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

[beeker]

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thank you for your advice, I'm not sure weather I should retake the prereuqs because I have 212 undergrad units. Do you think it's a better idea to take graduate sciences courses and go for the fresh graduate GPA?

 

[sunnyjohn]

thank you for your advice, I'm not sure weather I should retake the prereuqs because I have 212 undergrad units. Do you think it's a better idea to take graduate sciences courses and go for the fresh graduate GPA?

With that many credit hours it will be hard to move the undergrad GPA.

Are those forensic toxicology classes graduate or undergrad?

Chances are they won't show up on the transcript as "online" and you'll be moving toward making yourself a well-rounded candidate, especially if you get to do research.

If someone else is willing to pay for them, I'd take them. Then add a couple of grad courses you pay for. You'll get the best of both worlds for a $ premium! 😀

 

[beeker]

With that many credit hours it will be hard to move the undergrad GPA.
If someone else is willing to pay for them, I'd take them. Then add a couple of grad courses you pay for. You'll get the best of both worlds for a $ premium! 😀

The online classes are graduate. I like the idea of doing both. Thanks for the advice.

 

[LabMonster]

While I'm not giving up on this applcation year, I'm considering my options for the fall. I won't be able to apply to any SMPs until next year, so should I apply for grad-school in a hurry and rack up some graduate credits this fall?

I could potentially apply through my former program, Clinical Laboratory Science - MS program, and take some science courses. I'd have to skip the CLS classes - since they were counted as "Health Sciences" and were not added into my BCPM GPA - one of the reasons it's at 2.77.

I'm thinking if I can polish off 8-12 credits of grad credit, it would help with a SMP application and bolster my final post-bacc graduate GPA...

Any thoughts?

 

[LabMonster]

bumpin

 

[Singing Devil]

Singing Devil,

Congrats on your success to getting into UPitt. A friend had interviewed in the past cycle at UPitt and was really impressed by it. Unfortunately, he got waitlisted there, but that's ok cuz he had acceptances at other good school.

By the way, I wanted to say that I like your sense of humor. But seriously, congratulations for overcoming such a low gpa, kicking butt on the MCAT with that lovely 39, and making it into a top 20 school. Well deserved and good luck next year.

muchas gracias, mi amiga. Hey, remember the Amigo... wasn't that a car? yeah, that fad didn't last too long.

my favorite odd car of all time is the Adobe... anyone remember that? It was a SNL commercial. If you got into an accident, you could just remold your fender. The whole thing was clay. You could plant flowers in the bumper. The only problem was a red butt if you wore white pants.

 

[aaronwillen]

.

 

[new girl]

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.

How is a Masters GPA "fresh" or "new"? I am still a year of two away from applying and am not sure how the GPA system works - and I too am working with a low undergrad GPA from 10 years ago. Can anyone explain it to me? 😕 Thanks!!

 

[Sundarban1]

How is a Masters GPA "fresh" or "new"? I am still a year of two away from applying and am not sure how the GPA system works

Hi,

I haven't read all the way through the last page of posts, but I thought I would reply. For AMCAS, graduate GPA's are not averaged with undergraduate GPA's. So if you are trying to up your undergraduate GPA, a traditional Master's program will not do the job. However, if you are part of a Special Master's Program (SMP), the grades are averaged.

For ostopathic schools, traditional graduate grades are averaged with your undergraduate grades, something I was not aware of.

So, hope that helps.

 

[kwangho]

Hey Guys,

I wanted to ask you all to see if MD school would consider my grades from Naturopathic Medical School. I am starting my 1st year next month and i wanted to know if that can be calculated into my science gpa. Anyone know? Thanks.

 

[kwangho]

Congratulations Singing Devil on your acceptance to Medical School!!!
Good luck.

 

[Dave_D]

Might as well post my stats as well. Very much the older student with a low GPA. I got a BA from BU in Computer Science in Jan 94 and I had about a 2.3 GPA.(Inclunding flunking French 4 twice. Before anybody asks yes I was force to take it because CLA has a hard-on for foreign languages.) Anyway I took my premed prereqs at UMass Boston for the past 2 years (Currently taking Orgo II which is the last class I need) and I've got a 3.9 GPA and 33 on my MCAT. I'm not sure if it's because I've gotten more sensible as I got older or just I don't have to take any courses I absolutely despise. (Yes, I'm talking about the French, god how I hate it with every fiber of my being. Definitely won't bring that up in interviews though 🙂

 

