ucsf-do they really take a 3.0? my case..

[scribinDent23]

hello sdn members!

i have been lurkin this site for the past 2+ years and have officially decided to join! 🙂

anyways-to the point:

im graduating next spring (pre-med) and would like to use my gap year to do a masters in global health or SMP program

schools of interest: UCSF (global health sci, deadline Feb 2012) USC Global health (deadline June 2012) and SMP: Georgetown, BU, Chicago

about me:
southern cali resident
overall gpa: 2.92
sci gpa: 3.59
current game plan: lookin to ace my final year (all upper div sci classes)

-ER tech: 3 years

-currently doing research paper on tPA treatment for acute stroke patients, will also have oral presentation for faculty in Winter
-creating 3D molecular structure and website to explain the protein of tPA and its function in treating a stroke succesfully

-oral presentation on various epidemics in Japan after tsunami

-president/officer of 2 clubs

i want to maximize my chances at usc and ucsf but am worried that even if i pull out all As, I will barely have an overall 3.0 gpa. my sci gpa is great but that overall will kill me, im hoping my latest research projects this year will help me put my foot in the door ( and a killer gre score)

ive never done research and starting as a senior isnt the best idea-but i transferred from a cc last year and have just found my niche in the school-and able to really focus in what i want to do and with what professors, etc

with all these stats, if i graduate with an overall of 3.0-will that hurt me? if my last 2 semesters are As will they take that into consideration? its speculation at this point, but Im looking for a way in..

thanks everyone for reading this!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[scribinDent23]

anyone have any advice? ive tried the search tool to look for similar topics already.

 

[DrMidlife]

UCSF accepts an occasional 3.0 who has otherwise proven, through graduate work and a stellar MCAT, that they can handle the unending academic rigor of med school. Even if you're URM, you're not getting into UCSF with a 3.0, without a couple years of extra work to prove your mettle. There are just too many interesting, qualified applicants.

In addition, I suggest you want to be thinking about applying to 25+ schools. Ideally, change states so you have a better chance.

im graduating next spring (pre-med) and would like to use my gap year to do a masters in global health or SMP program

Better yet, add a year or more to your undergrad program by adding a 2nd major and/or minor. That'll be cheaper, more effective, and quicker than anything else.

schools of interest: UCSF (global health sci, deadline Feb 2012)

If that program can put you in touch with an alumnus, who has your GPA, and got into UCSF, then they can claim that their program helps people with your stats get into med school. Otherwise you can't assume it'll help you get into UCSF at all.

USC Global health (deadline June 2012)

There's no data yet on whether this program helps 3.0's get into med school. As above.

and SMP: Georgetown, BU, Chicago

Georgetown is harder to get into than the other two. If you want to get into an SMP that will do you some good, get a competitive MCAT score before you apply.

( and a killer gre score)

Don't waste any time on the GRE. Go straight to MCAT prep. Why? Because it doesn't matter how well you do in an SMP, med schools are still looking at your undergrad GPA. So if you don't do well on the MCAT, you're not getting in.

Again, try to add a year to your undergrad career. Use it to improve GPA and to prep for the MCAT in time to apply to a good SMP.

with all these stats, if i graduate with an overall of 3.0-will that hurt me?

Of course it'll hurt you. Get a look at the stats for matriculants from AAMC, or applicants, from the MSAR. 90% of accepted UCSF applicants have a 3.5 or higher. 3.4 at USC. California is the most difficult state in the country for getting into med school. Too much competition.

You have great ECs. You have a nice science GPA. You also have a deficit in overall GPA, and that says you are less likely to thrive in med school. Overcome that deficit.

if my last 2 semesters are As will they take that into consideration? its speculation at this point, but Im looking for a way in..

If you make it past the initial screens where they make the initial pile of 5000 apps smaller, then things like an upward trend come into play. Cumulative GPA is a big factor in those initial screens.

Basically, if you want to be taken seriously, start thinking about the MCAT. Start thinking about a 35+. Which may or may not be something you can do.

You would have better odds at a DO school.

anyone have any advice? ive tried the search tool to look for similar topics already.

Search for "low GPA".

Best of luck to you.