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

[Tiger18]

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I chose a state college rather than a CC because I thought CC would be looked down upon as a post bac. To be honest I'm not sure right now how I'm going to pay for the post bac. I'm having financial issues and is wondering on what to do about that as well.

Do you guys think its better for me to take post bac classes at a state college? I've read on other posts that CC won't look good at all.

Thanks for reading
-T

 

[meilideai]

Hey Tiger,
I am not too knowledgeable about the financial support; but I wish you the best of luck in finding a means to pay for the tuition.
As for CC vs. state, I think you should go to state. I'm not an expert, nor do I know how they look down upon CCs, but I know that CCs don't usually offer upper division biology courses - which is something that can show how much you can handle coursework. I mean classes like Cell Biology, Animal/Mammalian Physiology, Molecular Biology...etc.

Most CCs I have seen (and the one I used to go to) don't teach classes to that detail and considered "upper division."

So, don't give up 🙂 If this is what you really want to do, you will get there some way - even if it looks like a few more years before matriculating in medical school. The most important thing here is that you've found faith in yourself to carry out that change in you. That is such a major step.

I went through depression as well, and it was so hard to get myself to focus and become motivated again. I lost 2 years to a horrible gpa (averaging 1.9s-2.3s), but eventually I walked out of it. What's most important is the desire inside of us, and you've got the most important part of becoming successful or reaching your dreams. The other things come along with it as long as you put in the work 🙂

Good luck!

 

[yadave]

I chose a state college rather than a CC because I thought CC would be looked down upon as a post bac. To be honest I'm not sure right now how I'm going to pay for the post bac. I'm having financial issues and is wondering on what to do about that as well.

Do you guys think its better for me to take post bac classes at a state college? I've read on other posts that CC won't look good at all.

Thanks for reading
-T

as far as I know, community college shouldn't be your first choice when trying to raise your undergrad GPA. I would go to a state university and take classes because it will look better. Many times community colleges offer classes that may not measure up to the standard of a full fledged university. Therefore, to be safe, avoid CC. Also, just to add, take time making your class schedule. I know that that has been a huge factor for me in improving my grades. Now I dont mean that you should take all easy classes. Rather, balance your schedule out. Take some hard science classes and some "easier" classes that help balance everything out. It's worked wonders for me because I find myself actually enjoying school now. I think a big reason in a lot of people doing poorly the first time around is that they take all science oriented courses and fail to realize that your mind is going to stop responding after a while to the same type of material. Just pace yourself. You're gonna be fine if you plan each step carefully and practically. Also, as far as money, I am not too sure but I would suggest speaking with an advisor at the state school you plan on going to. Best of luck to you.😉

 

[Justins]

six Ws (withdrew)
3.37 1st year college GPA
i'm taking courses at a local community college this summer, hoping to boost gpa as much as i can. Inorganic chem kills me though 🙁
transferring to another college this fall
not so pretty

 

[FLH1317]

I have been wait listed at Tufts what should I do? I am still waiting on Boston...HELP

 

[thes_hunter]

@Justins - I am a little unclear on where you are at in your academic progress, but if you just emerged from your Freshman year with a 3.37 you are on a decent track. If you turn around and correct things now, you will likely not have to go to an SMP or anything after you finish.

Retaking the W's is good, and also figure out what led to that situation and fix it, because that is what any school is looking for. Good luck, but with dedication and hard work you can show those W's are a mistake you took action to correct.

@FLH1317 - I am sorry but I am going to need some more information on your situation. Are you wait-listed for Boston and Tufts for their MD programs? If so, give us some of your background... you might just need to re-apply for next year.... which is NOW. Remember apply early, and apply often. Late applications is the number 1 killer of people's chances.


Good luck everyone!

 

[FLH1317]

[/QUOTE] @FLH1317 - I am sorry but I am going to need some more information on your situation. Are you wait-listed for Boston and Tufts for their MD programs? If so, give us some of your background... you might just need to re-apply for next year.... which is NOW. Remember apply early, and apply often. Late applications is the number 1 killer of people's chances.


Good luck everyone![/QUOTE]


ok...my stats are oGPA:2.9, sGPA:2.8 MCAT 20
I have been waitlisted at Tufts
Natasha from BU asked me to take the GRE in hopes that it will help and I took it 3 days ago. so my application at BU has not been reviewed yet.

 

[thes_hunter]

@FLH1317 - You will need to get your MCAT up. It shows the Adcoms that you have an understanding of the material beyond what your grades represent.

If you suffer from test taking anxiety, look for resources in your community to address it. I know it's hard when everything is riding on one exam, but you can do it, you just need to build confidence.

Also consider paying for a test prep service like Kaplan. I took Kaplan my first time and the practice exams were invaluable and prepared me well for the real thing. Since it became any other Saturday, and I had all the supplies and pacing down.

