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

[drizzt3117]

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The easiest (and most affordable) course of action for you would be to retake the prereqs in an informal postbac and apply DO... since the grades are replaced rather than averaged, you'll be able to raise your GPA substantially with respect to DO programs. If you're set on MD, you'll probably have to retake all the prereqs anyways, get As in all of them, get a solid MCAT score, get into a SMP, do very well, apply in the open pool, and see what happens.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do!

After reading so many other people's posts, I've decided to muster up the courage to ask for advice for my situation.

I'm currently a junior, and if all goes decently (grades of A's and B's), I'll graduate with a 3.0 cumulative GPA as a social science major. I started off my undergraduate career at a top-20 college as a premed major, but because I didn't address my depression, it really went into a downward spiral, which interfered with my work and school, I was withdrawn by the recommendation of my therapist. My bad grades were in my pre-req science classes (yes, this includes a couple F's and quite a few D's and a semester's worth of W's🙁) at the first university where I was a science major. After taking a semester off, I went back part time to a lesser known school and made better grades. I've re-taken 1 year of General Chemistry and did well, and I plan on re-taking the rest of my prereqs eventually as a full time student.

I have calculated that it would take me at least 32 hours (8 math/science courses) beyond my pre-reqs to make my BCPM become a 3.0 with my cumulative at 3.25. With just the pre-reqs re-taken, my BCPM would be a 2.65. With horrible stats like this, would I be better off getting pretty much a second bachelor's degree or going for an SMP to make myself a better candidate for medical school. I want to prove that I have changed and that I have the focus and the mental and emotional stability to succeed that I lacked in my first two years of college, but it seems so intimidating, especially since I'm working and paying for everything myself.

 

[Maxprime]

I'll tell my low-GPA story in gory detail if I get an acceptance this cycle. Hang in there.

USC SOM acceptance arrived today - I'm going to be a doctor! 🙂 A low GPA isn't a death sentence, although I've had to explain it in interviews. I came from a deep hole (2.6 with over 160 hours IIRC), I'll post up my story when I get time - I have finals M/T/W and have to go cram. Hang in there fellow low GPA'ers.

 

[DrJD]

USC SOM acceptance arrived today - I'm going to be a doctor! 🙂 A low GPA isn't a death sentence, although I've had to explain it in interviews. I came from a deep hole (2.6 with over 160 hours IIRC), I'll post up my story when I get time - I have finals M/T/W and have to go cram. Hang in there fellow low GPA'ers.

Would love to know your story Maxprime, so please do! Good luck with Finals!

 

[Lopyswine]

hey everyone,
I'm from the dental board but I figured I would also post this here. I think you guys could use some good news.

My story:

*********
this post is meant to serve as an inspiration.

A few years ago, I graduated from undergrad (won't say where, top 5 public University) with a gpa of 3.2/2.6. I searched everywhere for a Master's program that would take me. NO ONE.

I finally found a Master's program that told me I needed some more post-bac work before they would take me. So I did 3 semesters of post bac work (retook Orgo 1, Orgo 2, Physics I, Physics II, biochem)(first time classes: A+P 2 semesters, cellular biochem, immunology, PChem 1 Pchem 2) I was very hard but:
3.9/3.7

I took the DAT, and began working as a dental assistant.
DAT: AA:23 TS:23 PAT:20 Bio:23 GC:23 OC:23 RC:23 QR:22 (these scores are very competitive for DAT)

I was then provisionally accepted to the Master's program. At this time I was also denied from dental school. I began my master's program. In the middle of the master's program I find that I am denied from dental school again.

I am now finished with the master's program.
3.7/3.7
I am taking some extra graduate classes, and today I found out I am accepted to my first choice dental school.

So yeah, it took me 3-4 years after undergrad to get where I am, however I am here.

DO NOT GIVE UP. with hard work, and the support of loving family and friends, you'll make it!! (we'll just have a little more debt to pay off.... but we'll all reach our goals if we keep pushing forward!!)

 

[Isoprop]

hey everyone,
I'm from the dental board but I figured I would also post this here. I think you guys could use some good news.

My story:

*********
this post is meant to serve as an inspiration.

A few years ago, I graduated from undergrad (won't say where, top 5 public University) with a gpa of 3.2/2.6. I searched everywhere for a Master's program that would take me. NO ONE.

I finally found a Master's program that told me I needed some more post-bac work before they would take me. So I did 3 semesters of post bac work (retook Orgo 1, Orgo 2, Physics I, Physics II, biochem)(first time classes: A+P 2 semesters, cellular biochem, immunology, PChem 1 Pchem 2) I was very hard but:
3.9/3.7

I took the DAT, and began working as a dental assistant.
DAT: AA:23 TS:23 PAT:20 Bio:23 GC:23 OC:23 RC:23 QR:22 (these scores are very competitive for DAT)

I was then provisionally accepted to the Master's program. At this time I was also denied from dental school. I began my master's program. In the middle of the master's program I find that I am denied from dental school again.

I am now finished with the master's program.
3.7/3.7
I am taking some extra graduate classes, and today I found out I am accepted to my first choice dental school.

So yeah, it took me 3-4 years after undergrad to get where I am, however I am here.

DO NOT GIVE UP. with hard work, and the support of loving family and friends, you'll make it!! (we'll just have a little more debt to pay off.... but we'll all reach our goals if we keep pushing forward!!)

congrats! 👍👍

 

[Albuterol]

hi guys,

i have a low gpa 3.0 cum along with a 2.68science. sucky i know but plan on retaking gen chem and physics along with other sciences for a total of 50-56credits all science classes. I did well in biology and organic and plan on taking the MCAT in January 2009 after I finish gen chem and physics. How do SMPs view pre-req retakes and upward trends? Would I have a shot at BU or Gtown with say 3.3cum/3.1sci and a 30 mcat or should i be aiming for 35+ to combat my low gpa? I've already graduated so this is all post-bac credits.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Maxprime]

I've been waiting a long time to do this and can't tell you how happy I am that I finally get to write "my story". 🙂

I did 2 degrees in undergrad, but just generally didn't care about school. I rarely went and just did whatever I had to in order to get by. My future employers didn't care too much about my GPA, so I took the wonderfully short-sighted position of 'who cares?'. I graduated with a 2.6 and a TON of hours and began working as an investment banker. After a year, I had what alcoholics call a moment of clarity and decided to trade in dollars for patients. Here's where things get interesting.

