The **NEW & IMPROVED** official low gpa thread...

[chopper]

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This is wrong. Follow this link to the AAMC conversion chart to determine your AMCAS gpa: http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/2007amcasgradeconversionguide2.pdf
All schools that hand out five or more passing grades (C or better) are apportioned grade points by the same scale. So a B+, which is worth 3.5 points at UF, would only be 3.3 grade points on AMCAS.

Also, any school that only hands out + grades, hands out an extra 0.5 points for the + grade, not 0.33. And many schools (GWU, for instance), give 3.85 grade points for an A-, but its only worth 3.7 grade points on AMCAS.

AAMC should devise a new scale for schools that only hand out + grades or use the AB grade scale for + grades.

Hmmm, things must have changed in the last year. When I filled out AMCAS, it automatically figured my grades correctly (as least that's what i remember - I had a very complicated background with mulitple schools using multiple systems).

 

[benb2099]

There is a similar row for the +/- grading scale as well. When I contacted AAMC, the rep said UF grades will be considered using the first scale, not the half-step scale.

When I applied to AMCAS last year, they used AB scale for UF "+" grades, since UF does not give -'s. So B+'s were 3.5, C+'s 2.5, etc.

 

[Notoriousjae]

wow this thread was really engaging especially for me since i can relate to most of the people here with my situation. started out not really foccused for first 2 years messed up my gpa totally with C's, D's and W's, took advanced science classes such as human parasitology, genetics, and biochemistry etc got A's and B+'s then realized the snails pace at which the gpa bothers to increase. Current gpa 2.7 with a science gpa that is little higher, decided on just graduating and planning on pursuing a masters of science at UMDNJ and then maybe after that apply to dental school.
will be taking the DAT by the end of august.

 

[icm]

Sorry if I intruded. But the way I see it, if junebuguf says I won't get in without taking more coursework, I'm pretty much in the same boat as everyone here. This sucks though, I thought I'd get in, just not to Harvard. And I didn't even know what SMPs were before seeing them mentioned in this thread. But I guess the extra coursework would give me opportunities to get those letters...

lol. my parents are gonna kill me...

edit: and junebuguf, I honestly believe that the people in this club have more of what it takes to be good physicians than those who don't take this extended version of the road to medical school. From my personal experience, as time passes you get all these doubts in different shapes and forms. I believe non-trads get to spend quite a bit of time wondering why they're not physicians just yet, and in doing so they get closer to the absolute truth of becoming and being physicians. This may be mumbojumbo to some so I'll just talk about it the other way. If standard premed fcukers are flipping out over not getting a 4.0 in undergrad, the very existence of individuals calmly working with gpa's in the 2's really says something. That's panicky nervous wrecks in the air conditioned tent and cool operators in a clusterfcuked raid. You all have my respect. Please forgive me for wanting to associate myself with your crowd instead of with those other guys.

 

[mshheaddoc]

Eh, my parents I think almost disowned me 🙂

Everyone has a different path to get into med school. There are a ton of ways.

I think it makes people value the chance more if they don't have the perfect application. I kinda laugh when people on here were like I have a 3.3 gpa! I know a few kids who got into top 50 schools with 3.1 cum gpa. But they had outstanding LORs and activities. Its all about how you market yourself. I think non-trads also have more confidence then most college/new-grads students therefore we know ourselves better and give new perspective to what we want out of life. Just my observations from college through now. 😀

 

[chowchilla]

my first time applying: 3.23cgpa, and 2.69bcpm (more here). i really have no idea what my chances are like (and i guess i won't find out until the end of the year)

i'm also going to apply to evms and gtown for their post-bacs. i considered bu, but the 2 years was a turn off.

 

[jmed6182]

I always read this thread...you guys keep me goin'.....2.93 BCPM, 3.09 overall, 28S MCAT so far..about to retake it in august then start applying to see what the hell happens......im predicting that i will be in a post-bacc sometime in the near future though...so i guess the fun has yet to begin

 

[cordata]

Hi all,
Thanks so much to everyone that posted, you've all been amazingly helpful. I *just* graduated from a top 10 liberal arts college with humanities major and a gpa of 2.7 (uh ....). Same old story .... I knew things were going wrong sophomore year but I didn't do anything about it. I also knew that I wanted to change my major to medicine but figured it was too late (at 20!) to even bother. Now I know I want to go to med school. I haven't taken any of the med prereqs but I have taken a natural science and physiology class, both of which I got As on. I don't have any medical ECs. I want to be a doctor and I don't want to waste many years and tens of thousands of dollars if there's a simpler solution to get into med school. I'd like to apply to postbac programs in CA and was wondering what the track record was like for people with low gpas who did the UCLA extension program. I'm looking at that and the Mills college program but I think it may be too competitive for me to get into. Also, since i missed many of the postbac program deadlines, I have a year where I have nothing to do. How can I use it to the best of my advantage?

