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

[Hopeful0803]

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Well since graduation last year, I have been employed full time (and currently)at a corporate company and promoted twice. In addition to working full time (M-F 7-5), I have been going to school after work in the evenings to retake classes (M-TH 6-10pm) and volunteering onthe weekends both Sat and Sun 9am-4pm. So i would like to think that I have matured a little bit and am ready to challange myself more.

I did take Org. Chem 1-but got a D, so I would need to retake that. And I have all the MCAT books to study.

I would love to stay local, meaning NY, NJ, PA or CT are since i live and work in nyc. Do you know where I can find out some school that would offer masters. Also, should I go for the biomedical science masters??

 

[seize the day]

Here's my sad little Cinderella story:
Harvard
Freshman 2.2
Sophomore 2.3
Junior 2.2
...Required to withdraw because I chose to attend the first class and finals (nothing in between) for a semester = 4 Fs.
...Got act together (mostly, quit drinking), and they let me back in.
Senior 3.7

VCU
50 Credit Post-Bacc 4.0

Overall 2.9
Science 3.4
April 2004 MCAT 39Q (sweet, eh? oughta help!)

I'm applying this cycle to ~25 schools, mostly lower tier but some middle and top because they might think my story is interesting. Wish me luck, and good luck to all of you. All premeds work pretty hard to achieve their goals, but we're certainly among the hardest working, with a lot to lose if we fail.

How are the post-bacc at VCU like? Could you elaborate more about the classes uve taken?

 

[liverotcod]

How are the post-bacc at VCU like? Could you elaborate more about the classes uve taken?

I did the undergrad-level post-bacc, but before there was a formal certificate program. I took biology 151 & 152 and cell bio. I took both semesters of gen chem and both semesters of organic chem. I took the calc-based physics, and I took second-semester calculus. I really liked my courses at VCU, it was pretty laid back and I learned a lot.

I'm told that the grad-level post-bacc consists of difficult, med-school level courses and is thus good to judge one's readiness. I was working full time while I did my post-bacc, so that wasn't an option for me.

Hopeful, others on this board can probably make better specific suggestions as to schools. Best wishes and keep us posted on how it's going!

 

[liverotcod]

I'm planning to get A's this time

I don't mean this as a criticism of you specifically, Opposingminds. But please permit me to vent about this pet peeve of mine. One can hope to get As. One can expect to get As. One can even depend on getting As. But to plan to get As is possible. We plan the plan, not the result.

Same holds true for the MCAT. I get hopping mad when I read that someone plans to get a 36, or whatever.

[/rant]

 

[premed747]

Can anybody suggest a good post-bacc program for a low gpa person in the Northeast?

 

[Singing Devil]

Can anybody suggest a good post-bacc program for a low gpa person in the Northeast?

BU Masters in Medical Science. Probably the best option in New England. Plus, it's in Boston, which is a plus.

http://cobalt.bumc.bu.edu/current/Catalog/medsci/intro.htm

Sorry I don't post much in more... medical school is REALLY busy.

 

[williamChenry]

Completed 2 1/2 years of college so far (in my early 20's).....

had a 2.6 GPA and then 3 F's last semester due to laziness and not knowing what i wanted to do in life....God knows what my GPA is now


Quite depressed , and not sure what to do next...actually, not sure if there is anything I can do....I hope there is still a shot

 

[that's me]

Williamchenry

out of curiosity what undergrad did you go to?

 

[williamChenry]

a community college, at the time I started, I was planning on continuing my job and making that my career which is why I unfortunately never took college seriouslly.

 

[playthatfunky]

Completed 2 1/2 years of college so far (in my early 20's).....

had a 2.6 GPA and then 3 F's last semester due to laziness and not knowing what i wanted to do in life....God knows what my GPA is now


Quite depressed , and not sure what to do next...actually, not sure if there is anything I can do....I hope there is still a shot

Seems from what I've read a time gap between bad grades and good grades makes the adcoms more comfortable rather than someone turning on a switch. At least 2-3 years I'd say.

 

[LooKing4Ward]

Seems from what I've read a time gap between bad grades and good grades makes the adcoms more comfortable rather than someone turning on a switch. At least 2-3 years I'd say.

