Think this is the only option open to me

[kaptainkp]

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Well, I am going to lay it out straight here. I am currently 1 quarter away from graduation, and I didn't do so hot the last 2 quarters. I did so bad in the spring that I was placed on academic probation, with academic dismissal if I did not meet the required GPA. I met it for the summer classes and fulfilled all the other requirements set forth, but The fall's grades were not good enough. Being academically dismissed, taking some courses at a state school, then being readmitted to finish my last quarter seems to be a very real possibility. I have an astoundingly low GPA of 2.11, not sure what my science GPA is. I work, getting EMT certified, and plan to leave for the Peace Corps as soon as I graduate before applying anywhere. My MCAT score, on the other hand, was decent; I got a 38R. I am the public relations officer for 2 quarters in my pre-medical fraternity. Realistically speaking, I am pretty sure that even with the MCAT score my chances of getting into a medical or DO school straight up is basically nil, which is why I would like to enter into a post-bac program to get my GPA up first after I come back from the Peace Corps. What are my chances of getting into a good post-bac program? I know they are competitive as well, but I am hoping the MCAT score will at least give admissions panels something to think about, in addition to letters of rec along with the Peace Corps. Can anyone recommend a post-bac program that I would likely to be accepted into, one that preferably gives me a good or guaranteed chance into medical school? Thanks.

 

[kaptainkp]

forgot to add-are there any other options besides a formal post-bac program? Kinda new to this whole thing.

 

[Perrotfish]

Wow, you might have set a record for MCAT to GPA ratio. None of us can really tell you anything about your chances for an SMP (you're thinking of SMP, BTW, not formal post-bac program) other than your disqualified for EVMS and Loyola, your application is just too odd. I'd say go ahead and apply to all the SMPs out there, see if anyone will take you. If they won't, you need to start retaking undergraduate classes. If you get to a 2.8 or so (with grade replacement) you might be able to get into a DO school with your MCAT score.

I work, getting EMT certified, and plan to leave for the Peace Corps as soon as I graduate before applying anywhere.

This is not a good plan. You need to either bring the GPA up or get into an SMP. Anything else is a waste of time. Also MCAT scores expire, so you don't want to sit on that 38 for a year or two. When you come back from the Peace Corps you'll just be a kid with a 2.11.

forgot to add-are there any other options besides a formal post-bac program? Kinda new to this whole thing.

Either the Caribbean or retake your classes and go to a DO school

 

[kaptainkp]

Hmm. So apply for SMP's, and if that doesn't work out, go for post-bac programs, or start retaking some of them classes at a community college or state university?

 

[Perrotfish]

Hmm. So apply for SMP's, and if that doesn't work out, go for post-bac programs, or start retaking some of them classes at a community college or state university?

Yes apply for SMPs, no to the post-bac programs (formal programs are generally for applicants who haven't completed their pre-reqs, not for poor GPAs), yes if an SMP doesn't take you retake the classes at a state University (not community college).

Also the Caribbean is a serious option.

 

[kaptainkp]

Ahh gotcha. Is there a list of Caribbean med schools that are American accredited universities somewhere?

 

[Perrotfish]

SDN's Caribbean Forum here.

Read the Stickies

 

[ChemNerd4]

I'm very impressed with your MCAT score! I couldn't even come close with a year of studying under my belt. If I were you, I would stay in school and take more classes. I think the first thing you should think about is how your next quarter (and the rest of your academic career) is going to be different than you're past. With a score like that, you're obviously extremely intellegent, but you're GPA doesn't accurately reflect your full potential. Maybe you're overloading yourself with extracurriculars, or maybe with social preoccupations?

I'm not really in any position to give you professional advice, but I was able to increase my originally meger GPA by over a point. I think it's important for you to figure out how to improve your academic situation, and I've learned that being really, really determined sometimes isn't enough. I decided to give up volunteering last semester (something I love to do) and I did better this term than I ever have.

I wish you the best of luck! Keep us posted!

 

[kaptainkp]

Thanks!

Well, I would stay and take more classes, but I am actually almost mazed out on how many units I can take. Should I graduate, then go back and take some more classes, then apply for SMP?

Another question. Do I apply to SMP AFTER I apply to med or DO schools? I can't really see how that works, as I can't put it on my application then when I send it in. How does it work?