[LAcmw]

hey..i'm not so far off with a gpa, i just did it in NC instead. actually, i think i might have been a bit closer to a 2.8, but who's counting. anyway, i graduated in '99 and since i could talk i wanted to be a doctor, but as we all know some of us deviate from our path and things happen. the last 6 yrs i've been researching going back to school...going to postbac classes and even studying french at UCLA...but finally, and i mean finally, i got a hold of a great director at a calstate LA school who was willing to hear my situation.

my best advice to you is to talk to someone at your last school and ask them exactly what you're asking us. get an advisor appt and make a list and just shoot them off...asking..what are the percentages of someone getting into school with this kind of record...etc. i'm 28 and although still young in general far from the norm age for med school so i have NO time to waste--in my opinion. anyway, i got this director in a room and just grilled her..asking her how many people doing postbacc and second baccs got into UC schools or where they placed their students etc and i finally got a grasp of what i need to do. she explained thoroughly what my realistic options are and told me the rigor of what i needed to do....i went to the expert at cal state LA and finally my questions were answered.

With all the "feel good" energy in the room I feel I should introduce myself.

Graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Economics and completed all the pre-reqs. Cum gpa = 2.3 with a science gpa about the same. No real hardships here just a long list of hangovers.
I just completed a post-bac year at the university of houston with a post-bac gpa of 3.92 in 30 credits of upper division work and 2 pre-req retakes. I'm planning on taking the MCAT in August and currently am shooting for 2005 matriculation. Does anyone here think I have a shot with a good MCAT showing or should I post-pone applying and complete another 12 credits of post-bac before applying? Regardless I will continue to take 2 courses a semester while working full-time and reapply if I have to. Anyway I'm having a hard time deciding if it's too soon to apply so if someone with some knowledge on my situation could chime in I would appreciate it. Just a quick FYI I also worked as a research tech for 2 years after college and am soon to be a published reformed student 😀

 

[blankguy]

hey..i'm not so far off with a gpa, i just did it in NC instead. actually, i think i might have been a bit closer to a 2.8, but who's counting. anyway, i graduated in '99 and since i could talk i wanted to be a doctor, but as we all know some of us deviate from our path and things happen. the last 6 yrs i've been researching going back to school...going to postbac classes and even studying french at UCLA...but finally, and i mean finally, i got a hold of a great director at a calstate LA school who was willing to hear my situation.

my best advice to you is to talk to someone at your last school and ask them exactly what you're asking us. get an advisor appt and make a list and just shoot them off...asking..what are the percentages of someone getting into school with this kind of record...etc. i'm 28 and although still young in general far from the norm age for med school so i have NO time to waste--in my opinion. anyway, i got this director in a room and just grilled her..asking her how many people doing postbacc and second baccs got into UC schools or where they placed their students etc and i finally got a grasp of what i need to do. she explained thoroughly what my realistic options are and told me the rigor of what i needed to do....i went to the expert at cal state LA and finally my questions were answered.

I've been asking around to people that I could get hold off.( Premed advisors, admissions people, and admissions deans or anybody who is willing to hear me out) After I while it gets kinda old with "there is no guarantee(as in there's a risk that with all the $$$$$$ you will left with a debt with nothing to show for). A few that did give me some input mentioned special masters, but man does it get a little repetitious with the guarantee thing 🙄

 

[exmike]

Hi,

I haven't read all the way through the last page of posts, but I thought I would reply. For AMCAS, graduate GPA's are not averaged with undergraduate GPA's. So if you are trying to up your undergraduate GPA, a traditional Master's program will not do the job. However, if you are part of a Special Master's Program (SMP), the grades are averaged.

For ostopathic schools, traditional graduate grades are averaged with your undergraduate grades, something I was not aware of.

So, hope that helps.

NO, SPECIAL MASTERS IS STILL A MASTERS!! - hence the world "master". it will NOT BE AVERAGED with your undergraduate GPA. Only post-bacc classes are averaged in. Even undergrad classes taken as part of a masters program dont count as part of your premed GPA.

 

[LAcmw]

well...i was totally in your same boat, again. oh..just want to say first off that i'm new to this and i have NO idea how this forum works or else i would have replied ages ago to you.

first all i can say is that it does get old, but if you want it bad enough...you'll just keeping pushing at it until you get the answers you need. i can't even tell you how many hours i've been on hold and how many emails i've sent. i'm in CA now and being originally from the east coast...i was a bit lost at first how the schools systems worked. i'm exhausted, but if you want to email me feel [email protected]. maybe i can give you some of the links and guidance that i got along the way.