I'm in the same boat. Not sure what the recipe for success is in this ride. But there are stories, though like everything else you can only take them with a grain of salt.

I've emailed post-bac/masters school advisors on what I can do to become a competitive applicant to their program and notta response back and I have to say that is most likely because I'm such a longshot.

 

[the alchemist]

junebug,

Re the BU program, the people here say that you need to get a 3.5 in the program and 30 MCAT in order to get in here or elsewhere. 4.0? I suppose it's possible, but insanely difficult. You have to remember, the BU program is courses with the med school, and the med school courses are, without a doubt, the hardest courses I have ever taken as far as amount of work required, amount of memorization, and just requiring every part of your brain. It makes you appreciate why they require so much stuff on the MCAT.
I was in a medical microbiology course and got a 89 final average. That was a B+. Of course, that course is an anomaly. In most classes, that would have been an A. But, trust me, if you do well in the BU program, you WILL get in medical school. No ifs, ands, or buts. 85% of the graduates matriculate to allopathic schools in the US; the rest go on to nursing, dentistry, DOs, foreign meds, etc. If you want to know more, see the separate thread about the program (I'd link it, but I don't know how.)

.

i did my graduate work at busm and there was this guy in my lab who got a 27 on his mcat and did the BUSM SMP and got in md/phd. though he did kiss one of our lab advisor's A** knowing that he was on the admissions committee. that's why he ended up in our lab. either way, after 2 tries, he got in md/phd at BUSM and should be finishing his PhD part this year before his clinical years and as i said, with a 27 MCAT.

 

[Singing Devil]

I'm in the same boat. Not sure what the recipe for success is in this ride. But there are stories, though like everything else you can only take them with a grain of salt.

I've emailed post-bac/masters school advisors on what I can do to become a competitive applicant to their program and notta response back and I have to say that is most likely because I'm such a longshot.

I would say not to email people... they're really busy this time of year, and are not going to have time for you. Your best bet is to actually try to make an appointment to visit them. Call the offices and try to schedule appointments. If they say that person is busy, ask if there is someone else you can talk to, say someone influential on the admissions committee. Anyone. Seriously, I did this and it should work. You may have to be patient, but at least be persistent. Emails are a little to informal, and are easily ignored. Even a written letter is going to be less likely responded to than a phone call that sets up a face-to-face meeting.

 

[futurederm]

This is the REAL world. I'm enjoying reading all the posts on this thread and being inspired, moved, and motivated by you all. GOOD LUCK and I know with perseverance you ALL will make it to medical school be great M.D.'s! 😍 👍

 

[DOCTORSAIB]

I didn't read the whole thread but thought I'd share my story.

Undergrad at GW (graduated in 1999, BA Psych)
Undergrad Overall GPA: 2.8 <--------- due to party
Undergrad Science GPA: 2.7 <-------- due to more partying

MCAT- 27, 28

Post-bacc IRTA program @ NIH (2000-2001): 5 abstracts and 1 publication.

VCU's Graduate Physiology Program (2001-2002): GPA 3.3 (this program is hard as hell so 3.3 is pretty respectable)

MPH in Epidemiology/Biostats @ GW (2002-2004): GPA 3.85 (graduated w/honors)

Was on 2 WL's (VCU and GW) and got my one and only acceptance at PCOM in 2004!

Class rank @ PCOM so far: Top quintile

It took me almost 5 years but I'd be damned if I ever gave up.

 

[gaki]

is there a thread somewhere where people who had bad numbers in gpa or mcats got in and wanted to talk about how they did it? if theres not, someone start one please!
i need some cheering up.

 

[liverotcod]

is there a thread somewhere where people who had bad numbers in gpa or mcats got in and wanted to talk about how they did it? if theres not, someone start one please!
i need some cheering up.

This IS the thread, actually. Lots of success stories if you go back a few pages.

 

[StanSmith]

Well I'm glad to see that it can happen and hopefully I can add to the success stories but as of now its a story of working and trying to bring it to that level...