As been suggested above, if you have the option of retaking your science classes do that. Not only will it further help your preparation for the MCAT, but it will improve your GPA.

Good luck, you can do it! 👍

 

[IkeBoy18]

So after being verified.. My gpa is a whopping 2.8 cum 2.72 bcpm.. I took the june 18 mcat.. Is there any score that can give me a decent shot..the rest of my app is wonderful.. Urm and tx resident.. Trend is all over the place.. last yr was abt a 3.3...working fulltime and going 2 school is never advised..unless necessary.. I'm hoping atleast to get into one of the post baccs with linkages.. Anyone have any schools I probably should add 2 my amcas? As I would like to get direclty in ofcourse.. Aamc avgs ~32-33

 

[IkeBoy18]

As per for med school itself you'd probably need to do DO if you want to get in without a postbac or otherwise apply to really low tier schools and what not. Not sure that you will get in without a postbac but there are postbacs I'd do for yur situation.

thank you so much for all of your help... well im gonna apply to all texas.. but.. should i need spend the big bucks on 25 md and 5 do schools?

 

[NutCracker2021]

When did this thread become about telling people what to do and advising people? I thought there are other threads for that and the purpose of this one was to read people's success stories who are out of the norm as suggested from the beginning of the thread when my ex floridian junebugUF started it. BTW the OP of this thread has since gotten into Wayne State medical school if anyone is wondering where he is at.


He's an inspiration to many for the years of work he put to get his stuff up to par.

Wayne State by the way is a screening school but screens based on your latest work even if you are below 3.0 ugrad if you have strong 1-2 years of grad or postbac level work with a decent MCAT score. Fl. schools work this way too if you are Fl. resident. So have I learned does Loyola work this way. This was my experience this past year. But I was told i needed one more strong year because my situation is like some of the original people who started this thread 5 years ago plus one strong year in a med sci masters and a semi decent MCAT.

Thanks for the advice on applying to those schools. Will most definitely add them to the list for next year. 😀

And I also DEFINITELY agree with your first point. This thread was awesome because of the success stories..I LOVED reading those. I want more please!!! 👍 So post if you have one, thank you!

 

[thes_hunter]

A note about Wayne State: a couple years ago, just before I did my SMP at Cincy, I spoke to the admissions office and was told if I got above a 3.5 in a hard science masters program, they would ignore my uGrad GPA.

I got above a 3.5 at Cincy in their SMP, and reapplied to Wayne this year.

I have not directly asked the admissions office if this is why I was accepted directly vs. being wait-listed, but I have believe it was a factor.


So, if you are interested in going to Wayne State, give the admissions office a call, I have always found them to be very helpful.

Maybe next year I'll see you around the school.

 

[pach2011]

Hi all,

I want to apply for MD school but think I should go to SMP first, please advise here's my record:
cugpa:2.98 141 credits
science gpa: 3.4
BS: Biomedical Engineering

After working for two years, I decided that engineering was not for me, I started taking classes to finish my premed reqs:
Organic Chem II: A
Anatomy: A
Physiology:A
I registered for Biochem and Micro for the fall and plan on taking MCAT in spring 2010. I have no volunteering experience but good undergraduate research work. I feel like I have no choice but to score 35 or above on the MCAT to have at least a 25% chance of getting in. Would attending an SMP be better than taking advanced undergraduate bio classes like embryology, neurobiology etc... Anything else I can do to improve my application? Any help is appreciated. Keep up the good work guys.

 

[DrMidlife]

Hi all,

I want to apply for MD school but think I should go to SMP first, please advise here's my record:
cugpa:2.98 141 credits
science gpa: 3.4
BS: Biomedical Engineering

After working for two years, I decided that engineering was not for me, I started taking classes to finish my premed reqs:
Organic Chem II: A
Anatomy: A
Physiology:A
I registered for Biochem and Micro for the fall and plan on taking MCAT in spring 2010. I have no volunteering experience but good undergraduate research work. I feel like I have no choice but to score 35 or above on the MCAT to have at least a 25% chance of getting in. Would attending an SMP be better than taking advanced undergraduate bio classes like embryology, neurobiology etc... Anything else I can do to improve my application? Any help is appreciated. Keep up the good work guys.

My sense is that you've got a good grasp of the situation.

I'd take more undergrad until your cumulative is over 3.0, and then do an SMP. You can keep taking undergrad upper div sci (get A's!!!) as long as you like (it's interesting and it can't hurt), but the impact on your GPA is painfully minimal.

Now, for timing, a spring '10 MCAT is too late for you to be competitive for good SMPs for fall '10. If you can take the MCAT in January '10 that's MUCH better. I'm normally adamant that folks should NEVER plan to take the MCAT more than once, but in your case, you could arguably get a 30+ to get into an SMP in January, and then retake for 35+ in July before you start the SMP.