I've been asking around to people that I could get hold off.( Premed advisors, admissions people, and admissions deans or anybody who is willing to hear me out) After I while it gets kinda old with "there is no guarantee(as in there's a risk that with all the $$$$$$ you will left with a debt with nothing to show for). A few that did give me some input mentioned special masters, but man does it get a little repetitious with the guarantee thing 🙄

 

[PharmD2b]

hi i graduated 3 years ago and i want to enhance my academic record. i did pharmacy . I had a gpa of 2.5 ---i know that blows. pharmacy sch really kicked my ass . i am not elgible gpa wise for any post bac i know of. i think lecomm even requites a 2.7 I havent taken the mcats but i did get into a carribean school. what would you do in my situation. do any of you know of a post bac program that would be suitable for me or would you go carribean ?

 

[LavaG]

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[adit15]

can anyone give me some advice?

I just graduated from Johns Hopkins w/ a biomedical engineering major, premed reqs filled, and a psychology minor. My cum gpa is a 2.76, science gpa is abt the same.

Im going to barry university in the fall to do a biomedical sciences masters, which is basically first year med school courses. I plan to finish that this year, and apply next summer.

I will be going over xmas break and next summer to volunteer at health clinics in brazil and india, and during the second year i take off i plan on working at the world health organization through a connection i have.

Im taking the mcats next april, and plan on studying throughout the year. ive been getting mid 30s on average, a few low 30s.

I kno that a masters gpa is a separate cum gpa from undergrad gpa. i feel after seeing ur guys posts, that uve been working for years to bump that gpa by just a few tenths of a point or a point. My question is if i do well in the barry program, u think it will be necessary for me to take more coursework?

also anyone from florida kno how the barry program rates? thanks

 

[aimsz88]

hi guys,


just feeling a bit down with all the continued slow trudge towards my goal of becoming a doctor.

so i finished usc with a major in cello performance, right? have a ugpa of...*drum roll*...2.89! yaye! *sigh*...i took the pre med classes and did no good either...i kinda didn't take them seriously because i thought i was the shiznit. so not. 2.49 gpa.

a year later after 12 units at ucla extension to do physics and calc...its up to 2.86! i guess that's better...still feeling down...

taking the MCAT on saturday and only scoring barely 30s on the kaplan practice tests. do you guys think i am just never going to get there or is it just my fatalistic mood tonight?

just need some moral support...come on you sdn ppl...show some love...

 

[DrZeke]

hi guys,


just feeling a bit down with all the continued slow trudge towards my goal of becoming a doctor.

so i finished usc with a major in cello performance, right? have a ugpa of...*drum roll*...2.89! yaye! *sigh*...i took the pre med classes and did no good either...i kinda didn't take them seriously because i thought i was the shiznit. so not. 2.49 gpa.

a year later after 12 units at ucla extension to do physics and calc...its up to 2.86! i guess that's better...still feeling down...

taking the MCAT on saturday and only scoring barely 30s on the kaplan practice tests. do you guys think i am just never going to get there or is it just my fatalistic mood tonight?

just need some moral support...come on you sdn ppl...show some love...

If this is what you really want then just keep being persistant!

No more thinking you're the shiznit 🙂...

 

[PurpleHaze]

hi guys,


just feeling a bit down with all the continued slow trudge towards my goal of becoming a doctor.

so i finished usc with a major in cello performance, right? have a ugpa of...*drum roll*...2.89! yaye! *sigh*...i took the pre med classes and did no good either...i kinda didn't take them seriously because i thought i was the shiznit. so not. 2.49 gpa.

a year later after 12 units at ucla extension to do physics and calc...its up to 2.86! i guess that's better...still feeling down...

taking the MCAT on saturday and only scoring barely 30s on the kaplan practice tests. do you guys think i am just never going to get there or is it just my fatalistic mood tonight?

just need some moral support...come on you sdn ppl...show some love...

Hey! I totally feel you on that one. I have an undergrad GPA of 2.95 (Biology Major). and I've been scoring upper 20s on my Princeton Review tests.... highest 29. So I'm definitely feeling you. But as they say, where there's a will, there's a way. I'm starting the Postbac program at VCU next week to hopefully improve that GPA and praying for a miracle 30 this weekend. As for your fatalistic mood.. I think everyone goes through it every now and then, so you're not alone. Just try and be optimistic and work hard. You'll get there!

 

[aimsz88]

so i'm just waiting until MCAT scores come out...*sigh*...but i've resigned myself to the fact that i may need to study for the april mcat. boo.

anyways, since i last posted i think i may have made a mistake in computing my gpa...with 12 more units from ucla extension i'm at a grand total of...*drum roll*...3.1 😳 well, i'm trying, anyways...heh

does it just seem like not that many ppl get accepted with gpas below 3.4 or something? ack!

any cali love out there, as well? all the UC medical schools are so damn hard to get into...you gotta have mad numbers. *sigh*

 

[FutureMD05]

does it just seem like not that many ppl get accepted with gpas below 3.4 or something? ack!