Human Bio Major

GPA: 2.4
science GPA 2.1
Post Bacc 22 credits 3.57 GPA includes two retakes.
ECs are strong
LORs are solid
Have shadowed both MD and DO
Worked as EMT 35 hrs/wk for 2 years

Plan is:
Spring 06: retake two more classes and the mcat.
Summer 06: two upper level bio classes
Fall 06: HES, maybe

What you guys think? Any ideas, comments are welcomed

 

[Bhartiben Patel]

nc

 

[blankguy]

Undergrad: Brandeis University
Degree: BA Economics
GPA: 2.6(primarily due to lousy science courses)

Postbacc: UMass-Boston
GPA: 3.9~

Aiming to apply to dental school. Working fulltime while taking courses

Somethings that might be going for me. A significant amount of time between undergrad and postbacc.

 

[liverotcod]

Somethings that might be going for me. A significant amount of time between undergrad and postbacc.

In my experience, even really low grades, like mine, get pretty much ignored if they were 1) long ago, 2) in contrast to more recent, excellent academic work (as you have done) and 3) also in contrast to strong standardized test results. Rock the DAT and you're 😎

 

[klptvf]

Community college -
First semester in college - 4 Bs
Second semester - 2 Fs, 2 Bs
Took college alg. 3 times - Grades F,D,B
Took micro economics twice Grades D, C
----transferred to university after getting AA -
GPA now 2.9 majoring in psych. - from this university, I have 4 Cs
Also endured major health problems, three surgeries, worked three jobs all through college, etc.
-----For the past yr, been making As ans Bs, but a C in geology and C in Spanish. Currently have a C in spanish to be ending in 2 weeks.
Then finished with psych. BA. GPA will most likely be 3.1??? Then GPA will be "frozen".
Beginning pre. req med. courses in January. Going to take only one to ease into it. (BIO LAB). Still have to work three jobs. Involved in several ECs on campus. Do not want to overload myself. Goal to get As in all pre reqs. it is really the only way I'd have a shot.
How do med. schools. calculate post bac courses (the science pre. reqs. i will take?) after the undergrad. degree? My university will freeze my GPA, so then I will have a new one for the pre. reqs. will they average both?

Any suggestions?

 

[liverotcod]

How do med. schools. calculate post bac courses (the science pre. reqs. i will take?) after the undergrad. degree? My university will freeze my GPA, so then I will have a new one for the pre. reqs. will they average both?

Post bacc courses are included in your undergrad GPA. Each year of undergrad gets its own GPAs (science and overall). Post bacc is listed as the fifth of these years. Then a cumulative total is calculated.

If you were to take graduate courses, they are not included in undergrad GPA.

Good luck.

 

[dukboki]

just to see people's opinions - i wanted to know what people thought about using extended campus courses to satisfy pre-reqs.

1. it is accredited - NC State doesn't differentiate - just marks the transcript with an "E" to indicate that it's not a "in the classroom" course.

2. still have to do labs - while you get the lectures pre-recorded on DVD or streams on the internet, you still have to register for labs and go to campus.

3. they offer just about everything i'm going to need.

just have no real choice though - i work 60-70 hours a week and am currently deployed to afghanistan so no, can't do any courses in the classroom. plus, i can't afford to just stop working and do a formal post-bacc.

any ideas on what a adcom is going to think?

oh yeah, and in the spirit of the thread:

graduated vanderbilt university (1999) with a 2.499
BCPM is a 2.1
masters programs (two, business) 3.58 overall (51 hours)
no MCAT yet.

yes, i have a LOOOOOOONG road to go. but i plan on taking the MCAT in april '07 and applying that summer. we'll see! 😀

 

[dukboki]

just to see people's opinions - i wanted to know what people thought about using extended campus courses to satisfy pre-reqs.

1. it is accredited - NC State doesn't differentiate - just marks the transcript with an "E" to indicate that it's not a "in the classroom" course.

2. still have to do labs - while you get the lectures pre-recorded on DVD or streams on the internet, you still have to register for labs and go to campus.

3. they offer just about everything i'm going to need.

just have no real choice though - i work 60-70 hours a week and am currently deployed to afghanistan so no, can't do any courses in the classroom. plus, i can't afford to just stop working and do a formal post-bacc.

any ideas on what a adcom is going to think?

oh yeah, and in the spirit of the thread:

graduated vanderbilt university (1999) with a 2.499
BCPM is a 2.1
masters programs (two, business) 3.58 overall (51 hours)
no MCAT yet.

yes, i have a LOOOOOOONG road to go. but i plan on taking the MCAT in april '07 and applying that summer. we'll see! 😀

forgot - i'm 28 and i took one year of calc, one year of chem, one year of bio, and one semester of orgo. nothing beyond that.