Any advice would be REALLY appreciated. Thanks! 😳

 

[relentless11]

Hi all,
Thanks so much to everyone that posted, you've all been amazingly helpful. I *just* graduated from a top 10 liberal arts college with humanities major and a gpa of 2.7 (uh ....). Same old story .... I knew things were going wrong sophomore year but I didn't do anything about it. I also knew that I wanted to change my major to medicine but figured it was too late (at 20!) to even bother. Now I know I want to go to med school. I haven't taken any of the med prereqs but I have taken a natural science and physiology class, both of which I got As on. I don't have any medical ECs. I want to be a doctor and I don't want to waste many years and tens of thousands of dollars if there's a simpler solution to get into med school. I'd like to apply to postbac programs in CA and was wondering what the track record was like for people with low gpas who did the UCLA extension program. I'm looking at that and the Mills college program but I think it may be too competitive for me to get into. Also, since i missed many of the postbac program deadlines, I have a year where I have nothing to do. How can I use it to the best of my advantage?

Any advice would be REALLY appreciated. Thanks! 😳

Based on my experience with a sub-3.0 GPA, it will ultimately be time consuming and costly to some extent. Obviously cheaper than going straight in after undergrad. Anyway, in regards to Mills college, the required GPA is 3.0, so you will either have to do some other post-bacc program boost your GPA to 3.0 or go beyond that. Most likely you will need to go beyond 3.0 since the linker program (to Tulane) is more competative for obvious reasons.

In regards to the UCLA Extension, it is a very expensive program compared to just being an undergrad. If you go through open campus, like most other UC Extensions, you will be last priority to register (including among freshman). They charge over $100/unit, so it will add up quickly. At UCD Extension, its $175/unit. Since you will want to try to stay full time (12 units/quarter), it will be a big chunk of money.

Conversely, I found going to UC Extension to be more flexible, since I wasn't concerned about a minimum GPA that I had to maintain, later drop date. Although some classes took 1-3 weeks to get into, I got into all of my classes. From what I hear at UCLA Extension, it is the same. My only real big complaint about Extension is the fact that it takes so long for Extension to communicate with the actual school. It took me about a week to registered into our computer system to use our online quizzes.

I don't discourage you from heading in this direction, since my GPA is pretty close to yours. But I the hassle of UC Extension Open Campus programs can be quite tedious, and the cost was pretty high, even though I had a UC employee discount. This ultimately pushed me into graduate school, which is far cheaper, and a lot more fun. Again, I must reiterate that doing Extension is a perfectly fine thing, its just expensive, and everyone has their own options.

The fact remains though, with a sub-3.0 GPA, you will have a lot of work ahead, and a lot of money to spend. By the way are you also applying as disadvantaged? If you are not, then you may not be able to apply to the UC post-bacc programs. A good alternative would be the programs offered through some CSU, like SFSU.

 

[thes_hunter]

Hey guys, I have a question.

My current GPA is a 2.73 (horrible, yes..but I entered college when I was 16 and had no idea what the hell I wanted to do with my life) with a definite upward trend (last two semester GPAs were 3.51 and 3.61)

My question is..I currently have a D+, C+, and C in bio1, genchem 1 & 2 respectively. I know I'll definitely have to retake the Bio, but do I need to retake the year of genchem also? I'm asking because my goal is to apply to med school after a year of post-bacc work (where I'll take Orgo/Physics/Bio). But if I decide to take genchem, it may take longer than a year. Understandably, it would be very good review for the MCATs and would boost my GPA in DO schools, but I was just curious what everyone else thought.

Thanks in advance!

I would suggest also taking Gen Chem again. It has soooo many applications to all the other branchs of science that you will be taking. Also, it is excellent for the MCAT.

I personally don't know crap about Physics, and my Gen Chem knowledge carried me through.

And a 2.73 isn't so bad. It can definatly be improved. 🙂

 

[thes_hunter]

Hello Everyone.

Here is my humble little introduction to the class of underdogs.

I have no clue what my GPA from my first degree was, since I took my Post Bac training at alma matar.

