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

[deleted248403]

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Jaywayne:
In what kind of time line do you wish to go to medical school?

To go to a US MD medical school, you are looking at at least 3 years. US DO medical school, maybe two but more likely 3 as well.
Carib - depending on how you do on the MCAT, you could start much sooner.

 

[Jaywayne]

Jaywayne:
In what kind of time line do you wish to go to medical school?

To go to a US MD medical school, you are looking at at least 3 years. US DO medical school, maybe two but more likely 3 as well.
Carib - depending on how you do on the MCAT, you could start much sooner.

I'm looking to go in the next 2 years.

 

[deleted248403]

Then you are off to the Carib

 

[illegallysmooth]

I thought this might be helpful to the people here.

I had a 3.23 undergrad GPA, bio and psych major.
SMP GPA was not much better - a 3.32 when I applied.

Took the MCAT twice: 27 and 34.

I have extensive work history, clinical experience and research experience. No publications yet but one was just accepted for publication. I am not the first or second author. I am not a URM and not disadvantaged, although it was clear in my application that I worked almost full-time throughout my education to support myself.

I was rejected from all the SUNY schools pre-interview, as well as Drexel, Tulane, Rosalind Franklin, GWU, PCOM, Western, and Nova. I was on pre-interview hold at Upstate, Drexel and GWU for a while. If I had applied eariler, those may have been interviews. I did likely hurt myself by not applying early, but I had to wait for my super-slow undergrad commitee letter.

I was invited to interview at NYMC, CCOM, LECOM-B, LECOM-E and NYCOM. I attended all interviews except LECOM-E.

Accepted: CCOM, NYCOM, LECOM-B.
Waitlisted (today): NYMC

 

[Jaywayne]

Then you are off to the Carib

But what do you recommend in terms of course work until then? Retake Pre-reqs? 2nd Major? More upper division science classes?

 

[deleted248403]

Prereqs u got lower than a B in and any upper level science that interests u. Do it at ur local 4yr for the cheapest option.

Also take the mcat and get a decent score

 

[klmnop]

SMP GPA was not much better - a 3.32 when I applied.

Gtown?

 

[illegallysmooth]

Gtown?

Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY.

 

[DbDan]

So I just was accepted with linkage to WesternU's SMP. That means with successful completion (3.0 or above) I would be in Western's c/o 2015. My hesitation, other than cost, is the fact that the courses start June 14th and I'm currently on 2 waitlists at Touro-NV and LECOM-B. I know that Touro isn't even reviewing waitlisted applicants until June 15th and LECOM has said that their waitlist won't move until mid-june. If I were to take the seat at Western, my financial aid will be in there and I'll have to figure out a way to change it over and scramble to find a way to pay for Touro/LECOM.

The other part is that Western's SMP CoA is 48k. This on top of the 75k/yr CoA for their med school is a large chunk of money (close to 350k for the 5 years). I want to know what someone would recommend. Do you think with the small improvement from this year I'll have a better shot at DOs and should go for broke there? With courses through spring I'd be able to get my DO GPA up above a 3.2 through retakes and possibly even get my AMCAS GPA >3.0 if I need to re-apply again the following year but I'd be putting off med school yet another year (but also avoiding debt by working full time)

My GPA for DO schools (ie lower for MD) are:
cGPA [last cycle/this cycle/after summer]: 2.80/2.89/2.91
sGPA [last cycle/this cycle/after summer]: 2.79/2.97/3.01
MCAT: 33N [11,11,11]
Summer grades assume a retake and subsequent A of a class I got a C in the first time through that was 5 units. I am only enrolled in 1 class 2 days a week right now but if I do wind up moving closer to the school (right now its an hr drive without traffic each way). I'd plan on retaking courses through fall/winter/spring as well

LORs:
Lab, 2 Science, 1 non-sci, 1 work related, 1 DO
Pending: new work letter in clinical setting, 1 DO from another job

UG ECs:
1 year Volunteer Microbiology research w/ Virus vectors including being involved with a chemotherapy/cancer project which is hopefully moving forward to clinical trials. (unfortunately no publications as of yet and even then I'd be low on the list)
5 years fraternity
Church Smallgroup leader
6 months "Reading to Kids" volunteering - 2 saturdays per month, 5hrs/day
6 months Habitat for Humanity volunteering - organized a large group of 15 people to work with delivery and stocking at a Habitat re-store, 6hrs/day 2 days/month

Work:
2.5 years supervisor in on campus gym
**ongoing** 1 year as an Epilepsy Monitoring Technician in a level 4 epilepsy center ~30hrs/wk resulting in ~1500hrs of direct acute care and supervision of patients
**ongoing** 9 months as Front Office/Medical Assistant ~15hrs/wk resulting in ~600hrs of working directly with a physician (DO) in a primary care/urgent care office

Extras:
Powerlifting Team, Triathlon, Epilepsy Case Conferences (voluntary, not required by job)

Sorry for the long post, I'm looking for opinions and figured it'd be best with a full background.