 

[junebuguf]

forgot - i'm 28 and i took one year of calc, one year of chem, one year of bio, and one semester of orgo. nothing beyond that.

If you already took most of the pre-reqs, it would help if you also stated what your grades were, how long ago you took them and also where. If you already have a 3.4+ gpa in the pre-req courses you've already taken, you wont get much benefit from retaking them. You should then concentrate on the MCAT and an MS program. If, however, you havent done so well, you will have to retake them, but you may want to explore other options for long-distance courses. I am not sure if any of these schools offer basic science courses long-distance, but many of them do offer MS programs via internet feeds, and a few even offer undergrad degrees, so I would first look into Columbia, Georgia Tech, Duke, Penn et. All else being equal--if you dont have to move anywhere to take the classes and the military is paying for it (I assume)--you should try to do your pre-reqs at the most rigorous institution you can get into (and which serves your needs.) When you apply, completing your pre-reqs at a 'tough' school will matter.

Also, you want to think long-term. With your grades, an MS (probably an SMP) is in your future. Try to schedule a timeline that enables you to devote a full year away from the service to the SMP (accounting for the gap year when you will apply.)

Stay safe!

 

[dukboki]

If you already took most of the pre-reqs, it would help if you also stated what your grades were, how long ago you took them and also where. If you already have a 3.4+ gpa in the pre-req courses you've already taken, you wont get much benefit from retaking them. You should then concentrate on the MCAT and an MS program. If, however, you havent done so well, you will have to retake them, but you may want to explore other options for long-distance courses. I am not sure if any of these schools offer basic science courses long-distance, but many of them do offer MS programs via internet feeds, and a few even offer undergrad degrees, so I would first look into Columbia, Georgia Tech, Duke, Penn et. All else being equal--if you dont have to move anywhere to take the classes and the military is paying for it (I assume)--you should try to do your pre-reqs at the most rigorous institution you can get into (and which serves your needs.) When you apply, completing your pre-reqs at a 'tough' school will matter.

Also, you want to think long-term. With your grades, an MS (probably an SMP) is in your future. Try to schedule a timeline that enables you to devote a full year away from the service to the SMP (accounting for the gap year when you will apply.)

Stay safe!

I only got through one year of chem (C+/C-), one year of bio (one class with lab, the other without C+/B+), one year of calculus (D+/C-), and the semester of orgo (C). Not a great showing. I took these in 1995 and 1996 - so almost 10 years ago. Hence why I'm taking them again before taking the MCAT. My issue is that the military isn't paying for it - hence why I'm doing the distance/internet feed partnership that UNC-CH/NC State has. They do offer the basic sciences.

What's a SMP? Summer Medical Program? Can't afford to take a year off - no way to get money other than taking on more debt. Not an option right now. Which MS program are you talking about? I'm about to finish my second MS - but of course these are non science.

Look forward to hearing your advice!

 

[Phil Anthropist]

What's a SMP?

Special Masters Program. These programs are usually accelerated (some are designed to be finished in one year) and give the option of taking actual medical courses.

However, if money is an issue this could be a problem for you; SMPs are quite expensive. There are some traditional, research-based MS programs that offer tuition remission and a stipend, but these are at least two years in length.

 

[indair]

Hi,

I'm currently in my third semester of Undergraduate college. I was mantaining a steady GPA of about 3.3, but that has abruptly fallen to a 2.8 now. My BCPM GPA so far is about a 2.7. I have one F in general physics lab, which I will retake (I know that both grades get factored by the AMCAS) and a C+ in chem 1 and physics 2. I have little to no volunteer/extracurricular work in anything even remotely medical. I feel pretty ready to give up trying to become a doctor, although that is what I really want to become. Realistically, do you think it's possible for me to get into a reasonably good Allopathic Medical School here in the United states if I keep my grades up (A's and B+'s) and get some volunteer work done? I haven't taken the MCATs yet but assume for the moment that I get a score of about 32.