I have read from the admissions board website that 20% of applicants with a GPA less than 3.3 and 2% of applicants with a GPA less than 3.0 are accepted.

 

[aimsz88]

well, there's hope yet then...

back to the drawing board, haha...thanks for those stats.

where did you find them?


love, me!

 

[salut03]

Out of curiosity... how did you all finance your classes?

Getting good grades is the most important thing, but I don't think I can taking more than 2 lab classes with a full time job. 🙁

 

[aimsz88]

ucla is a state school, and i'm a resident...so it's about 400 bucks for a class of 4 or 5 units through the extension school. because i work full time i get a discount of 25 percent of classes...so it ends up around about 300 dollars per class, more or less.

yeah, i work full time...and it's a killer, trying to take classes and work full time. i only take one or two classes at a time. it sucks...i don't get home until midnight most nights because of classes straight after work.

sometimes i feel like shooting myself because i'm so stressed. but then again, if i want to do it, i gotta do it. just take it one day at a time.

hehe.

 

[cosmicstarr]

ucla is a state school, and i'm a resident...so it's about 400 bucks for a class of 4 or 5 units through the extension school. because i work full time i get a discount of 25 percent of classes...so it ends up around about 300 dollars per class, more or less.

yeah, i work full time...and it's a killer, trying to take classes and work full time. i only take one or two classes at a time. it sucks...i don't get home until midnight most nights because of classes straight after work.

sometimes i feel like shooting myself because i'm so stressed. but then again, if i want to do it, i gotta do it. just take it one day at a time.

hehe.

Aimsz88,

Why do you get a 25% discount. Does your work pay part of your classes or do you work at UCLA?

Also, if you get home at midnight, do you live far from UCLA? I noticed most classes end by around 10.

Thanks.

 

[aimsz88]

i work as a research assistant at the medical school, yep. 25 percent off.


my physics class last year got out at 10:30. by the time you finished asking your professor questions, gabbing with your classmates, grab a bite and got home, it was definitely around 11:30 or later. yeah, i live within walking distance to work and school, but trust me, for some magical reason...you end up getting home really late. not to mention the campus is friggin huge. from class to home takes like 20 minutes at least cuz i live on the other corner of campus from the science classes (behind the science classes are mansions so not alot of apts. there).

 

[errozion]

GPA = 3.25

Science GPA less than 3.0.

MCAT = April of 2006 (been doing horrible on practice exams, 21 and 22)

Its my senior year and its pretty depressing, dont know how much of a chance I have to even get interviews here in Texas with this low GPA. Any words of wisdom?

 

[Jokerman99]

I was in a simmilar situation to yours and got into a SMP...all you have to do is take the MCAT and score HIGH 33+ and you should have a very good shot at the SMP programs...

Hi -
My school's premed advisor pointed me towards this site and I was really glad to see this thread.
My deal:

Harvard BA 04

Due mainly to depression, anxiety, inertia, and despair I pretty much never went to class in college. I turned in 1 paper on time in my 4 years. Since I had nowhere else to go I scraped by, doing the just enough to stay in school since I did not feel as though I had other options. Unfortunately, I vaguely wanted to go to med school even at the time and kept enrolling in premed courses even though I had no intention of going to them. So I've officially 'taken' 1 year general chem, orgo, calculus, bio, and physics resulting in an unbelievable BCPM GPA of 1.68. Failed one semester of bio, D in one semester of physics. My overall GPA is around 2.3.

I know that I have to retake all of my premed courses. But even if I retake every course and get a 4.0 in every single one my BCPM GPA is still going to be only 2.84. Which is horribly depressing of course.

I really want to attend a formal postbacc program, but I feel as though there is no way they would accept me. I know that I have the option of enrolling in classes and taking them on my own, but I know that a structured program would really be the best thing for me.

My current plan is to talk with the postbacc admissions people to see if there is anything I can do now to make myself more competitive for their programs. Hopefully, get into one, then maybe do a special masters program after that. If I can't get into a postbacc program I guess I will just have to retake the courses on my own.

Right now I am feeling like this is going to be such a daunting and expensive endeavor with, as it's been repeated, no guarantees. I also currently have a little over $30k in undergraduate debt (private loans) and work ~ 60 hour weeks. Is this even feasible for me? Would I be able to secure a loan for postbacc work with that kind of debt already? Any words of support would be very welcome.