 

[DrMidlife]

I think doing a multiple-year SMP is overkill if you're getting waitlists. More undergrad to get over 3.0 makes much more sense to me.

So I just was accepted with linkage to WesternU's SMP. That means with successful completion (3.0 or above) I would be in Western's c/o 2015. My hesitation, other than cost, is the fact that the courses start June 14th and I'm currently on 2 waitlists at Touro-NV and LECOM-B. I know that Touro isn't even reviewing waitlisted applicants until June 15th and LECOM has said that their waitlist won't move until mid-june. If I were to take the seat at Western, my financial aid will be in there and I'll have to figure out a way to change it over and scramble to find a way to pay for Touro/LECOM.

This is not at all a rare financial aid scenario. Med schools play musical chairs until the day school starts. If you get a last minute acceptance, just go, and then push for financial aid to figure itself out. It's not like you're going to have to find tuition money under the couch cushions. You might have to scrounge rent money for a month or two, but not tuition.

Best of luck to you.

 

[DbDan]

I think doing a multiple-year SMP is overkill if you're getting waitlists. More undergrad to get over 3.0 makes much more sense to me.

Its a 1 year SMP w/ no gap year into Western's DO program. I am glad to hear that the financial aid situation is not uncommon. About tuition though, since the tuition will have already been submitted to Western, how is it typically treated if I have to leave 2 weeks after beginning the program? Obviously its something I should speak to Western's financial aid office about but they're closed for the night so just wondering what to expect.

Now it becomes a question of total debt. I'm not sure if I should go for the SMP and all the debt along with it or if I should just take courses and try to get in off my own merits since I've already gotten 2 interviews/waitlists with worse grades initially.

 

[EgoAside]

I'd check out HES... seems like a good fit.

The applicant has alot of options, I'd do some research and find out what programs are a perfect fit for him. Yes, HES is a legit option if you're already in the East coast.

I'm curious why you think that program is a good fit? Is it the lack of entrance requirements and east coast location, or something specific to the program?

 

[jslo85]

It was a good fit for several reasons.

-Boston is close to Connecticut allowing the OP to stay in a relatively familiar area without having to relocate across the country

- HES is a cheap formalized program that allows much flexibility in scheduling and taking classes, allowing a student to plan work or E.Cs around his/her classes.

- HES offers a potential sponsorship by the Harvard faculty which is a strong attestment to the student'

- Boston is full of great opportunities to immerse himself in clinical volunteering and whatnot

-HES has had a strong track record of getting non-traditional students into medical school

If you look at other formal pre-med programs who have a decent track record as well, their tuition is in general much higher than HES as well as more rigid, often preventing students from working other activities in.

 

[YoungGregory]

.

 

[Spikebd]

Well, I just completed UG this past week. I managed to recover my gpa somewhat and I graduated with a cumulative gpa of 3.15 in business. Not very good. Good upward trend though.

Anyway, I have one positive going for me, I have only taken one science class. I feel confident that if I can buckle down and succeed in postbac, rock the MCAT, volunteer and research, then I can create a good profile for med school admission. This assumes I take the GRE and get a good score to get me into a good postbac program. Actually, there are a lot of assumptions, but I feel confident if I pursued this route I still have a shot at allopathic med schools.

Am I crazy, or can this be done? I would be a career changer.

 

[klmnop]

Well, I just completed UG this past week. I managed to recover my gpa somewhat and I graduated with a cumulative gpa of 3.15 in business. Not very good. Good upward trend though.

Anyway, I have one positive going for me, I have only taken one science class. I feel confident that if I can buckle down and succeed in postbac, rock the MCAT, volunteer and research, then I can create a good profile for med school admission. This assumes I take the GRE and get a good score to get me into a good postbac program. Actually, there are a lot of assumptions, but I feel confident if I pursued this route I still have a shot at allopathic med schools.