My degree is in Fine Art.
I have gone to several colleges but the main Schools GPA is: 2.758
My AAMC calculated GPA is: 2.98 (Yes, I was very lucky that rounding brings me to a 3.0)
My Science GPA is: 3.3
My MCAT is: Phys 10, Verb 12, Bio 12, Writing N (Which will explain alot in my posts)

I have 1 interview, and 1 waitlist (2 years running) under my belt, with mountains of rejections.

I have been accepted to the University of Cincinni's Special Masters program for the fall.

My most interesting volunteer experience was supervising the distribution of supplies to families in South East Louisiana for Katrina relief.


Here's hoping that my hard work and no more friggin' around with grades in my Master's program does the trick. =] 😀

 

[thes_hunter]

Sorry to post twice in a row, but I found some of my old transcripts and I thought I would post some words of encouragement for those of us trying to recover from low to mid 2 point GPAs.

When I graduated with my BFA I had a 2.494.

I have had a not so stellar Post Bac GPA of 3.18 over 61 credits. Even with these wonderfully crappy Post Bac numbers, I raised my GPA to 2.98. This with a failure in Mandarin, and C's in some Physics classes. Even with this crap GPA I have been waitlisted at Medical schools and accepted to a SMP, so I have high expectations that I will be accepted to a MD program within the next two years. Now this is partially due to the fact that I ave always been more concerned with how much I understand the material and not what Letter grade I have been assigned (Though my prespective on this is changing. 😉 ) because my understanding of the material scored me a decently good MCAT of 34.

So all this said, you peeps can totally raise your GPA even higher. So do not lament your low GPA as you go into your Post Bac. Work hard and you shall be rewarded. 😀

 

[relentless11]

Ya know given this thread, I wish an A+ would count for something...like 4.3 😀 . Heck I'd take 4.025😉. Would motivate people more to get A+'s and not take ages to pull up GPA. Oh well, can't complain, I got myself to this low-GPA so its up to me to get out of it🙂.

 

[drglenn08]

I saw this thread and decided to "cleanse" myself too

JMU undergrad GPA BS in Health Sciences 2.69 😱
Science - 2.3 (?) 😕

I decided to come to Georgia State University to get my MPH (public health). While here, I've taken a some more science classes and I'm planning on retaking a couple of my prereqs. My grad GPA is 3.68 and I'm really happy with it. I was considering reapplying this year after talking to the Admissions Director at Meharry and him giving me a little hope. I'm retaking the MCAT because the first time, I got a 22 and had walking pneumonia the same day I took it. Every practice test I've taken since then, I've scored no less than a 32 so I'm really thinking I'll do at least a 29/30 on the real one in August. But I'm still not too sure...any help, suggestions?

 

[relentless11]

I saw this thread and decided to "cleanse" myself too

JMU undergrad GPA BS in Health Sciences 2.69 😱
Science - 2.3 (?) 😕

I decided to come to Georgia State University to get my MPH (public health). While here, I've taken a some more science classes and I'm planning on retaking a couple of my prereqs. My grad GPA is 3.68 and I'm really happy with it. I was considering reapplying this year after talking to the Admissions Director at Meharry and him giving me a little hope. I'm retaking the MCAT because the first time, I got a 22 and had walking pneumonia the same day I took it. Every practice test I've taken since then, I've scored no less than a 32 so I'm really thinking I'll do at least a 29/30 on the real one in August. But I'm still not too sure...any help, suggestions?

Just curious at how you got into the MPH program with your GPA. I got into a grad program with a similar GPA, so maybe you can provide enlighten others who may also be looking for a grad program to go to. 🙂

 

[drglenn08]

Just curious at how you got into the MPH program with your GPA. I got into a grad program with a similar GPA, so maybe you can provide enlighten others who may also be looking for a grad program to go to. 🙂

Wow...I asked myself the same thing. But I had a lot of volunteer experience with HIV/AIDS infected persons, a lot of extracurriculars - seriously like 12 orgs with 9 exec board positions, and I held down no less than 2 jobs for my entire 4 years - simultaneously. I guess they understood how my grades could suck. Plus, I had a couple of semesters where I got sick or got into an accident (fall semester of my senior year my car's front tires blew out while I was on the interstate going about 70/75 and reeled me face first into a ditch). I explained those circumstances and how I had improved in my personal statement. And I also had a great GRE (650Q 630V). I'm actually going to go to my dept.'s director and ask why the committee made that decision so I can maximize on those "plusses" in my med school app. Does that help? 👍 👎

 

[relentless11]