Any comments/advice on my situation would be very helpful.

Thanks.

 

[junebuguf]

I only got through one year of chem (C+/C-), one year of bio (one class with lab, the other without C+/B+), one year of calculus (D+/C-), and the semester of orgo (C). Not a great showing. I took these in 1995 and 1996 - so almost 10 years ago. Hence why I'm taking them again before taking the MCAT. My issue is that the military isn't paying for it - hence why I'm doing the distance/internet feed partnership that UNC-CH/NC State has. They do offer the basic sciences.

What's a SMP? Summer Medical Program? Can't afford to take a year off - no way to get money other than taking on more debt. Not an option right now. Which MS program are you talking about? I'm about to finish my second MS - but of course these are non science.

Look forward to hearing your advice!

I hate to discourage you, but I would simply be lying if I told you that you have a realistic chance (considering your grades) without at least a second year of bio sciences at the undergrad level, and extremely high MCAT (34+). Neither of these accomplishments will do as much as a year in an SMP program. SMP's are basically a year of medical school, but you get a Masters degree instead. You typically apply after you're done with the year, so ADCOMs can evaluate your performance in med school courses when making a decision.

This is just my opinion, perhaps others can comment as well, but I really don't think you will be able to get in without an MS of some kind. You may want to think of the Caribbean as well, if you dont have the time to dedicate to full-time MS programs. The problem stems from the scores of people with low gpas (count the number of posters in this thread alone) who *have* completed MS degrees--all else being equal, these applicants will always be placed ahead of someone with a low gpa and just undergrad credentials.

 

[junebuguf]

Hey JUNEBUG,

Glad to hear from you!!!!!!! I haven't heard from you since April MCAT scores came out. How is the application cycle treating you and were you able to get into any SMP programs as you hoped to do so???????? Good luck with everything and hope all is going well. Take care,

your fellow guju 🙂

Hey Guju,

Hows Tampa? Are you holding down the fort? I decided not to apply this year. My application would have been really sketchy anyway, so I have decided to do an SMP and reapply next year. I might even retake the MCAT--havent made up my mind yet, but I was pretty disappointed with my score last April and kinda dropped off the face of the Earth after I determined I would not be applying this cycle. Anyway, how are you? Are you in your senior year or post-bacc? I guess I will be seeing you in the next application cycle!


June

 

[sailorsaturn]

Hey guys. I have a gpa of about 2.7. My final goal is to apply to an accelerated nursing program and get a master's degree in nurse practitioning. I think maybe a post-bac program will help enhance my credentials. I already have the basic bio and chem requirements. I want a gpa booster and more advanced science classes to make myself look like a better choice. Does anyone know a program that will fulfill these needs? Does anyone know if any post-bac program will even accept me with this gpa? And finally, does anyone know if this will work for what I want to do?
Thanks! 😱

 

[junebuguf]

I have no idea about RN programs and what their admissions requirements are. I think RN programs would be somewhat like PA programs though, possibly less tough to get into particularly considering the severe shortage of RNs in the country. Most post-bacc programs (certainly those discussed on this forum) apply to medical or dental programs. The best general advice I can give is to look at specific programs you are interested in, call the admissions directors for an interview, explain your circumstances and ask them for advice on how to proceed.

 

[GoJoeyMojo]

Here are my questions:
1. What would you do if you had sufficient grades in some of the prereqs- a formal program or a do it yourself program?
2. Is it stupid to dive head first into Gen Chem II and Physics II after four years? I'm rusty, but on my timeline I don't think I should take Gen Chem I or Physics I again.
3. Anybody know how competitive admissions to SIU MEDPREP are? I'm just trying to be realistic about my chances as I wait to hear back.
4. Any SMPs that don't require MCAT?

 

[EvilAngelfish]

after much lurking and persnicketing,
This Year Will Be The Year!
well...the beginning, anyway...
here's the current sitch:
age: 23
BA in Asian Languages and Civs from Amherst College
undergrad GPA: 3.0
undergrad science GPA: 2.0 😱 (lots of Cs and Ds - everybody scream)
interesting tidbits:
minority female (but not financially disadvantaged)
EMT certs - 2 years EMS volunteer work
3 years abroad in Japan (2 of them teaching high school English)
haven't taken the MCAT yet


So! This year, upon my return to the states, I'll be starting a post bac!

programs i'm considering -
UConn
Duquesne
Hunter
Harvard Extension
SMPs???

