Upping my GPA

[will781]

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Hi,

I graduated a few years ago with a pretty pedestrian GPA but am interested in doing a SMP. I was hoping someone could help me with some questions:

I have taken some classes since graduating at a different school than my alma mater. Would these classes be factored in normally to recalculate my GPA? are there any restrictions? For what its worth they have been math classes (upper level undergraduate) at a well known and accredited university.

Tangentially, does coursework from one SMP usually translate directly to unaffiliated med schools?

Thanks!

 

[will781]

Thanks for the response. After rereading my post i see that it came out a little confusing (early morning, pre-coffee).

First, what is your GPA, in science and overall? Your answer makes a big difference on the advice you'll get.

Secondly, SMP classes are graduate level courses - they will not affect your undergrad GPA in any way. But if you ace the SMP, you will likely get into medical school anyway.

My initial concern was upping my GPA for application to an SMP. To answer your question my undergrad GPA is a little too uncomfortably south of 3. Since graduating I've taken hard classes at a prestigious school and Im wondering are these classes factored in when calculating my GPA for application to an SMP?

As for retaking the courses you took in your SMP - every school has a different policy, but you'll still go to med school for four years. Most of the time, plan on retaking them though sometimes if you did real well in it, you can pass out by taking the exam or skip them all together.

Thanks so much, very good to know.

 

[will781]

If the classes are undergraduate, they would count. Generally, your undergrad GPA plus the classes you are taking now should come out to be over a 3.0. Retake all science classes where you got a C or below (which, judging by your GPA, you should have a lot of). Once the GPA is at 3.0, then apply to a SMP.

Would I have to retake intro classes I received a C in as a mandatory requirement to get into most SMP's or is it possible that if I managed to raise my GPA to a 3.0 using upper level undergrad electives (eg Biochemistry) that would compensate for the C's in the earlier 101 classes?

Thanks again for replying. I know my undergrad GPA is pretty underwhelming but this career path is still something I'd like to pursue if I can make it work.