Best of luck to you.

 

[DrMidlife]

By the way, anatomy & physiology are nursing prereqs, but are not med school prereqs. If you took a year of general bio with labs (which includes ecology, genetics, A&P, micro, botany etc) then you're done.

 

[pach2011]

I thought A&P I and A&P II would count for science. Now I feel like I wasted money. Ok, I guess I should be looking into Comparative anatomy, mammalian biology for the fall along with Microbiology and Biochem with Labs, have to get A's in all of them. I started preparing for the MCAT got a 25 on timed practice test. I am aiming for that 35 but january is a bit too close because of all the volunteering I have to do while keeping my full time engr job (it pays the bills and the courses) thanks for the advice!

 

[DrMidlife]

I thought A&P I and A&P II would count for science. Now I feel like I wasted money. Ok, I guess I should be looking into Comparative anatomy, mammalian biology for the fall along with Microbiology and Biochem with Labs, have to get A's in all of them. I started preparing for the MCAT got a 25 on timed practice test. I am aiming for that 35 but january is a bit too close because of all the volunteering I have to do while keeping my full time engr job (it pays the bills and the courses) thanks for the advice!

A&P count for science, but in your original post you called them out as prereqs. Just trying to be clear that you're not required to take them for med school. I wouldn't call it wasted money at all.

Don't be afraid to stretch things out - another year working is another year of maturity and all that good stuff.

 

[xknightx]

Dear friends, i am worrying about my medical career. i am currently an junior undergraduate and i have a fairly low gpa compared with the standards. I am enrolled at University of Pennsylvania. Science GPA is 3.1, and non science 3.76, cGPA = 3.3. I havent take the MCAT yet, but i am hoping to score a 35. Do you think I have a shot at applying to med schools, if any, please help me.

 

[JRmed]

hello i like the others have a less than appealing gpa and wanted to get some opinions on what options i have or should take..

i go to a state school in florida w/ a molecular biology major and minor in health sciences, i began school undecided before picking the premed field. due to financial and family issues kinda messed things up my first years, since then i have picked up for a minor to try to help my gpa, which i have Aced every class in(not sure how much a minor helps) and i'm finishing up in fall with some difficult classes that i hope to get A's in as well (12credit hrs).
my cgpa currently = 2.77 w/127 hrs
my upper level science gpa = 3.277 w/57hrs
signed up to take mcats b4 the end of aug. hoping to get a 30+

I'm currently applying although i hear its already getting a bit late, and wanted to know what kind of chance i stand to get into med schools or if i should just apply for a local smp and not even apply now? I'm not apposed to DO schools and find them interesting, but would rather go MD.

Also i worked 1 year 38hrs a week while in school, and currently have a job working 20hrs a week for the past 2yrs that i am now a building manager for, i also was a director in one of my medical clubs and awarded as an honors member completing 100+ community service hours in one school year, co-captain of my intermural soccer team, and i dont really have much research experience but i'm 23 and it took me 5yrs

 

[fried rice]

I'm fairly depressed of late. I got a 2.61 my freshman year, but I got a 3.5 over sophomore year and now my overall GPA is up to a 3.01. Still quite pitiful, but it was progress nonetheless. I started volunteering and got a job in an ER, I thought I was finally getting myself on the right track. Unfortunately, my science GPA currently sits at a 2.74. Making matters especially dire at the moment is the fact that I'm failing miserably at organic chemistry, which I stupidly decided to take over the summer. I procrastinate to the point that it's jeopardizing my future, and I've consistently pledged to overcome this but I've consistently failed to do so. That allows me to escape with As and Bs in other classes but I perform quite poorly in anything requiring dedicated homework like Calculus or Chemistry. Right now, it would take an unbelievable performance on my organic chem final to even pass the class with a C due to the hole I've dug over the semester, always keeping in mind that I could put myself in a much better situation by preparing well and acing the next exam, which I inevitably fail to do. Even if I get a C, my science GPA will sink down to a 2.68. My question is, would there be any chance at a post-bacc or SMP with a sub-3.0 science GPA? I don't know that I'll even be able to achieve a significant improvement in my sGPA, but I'd just like to know what I'm up against regardless of my struggles with procrastination.