Any support, suggestions, cathartic tales of woe would be much appreciated.
Here are some questions I have though...
1. How does one go about getting recommendations from professors whose science courses they received a C in?
Isn't it a good idea to have at least one science rec? Or should I not worry about that until I'm applying to med school?
2. What kind of SMPs are good for a student who's done all the pre-reqs but just kind of sucked?


If I can clean up my science grades...well, let's worry about these things one step at a time. I hope I can do this! It'll be a really nifty success story if I do...

EvilAngelfish

 

[junebuguf]

Well, if I were you, I would start with redoing all the pre-req courses. Dont even think about asking for a rec letter from a prof who gave you a C. Rec letters should come from prof's whose classes you've aced but also with whom you have developed some amount of rapport. You will need to redo all the pre-req's, do an SMP and then apply, in my opinion anyway. During your pre-req and SMP years, try to form relationships with profs who look like they're willing to help, explain your situation and then ask if they will be willing to support your application with a rec letter.

There are only a handful of SMPs, so its not so much a matter of you choosing them as the other way around. Some accept a lot of students from the SMP program into their first year class (RFU, Drexel), some dont but have very good reps from other schools (G'Town) and others are somewhere in between (BU). It ultimately boils down to where you want to live and ultimately attend med school. A good place to get some of this info is to call med schools that you're interested in attending and asking to speak to the director of admissions during an off-peak period (typically in August when classes are determined and the next batch of applications are just coming in). You'd be surprised how easy it is to get a phone interview with many of them. Good luck.

 

[UMP]

U of Michigan BS Biopsychology May 2004 GPA 2.77 BCPM 2.93
April 2004 MCAT 30 O (late registration, no studying, could do better?)
later that year I went to Poland to take care of my ill grandmother for about a year, got new outlook on life...
Ok, take two: enrolled at Eastern Michigan University for a second bacc (Chemistry/Math Minor). Taking all BCPM classes, ENJOYING learning this time around. Volunteering at a free clinic.
Studying for the MCAT, I'll keep retaking it until I get a 40 😉 ... I'll apply to some state schools/ DO schools this year, see how I do, continue improving my application, and the application next year will be do or die... everyone seems to be pushing an SMP program, but I should probably raise that undergrad GPA above the 3.0 line right ? If I end up with a 3.5 BCPM and a 3.1 overall or so after a few semesters, will that BCPM be looked at more or my overall still dragging me down ? I guess I'm looking for advice on what to do next. Also, Orgo I and II I got C's in (Orgo II, I got a C twice, bleh), should I still retake them or just let life move on? (The rest of my pre-reqs are an even mix of A's and B's)

 

[scrubsRcomfy]

bump- i love this thread, lots of inspiring stories here. 👍

 

[aimsz88]

hi all,

haven't written in a while...really discouraged about my april MCAT score and looking to study for the april one...but tiptoeing around that one for sure too...

so my ugrad gpa from USC (university of southern california) in cello performance is 3.1 roughly...science gpa probably a little lower (2.9)....

i've had almost two years at ucla of their informal post bacc night program...4.0 there...

been doing research full time to pay the bills and so far a few good abstracts and papers popping up here and there...

but the damn mcat. i took it for the second time and really bombed it. what is wrong with me? it just feels hopeless because of the california pre-med scene. brutal is the word.


IM name: aimsz88
😕 😕 😕

 

[91946]

Hi, This is my first time on this forum. I applied during this cycle but things are not promising so I just want to see if you all have any advice for me on improving my application for the next cycle.

College: UC Berkeley
Ugrad GPA: 3.52
Science GPA: 3.43
MCAT: 30
1 year volunteer at hospital and 1 year of research at Lawrence Berkeley Lab. Currently doing mass spec for a living.

I took alot of advance science class in undergrad and ended up with alot of B's. For this cycle, i only gotten two interview which i didnt think went so well either. I'm trying to do the one year SMP this year or retaking my mcat. Can anybody give me advice on what i should do?