Wow...I asked myself the same thing. But I had a lot of volunteer experience with HIV/AIDS infected persons, a lot of extracurriculars - seriously like 12 orgs with 9 exec board positions, and I held down no less than 2 jobs for my entire 4 years - simultaneously. I guess they understood how my grades could suck. Plus, I had a couple of semesters where I got sick or got into an accident (fall semester of my senior year my car's front tires blew out while I was on the interstate going about 70/75 and reeled me face first into a ditch). I explained those circumstances and how I had improved in my personal statement. And I also had a great GRE (650Q 630V). I'm actually going to go to my dept.'s director and ask why the committee made that decision so I can maximize on those "plusses" in my med school app. Does that help? 👍 👎

Yep🙂. I should check out my file too. I'm sorta curious now at what the chair of the dept said that made graduate studies accept me without any question. Good news is for both of us, we proved that they didn't make a bad decision letting us in 😀 .

 

[naru]

wow, i like this forum a lot better than the pre-allo forum. so much love, especially for the low gpa people.

good luck everyone! i'm sure someone in the adcomms will [eventually] notice your hard work!

 

[redafro]

deleted

 

[naru]

your science gpa is (2.7+1.7+2.7+2.3)/4 [assuming all your credits for you classes are equal) is 2.35 which is LOW.

since i'm assuming these grades are recent (you just finished your soph year), you really need to evaluate the reasons why your grades are so low. if its because of lack of study skills and time management, i suggest taking a seminar to improve these skills. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW.

also, that C- in chem needs to be retaken as a lot of med schools will NOT accept it, even if you can get your gpa much higher.

as far as considering post-bacc, see how you do this year. if you see an improvement, go ahead and take your mcats (study like mad, you will need a high score) and see where you stand.

 

[Gabby]

hey, i'm in a similar...actually, worse...situation. I go to Cornell University and i'm a freshman. my overal gpa is at a 2.8 right now. I was taking both bio and chem together 1st and 2nd semester (15 credits then 16 credits). 1st semester, i achieved a mere B- in bio and a sad C- in intro chem. 2nd semester, i got a B- in the second part of intro chem and C+ in the second semester of intro bio. right now, i'm scheduled for 21 credits for my 1st semester of my sophomore year. I have only one science course scheduled, orgo chem. I also have a second semester of calculus scheduled...along with other lib arts courses. Sorry for the long intro, but with such a low GPA i calculated my "miracle" GPA, that is if I get full 4.0s for the next 4 semesters, and it only came out to be a 3.58. With this said, should I continue on the premed track? i really want to do this, but i'm afraid that with a GPA that is all but wonderful, i will not be in good shape. If I still have a chance, should I start considering post-bacc, already?

There are people here who have graduated with a lot less than a 3.5, so I think it's premature to make any kind of decision at this point. I do have to ask you a question though. If you're already struggling with a lower GPA, why on earth would you sign up for 21 credits while taking Orgo? I'm genuinely curious because to me, it seems like you'll be sabotaging yourself. Isn't full-time either 12 or 15 credit hours? Why would that not suffice while taking a class as challenging and time-consuming as Orgo? If you would still have free time, fill it up with EC's. I just don't get the desire to take 21 credits.

 

[Gabby]

your science gpa is (2.7+1.7+2.7+2.3)/4 [assuming all your credits for you classes are equal) is 2.35 which is LOW.

since i'm assuming these grades are recent (you just finished your soph year),

Actually, I think he/she is a freshman.

 

[naru]

yes, oops my bad.

edit: i'd have to agree with gabby about the 21 units. taking it slow and steady for 5 years is much better than rushing to graduate with a low gpa and going to a postbacc program.

and since this is only your freshman year, adcomms do look favorably on upward trends. they are understanding about poor freshman year performance.

 

[redafro]

your science gpa is (2.7+1.7+2.7+2.3)/4 [assuming all your credits for you classes are equal) is 2.35 which is LOW.

since i'm assuming these grades are recent (you just finished your soph year), you really need to evaluate the reasons why your grades are so low. if its because of lack of study skills and time management, i suggest taking a seminar to improve these skills. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW.

also, that C- in chem needs to be retaken as a lot of med schools will NOT accept it, even if you can get your gpa much higher.

as far as considering post-bacc, see how you do this year. if you see an improvement, go ahead and take your mcats (study like mad, you will need a high score) and see where you stand.

going with what you said, med schools will prefer that i retake a class? and yea...21 credits is too much. i actually don't plan on taking that many, i just register for the max so that i have a spot in the class i want, and then i figure which class to remove from my schedule. in all actuality, i plan on taking about 17 or 18 credits. is that still too much?