 

[PurpleHaze]

It's nice to see that I'm not the only one fighting a low GPA. I think I got a lil too involved with extracurriculars and travelling in undergrad.

I graduated with a Biology BS with a 2.95 GPA this past May from the College of William and Mary. My grades don't really follow any kind of trend. i tend to get a little of everything every semester.. an A here... a B here.. maybe a C or a D depending on the class. I finished my pre-reqs with Bs in Orgo, Cs in Gen Chem, Bs in Physics, and As in Biology. I have two Ds on my transcript in Bio classes (Animal behavior-- due to attendance, and Human Genetics). I took the upper level genetics class the semester after that and earned an A in it, so I obviously understood the information.. i'm not sure what the heck I did in the lower level class to earn myself a D.

I'm currently attending the Certificate program at Virginia Commonwealth University in the Physio department to try and overcome the GPA of the past some (does any one know if that counts as a graduate GPA on AMCAS.. cuz I'm part of the graduate school of medicine here.. not the undergrad campus). After much thought I've decided to apply to medical school for Fall 06... I applied to 5 MD schools (VCU, Meharry, Penn State, TJ, and Drexel) and 5 DO schools (PCOM, PCOM-ATL, UDMNJ, VCOM, NYCOM) just to see what happens. I have pretty good extracurriculars (I was a leader in several orgs on campus and a national director of another org) and clinical experience (behavioral counselor at a children's hospital for 3 years and a scribe for the MDs in the emergency room for a semester).

I took the MCATs in Aug 04, though I probably shouldn't have because it was an emotionally trying summer, and earned myself a 23Q. I just retook the exam in August 05.. so I'm busily awaiting my new scores.. I'm just hoping it's something near 30.. I can settle for a 28 if need be.

For the most part, I'm just trying to learn the application process and hoping for the best. If I dont' get in this time around, I'm gonna finish up at VCU next year and get a masters in Physiology and apply again for Fall 07.

 

[mshheaddoc]

bumping for old time sake 🙂 I wanna hear some "I got accepted stories" 😉

 

[HopeFaith]

Senior here

I would calculate my science gpa but that's probably even more depressing and I don't have a the specific calculator.

 

[jintonic5]

Senior here
with 2.79 gpa, bio major
I would calculate my science gpa but that's probably even more depressing and I don't have a the specific calculator.

I'm pretty upset, I feel like all of my opportunities have gone down the drain. The worst part is, yes I took the Mcat in August (I don't even think I scored above average) but I do not want to apply. And yet people around me are presuring me to just go ahead and apply as if I can squeeze through the cracks. It's bs. I'm not even such an outstanding applicant gpa aside and I know I'll not get stellar reccs. I'm upset because these are the people that forced me to make decisions that had the adverse effect of putting me in the position I'm in now. To me applying would just be a grand waste of time.

chin up kiddo, don't apply if you don't want to. it sounds like you have a lot of stuff to work through, so focus on that first, and tell people around you to back off (very difficult but very necessary). g'luck.

 

[FutureDocDO]

Senior here
with 2.79 gpa, bio major
I would calculate my science gpa but that's probably even more depressing and I don't have a the specific calculator.

I'm pretty upset, I feel like all of my opportunities have gone down the drain. The worst part is, yes I took the Mcat in August (I don't even think I scored above average) but I do not want to apply. And yet people around me are presuring me to just go ahead and apply as if I can squeeze through the cracks. It's bs. I'm not even such an outstanding applicant gpa aside and I know I'll not get stellar reccs. I'm upset because these are the people that forced me to make decisions that had the adverse effect of putting me in the position I'm in now. To me applying would just be a grand waste of time.

You can take a year off to retake some of the classes you didn't do so hot in to raise that GPA. As for the MCAT concentrate on the old MCAT. Keep on working on those until you figure out a "trend" and learn from your mistakes. You can do it.

 

[LooKing4Ward]

Graduated August 2000 BS in Cell Molecular Biology
Overall GPA: 2.48
BCPM or Science GPA: 2.17

Just started looking into this.

Been working on and off in Information Technology since, mainly because of my bad grades. I felt like I had no immediate future in science to be able to go further. In 2000 when I graduated, during the dot-com bubble, I got a $45K/yr IT job right out of school and felt good about it seeing that I did poorly in school but managed to a land a great paying job. Then the dot-com bust. Unemployment, retraining, and I struggled just to find my latest job with my lack of experience and non-education in computer science (even they are having a hard time now).

