Second bachelor?

[Dartmouth2005]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Okay. So I know that this has been thoroughly discussed in other forums but I wanted some specific advice.

I went to Dartmouth, graduated with a garbage cGPA, and majored in a social science.

Since then, I went back to school and enrolled for a second bachelors to keep the finaid flowing.

And, it just so happens that I am crushing all the Chem and Bio courses that I have taken including upper level courses for both majors. (Ditto for the PS and BS sections of the MCAT.) Thus, I would ideally love to get a BS in Biology and Chemistry. I don't plan on applying to med school until next year, and almost everything from Dartmouth transferred over to my second school. As such, I will probably be able to get my second bachelors the spring before I would matriculate.

Even if I don't get into medical school, I would love to get a PhD in Biochemistry or Immunology.

So, I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were. Thanks.

 

[DrMidlife]

You'll be judged on your cumulative undergrad GPAs. That means you have to average all the bad grades in with the good. What you've done recently in your crushed classes is called an "upward trend" and it's a good thing. But no eyeballs will see your upward trend if your GPA isn't good.

Against a poor GPA, the MCAT can add some credibility to your app, but the MCAT doesn't fix your GPA. The PS & BS sections of the MCAT are only half the MCAT.

So: chart out your coursework. What's your current cumulative GPA? How much more coursework do you need to get into competitive range (imho 3.4+)? If your cumulative GPA is maxed out at around 3.0, then you'll need to look at SMPs.

If you're on a GPA comeback, the finer points aren't going to make or break you. Don't sweat your graduation date or your degree count. Sweat bullets over your GPA & MCAT & ECs & LORs.

Best of luck to you.

 

[mspeedwagon]

It's going to be real hard to give you much advice beyond that of Dr. MidLife without knowing what exactly defines a "garbage cGPA." Are we talking, like in Animal House, a GPA of 0.0, or more like 1.0, 2.0 or 3.0. The advice to each of these people would be different.

But, as said above, remember you will be judged on every class that you ever took (an upward trend helps, but it depends on what your final cGPA is after the trend. If at the end it's still in the 2s you are in trouble).

 

[Dartmouth2005]

The cGPA is currently just barely over the 3.0 mark. The post bacc GPA is around a 3.8. My overall sGPA is around a 3.7. While I know that I am on an upward trend, I figure two years of undergrad (until the Spring of 2012) will help to compensate for my Dartmouth GPA. By then, it should be in the "competitive" range of 3.4+. Started MCAT prep this summer and am taking a course, and I think I will be taking it next spring.

 

[mspeedwagon]

Since you are starting with above a 3.0 and are likely to have a high MCAT, you should consider an SMP. I tend not to recommend them because of cost, but you (assuming you score in the 30s on the MCAT) are a perfect candidate. Especially if you apply to medical school, both MD and DO at the same time, along with SMPs. If you don't get in, then proceed to the SMP.

The other option is the one you seem to be following. Take post bac courses until you bring your GPA to above the 3.3-3.4 mark. I don't think a second degree will help you much though. I would either enroll in an SMP for one solid year or take classes informally until you bring your GPA to the competitive range. However, if you are serious about graduate school, then the advice would be to get the second degree as it'll enhance your application.

So basically: if you are very serious about medical school, have a good MCAT, and with a GPA where you now are, apply to SMP program and MD/DO programs. If you don't get in to med school, then do the SMP.

If you get a lower MCAT, continue to take classes while re-studying for the MCAT.

If you want to be cost-efficient consider informally taking classes to help raise your GPA through your local state school.

And, if you are serious about graduate school, then go ahead and get the second degree.

The cGPA is currently just barely over the 3.0 mark. The post bacc GPA is around a 3.8. My overall sGPA is around a 3.7. While I know that I am on an upward trend, I figure two years of undergrad (until the Spring of 2012) will help to compensate for my Dartmouth GPA. By then, it should be in the "competitive" range of 3.4+. Started MCAT prep this summer and am taking a course, and I think I will be taking it next spring.