Shellshock - Help from the GPA Underdogs

[LabMonster]

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My AMCAS came back with my calculated grades. *My Fault* I never calculated them before hand - 3.07 overall, 3.32 AO, 2.77 BCPM

I didn't calculate them because my advisor told me I was fine - but we both forgot my damning sophomore and junior years at a different school.... Of course that was 1995-1996, but the grades still get factored in.

My Senior year was graded at 3.35 overall, and post-bacc at 3.87.

I called the admissions office at the Medical College of Wisconsin today, and was basically told my options for a top 50 are nil, unless I do a MS with a 3.6 and above GPA. He also basically said to plan on getting rejected everywhere. I asked about showing improvement, factoring work schedules etc, and got the same answer. EC's consist of shadowing and tons of clinical experience - but that's it.

So, with a decent MCAT of 33Q, my hopes for starting medical school seem all but over in 2006.

I know there are those of you out there with sub-par GPA's and acceptances, so I'm looking for a good strategy for the next 6 months. I have already applied, already paid, so I'm stuck on that front.

My thinking: I should take the GRE, and prepare for the worst - while looking for interesting Masters programs.

I'll see the process out - being very selective about secondaries (if automatic) and learn from it.

I really don't want a MS per se, but if it's my only road in, what choice do I have?

I'm also going to apply to a few DO's - mainly because I like the philosophy, but also because I may have a slim chance at getting in.

Any other ideas on how to plan the next 12 months?

 

[gujuDoc]

The MS might not be a bad option if you do an SMP. Think of it as a way to get an edge over your future med school classmates when you actually do get your acceptance, since you will be taking MS 1 year classes.

I would look into Georgetown, BU, Rosalind Franklin, and NJMS's program.

 

[Kazema]

How many post-bacc hours did you have? A 3.87 along with your 33 should keep some doors open for you.

Also, how about an SMP? That seems like a more suitable choice than a traditional MS that would require the GRE. I don't know if there are any SMPs still accepting applications but it's worth checking out I think.

Otherwise I guess you could just continue taking post-bacc science courses and keep acing those. I don't think it's totally hopeless for you but I agree that you're not in a great position for this cycle. However, I think that especially at the DO schools if you get past science GPA screens adcoms will really like your grade trend and strong performance on the MCAT and might give you a chance. Plus if you've retaken any courses your GPA will be higher than your AMCAS GPA, so you might want to calculate your AACOMAS GPA to see where you stand with them.

MD-wise I'd rule out applying to top 20 schools (except for your dream school, I think you should always apply to your dream school if you can afford it) and focus on your state schools and mid/lower-tier privates. Send them updated grades from your post-bacc courses as soon as you get them; if you keep getting A's they might give you a chance too.

If by the spring you're empty handed I would recommend applying to SMPs like Georgetown and BU. I think that after doing one of those you'll definitely get in somewhere.

 

[Teragen]

Does your university have Academic Renewal? If so I'd look into that.

 

[2tall]

I don't buy MCW's stance. I'm assuming Wisconsin is your home state?

With your stats...it definitely depends on the number of post-bacc credit hours and when your turnaround in undergrad occurred. The upward trend is definitely a positive. If your ECs and leadership experiences are strong, you should definitely receive interviews.

Good thing there are more than 50 medical schools!

As for the top 50...try Wake Forest along with those listed above. Tulane's very close to the top 50 as well.

Apply early! Make sure your AMCAS and secondaries present you in the best possible way. Have someone review/edit your secondary essays. Research your schools...apply to schools that fit your personality and that have avg MCAT (schools with MCAT means lower than yours) and mid- to low-range GPAs. You can have your reach schools as well.

Keep the Faith.

 

[LabMonster]

At this point, I think Case and Wake are my reach schools!

Thanks for the encouragement and advice all! At first, I thought I was just screwed, but over the last 48 hours I've realized I'm really not.

Maybe I'll get an interview of two this year, but I'm planning on applying to some SMPs for the following year. My wife and I are looking at this as yet another adventure (and a way to move off the frozen tundra!)

 

[gujuDoc]

At this point, I think Case and Wake are my reach schools!

Thanks for the encouragement and advice all! At first, I thought I was just screwed, but over the last 48 hours I've realized I'm really not.

Maybe I'll get an interview of two this year, but I'm planning on applying to some SMPs for the following year. My wife and I are looking at this as yet another adventure (and a way to move off the frozen tundra!)

 

[crys20]

DO it! 🙂

 

[45408]

did you talk to Mike Istwan?