Post-Bacc
I applied around and received rejections . . . everywhere. No one would have me - not with my wreck of a transcript following me around. The letter from HCP said, "No student in this history of our program has ever been accepted to medical school with your numbers." Shocked, (I didn't think I was THAT screwed!) I spoke with the head of the program @ the Harvard Health Careers program and he told me I could take classes and re-apply in Spring if I did well. Against his pleading, I took 3 classes instead of 2 so I could finish in a year. I worked my tail off (never taken chem or bio before) and got a 4.0, and I was in the program. I finished the year there with both semesters of orgo in 7 weeks during the summer (I do NOT recommend this) and ended my post-bacc career with a 3.9 (stupid A- in orgo). I also spent time volunteering, doing research, and shadowing physicians. It was a very rough 12 months - but there were amazing people in it with me and we pushed each other to succeed.

Grad school
Again, everyone told me I couldn't get into grad school because I only had 1 semester of bio and a crap-GPA. In Spring of my post-bacc year, I crammed for and nailed the GRE. Unfortunately, with competition the way it is, without an MCAT I was dead in the water at most SMP's. I wanted to roll the dice, so I applied to and was accepted to a Master's program in Neuroscience @ my state medical school. If they wouldn't let me in while I was studying in the building, no one would. I began in August, just 4 days after my orgo final. I introduced myself to the admissions people during my first week and they told me not to wait another year, apply now! I already had an MCAT seat I had booked in September, so I crammed for 2.5 weeks and took it. I then filled out my AMCAS in a matter of 24 hours because I was already so far behind.

Med School Admissions
My MCAT came back huge - when I started out, I told everyone I was shooting for a 40 and most people said it wasn't possible - but everyone who has said that in the past was wrong so far (common theme?). My results were delayed by 2 days because of a glitch - what an awful 2 days of waiting! Then I saw the numbers - 11/15/14 - I couldn't believe it! I thought I had done well, but all of my practice exams were in the 37 or 38 range. So I started applying like a madman. I filled out 18 secondaries in the first 2 weeks and hoped for the best.
I got my interview notice from USC SOM and lost it - I wasn't supposed to make it this far. Then one came from MUSC, then Case Western! My interviews have gone well so far, but I've had tough questions about my academic past in each of them. As I'm walking across campus between interviews at MUSC, I get a phone call from USC SOM - ACCEPTANCE! I don't know how I even spoke with my second interviewer - I am actually going to be a doctor!

I had someone on the forums here talk with me about my plan and what I needed to accomplish to get in and I would love to help out anyone who has questions. My pearls of wisdom:

Don't get down on yourself. People will tell you it can't be done, there's no way, etc. Pissing and whining won't do anything, make your new grades speak for themselves.

Put everything you have into the MCAT - it is the great equalizer. Give me someone with a 3.0 in engineering and a 37 MCAT and I will take them any day over a 3.8 art major with a 29 MCAT. Low GPA-ers look for others like themselves, I know I will when I'm an ADCOM.

Get your foot in the door. You have to convince someone to punish someone else who's done it all right. They've got a 3.7, they got a 30 on their MCAT, they volunteered, they shadowed. You have to convince someone that you're better than that person - that your GPA is just a remnant of a dumber time in your life. Make your application special - do everything you can do differentiate yourself. My adviser once said, "You need them to look at your app and say Who the hell is this guy? What a crazy application, let's bring him in for an interview and see who he really is."

You need others in this process. You can't juggle classes, volunteering, research, apps, and a life without others. When you get sick, you need people to pick up your shifts or grab an extra handout for you. I am here because of my hard work and the hard work of others.
The people you will meet in your journey are the most incredible you'll ever have the honor of working with - it makes me all the more excited to enter the profession. They are extremely smart, hard working, and compassionate.

So, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. It's been a long, harsh year and a half with little to no sleep, a TON of coffee, and a couple of huge victories. I have no shame in admitting I'll ball my eyes out when I receive my white coat. The amount of work you put into this profession will bring you rewards you cannot find anywhere else.

 

[Isoprop]

I've been waiting a long time to do this and can't tell you how happy I am that I finally get to write "my story". 🙂

I did 2 degrees in undergrad, but just generally didn't care about school. I rarely went and just did whatever I had to in order to get by. My future employers didn't care too much about my GPA, so I took the wonderfully short-sighted position of 'who cares?'. I graduated with a 2.6 and a TON of hours and began working as an investment banker. After a year, I had what alcoholics call a moment of clarity and decided to trade in dollars for patients. Here's where things get interesting.

Post-Bacc
I applied around and received rejections . . . everywhere. No one would have me - not with my wreck of a transcript following me around. The letter from HCP said, "No student in this history of our program has ever been accepted to medical school with your numbers." Shocked, (I didn't think I was THAT screwed!) I spoke with the head of the program @ the Harvard Health Careers program and he told me I could take classes and re-apply in Spring if I did well. Against his pleading, I took 3 classes instead of 2 so I could finish in a year. I worked my tail off (never taken chem or bio before) and got a 4.0, and I was in the program. I finished the year there with both semesters of orgo in 7 weeks during the summer (I do NOT recommend this) and ended my post-bacc career with a 3.9 (stupid A- in orgo). I also spent time volunteering, doing research, and shadowing physicians. It was a very rough 12 months - but there were amazing people in it with me and we pushed each other to succeed.

Grad school
Again, everyone told me I couldn't get into grad school because I only had 1 semester of bio and a crap-GPA. In Spring of my post-bacc year, I crammed for and nailed the GRE. Unfortunately, with competition the way it is, without an MCAT I was dead in the water at most SMP's. I wanted to roll the dice, so I applied to and was accepted to a Master's program in Neuroscience @ my state medical school. If they wouldn't let me in while I was studying in the building, no one would. I began in August, just 4 days after my orgo final. I introduced myself to the admissions people during my first week and they told me not to wait another year, apply now! I already had an MCAT seat I had booked in September, so I crammed for 2.5 weeks and took it. I then filled out my AMCAS in a matter of 24 hours because I was already so far behind.

