success in med school

[kypreos]

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I am just curious to hear if there are kids(like me) who apply to med school with something like a 3.2 GPA, get in and absolutely BLOW UP in med school. Like great grades and land a great residency. I would love to hear stories like that. Maybe it will give me hope lol given my gpa. are there any kids who do poorly(as compared to others) who shine in med school? Do you think this is possible considering your learning is different and the subject matter is much different. For instance someone just doesnt think physics or chem are the greatest subjects so they do alright in them in undergrad. Then they hit med school and BAM! honors pass everything.

 

[mic2377]

I am sure that such success stories do indeed happen.... BUT they are rare. Most people who have a 3.2 GPA, have a 3.2 GPA for a reason. Whether it be study skills, lack of natural ability, or lack of trying, these are things that need to be fixed before success will come. I believe the people who "blow up" are the ones who were held back by life circumstances beyond their control, ie family/financial hardships.

Another important factor is MCAT score. Someone who has a 3.2/36 is likely going to perform different than someone with a 3.2/26. Plain and simple I would bank on the student with a 36.

Now, if you wanted a more sure prediction, look at someone with a 3.2 undergrad GPA who got into medical school via an SMP. If they are 3.7+ SMP student, that means that not only are they likely to "kick butt" in med school classes, they already have!

As I am attending a top-ranked SMP this year, maybe I will have a success story of my own to share with you. I have a GPA in the low 3's, but this includes my first 3 semesters at a 2.4 average, and ridiculous upward trend. I firmly believe I will succeed, and most importantly, understand the work necessary to achieve that. Perhaps this is the most important thing of all!

Good luck!

 

[kypreos]

I am sure that such success stories do indeed happen.... BUT they are rare. Most people who have a 3.2 GPA, have a 3.2 GPA for a reason. Whether it be study skills, lack of natural ability, or lack of trying, these are things that need to be fixed before success will come. I believe the people who "blow up" are the ones who were held back by life circumstances beyond their control, ie family/financial hardships.

Another important factor is MCAT score. Someone who has a 3.2/36 is likely going to perform different than someone with a 3.2/26. Plain and simple I would bank on the student with a 36.

Now, if you wanted a more sure prediction, look at someone with a 3.2 undergrad GPA who got into medical school via an SMP. If they are 3.7+ SMP student, that means that not only are they likely to "kick butt" in med school classes, they already have!

As I am attending a top-ranked SMP this year, maybe I will have a success story of my own to share with you. I have a GPA in the low 3's, but this includes my first 3 semesters at a 2.4 average, and ridiculous upward trend. I firmly believe I will succeed, and most importantly, understand the work necessary to achieve that. Perhaps this is the most important thing of all!

Good luck!

My GPA is contributed to a couple of things like B-'s in orgo etc. but I am sure there had to be some people out there that do undergo life altering circumstances in Undergrad that shine in Med school. Im hoping to be one of them. Good luck in your SMP man. I'm sure youll do well and don't let that 3.0-3.3 hold you back lol

 

[ILikeFood]

Don't worry bout it, you'll be fine

 

[307Doc]

I am just curious to hear if there are kids(like me) who apply to med school with something like a 3.2 GPA, get in and absolutely BLOW UP in med school. Like great grades and land a great residency. I would love to hear stories like that. Maybe it will give me hope lol given my gpa. are there any kids who do poorly(as compared to others) who shine in med school? Do you think this is possible considering your learning is different and the subject matter is much different. For instance someone just doesnt think physics or chem are the greatest subjects so they do alright in them in undergrad. Then they hit med school and BAM! honors pass everything.

The AAMC likes to tell people that if they don't have a certain MCAT score and a certain undergrad GPA, they will most likely perform poorly in medical school. This may be partly true but it is mostly a great business plan to keep premeds all over the country taking the MCAT for 200 a pop multiple times (many millions of dollars a year).
The truth is Medical school is tough, it's like doing what you do in undergrad in one semester and cramming that, into a couple weeks to a month time. Like any other difficult task it takes lots of time and effort. If your not the brightest person in your class that means you will just have to put in that much more time to get sufficient grades.
Just because your GPA is low 3's doesn't mean you won't succeed in medical school. My friend had a low 3.0 gpa and is in the top 20 of our class. It's all about dedication and hard work. Just put in the time and you will be fine.
GOOD LUCK!!

 

[engineeredout]

I'd imagine if your GPA for the first half of college is a 2.5 but the second half was a 3.8 you're probably on par with everyone else.