Am I crazy, or can this be done? I would be a career changer.

Not crazy, you just have to realize you are starting fresh from here on out, ie. this is your second and last shot.

 

[jslo85]

It can be done, but to put you at a strikeable distance (still hypothetically speaking), you would be needing an MCAT of 33+ to somewhat "offset' that GPA.

If you do extremely well in your SMP or post-bacc program, that will go along way as well.

Good luck

 

[Spikebd]

I will take it slowly at first. There are many hoops for me to jump through. I think it would be best for me to spend two years at a program. Not only would I be able to learn more for the MCAT, but if I do well I feel it would demonstrate commitment and determination. It will be a long way, I understand that.

So the GRE would be a good start for postbac programs? If so, I will have to start preparing for that.

 

[jslo85]

Most SMP or post-bacc programs will require a standardized test (MCAT or GRE or DAT) for enterance, but they will probably set a deadline for when they expect their students inside the program to possess an MCAT score. If you're short on time and are rushing to meet a certain date to apply out early, I would suggest the GRE before the MCAT since you feel so unprepared to take it yet.

 

[DrMidlife]

This would be why I can't stand the word "postbac."

...cumulative gpa of 3.15 in business...

You need GPA repair and you need to complete the prereqs. "Postbac" doesn't make that clear.

Most SMP or post-bacc programs will require a standardized test (MCAT or GRE or DAT) for enterance

This advice doesn't help Spike.

It's too early to tell if Spike needs an SMP. Spike hasn't completed the prereqs, and after that he/she might have around a 3.4 (I wouldn't do an SMP with a 3.4). But it is true that to get into a good SMP you need an MCAT score, in addition to completed prereqs and a GPA higher than 3.0.

To get into a competitive formal structured prereqs program such as Bryn Mawr or Goucher, you need a high cumulative undergrad GPA. Spike doesn't have one. So whether or not a GRE is required for Bryn Mawr or Goucher isn't relevant.

To do undergrad GPA improvement and get the prereqs done, you can go to any school that will let you in. Highly unlikely anything other than a transcript is needed.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Spikebd]

Thanks for the reply Dr Midlife. Do you know anything about post bac students taking the prereq courses at University of Washington? I believe UW has a more informal structure. I would like a formal program to complete the prereqs, but I don't think that option is available to me. So it looks like my best bet is to take them at a local university.

 

[Spikebd]

Would a program like UC Berkeley extension program be a good choice? I have ties to the bay area so that would be nice. Plus it looks like it is an evening program. That would allow me to possibly work some too.

 

[element0]

Hey guys, I just finished undergrad with a cumulative GPA of 3.376. Currently studying for MCATs.

Are my chances at a US medical school shot? Should I do a postbacc (already have 134 credits, don't know how much this well help) or SMP or something else?

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[klmnop]

Hey guys, I just finished undergrad with a cumulative GPA of 3.376. Currently studying for MCATs.

Are my chances at a US medical school shot? Should I do a postbacc (already have 134 credits, don't know how much this well help) or SMP or something else?

Any input would be appreciated.

You're gonna have to provide us with some more background info... state, school, EC's, GRE's, etc. But pending MCAT scores short of absolutely stellar, with limited info you are leaning toward SMP. Enlighten us.

 

[element0]

You're gonna have to provide us with some more background info... state, school, EC's, GRE's, etc. But pending MCAT scores short of absolutely stellar, with limited info you are leaning toward SMP. Enlighten us.

Unfortunately, I wasn't interested in medicine until later in my undergrad career, so I don't have all the typical ECs like research. Most of my ECs consist of volunteering, both clinical and non-clinical, along with some clubs, and I'm working on shadowing opportunity right now.

My degrees were in bio and psych.
State: NJ
LORs: good
No other standardized scores as of yet
GPA is a result of a strong upward trend

What would you recommend that I do?

 

[klmnop]

Unfortunately, I wasn't interested in medicine until later in my undergrad career, so I don't have all the typical ECs like research. Most of my ECs consist of volunteering, both clinical and non-clinical, along with some clubs, and I'm working on shadowing opportunity right now.

My degrees were in bio and psych.
State: NJ
LORs: good
No other standardized scores as of yet
GPA is a result of a strong upward trend

What would you recommend that I do?