Med School Admissions
My MCAT came back huge - when I started out, I told everyone I was shooting for a 40 and most people said it wasn't possible - but everyone who has said that in the past was wrong so far (common theme?). My results were delayed by 2 days because of a glitch - what an awful 2 days of waiting! Then I saw the numbers - 11/15/14 - I couldn't believe it! I thought I had done well, but all of my practice exams were in the 37 or 38 range. So I started applying like a madman. I filled out 18 secondaries in the first 2 weeks and hoped for the best.
I got my interview notice from USC SOM and lost it - I wasn't supposed to make it this far. Then one came from MUSC, then Case Western! My interviews have gone well so far, but I've had tough questions about my academic past in each of them. As I'm walking across campus between interviews at MUSC, I get a phone call from USC SOM - ACCEPTANCE! I don't know how I even spoke with my second interviewer - I am actually going to be a doctor!

I had someone on the forums here talk with me about my plan and what I needed to accomplish to get in and I would love to help out anyone who has questions. My pearls of wisdom:

Don't get down on yourself. People will tell you it can't be done, there's no way, etc. Pissing and whining won't do anything, make your new grades speak for themselves.

Put everything you have into the MCAT - it is the great equalizer. Give me someone with a 3.0 in engineering and a 37 MCAT and I will take them any day over a 3.8 art major with a 29 MCAT. Low GPA-ers look for others like themselves, I know I will when I'm an ADCOM.

Get your foot in the door. You have to convince someone to punish someone else who's done it all right. They've got a 3.7, they got a 30 on their MCAT, they volunteered, they shadowed. You have to convince someone that you're better than that person - that your GPA is just a remnant of a dumber time in your life. Make your application special - do everything you can do differentiate yourself. My adviser once said, "You need them to look at your app and say Who the hell is this guy? What a crazy application, let's bring him in for an interview and see who he really is."

You need others in this process. You can't juggle classes, volunteering, research, apps, and a life without others. When you get sick, you need people to pick up your shifts or grab an extra handout for you. I am here because of my hard work and the hard work of others.
The people you will meet in your journey are the most incredible you'll ever have the honor of working with - it makes me all the more excited to enter the profession. They are extremely smart, hard working, and compassionate.

So, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. It's been a long, harsh year and a half with little to no sleep, a TON of coffee, and a couple of huge victories. I have no shame in admitting I'll ball my eyes out when I receive my white coat. The amount of work you put into this profession will bring you rewards you cannot find anywhere else.

what an inspiring story. i especially loved your advice. THANKS!!! and CONGRATS!!!

 

[InquisitiveDoc]

I am currently a 4th year senior at a really good public university. Right now, my overall gpa is a 2.777 and my science gpa is a 2.4. I do have 2 more semesters to complete with approximately 24 more science credits which will give me the opportunity to increase both gpa's. But i dont think that'll be enough to enter medical school. I have had some unfortunate events that have happened throughout college (my uncle passed away of postrate cancer last year and 15 days later, his wife died of a massive heart attack. 4 months later, my great-grandmother died of natural causes). I just want to be given the opportunity to prove to medical schools that I am a competitive student but I just have had some rough patches.

Any advice from anyone?

 

[quark]

It's been a long time so I don't remember my exact GPA but it was in the low 3's at an Ivy League school. So-so letters. Not really active in extracurriculars. Good, but not great, MCATs. Did post-bacc after undergrad and went straight to medical school.

I am pretty much at the end of training...finishing up fellowship in June 2008. Went to top notch academic residency and fellowship. Multiple job offers including an academic job at any Ivy League school and already signed a contract with an excellent practice.

Reading some of your stories brought to mind my own worries back when I was still applying to medical school. I wanted to add my own 2 cents on the things that I thought made a difference and helped me to get to where I am today.

1. Grades and test scores will only get you so far. If your grades and test scores are on the low side, those are not the things that will get you into medical school. They do, however, need to be high enough that you surpass whatever cutoff point exists (and they do no matter what anyone says). Oftentimes where you went to school makes a difference. All GPAs are not equal. Improvement from year 1 to year 4 helps.

2. Do research. Academic institutions are always trying to find people who are interested in doing research because there aren't enough physicians who want to do it. Having a few publications under your belt with help a lot.

3. Shadowing and volunteer work. Helps some but I think that most applicants will have done the same thing. If you can shadow someone or volunteer somewhere where the person you are working with actually has some influence in the medical school application process, then that may help you more than someone who doesn't. Sometimes who you know matters more than anything else.

Back in the days when I was applying, I too was focused on grades and MCAT scores. I know people with high GPAs and test scores that still don't get in. You have to stand out and do somethings extra.

As far as going to foreign medical schools or osteopathic medical schools...it's true you get to be a physician but there will be serious hurdles later on if you want to get into a competitive specialty and/or residency program. But that is a personal choice.

This is what I've learned. May not apply to everyone but that's how it goes.

 

[Amy23]

So i just discovered this amazing website... i spent 2 hours reading the posts about post bacc. programs and low gpa's. I myself am a senior majoring both neuroscience and psychology at a top 20 private school with a 2.8 gpa and even lower science GPA. I did research and all the other common pre-med stuff like shadowing, volunteering,etc. Like many of you i was aimless, confused, and for the most part just didn't care about my grades for awhile. I got 2D's and a few C's. I finally got my wake up call the last year and a half and actually raised my gpa to what it is now. I have a 27 on the mcats- 10BS,10V, and 7PS... I did not take physics before. I'm at the stage where I don't know what to do next. I'm really afraid of doing a postbacc and it not paying off. Money is a huge issue too since my undergraduate degree has left me in quite some debt. With my grades should I just go to a school in the Caribbean? Please help!

 

[Essex]

I've been waiting a long time to do this and can't tell you how happy I am that I finally get to write "my story". 🙂

I did 2 degrees in undergrad, but just generally didn't care about school. I rarely went and just did whatever I had to in order to get by. My future employers didn't care too much about my GPA, so I took the wonderfully short-sighted position of 'who cares?'. I graduated with a 2.6 and a TON of hours and began working as an investment banker. After a year, I had what alcoholics call a moment of clarity and decided to trade in dollars for patients. Here's where things get interesting.