Went over my records today, hadn't seen it in a long time, or cared to ever seriously go over it. It's not a good reminder of my past education. Some stuff I don't even know why or what the hell I was doing back then. For example I didn't withdrawal first quarter ochem and got 0.0, retook it and got 1.10. F*ck. Retook second quarter bio only to average 1.7 ... f*ck. (on a bright note got 3.0 in second quarter ochem, i know not huge, but seeing that I failed first quarter ochem twice, I should have failed the second quarter or least gotten a lower grade in my opinion. I think second quarter relied on knowledge from first quarter? I'm not sure, it's been a long time.

If I was to retake some of the BCPM (and other science courses like biochem, microbiology, genetics, cell biology) that I had under 3.0 I would have to retake 17 classes, including labs, and even if I got all 4.0's my overall science gpa would still be 2.93.

If I was to retake all the BCPM (and the other science courses) I would have to retake 24 classes, including labs, and even if I got all 4.0's my overall science would be a mere 3.05. It breaks the 3.0 mark but relatively low still.

Although, on the up note, hopefully they'll favor the upward trend.

Looking at it I believe it'd be 2 - 2.5 years post-bac + 2-3 years masters. It's like going to undergrad all over again.

I would like to do just a masters though. Not because it would require less time but I believe I'd be getting involved in research right away, which I'd enjoy. Getting started at the graduate level though has me a bit worried being out of school for sometime. I definitely don't want to screw up there.

Now, the challenge is finding a post-bac and/or masters that will accept my grades.

Any thoughts, advice, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Lurker]

Hello there, fellow non-trads.

I am a 25 year old law student. I'm in the top 10% of my class, law review, etc.

Well. Here's my situation. I wanted to go to law school primarily for the education aspect of it. I enjoy the analytical training as well as the philosophy of law. Also, I've clerked at large law firms, and I have come to discover that I enjoy the practice of law, as well. So what the hell are you doing posting to a pre-medical message board??

I guess you could say I'm one of those people who enjoys both law and science. In fact, I think becoming a hospital administrator or legal ethicist in the health care field might be directly "up my alley". I worked closely with medical doctors in a childrens hospital in undergrad, doing research and such. I really loved the hospital environment. As you can see, I'm very torn. I don't feel like I should have to make a decision between law and medicine. Is that realistic?

As far as my undergraduate GPA, I'm hovering around a 3.4 in the social sciences. I've taken AP Biology, but don't remember a damn thing. So here is the substantive part of my post, below. I don't expect perfect answers, just some experienced feedback.

1) Is it possible to convince an admissions committe of my sincere interest in both law and medicine?

2) Does anyone suggest building a strong foundation in mathematics prior to fulfilling prereqs, rather than jumping right into, say, Gen Chem? I took business calculus, receiving a B, but that's as far as it goes for my math background. Will this be factored into my BCPM??

3) Any other advice for someone like myself?

Thanks for your much appreciated feedback. I wish I had more to offer in return.

Lurker

 

[PurpleHaze]

2) Does anyone suggest building a strong foundation in mathematics prior to fulfilling prereqs, rather than jumping right into, say, Gen Chem? I took business calculus, receiving a B, but that's as far as it goes for my math background. Will this be factored into my BCPM??

Lurker

If i'm not mistaken the math classes will get factored into your BCPM. But whether or not u need to go and take a lot of math classes is another story. Do you like math? Are you good at it? If so, heck why not? But if it's not really your cup of tea, I wouldn't bother. None my science pre-reqs requires a really strong background in math. It wouldn't hurt at all, esp. in physics. But it's definitely not required. My physics class didn't even integrate Calculus in it. So as long as you're solid with all the stuff you took in high school, you'll probably be ok.

 

[Lurker]

Thanks, that's definetly good to know. I still think I might do one intermediate algebra class, just to brush up. Also, don't some schools require Calc I now (and some even Calc II)??

Thanks again!

 

[jbayne04]

I have a question for the current Low GPAers and the successful and former Low GPAers: Is it better to continue with post baccalaureate courses to bring up your undergraduate gpa (this may be hard, as most graduate college with well over 100 hours) or to "move on" to a masters program to start building a fresh gpa?

I think both options give the candidate the opportunity to show adcoms significant improvement. How should one decide?

Also, I have been doing research for a university and taking classes at their School of Public Health. I am not enrolled in a degree program there, so do my courses (which are "for credit") count as graduate courses or are they considered post baccalaureate?

Thanks!

 

[goat]

Hello there, fellow non-trads.

I am a 25 year old law student. I'm in the top 10% of my class, law review, etc.

Well. Here's my situation. I wanted to go to law school primarily for the education aspect of it. I enjoy the analytical training as well as the philosophy of law. Also, I've clerked at large law firms, and I have come to discover that I enjoy the practice of law, as well. So what the hell are you doing posting to a pre-medical message board??