Research would be helpful but is not necessary. Clinical volunteering is good and necessary, and shadowing is always a plus, especially if you can get a letter out of it. Did you hold any leadership positions in the clubs?

Real quickly,
-NJ puts you of a bit of a disadvantage as there are only a few med schools.
-LORs need to be amazing, not just good... (but your 'good' could have meant amazing)
-to get into an SMP you would need either a GRE or MCAT score (MCAT scores for most of the better ones are preferred)
-Upward trend is great.

You're right on the border of SMP-worthy as your gpa is close to 3.4, but seeing as you are below it, it could be useful. However, despite your 134 credits I would look into taking an extra year/year-and-a-half of ugrad upper-level biosci courses as a post-bacc student at your university (so a 5th year). You could at least get that up over 3.4 and give yourself a better shot.

Also, what is your BCMP gpa?

 

[Newme]

/

 

[klmnop]

I'd help but I don't know anything about URM... somebody will.

 

[Newme]

/

 

[Texas07]

Hey y'all, I just recently discovered this site and I've been reading it nonstop! I just finished my freshman year of college so I still have a long time before taking MCATs and stuff but I would really appreciate any advice you guys can give me.
I just got my grades for this past semester and it's a horrifying 2.29, which makes my cGPA a 2.61. I am already stressing out because of my parents and they're paying 50 grand a year for me to go to this school. A lot of this is my fault (I was the freshman partier who has definitely learned her lesson.) I have already bought study books and have started to learn ochem and genetics this summer before I take it next semester so I will have a good knowledge going into the class.

Intro Bio I: B-
Intro Bio II: D
Intro Bio Lab: B+
Gen Chem I: B
Gen Chem II: C
Calc: B
EC so far: 100+ volunteer work in a hospital, working as a lab intern this summer, shadowed MDs, officer position in my sorority and 2 more clubs on campus

My question is this: I calculated that if I receive a 3.5 (this is the min I'm allowing myself to get) for the next four semesters, my cGPA will be a 3.2 by the end of junior year. I am also going to retake the intro bio course that I received a D in. With a 3.2 (it could be higher) and (hopefully) a high MCAT score (I'm hoping for a 33+), will I be able to apply for med school after my junior year? I am not ruling out DO or the Caribbeans. Any advice would be great! Thanks!!!

 

[jslo85]

With those grades you're providing for the pre-reqs, I'm finding it a bit hard to believe you will get a 33+ on the MCAT if you plan to take the test between your Junior and Senior year. I take it you have not taken orgo or gen physics yet?

I'd take the time between now and junior year (summer), to do some honest introspective thinking on what has been keeping you from getting these grades, plan out a good study habit and perhaps give it a couple trial runs by taking time out of the week to polish back up on your troubled subjects so far. If you can establish a strong upward trend from here on out, it definitely will be a plus to your application.

I wouldn't try to deal with hypotheticals right now until you have at least a semester's worth of good grades under your belt as somewhat of a predictor of how your next 3 months will go. It's not realistic to think that you're going from a 2.29-2.61 to a 3.5-4.0 in material that is arguably more difficult than what you have already had trouble in (B- => D in bio, B => C gen chem).

On a different note, you will have to retake the D grade for any type of admission purpose, but AMCAS does not replace the D with your new grade, rather it will average if it is the equivalent class. AACOMAS will allow you to do the grade replacement.

 

[Texas07]

Thanks for your advice. I have gone over what I did wrong my first year of college and I am going to try my hardest to fix it. I know the goals I'm setting for myself seem very unrealistic based on the grades I made this year. I'm hoping to see a significant change in my grades by the end of next semester and then I'll know if this is the right career path for me. Thanks again for your insight.

 

[klmnop]

Well what would u advise if i'm not an URM?

without URM status, I would recommend an SMP, because your grades do not make you competitive, though you would either need a GRE or MCAT score and LOR's to apply

 

[OLETSDOIT]

Hey guys. I'm looking for some direction to see where I should go from here.

Ohio resident/ B.A degree
GPA: 3.2
BCPM: 4.0 (the only science class i took in ugrad was A&P/got all A's in math.)
MCAT: haven't taken

Should I go to a program like the Harvard Extension to do my pre-reqs? Or could I just go back to school and get a second Bachelors in Biology? HES is two years and it would take me two years to get a second bachelors. Plus I could probably raise my GPA even higher with a 2nd bachelors since I would be taking more classes. But I heard if you get sponsored in the HES program it helps you getting into med school ALOT. I am an a URM if that means anything.