Post-Bacc
I applied around and received rejections . . . everywhere. No one would have me - not with my wreck of a transcript following me around. The letter from HCP said, "No student in this history of our program has ever been accepted to medical school with your numbers." Shocked, (I didn't think I was THAT screwed!) I spoke with the head of the program @ the Harvard Health Careers program and he told me I could take classes and re-apply in Spring if I did well. Against his pleading, I took 3 classes instead of 2 so I could finish in a year. I worked my tail off (never taken chem or bio before) and got a 4.0, and I was in the program. I finished the year there with both semesters of orgo in 7 weeks during the summer (I do NOT recommend this) and ended my post-bacc career with a 3.9 (stupid A- in orgo). I also spent time volunteering, doing research, and shadowing physicians. It was a very rough 12 months - but there were amazing people in it with me and we pushed each other to succeed.

Grad school
Again, everyone told me I couldn't get into grad school because I only had 1 semester of bio and a crap-GPA. In Spring of my post-bacc year, I crammed for and nailed the GRE. Unfortunately, with competition the way it is, without an MCAT I was dead in the water at most SMP's. I wanted to roll the dice, so I applied to and was accepted to a Master's program in Neuroscience @ my state medical school. If they wouldn't let me in while I was studying in the building, no one would. I began in August, just 4 days after my orgo final. I introduced myself to the admissions people during my first week and they told me not to wait another year, apply now! I already had an MCAT seat I had booked in September, so I crammed for 2.5 weeks and took it. I then filled out my AMCAS in a matter of 24 hours because I was already so far behind.

Med School Admissions
My MCAT came back huge - when I started out, I told everyone I was shooting for a 40 and most people said it wasn't possible - but everyone who has said that in the past was wrong so far (common theme?). My results were delayed by 2 days because of a glitch - what an awful 2 days of waiting! Then I saw the numbers - 11/15/14 - I couldn't believe it! I thought I had done well, but all of my practice exams were in the 37 or 38 range. So I started applying like a madman. I filled out 18 secondaries in the first 2 weeks and hoped for the best.
I got my interview notice from USC SOM and lost it - I wasn't supposed to make it this far. Then one came from MUSC, then Case Western! My interviews have gone well so far, but I've had tough questions about my academic past in each of them. As I'm walking across campus between interviews at MUSC, I get a phone call from USC SOM - ACCEPTANCE! I don't know how I even spoke with my second interviewer - I am actually going to be a doctor!

I had someone on the forums here talk with me about my plan and what I needed to accomplish to get in and I would love to help out anyone who has questions. My pearls of wisdom:

Don't get down on yourself. People will tell you it can't be done, there's no way, etc. Pissing and whining won't do anything, make your new grades speak for themselves.

Put everything you have into the MCAT - it is the great equalizer. Give me someone with a 3.0 in engineering and a 37 MCAT and I will take them any day over a 3.8 art major with a 29 MCAT. Low GPA-ers look for others like themselves, I know I will when I'm an ADCOM.

Get your foot in the door. You have to convince someone to punish someone else who's done it all right. They've got a 3.7, they got a 30 on their MCAT, they volunteered, they shadowed. You have to convince someone that you're better than that person - that your GPA is just a remnant of a dumber time in your life. Make your application special - do everything you can do differentiate yourself. My adviser once said, "You need them to look at your app and say Who the hell is this guy? What a crazy application, let's bring him in for an interview and see who he really is."

You need others in this process. You can't juggle classes, volunteering, research, apps, and a life without others. When you get sick, you need people to pick up your shifts or grab an extra handout for you. I am here because of my hard work and the hard work of others.
The people you will meet in your journey are the most incredible you'll ever have the honor of working with - it makes me all the more excited to enter the profession. They are extremely smart, hard working, and compassionate.

So, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. It's been a long, harsh year and a half with little to no sleep, a TON of coffee, and a couple of huge victories. I have no shame in admitting I'll ball my eyes out when I receive my white coat. The amount of work you put into this profession will bring you rewards you cannot find anywhere else.

----

Wow, what an inspiring story. 🙂

 

[Maxprime]

----

Wow, what an inspiring story. 🙂
I'm currently a third year at an ivy college and started off poorly (3.0 fresh, 2.9 soph including a D in Orgo II). But this past semester of my 3rd year, I worked my ass off and got a 3.9! Admitedly, I even if I continue this trend, I will finish my 3rd year with a 3.35 and my 4th year with a 3.4, which is borderline. I hope that the MCAT is the great equalizer that you proclaim it to be. Otherwise it just seems so depressing that a poor start can have such long-lasting consequences.

Congrats on the great semester - keep up the hard work.

Remember that you are asking an admissions committee to punish someone who did what you did last semester, only they did it for all 4 years. It's important to remember that - you have to prove that you're worth the risk. But if I had the choice of someone with a 3.6 through school or a 2.9 their first year followed by a last 3 years of 3.9, I choose the trend (let alone the higher MCAT you'll have 🙂 ).

I also think about it this way - I did poorly for 4 years that everyone else was succeeding. I was willing to spend up to 4 years making up for it - which makes sense to me.

I got a packet in the mail from WashU saying, "oh please apply here, we love you!" because they got my MCAT score from the AAMC. My first thought was, "If I wasn't such a ***** in college, I'd be a shoe-in at WashU." It's impossible to prevent that from crossing your mind, but it's all part of the process. The only thing you can do is keep your head down and let those thoughts motivate you going forwards - we can't change the past.

 

[lolasmommy]

Wow I found my thread:
University of Guam
Graduated: Fall O7
Undergrad overall GPA:3.05
I intend to do PostBacc for about 1yr = GPA:3.1
Have lots of research experience, lots of EC's, need more clinical stuff (ie. volunteering, shadowing, etc.)
Plan to study for the MCAT for the next sem. and take it when Im good and ready.
Ohh yah...Im 24, a single mom, and apparently counted as a URM (underrepresented minority)

 

[Faze2]

Congrats on the great semester - keep up the hard work.

