Screwed up Prereqs, excellent GPA...

[physiologist]

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I took my prereqs in Quebec, at a post-secondary school called a CEGEP. I took both Gen. Chem. courses in my first year, and scored an 85 overall. I got a 78 in org 1, 87 in gen. bio., 76, 77, and 79 in my three physics courses, 75 in Cal 1, and 87 in cal 2. My CEGEP was very hard, and the most qualified candidates can get into medicine straight out of CEGEP with a 90 percent overall average or above. Needless to say, I didn't score anywhere near (around 86). I went to a very crappy high school before that which did not prepare me at all in algebra, and I never took precalc (it wasn't an option for me).

However, this would be five years before I apply to medical school. I entered university and brought my grades up considerably (since now I'm studying what I actually love, physiology, instead of just plain "Science" - with the dreaded physics and math and all). I have pretty stellar ECs and LORs, will be doing research with a pretty eminent prof this coming fall, and have a 3.8 gpa in university, having gotten A's and A- in upper-level biology and biochemistry classes. I am also getting A's in my physiology courses, and As in the English courses I'm taking for my English minor. My only weak points are a B in org 2 and and a B+ in a physiology lab course I took.

I'll be taking the MCAT this summer.

Given how horrible my prereqs were, even if I scored better in upper-level courses, am I screwed for medical school? Or will they see that I took them ages ago and appreciate the improvement?

 

[Barcu]

I took my prereqs in Quebec, at a post-secondary school called a CEGEP. I took both Gen. Chem. courses in my first year, and scored an 85 overall. I got a 78 in org 1, 87 in gen. bio., 76, 77, and 79 in my three physics courses, 75 in Cal 1, and 87 in cal 2. My CEGEP was very hard, and the most qualified candidates can get into medicine straight out of CEGEP with a 90 percent overall average or above. Needless to say, I didn't score anywhere near (around 86). I went to a very crappy high school before that which did not prepare me at all in algebra, and I never took precalc (it wasn't an option for me).

However, this would be five years before I apply to medical school. I entered university and brought my grades up considerably (since now I'm studying what I actually love, physiology, instead of just plain "Science" - with the dreaded physics and math and all). I have pretty stellar ECs and LORs, will be doing research with a pretty eminent prof this coming fall, and have a 3.8 gpa in university, having gotten A's and A- in upper-level biology and biochemistry classes. I am also getting A's in my physiology courses, and an As in the English courses I'm taking for my English minor. My only weak points are a B in org 2 and and a B+ in a physiology lab course I took.

I'll be taking the MCAT this summer.

Given how horrible my prereqs were, am I screwed for medical school? Or will they see that I took them ages ago and appreciate the improvement?

An upward trend and a solid MCAT won't erase your prior grades, but they significantly improve your chances.