I also need to start volunteering and doing research. Would a program like HES help me with that? Is it hard to volunteer at a hospital (do they let any one who signs up volunteer or is it competitive)?



Thanks.

Edit: and I have 135 credits.

 

[odoctadocta]

Hi everyone. I too would like some advice on what I should do after I graduate.

I am about to start my Senior year, and want to know where I should start applying (post-bacc or SMP)/what should I do (retake classes, research, etc).

Major: Sports Medicine, B.S.
Cumulative GPA: 3.088
Science GPA: 2.778
Number of Credits: 113

Science Classes:
Intro Bio: A- (community college)
Anatomy: C+
Physiology: B-
Chem 1/Lab: B+/A-
Chem 2/Lab: C/A-
O Chem 1/Lab: B+/B
Ochem 2/Lab: B-/B
Physics 1:B-
Physics 2:B-
Kinesiology:C
Exercise Physiology:C
Human Prosection (Cadaver Class):C
Bio Statistics: B+

AP Credit for Calculus

Senior Year Science Classes I will take:
Exercise Health and Disease
Biomechanics
Neuroscience
Biostatistics Lab

Classes I think I should take (most likely after I graduate):
Cell Biology & Molecular Biology
Biochemistry
Genetics

Clinical Experience:
Work the front desk at an urgent care
Shadowed a Doctor (only 1 day while studying overseas)

Volunteer Experience:
Random volunteering
Alternative Spring Break (2 years-one was a medical mission)
Relay 4 Life Committee Chair (2 years)
Fraternity Philanthropy Chair (raised money for Cancer research)
Volunteered once a week in a hospital for one semester

Research Experience:
Starting to do a little research this summer with a Professor

*I’m planning on taking a MCAT review class starting the second semester of my senior year and taking it either end of April or the following summer.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[klmnop]

odocta: one option would be to retake all your pre-reqs at a regular university along with some other upper-level sci course afterward to increase your gpa, and then apply to DO

 

[tmntdonjuan]

I think you have two options while finishing your senior year with the best grades possible. You can re-take the science classes where you did the worst and have the grade replacement for DO schools. Or. You can apply broadly to SMP programs and then apply to MD schools. Now you want the highest grade possible for the MCAT. I think for either DO or SMP you're going to want 30+. Good luck with everything. 👍

Hi everyone. I too would like some advice on what I should do after I graduate.

I am about to start my Senior year, and want to know where I should start applying (post-bacc or SMP)/what should I do (retake classes, research, etc).

Major: Sports Medicine, B.S.
Cumulative GPA: 3.088
Science GPA: 2.778
Number of Credits: 113

Science Classes:
Intro Bio: A- (community college)
Anatomy: C+
Physiology: B-
Chem 1/Lab: B+/A-
Chem 2/Lab: C/A-
O Chem 1/Lab: B+/B
Ochem 2/Lab: B-/B
Physics 1:B-
Physics 2:B-
Kinesiology:C
Exercise Physiology:C
Human Prosection (Cadaver Class):C
Bio Statistics: B+

AP Credit for Calculus

Senior Year Science Classes I will take:
Exercise Health and Disease
Biomechanics
Neuroscience
Biostatistics Lab

Classes I think I should take (most likely after I graduate):
Cell Biology & Molecular Biology
Biochemistry
Genetics

Clinical Experience:
Work the front desk at an urgent care
Shadowed a Doctor (only 1 day while studying overseas)

Volunteer Experience:
Random volunteering
Alternative Spring Break (2 years-one was a medical mission)
Relay 4 Life Committee Chair (2 years)
Fraternity Philanthropy Chair (raised money for Cancer research)
Volunteered once a week in a hospital for one semester

Research Experience:
Starting to do a little research this summer with a Professor

*I’m planning on taking a MCAT review class starting the second semester of my senior year and taking it either end of April or the following summer.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[tmntdonjuan]