Remember that you are asking an admissions committee to punish someone who did what you did last semester, only they did it for all 4 years. It's important to remember that - you have to prove that you're worth the risk. But if I had the choice of someone with a 3.6 through school or a 2.9 their first year followed by a last 3 years of 3.9, I choose the trend (let alone the higher MCAT you'll have 🙂 ).

I also think about it this way - I did poorly for 4 years that everyone else was succeeding. I was willing to spend up to 4 years making up for it - which makes sense to me.

I got a packet in the mail from WashU saying, "oh please apply here, we love you!" because they got my MCAT score from the AAMC. My first thought was, "If I wasn't such a ***** in college, I'd be a shoe-in at WashU." It's impossible to prevent that from crossing your mind, but it's all part of the process. The only thing you can do is keep your head down and let those thoughts motivate you going forwards - we can't change the past.

Well put. And dude!!! How the hell did you study for the MCAT? Because whatever you did, I'm doing it too!!!👍

 

[htnguy12]

My problem started with my 1st year of undergrad. Being a English as a second language put me at a disadvantage with college level writing course, so I flunked out because of that. My other classes which was pre-med at the time was mediocre. So being a stupid person that I am I decided to pile on more classes to try to make up for that disappointing year only to flunk out again. Scholastically dropped from the university and had to appeal and beg to get back in after one and a half year of suspension. Left with a 1.66 GPA

Came back and did pretty good making 3.0s the rest of the way until graduation.

Overall is a 2.3, with science around the same area I think. Basically I just want to go to another university and basically do over all my pre-reqs again. Graduate with biology minoring in chemistry. Good research experience with possibility of co-authorship in 2 papers.

Want to do dentistry, but have not taken the DATs yet. Since dental school only requires 3 years of undergrad, I was thinking that I attend another university and re-do my 3 years there.

I want to attend post-bac programs but the cut-off seems to be at 2.5. Pulling up my grade at this point in time would take me a very long time to do.

So which option should I take.

1. Enroll in different Undergrad and do 2-3 years of pre-dent course work all over again

2. Enroll in different undergrad and take advance sciences courses.

The reason that I'm not staying at my alumni is because of the environment and because I have exhausted all of the biology courses that they offered.

Thanks in advance.

 

[whosthis]

im kinda in the same situation also i would do option 1, but does dental school avg the 2 grades?..... i have already graduated with a health science degree. my overall GPA is a 2.98 and my science is 2.2 for allopathic and 2.7 for DO schools.

MY PLAN:

Im doing an informal post bacc at a diffent state school in Central Florida. Im gonna retake most of my science classes that i got C's in. I did get 2 D's but i replaced them with C's. now im goona have to replace those C's with A's. then im gonna work my butt off and get into a DO program. should take only 2years to complete.

Im taking the MCAT next week so hopefully i do well for my first time. i will take my MCAT again in a year and study more for it..

From what ive hear is that DO schools only look and factor in the most recent grades. so if i got a C in gen chem 1 and retook it and got an A in it again they would only count the A in the science GPA.


If anyone knows a better route for me to take plz dont be shy and share. id love to hear other peoples' ideas.

thanks for listening.

 

[Maxprime]

Well put. And dude!!! How the hell did you study for the MCAT? Because whatever you did, I'm doing it too!!!👍

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=5709207&postcount=703 🙂

 

[realstar]

My situation is similar to yours. What masters programs are you looking into?

 

[realstar]

I personally decided to do a Masters because I graduated with 154 credit hours. It would take a crap load of classes and at least 2.5 years for me to take enough undergrad courses, make A's and get my GPA to move to a 3, which still isn't competitive. So I figure that 1) I may as well get a degree out of it (Masters) and 2) since the grad GPA gets it's own section on AMCAS, I'll have a fresh new GPA.

My situation is similar to yours, what masters programs are you looking to get into?

 

[realstar]

I have a low GPA - 2.65, but a 36Q in MCAT. I'm wondering if there is any MS program that will accept a candidate with my credentials. Can someone shed some light on my situation?

 

[Maxprime]

I have a low GPA - 2.65, but a 36Q in MCAT. I'm wondering if there is any MS program that will accept a candidate with my credentials. Can someone shed some light on my situation?

With that MCAT, I think that you may have a shot at SMP's. Admissions for those keeps getting worse and a lot of them have 3.0 minimums. Are you grades pretty uniform over time? If you can pull it up to a 3.0, you'll have a LOT more options in terms of SMPs - do the math to see how long that would take. If it's not that long, you could have a shot at a state MD school if you're lucky enough to be from a better state.

 

[choeja]

Hi everyone,

I posted on the main Post Bac forum before I realized there was a more appropriate thread for my situation. Here is a link to the original post, if you care to read a rather lengthy explanation as to where I am.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=489647

Quick summary of me:

Status: US citizen and California Resident. Age 28, Male

Little bit o history: Born in South Korea. Moved to US at two. Finished middle school in the US. Went to high school and college in Korea. Moved back to the US in 2004 by myself.

Education:
1: Two BAs from Sogang University (In Korea). BA in Political Science and Business Administration. No science classes except a basic bio course. Cum. GPA 2.84 with 154 credits. 🙁

2: Also took some accounting courses from a private accounting institution in Korea. Had grades I got there evaluated by a professional academic evaluation firm in the US saying the grades I got are equivalent to a 4 year accredited university in the US. Mostly got A's in those courses, but I don't know if they can be applied to my undergrad GPA.

What I've been since graduation in 2002: Worked as a English teacher in Korea and translator while taking accounting courses to become eligible to sit for US CPA exam. Moved to states in 2004, passed CPA exam. Started working for a Big 4 accounting firm in 2005 and up to present. Will be getting my CPA license this year. I can get good LoRs from my managers here. They are very supportive in my career change for some reason. And yes, I work hard and am productive here. 🙂

Plan for the future: Work until summer 2008. Take a basic math course at SFSU through Open U (I want to start gently because I haven't been to school in ages). Stop working in Fall 2008 to concentrate on studies and volunteer/clinical/research work. Attend classes through Open U and later informal 2nd. Bac at SFSU. I plan to take all my pre-reqs at SFSU to boost my GPA and to establish the upward trend in my grades.