 

[KiwiBruin]

I'm fairly depressed of late. I got a 2.61 my freshman year, but I got a 3.5 over sophomore year and now my overall GPA is up to a 3.01. Still quite pitiful, but it was progress nonetheless. I started volunteering and got a job in an ER, I thought I was finally getting myself on the right track. Unfortunately, my science GPA currently sits at a 2.74. Making matters especially dire at the moment is the fact that I'm failing miserably at organic chemistry, which I stupidly decided to take over the summer. I procrastinate to the point that it's jeopardizing my future, and I've consistently pledged to overcome this but I've consistently failed to do so. That allows me to escape with As and Bs in other classes but I perform quite poorly in anything requiring dedicated homework like Calculus or Chemistry. Right now, it would take an unbelievable performance on my organic chem final to even pass the class with a C due to the hole I've dug over the semester, always keeping in mind that I could put myself in a much better situation by preparing well and acing the next exam, which I inevitably fail to do. Even if I get a C, my science GPA will sink down to a 2.68. My question is, would there be any chance at a post-bacc or SMP with a sub-3.0 science GPA? I don't know that I'll even be able to achieve a significant improvement in my sGPA, but I'd just like to know what I'm up against regardless of my struggles with procrastination.

If you are doing so badly, can't you just drop the class and take it next time? Seems better than getting a C to me.

 

[JRmed]

you should do a postbac since you've not gotten in my situation where you have taken too many classes. Do 2 years of a strong 3.8+ and you'll get in MD. Otherwise, I'd do DO or wait til this coming spring 2010 to apply to programs like EVMS BMS or USF IMS.

So your saying i should just apply straight to a special masters program, or am i misunderstanding you and u actually mean to just retake the classes i have done poorly in since my credit hrs are low to try and bring them up?? if that is the 2yr commitment your talking about wouldn't it be easier to just apply for a smp and finish that in 1yr vs 2 spent on retakin courses?

also what kinda chance to i really stand to getting into DO schools? and in reference to the smp's how much difficult do you think i will have since my cgpa is below 3.0?

sorry for all the question and anyone who knows more then more me feel free to answer thanks

 

[fried rice]

If you are doing so badly, can't you just drop the class and take it next time? Seems better than getting a C to me.

I already used up my withdrawal for my current tier of credit hours. Trust me, I was going to withdraw earlier in the semester.

 

[at1kug]

It's great to hear everyone's stories... You guys inspire me!

I went to the University of Kansas, and got a GPA of 2.68 in journalism.
I was then an anchor/reporter all over the country for a couple of years.
Then I took the LSAT, and eventually graduated from KU Law with a 3.1.
I have also passed the Georgia Bar recently.

I want to go to med school... My experience going back to law school gave me confidence I can do whatever I want including going back for med school.

I believe I can do really well in a post bacc...
However, I am really worried about my law school gpa!? I was working during the last year or so of my legal education. Is a 3.1 horrible? I would consider law school to be signficantly more difficult than the hardest undergrad classes... However, I could be wrong on that. Is there anybody out there with an idea of how my law school experience will be precieved?

 

[at1kug]

You should talk to Law2doc or DrJD. I think both of them were lawyers before going back to medical school.

That said, I can tell you that I'm sure ugrad would be a bigger issue then law school but luckily you have no science background except prob. whatever you needed for ugrad natural sci credits to get your gen eds, so you can probably get a strong postbac i.e. 4.0 in postbac and a great MCAT score you might still hold a shot. But you'd need like 2 years for that to show a good trend. You'd also need to get clinical experience and other experiences in there that are medically relevant to get in. You might want to consider DO schools as they like older nontrads. but it is possible if you do well and extremely well that things could work oiut and preferably if you have an extremely strong MCAT score that will help your case.

thanks that really helps me out... I am going to keep looking into it! I will also try to track down those guys you mentioned.

 

[Audman]

hey
from what i hear once you graduated from Ugrad, your non-sci gpa is locked in... is this true?

i graduated from Undergrad with a 3.1 and it is ALL non-sci gpa. and am pursuing post bac for career change. Is it possible to also work on the non-sci gpa?

thanks

 

[DrMidlife]

hey
from what i hear once you graduated from Ugrad, your non-sci gpa is locked in... is this true?

i graduated from Undergrad with a 3.1 and it is ALL non-sci gpa. and am pursuing post bac for career change. Is it possible to also work on the non-sci gpa?

thanks

False. Your cumulative undergrad overall and science GPAs include all undergrad coursework, regardless of when you earn a degree.

 

[xknightx]

2 things:

1. What is the trend in your science GPA and GPA overall? Is it an upper trend across 1-2 years? That will help.

2. 35+ will definitely help.

3. You have two options: 1. Postbac, 2. MS i.e. SMP programs. SMPs are more costly. If you are at Upenn I'd consider the Upenn special sciences postbac program so many people mention on here. Look in DrMidlife's new postbac and SMP list. Or also UConn's postbac. SMPs are final gambits or for the person who is willing to risk everything and pay 50-60 grand in money for such.