I was in the same situation as you. I did poorly in my pre-reqs due to a severe lack of effort. I wouldn't focus so much on getting a certain GPA as I would on just doing the best I possibly can. I think that mentality is what gives you the best results. Getting a 33+ on the MCAT is certainly going to be difficult despite doing poorly in the pre-reqs but is do-able. Best of luck. Obviously have a good understanding of the MCAT material and do a lot (I mean a lot) of practice tests. Also, don't be discouraged if you don't get the score you want the first time. Schools generally focus on your best/recent MCAT. As long as you make improvement, taking the test more than once shouldn't be an issue. Even if you don't finish with the GPA that is competitive for medical school, there are still SMP programs. I think the goal for right now is putting in the effort, building good study habits, and continuing your extracurriculars. As long as you're capable and persistent, you can only succeed. Best of luck with everything. 👍

Hey y'all, I just recently discovered this site and I've been reading it nonstop! I just finished my freshman year of college so I still have a long time before taking MCATs and stuff but I would really appreciate any advice you guys can give me.
I just got my grades for this past semester and it's a horrifying 2.29, which makes my cGPA a 2.61. I am already stressing out because of my parents and they're paying 50 grand a year for me to go to this school. A lot of this is my fault (I was the freshman partier who has definitely learned her lesson.) I have already bought study books and have started to learn ochem and genetics this summer before I take it next semester so I will have a good knowledge going into the class.

Intro Bio I: B-
Intro Bio II: D
Intro Bio Lab: B+
Gen Chem I: B
Gen Chem II: C
Calc: B
EC so far: 100+ volunteer work in a hospital, working as a lab intern this summer, shadowed MDs, officer position in my sorority and 2 more clubs on campus

My question is this: I calculated that if I receive a 3.5 (this is the min I'm allowing myself to get) for the next four semesters, my cGPA will be a 3.2 by the end of junior year. I am also going to retake the intro bio course that I received a D in. With a 3.2 (it could be higher) and (hopefully) a high MCAT score (I'm hoping for a 33+), will I be able to apply for med school after my junior year? I am not ruling out DO or the Caribbeans. Any advice would be great! Thanks!!!

 

[metric]

Hey all,

I just graduated with a B.S. Engineering Physics, and a 2.9 GPA. I just completed my EMT-B as well. I'm a little lost about how I'm supposed to go from here to medical school. I had a 1.8 GPA my freshman year, so it's really been a struggle to recover from that.

In terms of med school requirements, I don't have any biology, and only one semester of orgo and gen chem; I'm pretty I have physics covered, though.

So it seems I should look at post-bacc programs now, but they have a 3.0 minimum undergrad GPA. Should I just try to take classes on my own? Does it make sense to do a post-bacc to get the course requirements, take the MCAT, then do an SMP?

Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[klmnop]

Hey all,

I just graduated with a B.S. Engineering Physics, and a 2.9 GPA. I just completed my EMT-B as well. I'm a little lost about how I'm supposed to go from here to medical school. I had a 1.8 GPA my freshman year, so it's really been a struggle to recover from that.

In terms of med school requirements, I don't have any biology, and only one semester of orgo and gen chem; I'm pretty I have physics covered, though.

So it seems I should look at post-bacc programs now, but they have a 3.0 minimum undergrad GPA. Should I just try to take classes on my own? Does it make sense to do a post-bacc to get the course requirements, take the MCAT, then do an SMP?

Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

just enroll at any university as a post-bacc student and take the pre-reqs you need, and maybe some more credits to get your gpa up. then once you hit 3.0-3.2 look for an SMP to seal the deal

 

[nikhillah]

Just got into MERP for Ross, going to go for that and hopefully start Ross in Jan 2011

School: NC State University

Freshman Year:
GPA: 2.4
Major: Biology
Pre-Med Mission Trip To Reynosa

Sophomore/Junior Year:
GPA:3.2
Majors: Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry
Dean's list since beginning of Sophomore year
Withdrew Semester 1 junior year and dropped majors after "life crisis"

Senior Year/Graduation:
GPA: 3.0
Major: Biochemistry
MCAT: 20, 23
Only a few extracurriculars, no research, no internship.

Glad i got in to do something, somewhere! I was getting scared about looking for a job and quitting med. Time to get serious about med school...college was the best 4 year long party I had. Good luck to everyone else!

 

[jslo85]

What is it exactly did you wanted to know Nikhillah/

Going through Ross' MERP in Miami will put you at their Caribbean school in about 3 months. In my personal opinion, any option to stay within the US for medical school is a better decision than going foreign and you would meet the minimum of a few osteopathic SMPs if you were willing to go the osteopathic route as opposed to FMG.