Anyways, with a post-bacc GPA like that, I wouldn't say that your chances are shot, but Mike does seem pretty on top of his game.

 

[LabMonster]

did you talk to Mike Istwan?

Anyways, with a post-bacc GPA like that, I wouldn't say that your chances are shot, but Mike does seem pretty on top of his game.

I appreciated his candor, however, I think it's obvious he can't speak for all the other schools I applied to. There is a definite upward trend in my grades and when you consider my first post-bacc semester last fall, I was working 60 hours a week, planning a wedding, and still managed a 3.75. Damn B+ in Organic. I cut my hours in March to 40 and got a 4.0.

I am hoping some school, somewhere takes this into account!

And yes, I did speak with Mike.

 

[tank you]

when the school screens your app for gpa, is it overall or bpcm or both?

 

[MrTee]

I think MCW doesn't like very unbalanced gpa/mcat applicants. I got rejected by them so fast, it was ridiculous. On the other hand, I got into a couple schools that are ranked in the top 40 by US news. So it seems schools vary in what kinds of applicants they'll take.

 

[gujuDoc]

when the school screens your app for gpa, is it overall or bpcm or both?

At USF, they look at both. I would think that would be true at most all schools, but you would have to check their websites and see what they consider the minimum.

Oh one more thing, not that this applies to you since you are on the other coast: but to give you an example:

USF reqs 3.0 in both bcpm and overall and 24 at the very minimum, with no lower then a 7. However, this might not take into account someone with a 2.9 but a 4.0 from postbac.

At least at Miami, for instance, they look for 3.2 from first degree OR 3.5+ from postbac and dont' include MCAT in initial screening.

UAB I believe tells out of staters not to apply without 3.5 and 28 MCAT, but might be different for instate residents.

Check on the school webpages or with their admissions offices. This will give you the most definitive answer.

 

[sockandmittens]

apply to/or add osu (ohio)

i say this b/c i know someone with a gpa from college of a 3.0 and a 4.0 in his post bac with a 35 who got in there. plus, it's also a great school with good facilities that makes you instate after the first year. best of luck-

 

[tank you]

At USF, they look at both. I would think that would be true at most all schools, but you would have to check their websites and see what they consider the minimum.

Oh one more thing, not that this applies to you since you are on the other coast: but to give you an example:

USF reqs 3.0 in both bcpm and overall and 24 at the very minimum, with no lower then a 7. However, this might not take into account someone with a 2.9 but a 4.0 from postbac.

At least at Miami, for instance, they look for 3.2 from first degree OR 3.5+ from postbac and dont' include MCAT in initial screening.

UAB I believe tells out of staters not to apply without 3.5 and 28 MCAT, but might be different for instate residents.

Check on the school webpages or with their admissions offices. This will give you the most definitive answer.

thx.
so are you saying that some schools only screen based on gpa, while other do only mcat, and others do both?

 

[45408]

I think the schools that screen will do so on both your GPA and your MCAT, but lots of schools (like UWisc, specifically) have some pretty *low* screening criteria. When I talked to one of their admissions people, she said that they screen around something like 2.7 and 24. That's pretty generous.

 

[LabMonster]

I think the schools that screen will do so on both your GPA and your MCAT, but lots of schools (like UWisc, specifically) have some pretty *low* screening criteria. When I talked to one of their admissions people, she said that they screen around something like 2.7 and 24. That's pretty generous.

Hehe, all the same, after speaking with Mike, I'm not sure I want to fill out a secondary for MCW, even though it is 5 minutes away.

What still irritates me is how Mike told me I'd be rejected based solely upon my numbers taking nothing else into consideration. Anyone think filling out the secondary to MCW is worth the time and money? (This is assuming I get one..)

 

[lfesiam]

don't give up, you have a shot.

 

[murphomatic]

I'm in the same boat and I'm applying. Can't tel what will happen till you give it a go. good luck

 

[LabMonster]

don't give up, you have a shot.

Nice work Ifesiam - truly.

The female nude, IMHO, is the most difficult to sketch.

Thanks for the encouragement. 🙂

 

[LabMonster]

I'm in the same boat and I'm applying. Can't tel what will happen till you give it a go. good luck

Same boat? You have a 40 MCAT, I have a 33 - not the same boat, not even the same ocean! 😛

I think you have a much better chance than I because your MCAT should offset any GPA "deficiency" - plus the great post-bacc work you've done!

Keeping the faith for all of use who are smart, but have screwed up at some point! Best of luck!