 

[Perrotfish]

Well, I would stay and take more classes, but I am actually almost mazed out on how many units I can take. Should I graduate, then go back and take some more classes, then apply for SMP?

I'm not sure what this means. You're out of classes? I graduated with 200 credits (120 needed for graduation) by doing a double major. There has to be something else you can take.

Another question. Do I apply to SMP AFTER I apply to med or DO schools? I can't really see how that works, as I can't put it on my application then when I send it in. How does it work?

You apply to the SMP before medical school (completely seperate applications). You apply, do the SMP, excel in the SMP, and then use the strength of your performance in the SMP on your AMCAS application to get you medical school interview. You typically apply either while doing the SMP (they'll only get a semester of your SMP grades this way) or the year after you've finished the program (they'll get all the grades and you get a year of waiting around).

 

[kaptainkp]

As it stands, I am majoring in psychology with a BS degree. I'm at about 200 credits as it stands, took a lot of random classes in addition to my major classes. I'm not sure I'm allowed to take any more units, but I can definitely try for another major or maybe a minor.

 

[Perrotfish]

Wow, you need 176 credit hours of straight As just to get to a 3.0. Maybe that will go a little faster if you're applying to a DO school (at least you can replace your grades), but you're still looking at several years of work to get to a competitive GPA.

This is just one man's opinion, but I'm gonna go ahead and say apply to all the Carribbean Medical Schools for admissions next fall. Hope one of them will take you based on your MCAT, and excel there. You definitely could get your GPA up, do an SMP, retake your expired MCAT, get another 38, and go to a US medical school, but I can't imagine it being worth the expense and time involved.

Also you probably should apply to the SMPs as well, just in case the Caribbean doesn't work out.

Good luck

 

[wasvsdal]

Sorry for interupting but how did do sooo well in ur MCATs. that is SEXY!

 

[cheezer]

kaptainkp, look up the post history of a user called singingdevil. He had your gpa and took four additional years of undergrad plus an smp to make it into a usmd school. He was 30 yrs old when he finally made it in.

 

[Lokhtar]

Pick 10 of your lowest grades, and stay an extra year and retake all of them and get As. If you do that, your GPA should go up drastically and would make you competitive for SMPs.

 

[Perrotfish]

Pick 10 of your lowest grades, and stay an extra year and retake all of them and get As. If you do that, your GPA should go up drastically and would make you competitive for SMPs.

I'm not 100% sure but I believe that SMPs use your AMCAS GPAs: no grade replacement. Maybe DO SMPs are different?

 

[kaptainkp]

I was thinking about maybe doing a Master's in biology if neither SMP's or med schools will accept me straight up. What are my chances of getting into a master's program with my numbers?

 

[Perrotfish]

I was thinking about maybe doing a Master's in biology if neither SMP's or med schools will accept me straight up. What are my chances of getting into a master's program with my numbers?

No idea, but you're aware that a Masters of biology will have almost no affect on your chance of getting into medical school, right?

 

[kaptainkp]

Well, should I aim for a Master's program in the medical sciences if I can't get into an SMP or med school, like the ones offered by BU?

I'm at a loss as to how to proceed after I graduate. I don't think I can do a post-bac program because I would have taken all the pre-req classes already. If I can't make it into a SMP program, then I'm thinking I should go for a Master's in medical science first then reapply. I don't think it would be a good idea to go back and retake those classes at a state school again when I could be getting a MAster's instead, but then again I'm worried I won't get into any graduate program.

 

[Perrotfish]

Sorry, but from what I understand, if neither an SMP or the Caribbean happens your only chance of getting into medical school is to go back to Undergrad and retake classes. When you get to around a 3.0 (with grade replacement) you'd be eligible for admission to a DO school, with that MCAT score. A Masters just won't make up for a 2.11 GPA. I still think you have a pretty good shot at the Caribbean, though.

Does your school have a premedical advisor? Have you gone to see him/her about your options?

 

[Lokhtar]

Nothing will make up for a 2.11 GPA, unless you win a Nobel Prize in biology or something.

You should ask this question, "What can I do to make myself as competitive as possible before my score expires?"

