Someone please kindly help me!

[mly88]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I know this has been a lot of threads on this already but I need to ask it again, for my own sanity.

I spent my entire almost all my college years (I have three more semesters left) messing up. I got A's and B's and theres also the D's and F's, W's, and I's. I never planned to attend medical school, however this recent year my interest in medical school was highly intrigued which led to a lot of shadowing of MD's and participating in mentoring programs for the States medical school. My GPA is very low, I can't even say it's embarrassing, I'm guessing like a 2.8.

I don't want to hear that my chances are shot. I need real advice on what I can do. I have read about the SMP programs and what not but I'm not even sure I would be able to get into one of those and would I need to take the MCAT first to apply? I need advice on what steps to take in order to have a chance at Medical school. Knowing now that this is what I want to do with my life I don't want to be told I have no chance at all.

Please don't discourage me and I already feel that enough.

 

[tai9588]

I will say what you need to focus on right now is to retake the classes that you did poorly in especially science classes. DO schools allow grade replacement. Once you feel like you has a good gasp of the classes then mcat. Hard to say what your chance is without mcat. Meanwhile get ton of meaningful EC and research.

 

[GreenDuck12]

SMP is not the best choice right now. SMP is for only after you have taken post bac classes, and the mcat. Right now, your stats are low so that is your first priority. You should shoot for an osteopathic medical school as osteopathic schools allow you to retake courses and replace low grades with high ones (allopathic does not allow this and will average the two scores together). You need to retake all F/D/C-/C classes to increase your GPA. Additionally, you need to take the pre-med classes and you need to do very well in them. ADCOMs will need to be convinced that you can handle the rigors of a medical education and thus far with your grades you have shown that you couldn't really handle an undergraduate education all that well. You will have another opportunity to convince them with the MCAT

To sum it up: 1) retake all F/D/C-/C classes, 2) take pre-med classes and be a high academic achiever 3) study like crazy for the mcat and earn a above average score 4) volunteer in hospitals/clinics to get exposure and shadow physicians.

Remember, 60% of medical school applicants do not get in each year. Medical school admission is competitive. You need to respect your competition. Best of luck!

I know this has been a lot of threads on this already but I need to ask it again, for my own sanity.

I spent my entire almost all my college years (I have three more semesters left) messing up. I got A's and B's and theres also the D's and F's, W's, and I's. I never planned to attend medical school, however this recent year my interest in medical school was highly intrigued which led to a lot of shadowing of MD's and participating in mentoring programs for the States medical school. My GPA is very low, I can't even say it's embarrassing, I'm guessing like a 2.8.

I don't want to hear that my chances are shot. I need real advice on what I can do. I have read about the SMP programs and what not but I'm not even sure I would be able to get into one of those and would I need to take the MCAT first to apply? I need advice on what steps to take in order to have a chance at Medical school. Knowing now that this is what I want to do with my life I don't want to be told I have no chance at all.

Please don't discourage me and I already feel that enough.

 

[JW2020]

A lot of colleges offer "General Studies" like programs where you basically pay a small fee ($40ish), write a brief application, prove you have a bachelor's degree, and can then register for pre-med classes at the same time as the normal undergrads. You can then schedule the pre-reqs around a work schedule, etc. I would say this would be your best bet. You'll have to give the pre-reqs your best shot and to get straight As to prove you're a different student now than you were back in your undergrad years. If this goes well, then comes the MCAT. I can't offer advice on the new MCAT, but there are threads out there about it that are a good start. Good luck!

 

[AlphaKeto]

You're lucky in that you haven't graduated yet. Retake anything you got less than a B in. You want to shoot for all A's in your science classes. Then apply to all aacomas schools with a good mcat. You can also apply to amcas, but your gpa will be much better with aacomas. You should be good as long as you do these things and hit all the other premed bases (volunteering, meaningful experiences, drive, etc)

 

[mly88]

A lot of colleges offer "General Studies" like programs where you basically pay a small fee ($40ish), write a brief application, prove you have a bachelor's degree, and can then register for pre-med classes at the same time as the normal undergrads. You can then schedule the pre-reqs around a work schedule, etc. I would say this would be your best bet. You'll have to give the pre-reqs your best shot and to get straight As to prove you're a different student now than you were back in your undergrad years. If this goes well, then comes the MCAT. I can't offer advice on the new MCAT, but there are threads out there about it that are a good start. Good luck!