 

[Gabby]

going with what you said, med schools will prefer that i retake a class? and yea...21 credits is too much. i actually don't plan on taking that many, i just register for the max so that i have a spot in the class i want, and then i figure which class to remove from my schedule. in all actuality, i plan on taking about 17 or 18 credits. is that still too much?

I guess it depends on how much time you're willing to devote to school and what kind of student you are. Do you learn quickly? Do you struggle with concepts? For me, personally, if I'm doing GPA damage control, I wouldn't take more than 12 or 15 when taking a class like Orgo. If I find that I have a lot of free time, then I'll volunteer somewhere, join a club, etc. I just wouldn't take a chance on taking 18 credit hours (with four or five of them being Orgo) while trying to bring up my GPA. Why chance it? Med schools aren't going to care if you took 15 hours or 18 hours during on semester of your sophomore year. Besides, I think a 4.0 with 15 (or even 12 hours, depending on what your school considers full-time) will look better than a 3.5 or less with 18 credits. If I were in your position, I'd take the 15 hours and get an A in Orgo, but that's just my opinion. You have to do what's right for you.

 

[naru]

a. i agree with gabby about the # of classes to take

b. and while it is better to do WELL the first time around, you should make up any bad grades. especially since a C- is really considered not passing (1.7 points). if you don't retake anything, retake that C-

c. good luck!

 

[drglenn08]

Question out there...

I had a low undergrad GPA and I'm getting my MPH now. Anyway, I am taking classes this summer and was thinking of retaking my organic 2 class with aquatic pollution & toxicology. That way, I'll be completing one course for my degree and another for academic improvement. Over the next year, I want to retake Physiology (D+ the first time) and Gen Chem 2 (C- the first time) - one per semester til I graduate next May from grad school. Is this smart or am I setting myself up? I tend to be a Type A personality so I sometimes need an outside perspective. I'm also doing research this semester for like 20-35 hours a week (2 days a week off).

 

[naru]

this thread is really turning into a low gpa q and a, which isn't entirely appropriate, BUT to quickly try to answer your question...

your schedule is certiainly do-able. and it will help you get into medical school, but whether you get accepted or not is based on other factors.

remember, i'm just some guy you know on the internet. good luck

 

[stookie]

I have a pretty low GPA. 2.92 overall 2.96 science. Biology degree. Yeah, I'm screwed.

 

[Sundarban1]

this thread is really turning into a low gpa q and a, which isn't entirely appropriate,

Who died and made you monitor of appropriateness? Your advice is booty anyway 🙄

 

[celestialchoral]

hi you all seems today was the perfect day for me to come in hear to see that people are going thru the low gpa prob. Well just spoke to one of the premed advisors at unc chapell hill...... damn..... why did i not maintain a decent gpa., but he told me it was going to need loads of work which i already know, but he was mainly discouraging me from going into medicine and all , needless to say i was very depressed, but from what i can see there is hope out there for me afterall. looking at special masters, master, or even a second undergrad.. problem is some of these programs mostly start in the fall.. what the heck am i supposed to till then?. well that all for now, just felt the need to vent but seriously good luck to all of us. thanks.

A lot of public and private colleges and universities offer undergraduate degree and non-degree programs starting in the fall or in the summer. I know somebody here mentioned UMBC in MD, is that correct? Can you comment on this (admissions, etc.)?

 

[naru]

Who died and made you monitor of appropriateness? Your advice is booty anyway 🙄

the last KING died and all the townspeople got together and appointed me as their new supreme dictator for life. didn't you get the memo?

 

[mshheaddoc]

Who died and made you monitor of appropriateness? Your advice is booty anyway 🙄

Woman: Well how'd you become king then?
[Angelic music plays... ]

King Arthur: The Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water, signifying by divine providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur. THAT is why I am your king.

Dennis: [interrupting] Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.

 

[Sundarban1]

Have at you!!!!!

 

[junebuguf]

this thread is really turning into a low gpa q and a, which isn't entirely appropriate, BUT to quickly try to answer your question...

your schedule is certiainly do-able. and it will help you get into medical school, but whether you get accepted or not is based on other factors.

remember, i'm just some guy you know on the internet. good luck

I started this thread, and I'm surprised its still up and people are posting on it. There were no rules intended when I started it, just meant to be a place for low-gpa people to vent, lay out their plans, and inform us of their successes, especially when applying. The first two seem have been well detailed, but the last (successful matriculants from the super-screwed gpa clique) is near absent. It appears that low-gpa'ers are very good at the sharing and planning...but seem to have some problem with the execution part. Sort of like bemoaning that theres nothing to eat and planning to go grocery shopping, only to stay home watching game 1 of the finals, sucking on a single serving packet of green relish...I'm not the only one, right? right? whatever, this the low gpa thread and all of you are uber-procrastinating losers too, so if you're judging me and you're reading this, you can suck it!