Any Advice?: I know it will take me a long time to dig myself out of the hole I dug while I was in Undergrad and I am dedicating 2, most likely 3 years of digging myself out so I can apply to and be accepted at a Medical School. My preliminary schedule has me completing all pre-reqs in summer 2010. Assuming I get all As and ROCK the MCAT, do you think I will become a competitive applicant for Med school (allopathic)? I will apply to an SMP program at the end of my pre-req courses if that is what it takes.

Thanks!

 

[Maxprime]

Any Advice?: I know it will take me a long time to dig myself out of the hole I dug while I was in Undergrad and I am dedicating 2, most likely 3 years of digging myself out so I can apply to and be accepted at a Medical School. My preliminary schedule has me completing all pre-reqs in summer 2010. Assuming I get all As and ROCK the MCAT, do you think I will become a competitive applicant for Med school (allopathic)? I will apply to an SMP program at the end of my pre-req courses if that is what it takes.

I was in a similar situation (a lot of hours). With two years of post-bacc work at a 3.8 or 3.9 level, you can get close to a 3.1 overall. Put together an Excel sheet to see where it's no longer worth taking more classes - decreasing marginal return sucks. 🙁

If you did well in your post-bacc and really rocked the MCAT, you could apply to allo schools after your pre-reqs and if you don't get in anywhere then you'd have a really good chance at SMP's (applications are the following Spring). Check out MDApplicants.com for some ideas of what kind of results are possible. There are a decent number of us that have come back from this sort of a deficit - make sure you work on the rest of your application while doing your post-bacc.

 

[liverotcod]

Wow, I haven't posted in a long time. I guess I've got M3-itis. Anyway, I've a low gpa (2.95 cum) success story. Hang in there, y'all.

 

[CrazyLikeAFox]

-3.3 Culm
-No prereqs, starting HES this coming fall.

Assuming i do well at HES (3.4 or better), you think i stand a good chance at a US school? thanks!

I test pretty well. And i have a voucher to take all the prep classes i want (kaplan etc) so i am hoping i can pull something in the high 20's low 30's.

 

[Go Lance!]

I had a 2.95 cum UG GPA and about the same for BCPM. I completed the BU MAMS Program, did very well, and was accepted this year for the class starting in Fall 2008!

It can be done...with A TON of hard work!!! Keep it up everyone and best of luck.

 

[Vihsadas]

How did I not see this thread before!! I'm a success story in the making, so I'll let you know how it goes for me next year! It's looking like I might be attending the gtown SMP this coming fall...

We will get there. Just don't take no for an answer, and from this point forward you have to make sure that every single choice that you make is taking you closer to your goal...

 

[InquisitiveDoc]

I'm going to post again because I really need some advice and based on the success stories on here, I've been given a new sense of hope and just want to know if I'm on the right path.

I'm a senior @ an excellent state university (top 10 research institutes in the country)

current GPA: 2.78

semesters remaining (including this spring term): 2

science GPA: 2.4

Want to get my MPH in Epidemiology...i've been working my butt off this semester so far and I haven't gotten anything less than a B+ so I'm aiming for a high 3 GPA for this semester and hopefully the next semester...

Do you think if I do REALLY well on the GRE's that I will have a chance @ an MPH program?

🙂🙂All advice is appreciated!! 🙂🙂

 

[prettyslick]

I'm going to post again because I really need some advice and based on the success stories on here, I've been given a new sense of hope and just want to know if I'm on the right path.

I'm a senior @ an excellent state university (top 10 research institutes in the country)

current GPA: 2.78

semesters remaining (including this spring term): 2

science GPA: 2.4

Want to get my MPH in Epidemiology...i've been working my butt off this semester so far and I haven't gotten anything less than a B+ so I'm aiming for a high 3 GPA for this semester and hopefully the next semester...

Do you think if I do REALLY well on the GRE's that I will have a chance @ an MPH program?

🙂🙂All advice is appreciated!! 🙂🙂

Sorry, I am confused. Are you asking about MPH or medical school?

 

[PreMedHead84]

Thanks for all of the inspiring stories here. While my GPA is not terribly low, it is low enough to stunt me from admittance to any of the Texas schools after REapplying already. So this is the end of my second year trying to get into medical school, first year applying out of state (with no interviews as of yet) and I'm all-around depressed. 🙂

My cum. gpa is 3.44, my science gpa is 3.27 and apparently that just ain't good enough. 😎 So i was looking at Post Bacc programs at Harvard extension school and at UPenn "special science" program. Has anyone had experience with these programs, and if so, what can you tell me about your experiences?

Much obliged. 😛

 

[skbirdie510]

So here goes:

Overall: 2.93
BCPM: 2.8

Mostly the poor grades are due to a period of illness during sophomore year. 🙁 Currently I'm in an MPH program at SUNY Downstate (graduated from college in December, dove right in once January rolled around). Since sophomore year my grades each semester have only gone up and I ended up with a 3.68 my last semester. I'll throw in that I went to a very competitive school, not sure if that has any bearing, but it can't hurt.

Do I remotely stand a chance at getting in anywhere if I apply this year, assuming good grades throughout the course of my MPH program?

😕

 

[liverotcod]

So here goes:

Overall: 2.93
BCPM: 2.8

Do I remotely stand a chance at getting in anywhere if I apply this year, assuming good grades throughout the course of my MPH program?

😕

Probably not, since the MPH degree, while very useful, doesn't really demonstrate the aptitude for the basic sciences that the adcom wants to see in order to be confident in your capacity to get through Step 1. You will probably need to supplement that with post-bacc sciences or some kind of additional study in "hard" science.

 

[Maxprime]

So here goes:

Overall: 2.93
BCPM: 2.8

Mostly the poor grades are due to a period of illness during sophomore year. 🙁 Currently I'm in an MPH program at SUNY Downstate (graduated from college in December, dove right in once January rolled around). Since sophomore year my grades each semester have only gone up and I ended up with a 3.68 my last semester. I'll throw in that I went to a very competitive school, not sure if that has any bearing, but it can't hurt.

Do I remotely stand a chance at getting in anywhere if I apply this year, assuming good grades throughout the course of my MPH program?

😕

Without an insane MCAT, I'd say no chance. Even with one, really questionable. You need to at least pick it up over a 3.0. If you take undergrad courses that don't count towards your degree, you can improve your GPA while in your MPH program.