4. Look at the first page of this thread and note that some of those ultra low GPAers including the OP are now med students. So your situation is nowhere near $hitty as theirs and on top of that you went to a top tier and if you get 35+ you should be in a good position. Just don't count on getting in any UCs or even Harvard or Hopkins.

what is your state school and ECs and what not?

hi i live in philadelphia. and the trend is downward, i know it is really sad, i want to pull up my gpa this fall, hopefully it works. the gpa is going down because i took 3 science course (bio, chem, phy, math) or more per semester. So i should do a postback program. How much will it cost? Thank you for all your help

 

[MDAG11]

Here's my life story (at least in terms of my GPA)

Highschool
--- took community college courses
(about 45 quarter units worth) 3.2 gpa


Undergrad

First year

Took gen chem (C-), and calculus(C+) (part of BCPM) and an overall about 39 quarter units --- First year GPA : 2.61 (EPIC FAIL)


Second Year

Finished General Biology, and Physics ( part of BCPM) about 45 quarter units second year GPA: Mostly B's and B-'s 3.05

Summer after second year:

OCHEM : B (3.0)

currently taking OCHEM 2 and nutrition class...( 7 quarter units)

What you've been waiting for....

I'm not going to make any excuses for my grades but my gpa is obviously a problem and I need to fix it! I still have my 3rd and 4th year left to go... but it's pretty impossible for me to be a competitive applicant anymore ( It's mathematically impossible for my cum. GPA to be higher than a 3.2-3.3) So How do I repair my GPA??? IS THERE STILL HOPE? I'm planning to be a cell bio major and I'm a first generation college student ( not URM).

Thanks in advance! and definitely let me know if you need any other information.

 

[dapmp91]

Here's my life story (at least in terms of my GPA)

Highschool
--- took community college courses
(about 45 quarter units worth) 3.2 gpa


Undergrad

First year

Took gen chem (C-), and calculus(C+) (part of BCPM) and an overall about 39 quarter units --- First year GPA : 2.61 (EPIC FAIL)


Second Year

Finished General Biology, and Physics ( part of BCPM) about 45 quarter units second year GPA: Mostly B's and B-'s 3.05

Summer after second year:

OCHEM : B (3.0)

currently taking OCHEM 2 and nutrition class...( 7 quarter units)

What you've been waiting for....

I'm not going to make any excuses for my grades but my gpa is obviously a problem and I need to fix it! I still have my 3rd and 4th year left to go... but it's pretty impossible for me to be a competitive applicant anymore ( It's mathematically impossible for my cum. GPA to be higher than a 3.2-3.3) So How do I repair my GPA??? IS THERE STILL HOPE? I'm planning to be a cell bio major and I'm a first generation college student ( not URM).

Thanks in advance! and definitely let me know if you need any other information.

I honestly think if you show and upward trend and have an overall GPA higher than a 3.0 you definitely gotta shot at an SMP. Work hard, and make sure you learn from your experiences. Not all is lost 👍 ****e happens, just stay positive and work hard. Also make sure to get a decent score on the MCAT

 

[Pansophist]

Hello..

My first post here, and I do believe that I'm placing it in the correct sub-forum, but I have a few questions as well as some background.

I'm currently going into my fifth year of Undergrad. I have a cumulative GPA of 2.546 with 119 hours, and a science gpa of a 2.0 (12 credits - 4 classes). I will be graduating with a BS in management information systems, a BS in accounting, a minor in computer science, and a certificate in programming. My GPA is basically due to the fact that my first two years of college I did nothing but play video games and go to class only on test days. I managed to break out a 1.8 my first year, and since then I've been bouncing between a 2.7 and a 3.0 GPA per semester, with one semester in which I got straight C's again (although I actually had a reason that semester - my grandfather was hospitalized and passed away after two months of fighting).

I've been working for two and a half years at two jobs, one of which as a Nursing Assistant in Psych, the other as an IT guy / Helpdesk support for my school. I've accumulated almost 3200 hours as a CNA during this. I have been typically working 20 - 50 hours / week (depending on exam schedules, summer, etc) nonstop to pay off all of my loans (paid off next month in full!!!), although...I think that was a bad decision, as it gave me yet another excuse to get a lower GPA.

I recently decided / freaked out that my life was not headed where I wanted it to. I had plans to enter the Master's program at my school in Healthcare Informatics, and see where that takes me - but it's not what I really want to do. I enjoy informatics, I love computers and networking and all that fun stuff - but it's not what I want to do for my life.

So my question is this: I've set my sights on Medical School, and I know it will take time and a lot of effort on my part - effort that I haven't been giving. But what would be the best route to take? I barely have any science GPA, and all of that is accounted for in 3 classes (I took calculus twice...failed the first time...freshman year laziness), 12 credits.