I'm applying this cycle, so I will try to post whenever I reach some milestone, hopefully ending with me receiving an acceptance...somewhere. My story is posted on here (albeit not very current since it was about two years ago) and I've since done quite a bit. The only others that posted on this thread often who got in, were Singing_Devil and Liverotcod, but that was last year. Lets hope I join them next year.

 

[TiggidyTooth]

Time for an update

Graduated from a solid school in the Big 12 with a 2.2 Cum GPA. I failed out 2x before graduating and had to take summer classes in order to get back into school. I graduated with a degree in economics but I did complete most of the pre-reqs for medical school. I moved out west and spent the next 2 years doing research at the scripps research institute than did an undergrad post-bac at the university of houston a-la-carte style. At Houston I completed 30 credits of upper division science classes with a 3.87. I wrote the MCAT and scored a 31. The next year i worked full time and continued to take 9 more credits of science classes. That year I wanted to apply to medical school but deans of a few schools in texas told me that my GPA was still too low. So I applied to a few SMP programs and got into Georgetown and EVMS. I went to EVMS and endured what was arguably the most stressful year of my life where I competed with medical students in medical school classes. I survived and the day after graduation I found out I had gotten into EVMS' medical school program!! So it has been a long roller coaster of a ride but I am living a dream right now. To those contemplating overcoming long odds, if you have the passion and the drive, you will succeed. The biggest thing to help me through this was overwhelming passion (and at times consuming), support from my family, and an unwillingness to let anything stop me. Good Luck to all!!

Tooth

 

[Lbgem]

Time for an update

Graduated from a solid school in the Big 12 with a 2.2 Cum GPA. I failed out 2x before graduating and had to take summer classes in order to get back into school. I graduated with a degree in economics but I did complete most of the pre-reqs for medical school. I moved out west and spent the next 2 years doing research at the scripps research institute than did an undergrad post-bac at the university of houston a-la-carte style. At Houston I completed 30 credits of upper division science classes with a 3.87. I wrote the MCAT and scored a 31. The next year i worked full time and continued to take 9 more credits of science classes. That year I wanted to apply to medical school but deans of a few schools in texas told me that my GPA was still too low. So I applied to a few SMP programs and got into Georgetown and EVMS. I went to EVMS and endured what was arguably the most stressful year of my life where I competed with medical students in medical school classes. I survived and the day after graduation I found out I had gotten into EVMS' medical school program!! So it has been a long roller coaster of a ride but I am living a dream right now. To those contemplating overcoming long odds, if you have the passion and the drive, you will succeed. The biggest thing to help me through this was overwhelming passion (and at times consuming), support from my family, and an unwillingness to let anything stop me. Good Luck to all!!

Tooth

We have a lot of similarities, although I've got a longer path ahead of me than you.

I graduated from one of the best public universities in the nation with a 3.2 cum, but a BCPM gpa of 2.5. I worked at TSRI for an internship, and moved to Houston to work full time for MD Anderson in research. I'm applying to post-bacs, which are waiting on my MCAT scores (took it in April), and hoping to get in. If I don't I was thinking of taking classes at the universities around here.

Grats by the way on your acceptance! 👍 It's nice to see there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[silkworm]

hey, i'm in a similar...actually, worse...situation. I go to Cornell University and i'm a freshman. my overal gpa is at a 2.8 right now. I was taking both bio and chem together 1st and 2nd semester (15 credits then 16 credits). 1st semester, i achieved a mere B- in bio and a sad C- in intro chem. 2nd semester, i got a B- in the second part of intro chem and C+ in the second semester of intro bio. right now, i'm scheduled for 21 credits for my 1st semester of my sophomore year. I have only one science course scheduled, orgo chem. I also have a second semester of calculus scheduled...along with other lib arts courses. Sorry for the long intro, but with such a low GPA i calculated my "miracle" GPA, that is if I get full 4.0s for the next 4 semesters, and it only came out to be a 3.58. With this said, should I continue on the premed track? i really want to do this, but i'm afraid that with a GPA that is all but wonderful, i will not be in good shape. If I still have a chance, should I start considering post-bacc, already?