This sounds interesting. I have three semesters left of undergrad and I plan to Ace everything but I know it's a little late to bring up my GPA. So from my understanding, I get my bachelors degree then take general science courses again?

 

[ruedjgtc]

You're lucky in that you haven't graduated yet. Retake anything you got less than a B in. You want to shoot for all A's in your science classes. Then apply to all aacomas schools with a good mcat. You can also apply to amcas, but your gpa will be much better with aacomas. You should be good as long as you do these things and hit all the other premed bases (volunteering, meaningful experiences, drive, etc)

OP, if you get anything out of this thread, just do what this person above said. I'll add, get a tutor for all of the science courses if you're struggling.

DO schools are a lot more forgiving/better at giving credit to upward spirals (i.e. they do grade replacements), because university courses carry a lot more weight with admissions you could be a lot worse off as a graduate in the same situation (you'd have to pay post grad rates).

Lastly, no matter what happens, don't apply to a scam medical school — it'll be tempting, but most of the time it doesn't work out but you still owe hundreds of thousands — incidentally, because of my comment, I'm very sorry if this thread devolves into a Caribbean school validity battle.

 

[JW2020]

This sounds interesting. I have three semesters left of undergrad and I plan to Ace everything but I know it's a little late to bring up my GPA. So from my understanding, I get my bachelors degree then take general science courses again?

Yes, if a local college offers the same sort of option (you'd have to ask around). If you ace everything from here on out you wouldn't even need to retake all the pre-reqs; just the ones that you struggled in.

 

[TallPreMed]

I agree. I am at Pitt and taking classes, after receiving my bachelors from a small private school. Working it around my full time schedule. Plan is to apply in 2017, matriculate in 2018... Also getting married and traveling to 4 continents before I matriculate

 

[mly88]

Just to clarify, if I graduate with my bachelors with a low GPA. I can take more undergrad courses before applying to medical school? They probably wouldn't even care for those grades, would they? I thought you only had one shot with your undergrad GPA for med school.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[New_Slang]

I agree. I am at Pitt and taking classes, after receiving my bachelors from a small private school. Working it around my full time schedule. Plan is to apply in 2017, matriculate in 2018... Also getting married and traveling to 4 continents before I matriculate

We must be the same person. I enrolled as non-degree seeking at a separate insitution than my undergrad and grad schools. I also got engaged during my post-bacc classes and got married recently (a week before my first interview!). And I've been on 4 continents this year. I'm also tall. Are you my alter ego?? Lol

 

[ROSC]

I've been told that your most recent coursework is what is most important. SOME schools have a "32 hour rule" or "40 hour rule". Meaning that your last 32 or 40 hours albeit, will be your applying GPA as opposed to your cumulative. Like I said only SOME schools offer this. Medical experience would not hurt your situation either. During your Gap year you could take an EMT-B course, and get a full time/ part time job as a medic. Just getting the cert is pointless and even harmful to a certain extent but if you actually WORK and gain experience It would be to your best benefit.

 

[TallPreMed]

We must be the same person. I enrolled as non-degree seeking at a separate insitution than my undergrad and grad schools. I also got engaged during my post-bacc classes and got married recently (a week before my first interview!). And I've been on 4 continents this year. I'm also tall. Are you my alter ego?? Lol

Hah! I think I'm a few years behind you. Maybe a little sister? I'm just getting started... Want to matriculate in 2018

 

[BluMist]

You have more than one shot, but probably not a good idea to screw up the second shot especially given your current GPA.

You can (and should) take more undergraduate courses to boost your GPA. The general advice is to retake your C/D/Fs (does not have to be at your undergrad) and apply DO because they will REPLACE your old grade with the newest one.