 

[Maxprime]

Thanks for all of the inspiring stories here. While my GPA is not terribly low, it is low enough to stunt me from admittance to any of the Texas schools after REapplying already. So this is the end of my second year trying to get into medical school, first year applying out of state (with no interviews as of yet) and I'm all-around depressed. 🙂

My cum. gpa is 3.44, my science gpa is 3.27 and apparently that just ain't good enough. 😎 So i was looking at Post Bacc programs at Harvard extension school and at UPenn "special science" program. Has anyone had experience with these programs, and if so, what can you tell me about your experiences?

Much obliged. 😛

It's going to be tough to move your GPA very much. If you have your average degree (125 hours) at 3.44, after a full year of straight A's (36 hours) you'd still only be at a 3.56. Have you considered SMPs? My first plan of attack would be the MCAT. You can improve that much faster. A 3.4 with a 33 or 34 MCAT is more attractive (IMO) than a 3.5 with a 30.

Grad school is another option. You can beef up research, get a new GPA, etc. I would also consider SMPs. Call Dr. Fixsen at HES and ask him if he thinks the program is appropriate for you.

 

[InquisitiveDoc]

i'm referring to an MPH program.
sorry for the confusion, if any.
I think I've given up hope on entering medical school so I have decided that I want to obtain my PhD but before i do that, i want to get my MPH.

Do you think that if i really work hard these next two semesters, I have a chance getting into an MPH program?

 

[JohnW399]

Just a note for anyone looking into the UNTHSC (TCOM) post bac program. The school requires a 3.5 GPA for admittance to the med school. Because they calculate the grades based on the standard deviation from the class average, and the post bax class is separate from the other graduate students, about 2/3 of the class will never reach the required GPA. I would only sign up for this program again if I knew I would definetely score above most of my classmates. Although after PhD Gwirtz spoke to us it seems pretty clear why they calculate the grades among the post bacs that way. She came to our class soliciting for people who want to swap to the research side of the school. They will even accept 3.0 GPA students! (being sarcastic there). The bottom line is that you should be careful about the program. It is aimed at boosting their research departments, not the med school.

 

[Tenacious N]

Overall GPA: 3.1
Science GPA: 3.2
MCAT: 24M, but I am retaking it in April.

I slacked off way too hard my first two years of school. I'm kicking myself in the *** for it now.

From what I have read on this forum, I have a decent chance of getting into a SMP with these stats 😎

 

[Maxprime]

Overall GPA: 3.1
Science GPA: 3.2
MCAT: 24M, but I am retaking it in April.

I slacked off way too hard my first two years of school. I'm kicking myself in the *** for it now.

From what I have read on this forum, I have a decent chance of getting into a SMP with these stats 😎

GPA is in good shape for SMPs. But, given the increasingly competitive environment, I think most will agree that you really need to try and crack a 30 on your next MCAT try. I know it's easier said than done, but throw everything you have into it. Best of luck.

 

[InquisitiveDoc]

I'm going to post again because I really need some advice and based on the success stories on here, I've been given a new sense of hope and just want to know if I'm on the right path.

I'm a senior @ an excellent state university (top 10 research institutes in the country)

current GPA: 2.78

semesters remaining (including this spring term): 2

science GPA: 2.4

Want to get my MPH in Epidemiology...i've been working my butt off this semester so far and I haven't gotten anything less than a B+ so I'm aiming for a high 3 GPA for this semester and hopefully the next semester...

I just want to get some advice as what to do next. Ultimately, my goal is to go to medical school and specialize in neurology. But I know that with a UGPA like mine, it'll take forever for this to be reality

🙂🙂All advice is appreciated!! 🙂🙂

 

[Isoprop]

I'm going to post again because I really need some advice and based on the success stories on here, I've been given a new sense of hope and just want to know if I'm on the right path.

I'm a senior @ an excellent state university (top 10 research institutes in the country)

current GPA: 2.78

semesters remaining (including this spring term): 2

science GPA: 2.4

Want to get my MPH in Epidemiology...i've been working my butt off this semester so far and I haven't gotten anything less than a B+ so I'm aiming for a high 3 GPA for this semester and hopefully the next semester...

I just want to get some advice as what to do next. Ultimately, my goal is to go to medical school and specialize in neurology. But I know that with a UGPA like mine, it'll take forever for this to be reality

🙂🙂All advice is appreciated!! 🙂🙂

mph is not a good stepping stone into med school. if you're really interested in doing a masters in public health, do it after med school. you can usually waive the first year and finish it 12 months earlier.

currently, a 4.0 average your senior year will increase your overall gpa to the 3.08 ballpark. A 3.7 average (A- average) will increase it to around 3.01.

it's really hard to tell where to go from here without an MCAT score. still, unless you do really well on your mcat really really soon, i think a post-bacc year may be the best next step. if you do well, it will increase the gpa trend since post-bacc year gpa is separated from your senior year.

here's a potential plan:

spring 08 and summer 08 - finish ugrad, apply to post-bacc for fall 08
september 08 or january 09 - take mcat
february 09 - apply to SMP's
summer 09 - apply to med schools, complete secondaries
fall 09 - start SMP, do extremely well (esp first semester), interviews to med schools
january 2010 to april 2010 - hopefully invites
summer 2010 - finish SMP, start med school.

some may say to apply for SMPs now and apply this cycle. this is actually ideal but b/c you haven't taken your mcat yet and you won't be finished this june with your degree, it might not be feasible. but really, it's hard to say without more details.

 

[InquisitiveDoc]

Isoprop!! Thanks so much for the advice. Now, the tentative plan that you gave seems possible. I just have to work really hard. However, I won't be graduating until December 08 so I guess your plan would just be moved down a bit.

The university that I am attending now is an out of state university being that I am originally from New York City and I am now in Pittsburgh. But, I was wondering if you, or anyone else for that matter, can suggest any SMPs in the New York City Metropolitan Area. If not there, Florida would also be a possibility. I'm only asking because I have already spent a lot of money in out of state tuition and I am really trying to save as much money as possible these next couple of years pre-medical school.