You sorta of remind me of my own experience. I went to Cornell too. Freshman year I got medicore grades in bio and calc and became very discouraged. Rest of the undergrad years I stuffed each semester with too many courses and never did very well. Now that subpar GPA is haunting me. What I wish I had realized then was that my high school study and time-management habits were simply not cutting it and I needed to shape up.

So don't get discouraged. You are still a freshman so it isn't too late. Figure out why you are performing below your abilities and change your behavior. One thing I found helpful was to develop an "arrogant" attitude toward one's past sub-par perfomrance: "Am I seriously going to let a few past Bs and Cs get in the way of my dreams?"

A lot of schools look kindly on upward trend in GPA, combine that with a good MCAT score and you will be competitive for admission.

 

[ExtremeUnderdog]

Time for an update

Graduated from a solid school in the Big 12 with a 2.2 Cum GPA. I failed out 2x before graduating and had to take summer classes in order to get back into school. I graduated with a degree in economics but I did complete most of the pre-reqs for medical school. I moved out west and spent the next 2 years doing research at the scripps research institute than did an undergrad post-bac at the university of houston a-la-carte style. At Houston I completed 30 credits of upper division science classes with a 3.87. I wrote the MCAT and scored a 31. The next year i worked full time and continued to take 9 more credits of science classes. That year I wanted to apply to medical school but deans of a few schools in texas told me that my GPA was still too low. So I applied to a few SMP programs and got into Georgetown and EVMS. I went to EVMS and endured what was arguably the most stressful year of my life where I competed with medical students in medical school classes. I survived and the day after graduation I found out I had gotten into EVMS' medical school program!! So it has been a long roller coaster of a ride but I am living a dream right now. To those contemplating overcoming long odds, if you have the passion and the drive, you will succeed. The biggest thing to help me through this was overwhelming passion (and at times consuming), support from my family, and an unwillingness to let anything stop me. Good Luck to all!!

Tooth

Tooth... Thank you for this post!!!! 🙂

It is sooooooooooo nice to know that the summit can be reached, even if it feels like we're doing the work of Sisyphus.

 

[mrj5k]

hey all,

a little background. i'll be brief.

my numbers:
Went to the University of Virginia
GPA science: 3.0
GPA overall: 3.35
MCAT : 30-R

I've spent this year applying and working at the hospital. I got waitlisted at the University of Michigan (top third) as well as EVMS (middle third). My hospital work has been good-- ended up publishing 3 journal articles. My question is this : i'm enrolled in the Duquesne Post Bac program this fall. Should I retake the MCAT? Also, should I reapply this cycle and send grades or should I wait an extra year--i'll do it if i have to.

What to do?

thanks.

 

[Carlitos]

Tooth,

Great update... here are a few questions for you:

- How did you "explain" your initial academic difficulties?

- How did you decide on the number of credits to take on the second try (e.g. , based on a target GPA)

Many thanks for a response and good luck!

Carlos

Time for an update

Graduated from a solid school in the Big 12 with a 2.2 Cum GPA. I failed out 2x before graduating and had to take summer classes in order to get back into school. I graduated with a degree in economics but I did complete most of the pre-reqs for medical school. I moved out west and spent the next 2 years doing research at the scripps research institute than did an undergrad post-bac at the university of houston a-la-carte style. At Houston I completed 30 credits of upper division science classes with a 3.87. I wrote the MCAT and scored a 31. The next year i worked full time and continued to take 9 more credits of science classes. That year I wanted to apply to medical school but deans of a few schools in texas told me that my GPA was still too low. So I applied to a few SMP programs and got into Georgetown and EVMS. I went to EVMS and endured what was arguably the most stressful year of my life where I competed with medical students in medical school classes. I survived and the day after graduation I found out I had gotten into EVMS' medical school program!! So it has been a long roller coaster of a ride but I am living a dream right now. To those contemplating overcoming long odds, if you have the passion and the drive, you will succeed. The biggest thing to help me through this was overwhelming passion (and at times consuming), support from my family, and an unwillingness to let anything stop me. Good Luck to all!!

Tooth

 

[mshheaddoc]

hey all,

a little background. i'll be brief.

my numbers:
Went to the University of Virginia
GPA science: 3.0
GPA overall: 3.35
MCAT : 30-R

I've spent this year applying and working at the hospital. I got waitlisted at the University of Michigan (top third) as well as EVMS (middle third). My hospital work has been good-- ended up publishing 3 journal articles. My question is this : i'm enrolled in the Duquesne Post Bac program this fall. Should I retake the MCAT? Also, should I reapply this cycle and send grades or should I wait an extra year--i'll do it if i have to.

