my sgpa and be wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy cheaper and probably easier and much closer and convenient so I could work.

 

[gatewasani]

bump

struggling with this guys...my sgpa when I submit my AACOMAS is gonna be a ~2.8-2.9 while my cgpa is gonna be a 3.3, i'm just really worried that i'm gonna get rejected pre-seconday because of low sgpa. If I re-take a single Physics class, I can bump that sgpa to around a ~3.1-3.2 which is obviously huuuuge. The class is gonna have to be at community college though because thats the only way I can get the hours to match up and get it done in a timely manner. The class ends at the end of june, I believe. Should I hold off submitting the AACOMAS until after I finish the class or indicate that on the app somehow?

 

[jslo85]

Wait are you submitting your AACOMAS for the fall 2010 cycle? Or are you applying for SMPs like you're indicating on earlier posts. OR are you doing both.

There is an option on the AACOMAS app to indicate classes that are planned or in progress and updating them is always an option or you can wait. I'd probably wait only if you can still submit your AACOMAS application (for next year) very early with your new 3.1-3.2 gpa. If you do take them at a CC, prepare to do quite a bit of explaining at the interview if you do get one.

Frankly I'd rather get a very high MCAT, do a 1 year post-bacc and submit application early in the cycle and constantly update them with semester grades.

 

[gatewasani]

Wait are you submitting your AACOMAS for the fall 2010 cycle? Or are you applying for SMPs like you're indicating on earlier posts. OR are you doing both.

There is an option on the AACOMAS app to indicate classes that are planned or in progress and updating them is always an option or you can wait. I'd probably wait only if you can still submit your AACOMAS application (for next year) very early with your new 3.1-3.2 gpa. If you do take them at a CC, prepare to do quite a bit of explaining at the interview if you do get one.

Frankly I'd rather get a very high MCAT, do a 1 year post-bacc and submit application early in the cycle and constantly update them with semester grades.

both, Applying early for Fall 2011 cycle and doing a SMP in the fall. I know CC is not smart but the colleges near me, physics is 1 less credit hour, I suppose I could just not retake but 2.85 sgpa is awfully low

 

[jslo85]

agree. I mean in the large scheme of things, taking it at a CC won't detrimentally affect your application but considering how many applicants there are and the majority come from 4 year universities and arguably better gpas (realistically), I'd say your chances of getting into a school is relatively low. Good luck though.

Even for SMPs, 2.85/3.1 with repeats is quite low but you might be able to open their eyes to your application with other significant factors such as E.Cs and LORs. Again, you already know this but apply early to both broadly and hope for the best.

 

[gatewasani]

well I mean, I took most of my classes at a large university (a pretty good one)

and my cgpa is much high at around 3.3, will probably be around a 3.4 or so after ONE retake...I know I'm not very competitive right so I'm just trying to take the best course of action.

 

[Asianjock903]

Maybe my story will help you out a bit. my science gpa was like 2.95 or something ridiculously low, with my cum. gpa being like 3.27. I wasn't screened pre-secondary at any of the schools I applied to (although I didn't apply to many, 6). I only completed 5 secondaries (I just didn't want to go to one of them) and they were really late too (around...december-ish). Of those 5 secondaries I got three interviews and I got into all three schools.

Now, with that said...you can see a lower than avg gpa isn't going to keep you from getting into medical school..BUT you have to take into consideration the rest of your application. My low gpa was due to a crappy sophomore year and my grades were good-great my junior/senior year (upward trend). I also had a high MCAT (32S...9P,12V,11B) with crazy amounts of community service and other extracurriculars that could compete with the best MD applicants (I even went to costa rica for a summer for a medical mission). Also, I graduated from a US News ranked top 25 university. Some people will say the school doesn't matter, but I was a pre-med counselor at my undergrad and when I spoke to admissions directors, they told me it does play a SMALL factor (for instance they know ivy league's grades are inflated, but a 2.85 is never going to compete with a 3.5).

Anyways, after all is said and done. You just have to make sure the rest of your application is perfect and I'm sure you'll have no trouble getting in anywhere.

 

[gatewasani]

Maybe my story will help you out a bit. my science gpa was like 2.95 or something ridiculously low, with my cum. gpa being like 3.27. I wasn't screened pre-secondary at any of the schools I applied to (although I didn't apply to many, 6). I only completed 5 secondaries (I just didn't want to go to one of them) and they were really late too (around...december-ish). Of those 5 secondaries I got three interviews and I got into all three schools.

Now, with that said...you can see a lower than avg gpa isn't going to keep you from getting into medical school..BUT you have to take into consideration the rest of your application. My low gpa was due to a crappy sophomore year and my grades were good-great my junior/senior year (upward trend). I also had a high MCAT (32S...9P,12V,11B) with crazy amounts of community service and other extracurriculars that could compete with the best MD applicants (I even went to costa rica for a summer for a medical mission). Also, I graduated from a US News ranked top 25 university. Some people will say the school doesn't matter, but I was a pre-med counselor at my undergrad and when I spoke to admissions directors, they told me it does play a SMALL factor (for instance they know ivy league's grades are inflated, but a 2.85 is never going to compete with a 3.5).

Anyways, after all is said and done. You just have to make sure the rest of your application is perfect and I'm sure you'll have no trouble getting in anywhere.

that does make me feel a little better, thanks for sharing and CONGRATULATIONS!!!

 

[Kisseleto]

Hey guys,
I just joined and a little worried about the whole application process. I really want to go to osteopathic school, but don't know if I have a chance because I have low science GPA. Around a 3.22 and my overall is a 3.56. MCAT 36. I'm a International Relations major, spanish, chem minor. I've done lots of volunteer, but I feel that my science GPA is going to hold me back. What do you all think?

 

[gatewasani]

Hey guys,
I just joined and a little worried about the whole application process. I really want to go to osteopathic school, but don't know if I have a chance because I have low science GPA. Around a 3.22 and my overall is a 3.56. MCAT 36. I'm a International Relations major, spanish, chem minor. I've done lots of volunteer, but I feel that my science GPA is going to hold me back. What do you all think?

I think you're good

 

[Asianjock903]

Hey guys,
I just joined and a little worried about the whole application process. I really want to go to osteopathic school, but don't know if I have a chance because I have low science GPA. Around a 3.22 and my overall is a 3.56. MCAT 36. I'm a International Relations major, spanish, chem minor. I've done lots of volunteer, but I feel that my science GPA is going to hold me back. What do you all think?

LOL........did you just NOT read my post? either way, with your stats (you also claim good volunteer/EC work), you should be competitive at ALL osteopathic schools and most allopathic schools even.