 

[junebuguf]

Hi, This is my first time on this forum. I applied during this cycle but things are not promising so I just want to see if you all have any advice for me on improving my application for the next cycle.

College: UC Berkeley
Ugrad GPA: 3.52
Science GPA: 3.43
MCAT: 30
1 year volunteer at hospital and 1 year of research at Lawrence Berkeley Lab. Currently doing mass spec for a living.

I took alot of advance science class in undergrad and ended up with alot of B's. For this cycle, i only gotten two interview which i didnt think went so well either. I'm trying to do the one year SMP this year or retaking my mcat. Can anybody give me advice on what i should do?

First off, your numbers are great...at least for people on this thread. Your MCAT is certainly not the problem. I would call up all the places where you applied and ask them for guidance. Why did you have a bad interview? Maybe thats the problem.

Also, did you apply to enough schools--especially out of state private schools? You may not be giving yourself enough of a chance unless you really apply to a lot of OOS programs.

I'm in an SMP right now, and I would only recommend it for you if you have no realy upward trend in your gpa over the last two years. It is so much work and so much risk that it may not be worth it for you, particularly if you already have a few interviews and a decent gpa and MCAT.

 

[Alpacizion]

Undergrad GPA- 2.8 science (5 Ds) 3.0 overall (Montclair State University)
Graduate- 3.94 Johns Hopkins (+ 4 publications as co-author in pulmonary and cardiovascular reserch)

APplied to 4 schools at the end of November and got 3 interviews. 1 acceptance, One interview tomorrow and another one to go. Good luck to everyone out there.

 

[91946]

First off, your numbers are great...at least for people on this thread. Your MCAT is certainly not the problem. I would call up all the places where you applied and ask them for guidance. Why did you have a bad interview? Maybe thats the problem.

Also, did you apply to enough schools--especially out of state private schools? You may not be giving yourself enough of a chance unless you really apply to a lot of OOS programs.

I'm in an SMP right now, and I would only recommend it for you if you have no realy upward trend in your gpa over the last two years. It is so much work and so much risk that it may not be worth it for you, particularly if you already have a few interviews and a decent gpa and MCAT.

I applied to alot of schools, it just that I havent heard from them for a LOOOOONG time so i figure I'm most likely rejected already.

 

[NontradICUdoc]

UG GPA: 2.56
AAMCAS GPA: 2.3

Since then

Masters Degree: Cumu. GPA: 3.6
Science GPA: 3.8

Will retake MCAT this year. So far, no love from any school.

 

[mshheaddoc]

UG GPA: 2.56
AAMCAS GPA: 2.3

Since then

Masters Degree: Cumu. GPA: 3.6
Science GPA: 3.8

Will retake MCAT this year. So far, no love from any school.

Sorry to hear 🙁 on MCAT!

 

[Alpacizion]

Hey I thought you posted elsewhere that you are going to go to dental school rather then medical school and turned down your acceptances at the MD schools. Can you please clarify??? Thanks a bunch,
guju

p.s. congrats on the acceptances and good luck whichever route you choose.

Thanks. I am doing dental. My interview is Thursday in Puerto Rico. I am going because after my interview I'll have time to think about my decision right by the beach. Plus I had already told my boss and bought the ticket before I made my decision...plus my company is paying for the hotel. And you know expedia doesn't give refunds so I might as well go. I got an interview an NYMC but I don't think I am going. I should go just for the interview experience and since is only 25 min from my house but we'll see.

ALpacizion

 

[Plan B.]

okay, so here's the scoop. after failing out of two community colleges, taking a year off school to work in a movie theater, and moving to another state to party for the rest of my life, i grew up a little and ended up going to a local community college in Az. this would lead me to even more partying at ASU where i would end up graduating from with little effort. (loved every minute of it by the way)

undergrad: Bachelor of Interdisciplineary Studies in Psychology and Business. Acum GPA: 2.86

worked for a couple years after graduation and stumbled onto medicine. am currently working as a physical therapy aide in a major teaching hospital in Los Angeles. getting a lot of medical exposure, working with a lot of docs, and getting some excellent potential letters of rec.

going to the local state school which is known for their rigorous chem program. this is my first quarter and finishing with a 4.0. gotta keep up the good work. it's hard learning how to be a good student.