I guess you could say I'm one of those people who enjoys both law and science. In fact, I think becoming a hospital administrator or legal ethicist in the health care field might be directly "up my alley". I worked closely with medical doctors in a childrens hospital in undergrad, doing research and such. I really loved the hospital environment. As you can see, I'm very torn. I don't feel like I should have to make a decision between law and medicine. Is that realistic?

As far as my undergraduate GPA, I'm hovering around a 3.4 in the social sciences. I've taken AP Biology, but don't remember a damn thing. So here is the substantive part of my post, below. I don't expect perfect answers, just some experienced feedback.

1) Is it possible to convince an admissions committe of my sincere interest in both law and medicine?

2) Does anyone suggest building a strong foundation in mathematics prior to fulfilling prereqs, rather than jumping right into, say, Gen Chem? I took business calculus, receiving a B, but that's as far as it goes for my math background. Will this be factored into my BCPM??

3) Any other advice for someone like myself?

Thanks for your much appreciated feedback. I wish I had more to offer in return.

Lurker

Why don't you try the joint JD/MHA (Master of Health Administration) degree. I know someone who is doing this, and she plans to work within the legal department of a health care system. This seems like the perfect degree for you. 🙂

 

[jintonic5]

I have a question for the current Low GPAers and the successful and former Low GPAers: Is it better to continue with post baccalaureate courses to bring up your undergraduate gpa (this may be hard, as most graduate college with well over 100 hours) or to "move on" to a masters program to start building a fresh gpa?

I think both options give the candidate the opportunity to show adcoms significant improvement. How should one decide?

Also, I have been doing research for a university and taking classes at their School of Public Health. I am not enrolled in a degree program there, so do my courses (which are "for credit") count as graduate courses or are they considered post baccalaureate?

Thanks!

i think it depends on how bad your ug gpa is. if it's pretty much unsalvagable with 1yr+ of full time ugrad work, then kicking ass on the mcat and doing well in an smp may be what you need. however, a lot of people have to do some undergrad coursework regardless just to get INTO the SMP programs.

ultimately, yes both show that you have an improving trend, but you also need numbers strong enough to get by initial screening, which often rely strongly on gpa and mcat scores. all in all, there is no magic formula other than committing yourself to a couple of years of back breaking work. hurrah.

 

[Opposingminds]

Hey everyone, I've been browsing the site and the forums for a few days now and after stumbling upon this specific thread, I figured it was definitely time to get some input from you guys if you don't mind. I'm currently a senior double majoring in biology and psychology at a City University in New York. I'm just about done with my biology major and my psychology major will be done in time for graduation in the Spring. As of right now I'm planning to take the MCAT in April but that may change to August depending on how confident I feel.

For the most part I've done well in my science classes (some A's, mostly B's) with the exception of a few classes here and there which I'll get to later. As of right now, here are my stats:

Overall GPA: 2.69 (113 credits)
Science GPA: 2.72 (57 credits)

The biggest reason for my GPA being so low is in part due to my stupidity on some occassions over the years in undergrad and also some bad luck. In terms of the sciences, the biggest problem I see with my record are the following classes:

General Chemistry II: C+
Vertebrae Anatomy: C-
Endocrinology: F (Due to me being misinformed about how long it could be before I took a makeup final)
Organic Chemistry II: F (I chose not to take the final because I did not want to end up with a C or D in the class, although I've always wondered if that was the right choice)

I'm retaking Endocrinology right now and plan to retake Organic Chemistry II in the spring. I'm planning to get A's this time and according to my school policy while the F is still on the transcript, the A will be the grade factored into my GPA which thus means that my stats would then look like this:

Overall GPA: 2.97
Science GPA: 3.28

After talking to my adviser, he suggested that if I really wanted to get into medical school, my best option would be to go to graduate school to get a masters (do very well of course) and also do very well on the MCAT. Before going to talk to him however, I had heard a lot about post-bac programs and I was looking into them as an option but my adviser told me that post-bac programs were more for people who did not do well on the MCAT (which confused me a little).

Anyway, I've been very confused of late because I'm getting conflicting information from various sources so I was hoping that someone could answer some questions for me:

1) Would I be better off getting a M.S. in biology or doing a post-bac program in order to strengthen my academic record?

2) How would schools determine my science and overall GPA if I wanted to apply for their programs (whether it be for an M.S. in bio or a post bac) considering the two F's that I have?

3) In terms of getting a M.S. in biology I was wondering if it matters to medical schools, according to reputation where I go and get the degree? Right now I'm looking specifically at either NYU or Hunter.