I have two semesters before I graduate, would it be wiser for me to start taking a single science class each semester, or just to wait? When I graduate, should I apply to the Master's program in Healthcare Informatics, or do a post-bacc? I know my cumulative GPA is terrible, and I'm willing to fight to get it back - I'm just trying to plan now. I don't know whether it would look better that I went ahead, finished a Master's, then did a post-bacc to get my necessary sciences, or to take the necessary sciences DURING the master's, or just to avoid the master's altogether, or maybe even take the Master's, work for a couple of years, then re-apply to a post-bacc?

Just looking for some guidance on how to clean up the mess I've created - thanks.

 

[DrMidlife]

Just looking for some guidance on how to clean up the mess I've created - thanks.

Boy I hope you're a Texas resident, or you're not going to like this at all.

Texas is the only state that offers any kind of academic fresh start. After 10 years, TX will wipe your slate clean and let you start over. It doesn't count at any med school outside Texas, and it's a sketchy promise on which to stake your career. But in your shoes, I'd be moving to Austin or whatnot.

Whether or not you're in TX, I suggest that you stop taking classes. Just stop. Take a break. Work, do interesting things, fall in love, travel, think about moving to Texas. School isn't working for you right now. Come back when you're rested and you're ready to figure out how to get A's and get nothing but A's.

Your undergrad GPA is well below the bare minimum of 3.0 for US med schools. I would not recommend thinking about the Caribbean until after you've had an extremely successful fulltime undergrad year of hard science, or you'll be another dropout statistic.

Graduate work, other than SMP/medical masters, does nothing to help you get into medical school on top of a low undergrad GPA. Traditional grad work is viewed as extra-curricular. Med school apps are compared, first and foremost, on undergrad GPA and MCAT, and both need to be high. 40,000 people apply to MD schools every year, and 60% are rejected. Don't make the mistake of thinking that those 60% are loser ******s - they include 4.0's.

Should you decide to be hellbent to get into a US med school, the following would be your next steps:
1. Never get anything less than an A ever again.
2. Do two more years of undergrad at a 4.0 to complete prereqs and get your overall GPA to 3.0. If you only take BCMP, your science GPA will be about 3.6, which will help.
3. Kill the MCAT and get into a good SMP.

I don't recommend thinking too hard past step 2.

I don't recommend comparing yourself to anybody else who is trying to get into med school, or who has gotten into med school. You have a great deal to prove that "normal" candidates don't.

Welcome to the comeback trail.

Best of luck to you.

 

[wasvsdal]

Im basically living by your advice DrMidLife. Currently, I am working, chilling, hunting (for girls), going out and reading. If I decided to go back to this medical school path, I was wondering which is more important. Having an overall gpa of 3.0 or more, or a science gpa of 3.0 or more.

Currently, I am at 2.8 overall and 2.1 science. Ive taken like 160 credits alrdy. Ive tabulated it so in the course of a year, I can get my overall to 3.0 and science to 2.8 if I get a 3.7 over 30-35 credits. Will I then have a shot at US Med Schools or should I forget about even applying there, and go straight to caribbean?

Thanks!

 

[DrMidlife]

Im basically living by your advice DrMidLife. Currently, I am working, chilling, hunting (for girls), going out and reading. If I decided to go back to this medical school path, I was wondering which is more important. Having an overall gpa of 3.0 or more, or a science gpa of 3.0 or more.

Currently, I am at 2.8 overall and 2.1 science. Ive taken like 160 credits alrdy. Ive tabulated it so in the course of a year, I can get my overall to 3.0 and science to 2.8 if I get a 3.7 over 30-35 credits. Will I then have a shot at US Med Schools or should I forget about even applying there, and go straight to caribbean?

Thanks!

Preferably get both over 3.0 before thinking about an SMP, but I'd say you can apply to SMPs with an overall 3.0 and science as high as you can get it (in other words, take all science & get all A's from here out). Kill the MCAT prior to applying to an SMP for best results.

With a 3.0 cumulative overall GPA, a 30+ MCAT, and a strong SMP performance, you can do US MD. That's what SMPs are for: people with low GPAs and high credit scores.

Best of luck to you.

 

[wasvsdal]

Thanks boss!

So if all is set and done properly, ill be in med school in 3 yrs. im glad I almost have my CPA...so in my year off, i can make some dough.

School 1 yr (Spring 2010 - Fall 2010)
Wait 1 yr (cuz ill miss the deadline for starting Fall 2010)
SMP 1 yr (Fall 2011)
Med School (Fall 2012) - ill be 26 😱

 

[azhrei]

Dear All,

I am an applicant from MIT. I have a 2.62 BCPM GPA, 3.3 AO GPA and total GPA of 2.9. I scored a 35N on the MCAT. I was an EMT for 3 years. I participated in three research projects, one is my current job. I am the chairman of an advisory board in my hometown. I can claim puerto rican decent and am a first generation college grad (father immigrated from El Salvador).