 

[deleted248403]

Nik sounds like the perfect candidate to waste money in the carib and be weeded out there

 

[nikhillah]

What is it exactly did you wanted to know Nikhillah/

Going through Ross' MERP in Miami will put you at their Caribbean school in about 3 months. In my personal opinion, any option to stay within the US for medical school is a better decision than going foreign and you would meet the minimum of a few osteopathic SMPs if you were willing to go the osteopathic route as opposed to FMG.

I didn't want to know anything in particular...just wanted to show that it is possible to still get into something somewhere with a low GPA *but you gotta improve somehow, low MCAT (hopefully motivation for low gpa'ers that are freshman/sophomores ).

I'm going to MERP Bahamas, do you know anything about it? If so please let me know, I'm searching SDN now for info. If i knew about SMP's when I was applying, I would have retaken my MCAT and gone for the Georgetown SMP.

I do not want to do D.O., M.D. is the one for me. I know foreign grad is going to take a REALLY HIGH USMLE to get back in to U.S. But i know that my low GPA and MCAT were due to me never studying, never trying, never caring in all of undergrad. Let's see how far I can get if I actually try this time around.

 

[nikhillah]

Nik sounds like the perfect candidate to waste money in the carib and be weeded out there

thanks man, if i get weeded out...it will only be a waste of my own money 🙂


if you want, I'll message you in Jan to let you know how it goes

 

[jslo85]

Well to be perfectly honest, I've seen people getting into AUC/Ross with lower MCAT scores and GPA scores than you. That said, getting in and getting a US residency after successful completion (big if) is a different story.

Ross' MERP is simply a stepping stone program into their medical school, I doubt it matters where you take that program.

Even if you retook the MCAT, you'd need a 30+ score to get in and your GPA would probably get you screened out. I don't know the unit breakdown so I can't gauge what your sGPA/cGPA is since you haven't provided it but Gtown SMP students usually have around a 3.0+ and a 30ish MCAT.

I'm not too enthusastic about elaborating too much but the attrition rates in the Caribbean is disgusting. SGU weeds out a significant fraction of the freshman class after the first semester/year alone after accepting an outrageous number. As for your refusal to consider D.O., I'm curious as to what your reasoning would be?

Also, it's not just a high USMLE that will get you back into the U.S. btw. Current possible legislature is not looking very friendly towards FMGs in the near future if you have looked into that.

 

[nikhillah]

Well to be perfectly honest, I've seen people getting into AUC/Ross with lower MCAT scores and GPA scores than you. That said, getting in and getting a US residency after successful completion (big if) is a different story.

Ross' MERP is simply a stepping stone program into their medical school, I doubt it matters where you take that program.

Even if you retook the MCAT, you'd need a 30+ score to get in and your GPA would probably get you screened out. I don't know the unit breakdown so I can't gauge what your sGPA/cGPA is since you haven't provided it but Gtown SMP students usually have around a 3.0+ and a 30ish MCAT.

I'm not too enthusastic about elaborating too much but the attrition rates in the Caribbean is disgusting. SGU weeds out a significant fraction of the freshman class after the first semester/year alone after accepting an outrageous number. As for your refusal to consider D.O., I'm curious as to what your reasoning would be?

Also, it's not just a high USMLE that will get you back into the U.S. btw. Current possible legislature is not looking very friendly towards FMGs in the near future if you have looked into that.

My academic profile is quite terrible: It's riddled with negative attributes (semester withdrawals, low grades, academic violation...when i didn't even cheat but a friend copied my paper). Hence, I am thankful for even MERP.

SMP's difficulties aside, that was not and is not my path.

Refusing D.O. because I have the right to. I understand there are not that many differences. I don't know why everyone has a problem with a person desiring M.D. over D.O when their grades are not that great. If I mess up M.D...that's my money, time, and effort going to waste.

USMLE, GPA, etc. are all factors that play a part in residency placement. I now know several Ross grads that are doing great (all in U.S. states that I would love to work in) and am now being mentored by them.

Disgusting Attrition rates...they scare me too. I personally know that I messed up undergrad BADLY and I look like i'm definitely going to be weeded out. This is because I made some terrible decisions along the way and literally never went to class and the max I studied for an exam was an hour (wouldn't you fail too if you only had an hour to memorize stuff for biochemistry? and only studied less than a week for your MCAT?). These are horrible qualities, but I'm changing that about myself. The end result of MERP will prove if I'm ready for this path or not. I plan on being the real student that I used to be before college. If it is not enough, then obviously medicine is not the career I am meant to be in.