What to do?

thanks.

With the stats, its more your GPA that's holding you back. I think if you get it higher or do an SMP you're set. The MCAT is good for now but hopefully you won't have to retake it

 

[Laurenabella]

I have read so many posts that I am starting to go cross-eyed in an attempt to see if anyone who actually got in on the first round was in a similar situation. I have a 3.1 GPA and 11 PS, 11 BS, 14 V, P. I have decent extra curriculars but I'm not one of those people who has built hospitals in deepest Africa or worked on the pioneer reasearch team that discovered the cure to cancer. Is it completely unrealistic to hope to get in this first round?

 

[TiggidyTooth]

I have read so many posts that I am starting to go cross-eyed in an attempt to see if anyone who actually got in on the first round was in a similar situation. I have a 3.1 GPA and 11 PS, 11 BS, 14 V, P. I have decent extra curriculars but I'm not one of those people who has built hospitals in deepest Africa or worked on the pioneer reasearch team that discovered the cure to cancer. Is it completely unrealistic to hope to get in this first round?

I would say that the odds are against you but you never know in this process. It depends on the school and what they are looking for. You did not provide much info about yourself, recent grad, out of school for a few years etc,. In my SMP program there were people with similar stats and did not get in their first try thus the SMP so take that for what its worth.

Tooth

 

[trendz80]

Hi all,

I am new here and I have been reading this thread for awhile and I am getting dizzy with all the replies. 🙂
I was wondering when you apply to med school they take the gpa from your previous undergraduate degree and add that to the post bacc gpa you get.

This may be a stupid question, but I am new to all this. I have a BA in Psychology with a 2.8 gpa. I am also now in nursing school finishing up in October. My GPA is a 3.7. I am applying to a post bacc degree program and whatever gpa I get for those science classes will be added in with both my Bachelors GPA?

I just want to know so I can go in the right direction with what I have to do. I thought by doing nursing would give me the clinical experience that way I can get paid and do my pre-reqs instead of volunteering and then I can get the tuition reimbursements for the pre-reqs by the hospital.

I know this is going to be a long process again.... but that is why I changed my mind about trying to get into medical school because so many ppl tried to talk me out of it. So I did the next best thing which was nursing but I am not satisfied.

Any replies would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Lashawn

 

[TiggidyTooth]

Tooth,

Great update... here are a few questions for you:

- How did you "explain" your initial academic difficulties?

- How did you decide on the number of credits to take on the second try (e.g. , based on a target GPA)

Many thanks for a response and good luck!

Carlos

1) I made no excuses about my past. I was immature and that is what I said in my essay and interview. I found my passion late and I finally grew up. My grades and EC's reflected that.

2) I spoke with an adcom a while back at a texas school and he told me that 50-60 credits is the number they use for all to be forgiven given my history. Accordingly I went ahead and took as many upperdivision science classes as I could and kick major but.

 

[Laurenabella]

I am definitely applying to some SMP's. I've heard georgetown has a good one. I guess other than that I'll just have to wait and find out 🙂
Thanx,
Lauren

 

[Singing Devil]

I am definitely applying to some SMP's. I've heard georgetown has a good one. I guess other than that I'll just have to wait and find out 🙂
Thanx,
Lauren

Check out BU as well--I couldn't have been happier with my experience with that program.

 

[Mooby]

CaptainJack02, you're preaching to the choir.

But hey, I had a 12V last time. Maybe one more question right, and that's a 13, meaning I could CLAIM 13-15 with the whole skewed bell curve thing. So, I might be able to break 40. That's my plan, at least. What REALLY sucks is that Kaplan is giving me an alumni discount of $50 off of $1449. That's less than 4% off.
And I don't even get the higher score guarantee since I took it before. So, I have to score higher, to at least justify the cost to myself.

See if you can get in on one of the Allied Health or Pre-Med Honor societies at your school. Pretty much all that I know of get a 10% discount. And, some either have raffles or auctions for Kaplan/Princeton Review courses.

 

[simhawk]

Hello I wanted to know what are the requirements for UCONN post bacc? Is there are guarantee that you get accepted to UCONN med school if you complete their postbacc?

Boston University undergrad (Biomed Eng, 1990): GPA ~ 2.5
(had some significant chronic health issues)

UCONN post-bacc (on my own and then formal program): 1 1/2 years: GPA = 4.0

MCAT: 33S (11V, 11PS, 11BS)

Accepted to UCONN (only school applied to)

Currently an MS1 for a couple more weeks