Just a little bit more information: Because my plan was to attend an MPH program, I have not made any plans to take the MCATs. However, I believe that your advice has made it a definite possibility now. I don't want to keep my options limited because my low gpa has me feeling very defeated 🙁🙁 but do you think it would be appropriate to study for the MCATs this upcoming summer and take it sometime next fall during my last semester?

 

[Isoprop]

ah i see that you are graduating at the end of this december. in that case, preparing for the mcat this summer is an excellent idea.

as far as smp's, this thread (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=489913) has a lot of info on it. it also has links to the aamc post-bacc/smp list. definitely check that out.

the question remains what should you do from jan 2009 til the start of your smp and application cycle. i would try to enroll in your local state university for that semester as an "informal" post-bacc. take upper-division science classes (by science, i mean biology, physics, chem, or math classes). the amcas separates gpa by year and grades from these classes will count towards "post-bacc" so if you ace them, it will show a stronger and continued upward trend in gpa (not to mention raising your overall and science gpa at the same time).

if a post-bacc is not feasible or too expensive, try to pick up some full-time work. clinical related is best unless you have a lot of clinical extracirriculars activities.

good luck!

 

[InquisitiveDoc]

Thanks again for ur help!! I'm going to keep working towards my goal and hopefully one day i can come back and give advice to someone else in this position!!

 

[yankeelifesaver]

Hey guys, which programs should i be looking into? I obviously would like my gpa to be higher and think that doing well in one of these smp programs would greatly strengthen my application.....here are my stats:

GPA: Overall 3.2, Science 3.1
MCAT: 13PS 12BS 11VR= 36Q
Neuroscience Major at an Ivy League School, class of 2008

I have a lot of leadership experiences at school, hospital work, volunteer stuff, etc

What do you think I should do? My advisor at school suggested an smp program bc he thought that i'd have a tough time with my low gpa getting in right out of school

 

[Isoprop]

Hey guys, which programs should i be looking into? I obviously would like my gpa to be higher and think that doing well in one of these smp programs would greatly strengthen my application.....here are my stats:

GPA: Overall 3.2, Science 3.1
MCAT: 13PS 12BS 11VR= 36Q
Neuroscience Major at an Ivy League School, class of 2008

I have a lot of leadership experiences at school, hospital work, volunteer stuff, etc

What do you think I should do? My advisor at school suggested an smp program bc he thought that i'd have a tough time with my low gpa getting in right out of school

your advisor is right, you'd have a tough time even with your high mcat. you're a great candidate for an SMP (low GPA high MCAT). georgetown, BU, EVMS, and drexel are the "usual" candidates... there's a lot of programs, just make sure you apply to about 3 or 4. the application cycle for smps start around now.

i suggest you still apply for med school this summer. finish your secondaries before the smp starts. there's an SMP faq/guide sticky to see how your calendar should look. good luck.

 

[Four]

Just a note for anyone looking into the UNTHSC (TCOM) post bac program. The school requires a 3.5 GPA for admittance to the med school. Because they calculate the grades based on the standard deviation from the class average, and the post bax class is separate from the other graduate students, about 2/3 of the class will never reach the required GPA. I would only sign up for this program again if I knew I would definetely score above most of my classmates. Although after PhD Gwirtz spoke to us it seems pretty clear why they calculate the grades among the post bacs that way. She came to our class soliciting for people who want to swap to the research side of the school. They will even accept 3.0 GPA students! (being sarcastic there). The bottom line is that you should be careful about the program. It is aimed at boosting their research departments, not the med school.

Well, as sad as this makes me, I'm not too surprised. I'm currently applying to this program and I wouldn't mind going in. I mean, how are you going to know if you can outperform 2/3 of your classmates before you even meet them or see the material?

They can't give out candy to everyone and 1/3 of 55-60 is pretty generous considering our situation. Even if it doesn't work out at TCOM, others schools will still look at the work done. So, thanks for the heads up but I doubt my opinion about their program has changed.

 

[Tranquility]

This is such an awesome thread!

I'm so down about my GPA lately and thinking there's no way anyone is going to accept me anywhere..but maybe im talking to fast...

i did a 2 year program and got my A.A.S in Medical Lab Technology with a GPA of 3.75
got to the 4 year school...was too gun-ho thinking I could manage classes I had no interest in and work full time and now my GPA is dropped down to a 2.56 🙁
but that is with an F that im retaking and going to drop off and two more semesters to go. Advisor tells me its possible to pull up to a 3.0 if i work my a$$ off ...plus one of the courses left is a 6 credit internship-easy A
I def think I need to do a post bach program...and that should help...
my ultimate goal is to get into PA school....
Is there hope?

 

[Four]

Hmm, PA school you say? Then I guess you should keep on with that plan of yours to hit 3.0 and do well on the GRE. I mean, there's still a good chance and I don't even know if you need a post bac for PA school.

Then again I don't know a lot about PA school, so you might want to wander over there. Other than that, you should know that most of the post bacs talked about here take the professional school tests, i.e. MCAT, PCAT, DAT. I could be wrong on this, but look around, especially in the PA forum.

 

[puchi]

This is for InquistiveDoc or anyone who has questions about HUNTER:
Hey!

Ok here is my scoop on Hunter. What I really like about the place is the strong post-bacc community despite the fact that its not a "formal" program. Additonally, Hunter has 2 linkages (one to Cornell and the other to Stonybrook). The pre-health advisor is really cool, she KNOWS a lot and will try to get your butt into Med school. Some have an issue with her, but I think that they are expecting her to baby them and hold their hand all the way. She will NOT do that. If you are proactive, she will help you. Also, Hunter provides committee letters provided you take 6 lectures and 6 labs AT Hunter.

I would say the only downside is registering for classes. Since youare a post-bacc you get the last picks when it comes to classes and of course the pre-med classes fill up pretty quick. However, if you stalk the registering program (ESIMS) on the day where they kick out people for not paying their bill on time, you can get a spot. Another option is to register as a 2nd degree student (I did this) so you can get the earlier registration. Since you are from NYC its the best to go to a CUNY school as you know your classes will be CHEAP!!!!! My tuition for two classes and two labs this year is about 1800. Cant go wrong with that!

(sorry that its in here, but I TRIED endlessly with the PMs!!!!)