More information on post-bacc & SMP:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forums/postbaccalaureate-programs.71/

Just to clarify, if I graduate with my bachelors with a low GPA. I can take more undergrad courses before applying to medical school? They probably wouldn't even care for those grades, would they? I thought you only had one shot with your undergrad GPA for med school.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mly88]

Should I take more undergrad courses before graduation?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BluMist]

If you can afford to (both time and money), I'd say yes.
Make sure you're setting yourself up for success and not dig a bigger hole.

Should I take more undergrad courses before graduation?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mwooster]

I know this has been a lot of threads on this already but I need to ask it again, for my own sanity.

I spent my entire almost all my college years (I have three more semesters left) messing up. I got A's and B's and theres also the D's and F's, W's, and I's. I never planned to attend medical school, however this recent year my interest in medical school was highly intrigued which led to a lot of shadowing of MD's and participating in mentoring programs for the States medical school. My GPA is very low, I can't even say it's embarrassing, I'm guessing like a 2.8.

I don't want to hear that my chances are shot. I need real advice on what I can do. I have read about the SMP programs and what not but I'm not even sure I would be able to get into one of those and would I need to take the MCAT first to apply? I need advice on what steps to take in order to have a chance at Medical school. Knowing now that this is what I want to do with my life I don't want to be told I have no chance at all.

Please don't discourage me and I already feel that enough.

Aim for DO and grade repair by retakes, and yes strongly consider doing an SMP

Of course, do well on the MCAT. Based on your body of work so far, it might be unrealistic for too high of a score but definitely do the best you can

Are you an URM?

I've been told that your most recent coursework is what is most important. SOME schools have a "32 hour rule" or "40 hour rule". Meaning that your last 32 or 40 hours albeit, will be your applying GPA as opposed to your cumulative. Like I said only SOME schools offer this. Medical experience would not hurt your situation either. During your Gap year you could take an EMT-B course, and get a full time/ part time job as a medic. Just getting the cert is pointless and even harmful to a certain extent but if you actually WORK and gain experience It would be to your best benefit.

Can you name some of these schools off the top of your head? Thanks!

 

[mly88]

I am Hmong but was told Hmong's are not considered an URM. I looked at some of the statistics and my GPA isn't as low as some other students who have been accepted into medical school. Not saying that; that is giving me anymore hope. Due to laziness and no motivation my only goal in life was to have a degree. Clearly that goal is rendering me a non competitive candidate for medical school. I know if I apply myself here on out I will do well. I can definitely take more courses before graduation, not sure how much more my GPA will increase though. Also, I have done a few grade replacements. It will raise my GPA but I won't be able to tell until after the semester ends. However, how does it look that I've retaken the courses?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GreenDuck12]

Depends on where you apply. Allopathic schools will average the two grades, DO schools will accept the highest grade.

 

[GreenDuck12]

I have never heard of some schools counting the equivalent of 1 academic year of grades, can you share which schools have this policy?

I've been told that your most recent coursework is what is most important. SOME schools have a "32 hour rule" or "40 hour rule". Meaning that your last 32 or 40 hours albeit, will be your applying GPA as opposed to your cumulative. Like I said only SOME schools offer this. Medical experience would not hurt your situation either. During your Gap year you could take an EMT-B course, and get a full time/ part time job as a medic. Just getting the cert is pointless and even harmful to a certain extent but if you actually WORK and gain experience It would be to your best benefit.

 

[ROSC]

I know that LSU-NO does it

 

[mly88]

I know that LSU-NO does it

What school is this? And does it say on their admissions site?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GreenDuck12]

Fascinating, I had never heard of this policy, thank you for posting! I would be wary of relying on one school's policy as an admission strategy.

 

[mly88]

Fascinating, I had never heard of this policy, thank you for posting! I would be wary of relying on one school's policy as an admission strategy.

It's their 32 hour policy I just looked it up. However, I'm reluctant as well to put hopes on one school lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ThoracicGuy]

LSU medical school doesn't really accept OOS students. Unless you are a Louisiana resident, don't bother.

 

[ROSC]

If you conduct a thorough search I would not be surprised if other schools have adopted a paralleled policy.