Legislature can take the course it wants to, for now...and the time line that I want to become an M.D...I can only hope that I'm set working along side as a Pediatrician with my uncle (that's all i've wanted since I shadowed him). If not, I can always practice in another country.

 

[jslo85]

SMP's difficulties aside, that was not and is not my path.

I only addressed Georgetown SMP because you brought it up

Refusing D.O. because I have the right to. I understand there are not that many differences. I don't know why everyone has a problem with a person desiring M.D. over D.O when their grades are not that great. If I mess up M.D...that's my money, time, and effort going to waste.

The "problem" that people have with that certain individual is because they base their decision off of little to no practical reasoning. If you somehow interpreted my statement of "I'm curious of your reasoning" to equate to "having issues with you," then I'm beginning to understand why your MCAT score is so low (reading comprehension problems in the VR section perhaps?). If you were referring to Rob, then he didn't even mention D.O.

USMLE, GPA, etc. are all factors that play a part in residency placement. I now know several Ross grads that are doing great (all in U.S. states that I would love to work in) and am now being mentored by them.

I'd certainly hope so, they accept a large enough medical school class for some to return back to the US. I was actually referring to how FMGs are all competing for very small amount of residency spots, not GPA/USMLE etc.

"29,890 applicants participated in the Match 2009. 18,910 American Medical Graduates (including DO's and Canadian graduates) and 10,980 IMGs. Only 4,796 IMGs have matched, leaving 6,184 for scramble and next year. "

http://www.imgresidency.com/Statistics.html

Less than 50% of all IMGs worldwidethat wanted to come to the US getting residency spots and the majority being IM, FM and this year, general surgery.

Legislature can take the course it wants to, for now...and the time line that I want to become an M.D...I can only hope that I'm set working along side as a Pediatrician with my uncle (that's all i've wanted since I shadowed him). If not, I can always practice in another country.

Well since there are roughly 3 DO schools opening each year from last year till 2012 and not really sure about MD schools and the fact that a substantial number of US qualified medical graduates didn't get spots when FMGs took their pre-screened spots, FMGs may or may not have spots at all in the US in a couple years.

That said, good luck with your choice. 👍

 

[fourminutemile]

How many credits would you recommend for a student doing an informal post-bacc?

In my case, I do not think it is possible to reach a good GPA because of absolutely terrible grades ten years ago. And yet, my cGPA over the past six years is 3.87. My sGPA over my past 63 credits is 3.47. And my sGPA for 28 credits of upper-division science courses is 3.95. Even with this improvement, I think I only reach the brink of 3.00. (I take the MCAT in August.)

What I wonder, when is enough enough to demonstrate that one is a serious student? For those taking classes outside of a formal program, how did you determine this? I suppose the only way to know the answer is via an acceptance letter, but I hope someone might be able to help me. Thank you so much.

(PS I apologize if I've posted this in the wrong forum as this is my first post.)

 

[DrMidlife]

How many credits would you recommend for a student doing an informal post-bacc?

In my case, I do not think it is possible to reach a good GPA because of absolutely terrible grades ten years ago. And yet, my cGPA over the past six years is 3.87. My sGPA over my past 63 credits is 3.47. And my sGPA for 28 credits of upper-division science courses is 3.95. Even with this improvement, I think I only reach the brink of 3.00. (I take the MCAT in August.)

What I wonder, when is enough enough to demonstrate that one is a serious student? For those taking classes outside of a formal program, how did you determine this? I suppose the only way to know the answer is via an acceptance letter, but I hope someone might be able to help me. Thank you so much.

(PS I apologize if I've posted this in the wrong forum as this is my first post.)

My protocol for a GPA comeback, where the cumulative GPA is below 3.0, and the unit count is too high to change the average, is to do the equivalent of a hard science 2nd bachelors. I'd want to show 2 years of 3.7+ performance in hard science. This, plus a well-above-competitive MCAT (32+), plus an SMP, would be the recipe for a US MD acceptance.

It sounds to me like you've already completed a couple years of postbac. In your shoes I'd put everything into the MCAT, and be ready to apply to SMPs in October. I'd be getting a job and taking one or two classes at night over the next school year.

From a GPA comeback, there are no guarantees whatsoever. Make sure you have a squeaky clean, profoundly compelling application with the sole flaw of low undergrad GPA.

Best of luck to you.