I apologize ahead of time for writing such a long post and also for any incoherence or babbling that I did. Of course I also thank you guys ahead of time for whoever helps me out, I really do appreciate it.

 

[childofthe80s]

hey guys!
i was just wondering if you could tell me which post bac programs are geared towards those of who have low gpas/mcat scores? i know i can take continuing ed classes to boost gpa, but i think a post bac program is the route i want to take. thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[liverotcod]

1) Would I be better off getting a M.S. in biology or doing a post-bac program in order to strengthen my academic record?

There are basically two kinds of post-bacc programs. One type, which would probably not be appropriate for you, is for people who were non-science majors in college and need to get all of their basic sciences. A second type, which may work for you, consists of advanced classes for people who need to improve their qualifications for med school. The difference between post-bacc and a masters is that post-bacc grades get included in your undergrad grades on the med school application. But I think you should go for the masters because, frankly, I think you are a long shot for medical school, and a masters will have a lot more value toward other careers than will a post bacc certificate.

2) How would schools determine my science and overall GPA if I wanted to apply for their programs (whether it be for an M.S. in bio or a post bac) considering the two F's that I have?

Unfortunately, despite how your school handles repeated courses, and aamcas application will count those Fs.

3) In terms of getting a M.S. in biology I was wondering if it matters to medical schools, according to reputation where I go and get the degree? Right now I'm looking specifically at either NYU or Hunter.

Reputation isn't very important for masters degrees, unless you're talking, say, top-10 grad schools.

 

[Hopeful0803]

Wow that is amazing. I was actually hoping that maybe I can get some advise here. I graduated last year with a 2.5 GPA in Psychology. I have a BS so i completed all the Bio, chem, physics, etc. but with c's.

My dream is to go to Med School, but clearly that isnt something that is possible at this time. I am thinking of going to post-bacc to enhance my academic record. I am also volunteering at a community hospital on the weekends.

Please, be honest and tell me if this is a dream I need to let go off, or go for it.

 

[liverotcod]

Please, be honest and tell me if this is a dream I need to let go off, or go for it.

Kinda depends on how much time you're willing to spend getting there. What do you think kept you from better grades in undergrad? I think that's where you need to start. There's no point "going for it" unless you can demonstrate to yourself that you will be able to handle it academically. How did you do in your core sciences?

 

[Hopeful0803]

How did you do in your core sciences?

I agree, the thing is...I didnt do good because of stupidity. In other words, I would do good on my exams and labs and get A's but then I would miss a midtern because I never attended class and get a 0 for a midterm and thats why I would end up with C's. I dont have anything lower than a C and have A's as well. My grades are (Bio1-C, Bio2-C, Chem1-B, Chem 2-C, Physics1-A, Physics2-B) I also retook some of these classes but in a different college and changed all the C's to A's but that doesnt count into my GPA.
I just really scewed up my first 2 years in college and then by the time I came around to having a realization that I pretty much messed up my whole future and the idea of becoming a Dr. my GPA was really low, and even though my last 2 years where much better, my cum GPA is still low. I am willing to do post-bacc or masters whichever would help me. Any advise on what my first step would be?

 

[liverotcod]

I agree, the thing is...I didnt do good because of stupidity. In other words, I would do good on my exams and labs and get A's but then I would miss a midtern because I never attended class and get a 0 for a midterm and thats why I would end up with C's. I dont have anything lower than a C and have A's as well. My grades are (Bio1-C, Bio2-C, Chem1-B, Chem 2-C, Physics1-A, Physics2-B) I also retook some of these classes but in a different college and changed all the C's to A's but that doesnt count into my GPA.
I just really scewed up my first 2 years in college and then by the time I came around to having a realization that I pretty much messed up my whole future and the idea of becoming a Dr. my GPA was really low, and even though my last 2 years where much better, my cum GPA is still low. I am willing to do post-bacc or masters whichever would help me. Any advise on what my first step would be?

Actually, as far as the AAMCAS application (for allopathic medical schools) is concerned, all grades for courses taken at the college level will count. Also, the osteopathic school application counts only the most recent retake of a course, so on either application you probably have a better GPA than you think. In addition, an upward trend counts for a lot in the application process.

Nevertheless, a special masters is probably the better bet for you. You don't mention organic chemistry, which is another prerequisite and would make a good place to start if you haven't had it. In any case, recognize that there's no real rush, and that the more time passes between when you apply and your bad grades, the better. If you can demonstrate 1) a recent strong academic record, 2) productive use of your time since college, 3) strong aptitude as measured by the MCAT, and 4) clinical experience measured in years, you should be an acceptable candidate.