Basically, you do not want to take the MCAT again. It's pretty much the only thing you have going for you at the moment. If you waste a couple years doing something, and retake the MCAT, you could end up with a sub-3.0 GPA and a bad MCAT (meaning, a death sentence).

Your best hope is to retake about 10-15 worst courses over the course of a year, and then apply to DO schools and Caribbean schools. Or if you want to save time, apply to Caribbean schools right away. They are going to be your best hope anyway, and you may not want to waste the time.

Talk to the counselors at AUC and SABA, as well as Ross and SGU (though these last two may be out of reach for you) and see what they say about it.

 

[kaptainkp]

The only problem is that even wtih grade replacement I think if I retake classes it's going to take a really long time. Remember that if i have to leave and come back, I can still graduate with at least a 2.3-2.4, which is not great but still better than a 2.11. I was thinking about something like the BU MAMS program-too far out of reach?

 

[Lokhtar]

The only problem is that even wtih grade replacement I think if I retake classes it's going to take a really long time. Remember that if i have to leave and come back, I can still graduate with at least a 2.3-2.4, which is not great but still better than a 2.11. I was thinking about something like the BU MAMS program-too far out of reach?

Yes, 2.3-2.4 is way too low. And no masters degree will help you with such a low GPA. If retaking the courses is not an option, then the only thing thats realistically left is the Caribbean.

 

[Perrotfish]

I was thinking about something like the BU MAMS program-too far out of reach?

It's not that you can't get in (though that might be the case), it's that it wouldn't help. SMP (long shot), grade replacement and DO, or the Caribbean.

Talk to the counselors at AUC and SABA, as well as Ross and SGU (though these last two may be out of reach for you) and see what they say about it.

This is a good idea, and I'd guess Ross and SGU are in no way out of reach for you

 

[kaptainkp]

Damn. So I guess I should start by immediately retaking courses as soon as I graduate, then? I'm assuming these would be my core science classes, such as ochem, physics, math?

I forgot to add that here at Davis we can only retake 16 units worth of classes for a straight replacement. Anything after that is an average between 2 scores, and unfortunately I already used up those 16 units already.

 

[Perrotfish]

Damn. So I guess I should start by immediately retaking courses as soon as I graduate, then? I'm assuming these would be my core science classes, such as ochem, physics, math?

They're whatever you got the lowest grades in, whether it's O-chem or underwater basket weaving. The only exception is if you got less than a C in any core pre-med class: retaking a D in O-Chem is more important than retaking an F in English.

:EDIT: I guess if it comes down to retaking two classes with equally low grades core premed clas >>> random BCPM class >>> random non BCPM class

And again, Caribbean doctors are doctors.

And again, talk to your school's premedical advisor.

I forgot to add that here at Davis we can only retake 16 units worth of classes for a straight replacement. Anything after that is an average between 2 scores, and unfortunately I already used up those 16 units already.

Your school's policy is irrelevant. I'm pretty sure DO schools only count your most recent class grade, regardless of your school's policy. I know for sure that AMCAS averages the two, regardless of your school's policy.

 

[kaptainkp]

It's not that you can't get in (though that might be the case), it's that it wouldn't help. SMP (long shot), grade replacement and DO, or the Caribbean.



This is a good idea, and I'd guess Ross and SGU are in no way out of reach for you

Thanks-Caribbean schools it is I guess.

 

[Lokhtar]

This is a good idea, and I'd guess Ross and SGU are in no way out of reach for you

I think the average at SGU this year is a 3.4/28. The big Caribbean schools are also getting very competitive, and he'll me many standard deviations below the average GPA for SGU. Though they do tend to give a pass on the GPA if your MCAT is high, which would apply in this case. It's certainly worth a try, I agree.

 

[CA0708]

I'm surprised you're not depressed or suicidal. The good news is medicine will always be there waiting for you. The bad news is you may be there as an allied health professional instead. When I was an undergraduate student, the first round of lectures involved writing a "What If?" paper. If I were you, I would think about the subjects I scored highest in and explore other interests. Hell, you may be a better lawyer or a psychologist than a physician.

P.S. Other occupations I considered were analytical intelligence work, airborne ranger...etc

LOL, despite my jump wings, I now attend a ridiculously expensive and selective university while purusing a medical degree. DETERMINATION.