I have taken all the prereqs and have one C, the rest are B's. I would have to take 6 classes and get A's to raise my overall GPA to a 3.0.

I also worked 26+ hours a week while at MIT to pay for part of my education and living expenses.

I am applying to 22 schools and will probably end up wasting all my money. I am trying to think up a contingency plan and wanted to know what people think would be the best type of post-bac, smp, etc. program to apply to come the winter.

Also, any advice on my current application to medical school would be great. I've pushed two points in my applications. The first is how I want to serve in a mostly low income immigrant community as a doctor. The second is that I have worked out of necessity.

Burn away.

 

[azhrei]

I'd do a postbac or SMP of some sort. You might stand a shot cuz your GPA. you would be screened out of some schools but still looked at fine by others. It depends on the school.

Does anyone have any advice on which program would best suit me?

 

[DrJM75]

Ok, so I looked through some of this thread, and saw some similar stories to mine, but I thought I would post and get some feedback from you guys if you don't mind. I graduated from Michigan with a horrific 2.6 cGPA and my science GPA is an even worse 2.2. I have no excuse for my grades, but I am positive I can do better. I definitely did not commit myself in college and probably spent more time on my social life than I should have. The worst part is, my worst year by far was my senior year. I recently took the MCAT for the first time and got a 26Q (PS9 VR8 BS9). Not that it probably matters with the GPA, but I have decent ECs and letters.

So I need some input on where to go from here. Please, refrain from the questions like "are you sure you are cut out for med school with that history?" If you truly think I don't have a shot in hell, tell me. But whether or not I want to commit myself to it is up to me, and for the sake of getting some useful advice here, let's assume I can do better. I had always thought of SMPs. Is that even an option? How strict are the minimum GPA requirements? Most are 3.0, but say, for EVMS, is the 2.75 rigid? Also, last year I sent my unofficial transcript to the director of the Barry program. He told me if I retook Gen Chem which I had a C- in, and got about a 25 on the MCAT, I could get in there. I did both. My next question is, at a program like Barry, is doing extremely well (3.7+) in the program enough to get in to DO schools (I know they are not renowned for MD school matriculation)? Would it just end up being a waste of time? With my stats, are off shore schools an option, and if so, a GOOD idea?? Please, any input on a possible plan of action is welcome. Be brutally honest, but I don't need to hear how bad I messed up. Believe me, I'm aware. So a simple "you have no shot" will suffice if that's your opinion. Thanks in advance.

PS - I have no preference on DO or MD at this point. I once preferred MD, but shadowed a DO and it completely changed my mind.

 

[meilideai]

Hi DrJM75,
I think you have a shot, whether you make it is all up to you. I've been following the forums for quite some time now, and I have seen a few with low gpas that eventually got somewhere. Recently, I found an inspiring post by someone who has flunked out of undergrad. I'm not sure what the cGPA or sGPA was but it was probably below 3.0, though, he did have a stellar MCAT score.

Here is the link:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=184612

Scroll down and you'll see the full story. Quite the determination there.

I'm not an expert in admissions and chances or anything and I certainly haven't been on this forum that long, but I do want to say - that you can do whatever you want as long as you believe in yourself. Realistically, it's not going to be easy and may take a few years. The OP from the link I gave you is around 30 right now. But if this is what you are determined to do, I truly believe you can do it.

So I need some input on where to go from here. Please, refrain from the questions like "are you sure you are cut out for med school with that history?" If you truly think I don't have a shot in hell, tell me. But whether or not I want to commit myself to it is up to me, and for the sake of getting some useful advice here, let's assume I can do better. I had always thought of SMPs. Is that even an option? How strict are the minimum GPA requirements? Most are 3.0, but say, for EVMS, is the 2.75 rigid? Also, last year I sent my unofficial transcript to the director of the Barry program. He told me if I retook Gen Chem which I had a C- in, and got about a 25 on the MCAT, I could get in there. I did both. My next question is, at a program like Barry, is doing extremely well (3.7+) in the program enough to get in to DO schools (I know they are not renowned for MD school matriculation)? Would it just end up being a waste of time? With my stats, are off shore schools an option, and if so, a GOOD idea?? Please, any input on a possible plan of action is welcome. Be brutally honest, but I don't need to hear how bad I messed up. Believe me, I'm aware. So a simple "you have no shot" will suffice if that's your opinion. Thanks in advance..

 

[gte90]

bump

 

[DrJM75]

Bump.

Thanks for the encouraging words, meilideai. That linked certainly helped with my confidence.

Anyone else have thoughts on my situation? And myself and the last poster seem to be in similar situations. Any advice would be welcome.

 

[alibai3ah]

About 3.3bcpm, 3.4cgpa, received a 30 on MCAT (2nd time).

I have been looking to do an informal post bac, but is there anything else someone would recommend?