(sigh) wow, am i glad to have found this little confessional. thanks for listening guys. 🙂

 

[dpb425]

I have been keeping up on the post the last few months because it feels great to know someone is in the same boat as me. I feel that there is no hope but I still haven't given up yet all though I feel like it every other day. I have wanted to be a doctor since I was 11 years old never imagined doing anything else with it except medicine. It seems like my whole life has been about trying to get into medical school. Then I hit a wall my gpa and mcat scores. Here are my stats:

BCPM GPA: 2.3
Overall GPA: 2.49
MCAT: 12 O

As you can see dismal. I graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a degree in psychology & social behavior in 1997. Right after graduation I began working full-time in a non-health related field and went to school part-time to do the prereqs for medical school. In the middle of that program I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer took a couple of years off to heal. Went back to school, came down with tonsilitis and developed severe obstructive sleep apnea, then the following year came down with viral menigitis. As you can see my road to medical school has been plagued with medical problems. Which has encouraged me even more to go into medicine.

I am currently at the post-bacc program at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. I ended up with 2 C's the first semester but I was able to land an interview the next semester. But it hurt me. Here at LECOM and at other schools. I just found out I was waitlisted there, and I need to pull an 18 on the MCAT this April 2006 in order to be able to remain on the waitlist. Now I'm worried about the MCAT I didn't pull an 18 the first time, am I capable of it now? I don't know. I am doing really well this semester in the program I have a 91% average. So I am hoping that will help. I haven't gotten any other interviews and was grateful for the LECOM one. But right now that is my only shot. I am looking into Master in public health programs in case LECOM doesn't come through this year. This is my second time applying.

I just came to the realization today if it doesn't work out this year, I will get my masters and try one more time. I will be 32 years old this year and I feel like I should be in my career right now. I am at a crossroads now, not sure where to go. I have had this dream for so long and to give it up is hard.
Thanks for listening this has been very therapeutic. LOL. 🙂

 

[relentless11]

👍 Well finally took the time to tally my GPA..haha. I haven't applied before so just waiting for the right moment to do it.

Undergrad GPA: 2.65
Post-Bacc GPA: 3.4
Graduate GPA: 4.0 (in progress)

MCAT: 36S

Essentially, supported my family through undergrad and the first half of post-bacc. The commute home to work was very time consuming, but it had to be done, and today everything is better because of that sacrifice. I found that my delayed pre-med life made me better. It improved my study habits, not to mention got to take a bunch of classes from standard molecular biology all the way up to bioengineering. All the background knowledge and applications helped me in numerous classes. Today I'm doing a PhD. Hopefully I can maintain the 4.0, but I'm just ecstatic that i'm better shape than I was as an undergrad.

Getting into grad school with a low GPA was shear luck. Mainly because I had a sponsoring professor, had lots of research experience prior (17 publications) the chair of the program was a nice guy, and they saw my MCAT score was decent (they even substituted it for the GRE!). I never asked why they let me in, but essentially they put me on this probationary period for the first quarter and I had to pull off at least a 3.0 to matriculate into a degree-earning program. Got a 4.0 and there was no going back since then. Since being admitted I'm up to about 25 publications. But what really matters, or at least what our med school's director of admissions says....I should keep taking more upper division science classes (and do well in them). Which I am, but its awkward (yet kinda fun) to be a grad student sitting in undergrad classes.

The morale of my story is, you can go many places with a low undergrad GPA, aslong as you keep pushing forward, and improving upon yourself as a person and as a student. I see that others were also challenged by far more serious situations than mine, and I am glad to see that they are also pushing forward. Keep it up everyone and good luck🙂

 

[jessie]

I'm a third year science canadian student with a very bad GPA...about 2.7. My practice MCAT scores have been low thirties. I stand no chance at a Canadian school and was told the US is much easier. I'm pretty new to this post-bacc option so I just had a few q's:

Is it difficult for Canadians to get accepted into Post-Bacc programs, and then get into US medical schools?

Is getting into a post-bacc pretty much guaranteeing acceptance into the medical program?

Should I do a post-bac or go to the carribbean?

Does anyone know of any post-bac's that accept Canadians with low GPAs like mine, and then accept them into their medical school? If so, please list them.

Thanks.