Trash SMP grades

Started by happydo1
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happydo1

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5+ Year Member
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Hello all, I am seeking advice on my next steps in reapply to DO schools. So I am currently enrolled in a 1 year smp program with a linkage. Was doing well initially , but due to personal reasons (aka unfortunate life events) my grades started dropping, and I ended up with terrible fall semester grades (1 c, 2As and a B) which resulted in a 2.7 gpa. I have already applied to other DO schools during this cycle since I am applied to my smp's med school. I did have 3 interviews which resulted in 1 waitlist and 2 rejections which were probably due to my horrible fall grades. In my current semester I am doing significantly better with all A's and 1 B. I am on route to ending the program with a 3.3 or maybe a 3.4 gpa if I can raise the class I have a B into a A which I have a good chance since I have a 90 currently and a 92 is considered an A . I know regardless my smp gpa grades are trash. My advisors at this program claim I still have a good chance to get into med school if I apply this upcoming cycle. Im skeptical about it, but I do not want to give up. So I was wondering what my next steps should be. Should I take a second SMP to prove that my first semester does not define my studying habits or should I take extra classes to boost my undergrad gpa? I am not sure what steps I should take next , but any advice is appreciated. I know there's a good possibility I may not get in, but for now I want to focus on improving my application instead of going straight to working on my plan B.

ANways my under grad stats include...
- 3.4 gpa
-3.0 sgpa
- 489----> 501
- AA male
- Lots of community service to underserved communities
- scribe
- over 300 clinical volunteer hours
- a CNA
 
So you will be ending your SMP with around a 3.4? I wouldn't say that is completely trash.

I think you have a shot. A 3.4 isn't amazing but I think it shows you can handle med school. I think if you apply very broadly and throw in the HBUs you have a shot. Do you plan on applying to both MD and DO?
 
In all honesty, with your current MCAT and GPAs you would need a miracle for even a shot at DO schools. I would say you should consider PA school since those programs could potentially take you in. I mean this not to be mean but to give you a dose of brutal reality. I am truly sorry that you had personal issues and I hope things did get better for you. Just keep in mind that there are 3.8/520 people who don’t get accepted and just remember that it is hard to justify even giving you an interview.
 
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In all honesty, with your current MCAT and GPAs you would need a miracle for even a shot at DO schools. I would say you should consider PA school since those programs could potentially take you in. I mean this not to be mean but to give you a dose of brutal reality. I am truly sorry that you had personal issues and I hope things did get better for you. Just keep in mind that there are 3.8/520 people who don’t get accepted and just remember that it is hard to justify even giving you an interview.

With the logic that 3.8/520 applicants at times don't receive an acceptance, you have to acknowledge there are people with 3.0 sgpas with a 500 MCAT who do get in.
OP, if I were in your position, I'd take a shot at applying this cycle before "considering" other career paths. A 3.4 SMP as you well know isn't ideal, but with URM status my opinion is that I think your chances are far from needing a "miracle". 🙄
 
In all honesty, with your current MCAT and GPAs you would need a miracle for even a shot at DO schools. I would say you should consider PA school since those programs could potentially take you in. I mean this not to be mean but to give you a dose of brutal reality. I am truly sorry that you had personal issues and I hope things did get better for you. Just keep in mind that there are 3.8/520 people who don’t get accepted and just remember that it is hard to justify even giving you an interview.
Yeah this is trash advice. I agree with @Dr. Basketball and @camoixu
 
Hey man currently in the same situation, took an F in Neuro early on and its trashed my GPA, 3.3-3.4 is all can really get out of it now.

Was wondering if I can overcompensate by blowing the MCAT out of the water or just working/gaining extra experice before applying.

Anyone have any thoughts?