 

[DrMidlife]

About 3.3bcpm, 3.4cgpa, received a 30 on MCAT (2nd time).

I have been looking to do an informal post bac, but is there anything else someone would recommend?

Postbac would be fairly pointless. I recommend looking into SMPs. Here's a list: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=640302

 

[sabadv]

Hey guys, first time poster here! I've read a few stories similar to mine but I'd still like some advice.

I recently graduated from Rutgers Uni. this past May (5 years due to extra college requirements) with a BA in Cell Biology & Neuroscience, 3.26 cGPA and a 3.0 science GPA. I started out with a very low GPA of 2.4 and generally have an upward trend (a few bumps with my advanced courses). I am taking the MCAT in January. What worries me, outside the GPA, is that I don't have any extravagent ECs. Medicine was something I decided to do after I graduated college (I wanted to do PhD before). I have 2 years of research, was a member of two clubs, and volunteered in EMS (EMS was in hs though so I doubt it counts). I worked part-time through college as well but it's not medical related. And currently I'm volunteering at a hospital and shadowing.

Right now I am only looking at Carribean schools (Ross U. said depending on MCAT, I might get an interview) and postbac/SMP's. Do you guys think I have a chance at making it into Postbac/SMPs or any advice on what I can do? Thanks

 

[Chances]

Goal: get into a great DO or MD program fall 11'

Undergrad:
Cgpa 2.72

Postbacc (only med prerq): 2.58

My postbacc gpa is only after taking chem I & II this summer. there was so much to learn in five weeks. I have organic chem, Biology this fall. I plan on signing up for a tutor. I know I have to raise my gpa so much. Mygpa can improve by the time I take the MCAt spring 10' right? Does anyone have any tips on studying in organic chem?


Keeping faith in my plan.

 

[xsonixs]

I've also posted this in my on thread but i thought i might get some more answers here. Please help 🙂

I'm entering my senior year at UCIrvine (finally LOL) and my only plan is to apply to the UC Post Bacc programs and hopefully medschool right after. They have a consortium so you can apply online once and select the schools where you want to apply (UCD, UCSF, UCSD, UCI, UCLA, UCR).

I used the AMCAS gpa calculator made by someone in UCSF to calculate my actual GPAs (since I know that sometimes the UC gpa might be a little different), and here are my stats as of junior year:

Running overall GPA: 3.03
Running BCPM GPA: 2.96
Running all other GPA: 3.22

What are my chances of getting into a really good postbacc, to the likes of UCLA or even UCSF?

Just some info:
I do NOT belong to any minority...I'm white

As far as extenuating circumstances..i think there are: I immigrated to the US in September 2004 from Romania (Europe) and had to work most of my college career.

I'm pretty involved on campus (President of a club, Resident Advisor (RA) twice, test proctor, jobs, BIO 199 research etc)

My overall GPA went as low as 2.4 and is now a 3.0 (most of which I did junior year and hopefully I can raise it even more my senior year).

My bio and physics GPA is decent but I blasted (really bad) most of my chem classes (mostly Cs, some Bs).

What do you guys think are my chances of getting into a top program? What are your experiences with such programs? How hard is it to stay in the program (I will most likely have to hold a job during that time).


Thanks in advance for all your answers and thank you to studentdoctor.net for all the resources! This place is a lifesaver hahaha 🙂

 

[xsonixs]

@gujudoc: I think you missread my post. I'm trying to get some advice on getting into the ucsf postbacc program not medschool.... Not yet!

 

[xsonixs]

sweet! Thanks a lot gujuDoc!

 

[kiddingme]

.

 

[Isoprop]

Here's my situation:

Graduated this spring with BS in science and minors in physics and public health and a dismal cgpa of 2.67.
I'm pretty certain I want to go the D.O. route. Actually a few years ago I applied and got 5 interviews and accepted at the three I went to. I ended up having to defer my spot at my top choice because there were changes made to my major and I needed the extra time to complete my degree. This is when things went awry for me. Story short, I ended up suffering from depression which unfortunately i didn't get diagnosed/helped until the end of the year. This made my 3.5+ gpa take a nose dive, which caused me to stay even longer to complete my program 👎

so my question is what should be my next step? I am already planning on retaking MCAT in January (score would be expired by time I reapply-i took the test back in the paper and pencil days!). I have accumulated quite a few credits- i think about 170+ attempted so I don't know the effectiveness of post-bac work for me, especially since I got A's and B's in all my pre-reqs except for O.chem II that I had to retake. According to the AACOMAS guidelines my cgpa right now is 2.99 with a sgpa of 2.84. This is not including 2 classes i took this summer that I got A's in.

Any suggestions on what may be a good plan of action for me?
Thanks

Retake classes that you earned a C or below. AACOMAS does grade replacement. That's all I got.