Well, I am going to lay it out straight here. I am currently 1 quarter away from graduation, and I didn't do so hot the last 2 quarters. I did so bad in the spring that I was placed on academic probation, with academic dismissal if I did not meet the required GPA. I met it for the summer classes and fulfilled all the other requirements set forth, but The fall's grades were not good enough. Being academically dismissed, taking some courses at a state school, then being readmitted to finish my last quarter seems to be a very real possibility. I have an astoundingly low GPA of 2.11, not sure what my science GPA is. I work, getting EMT certified, and plan to leave for the Peace Corps as soon as I graduate before applying anywhere. My MCAT score, on the other hand, was decent; I got a 38R. I am the public relations officer for 2 quarters in my pre-medical fraternity. Realistically speaking, I am pretty sure that even with the MCAT score my chances of getting into a medical or DO school straight up is basically nil, which is why I would like to enter into a post-bac program to get my GPA up first after I come back from the Peace Corps. What are my chances of getting into a good post-bac program? I know they are competitive as well, but I am hoping the MCAT score will at least give admissions panels something to think about, in addition to letters of rec along with the Peace Corps. Can anyone recommend a post-bac program that I would likely to be accepted into, one that preferably gives me a good or guaranteed chance into medical school? Thanks.

 

[gdawg102]

Damn. So I guess I should start by immediately retaking courses as soon as I graduate, then? I'm assuming these would be my core science classes, such as ochem, physics, math?

I forgot to add that here at Davis we can only retake 16 units worth of classes for a straight replacement. Anything after that is an average between 2 scores, and unfortunately I already used up those 16 units already.

Kaptainkp, don't base your decision so hastily based on advice from this forum...you need to speak to someone like the director of admissions, an associate dean for admissions, other grad schools or smp people, about your specific situation. Some of the advice is helpful here, but it's not all there is available...so you should research within and outside this forum and compare notes so that you make a well informed decision. otherwise you will want to kick yourself in the butt if you do perchance realize that there was some other option/resource available that wasn't mentioned here.. at the end you can't blame anyone if they gave you bad advice and you followed it (not that i'm saying the people here are trying to do that) but it sometimes happens...

 

[Perrotfish]

Kaptainkp, don't base your decision so hastily based on advice from this forum...you need to speak to someone like the director of admissions, an associate dean for admissions, other grad schools or smp people, about your specific situation. Some of the advice is helpful here, but it's not all there is available...so you should research within and outside this forum and compare notes so that you make a well informed decision. otherwise you will want to kick yourself in the butt if you do perchance realize that there was some other option/resource available that wasn't mentioned here.. at the end you can't blame anyone if they gave you bad advice and you followed it (not that i'm saying the people here are trying to do that) but it sometimes happens...

Fair enough, actually I've sugested he contact his premedical advisor several times already, and if he knows any ADCOM members he should definitely contact them to. Of course, when I went to my premedical advisor with a sub 3.0 GPA, rather than have a dialog about my options and chances, she just laughed at me and then something along the lines of "No F**king Chance". So SDN might actually be the more helpful source of advice.

 

[Lokhtar]

Actually, I found this to be true as well. I probably know more about the application process just by obsessively reading every post on SDN than any pre-med adviser out there.

 

[wasvsdal]

me too and im a ******

 

[gdawg102]

Fair enough, actually I've sugested he contact his premedical advisor several times already, and if he knows any ADCOM members he should definitely contact them to. Of course, when I went to my premedical advisor with a sub 3.0 GPA, rather than have a dialog about my options and chances, she just laughed at me and then something along the lines of "No F**king Chance". So SDN might actually be the more helpful source of advice.

Did I say "premed advisor" in my post? I said that the info here is helpful and very very valuable(I agree whole heartedly!!), but it's not COMPLETE. "more helpful" doesn't mean "only". I hope you didn't take my reply to the OP as an attack on you or your advice or on SDN (obviously I'm using this forum because it is useful..). I know this speech well too by 3 different advisors with a sub 3.0 science gpa..anyone who has a low gpa and has the misfortune of having such discouraging advise from a premed advisor would know that....you don't need a forum to decipher that.....Yes SDN is a great source, maybe the best. But it's not the ONLY one..that's all i'm saying...