Senior looking for advice

[Premedlife]

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I'm currently a senior at a top 20 college and I'm on course to graduate this semester with a 3.55~ GPA as a biology major. I took the MCAT last year and got a 29 but I think I can get a much higher grade when I retake it in March. During my undergrad I received C and D for my two semesters of organic and I received a A and C when I retook it. However, I also received a D in another biology course. The only reason my gpa is currently high is because they're offset by a lot of As. I was wondering if I can still get into MD schools with those scores on my transcript and if I get a higher MCAT. Also if you guys have any advice as to the best way to spend my gap year. I'm currently looking for jobs in hospitals as a clinical research coordinator or medical scribe so I can continue gaining clinical experience. I am also considering a SMP program to maybe boost my gpa. I don't know which route is best so I'm asking you guys. Thanks for reading!

 

[MedPR]

I'm currently a senior at a top 20 college and I'm on course to graduate this semester with a 3.55~ GPA as a biology major. I took the MCAT last year and got a 29 but I think I can get a much higher grade when I retake it in March. During my undergrad I received C and D for my two semesters of organic and I received a A and C when I retook it. However, I also received a D in another biology course. The only reason my gpa is currently high is because they're offset by a lot of As. I was wondering if I can still get into MD schools with those scores on my transcript and if I get a higher MCAT. Also if you guys have any advice as to the best way to spend my gap year. I'm currently looking for jobs in hospitals as a clinical research coordinator or medical scribe so I can continue gaining clinical experience. I am also considering a SMP program to maybe boost my gpa. I don't know which route is best so I'm asking you guys. Thanks for reading!

Should be fine with a better mcat. Why did you only get a C in a retake though.

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[SOMBound13]

During my undergrad I received C and D for my two semesters of organic and I received a A and C when I retook it

If I remember correctly, Adcoms expect A's in retakes. Taking a class twice and only getting a C the second time might suggest that you won't learn concepts in a timely manner.

 

[Premedlife]

I had some family issues that caused me to get the bad grades in the first place and when I was re-taking second semester those issues rose up again. I know it's not an excuse but honestly they affected me more than they should have. I'm aiming for a 36+ on the MCAT this time around and based on the practice exams I think it's attainable.

I forgot to mention that I'm planning on moving to Texas this summer and getting Texas residency for when I apply. Do you think with my stats and a higher MCAT that I will be able to get into at least one Texas MD school?

 

[SOMBound13]

I had some family issues that caused me to get the bad grades in the first place and when I was re-taking second semester those issues rose up again. I know it's not an excuse but honestly they affected me more than they should have. I'm aiming for a 36+ on the MCAT this time around and based on the practice exams I think it's attainable.

I forgot to mention that I'm planning on moving to Texas this summer and getting Texas residency for when I apply. Do you think with my stats and a higher MCAT that I will be able to get into at least one Texas MD school?

I'm not sure how Adcoms will react to your situation. They may want students who aren't repeatedly affected by "family issues". Of course, everyone is affected from time to time, but if you have a history of doing poorly when "family issues" come up, they may be concerned that chronic family issues will be a distraction for you.

If you're going to move to Texas this summer, when do you plan on applying to med schools?

 

[VictorAlpha]

I'm currently a senior at a top 20 college and I'm on course to graduate this semester with a 3.55~ GPA as a biology major. I took the MCAT last year and got a 29 but I think I can get a much higher grade when I retake it in March. During my undergrad I received C and D for my two semesters of organic and I received a A and C when I retook it. However, I also received a D in another biology course. The only reason my gpa is currently high is because they're offset by a lot of As. I was wondering if I can still get into MD schools with those scores on my transcript and if I get a higher MCAT. Also if you guys have any advice as to the best way to spend my gap year. I'm currently looking for jobs in hospitals as a clinical research coordinator or medical scribe so I can continue gaining clinical experience. I am also considering a SMP program to maybe boost my gpa. I don't know which route is best so I'm asking you guys. Thanks for reading!

only 1 D left right? ...that bio course. I would fix that and get a better MCAT, obviously keep doing the shadowing and volunteering, but yeah you could go MD. Good Luck!

 

[girlonfire]

I don't think you need the SMP. Retake the MCAT and get a solid score. Use your gap year to do something meaningful to you that you can write about or discuss at interviews.

 

[music2doc]

I'm currently a senior at a top 20 college and I'm on course to graduate this semester with a 3.55~ GPA as a biology major. I took the MCAT last year and got a 29 but I think I can get a much higher grade when I retake it in March. During my undergrad I received C and D for my two semesters of organic and I received a A and C when I retook it. However, I also received a D in another biology course. The only reason my gpa is currently high is because they're offset by a lot of As. I was wondering if I can still get into MD schools with those scores on my transcript and if I get a higher MCAT. Also if you guys have any advice as to the best way to spend my gap year. I'm currently looking for jobs in hospitals as a clinical research coordinator or medical scribe so I can continue gaining clinical experience. I am also considering a SMP program to maybe boost my gpa. I don't know which route is best so I'm asking you guys. Thanks for reading!

C on a retake is gonna hurt, as will your 3.5 GPA and 29 MCAT. You'll want to apply MD and DO. Honestly, you're a bit weak for most MD programs but the Hail Mary isn't gonna hurt. An increased MCAT would help.

 

[Guero]

I agree with much of what has been said regarding your low grades and MCAT score. However, I don't think it's a stretch at all for MD schools, especially in TX, and even moreso if you land such a high MCAT. I also agree that an SMP isn't necessarily a good idea. As girlonfire suggested, I'd instead look for employment in the medical and/or research fields or pursue mission work (e.g., Americorps, Teach for America, Habitat for Humanity, etc.).

GL

 

[Sabio23]

I agree with the sentiments above. Doing an SMP may be unnecessary, so just focus on your MCAT and activities you can do in the time between now and matriculation.