URM, low gpa, 2015 MCAT on June 19th. Gpa question!

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karib said:
Hey guys,

So I am want to apply this cycle. I do have a low gpa though 2.9 and if I took summer classes which end early august it could go over 3.0. Should I wait until I can submit those classes on my amcas? Or should I apply with the 2.9 and update as soon as I get my grades back?

And another question. Do some schools work with you in terms of application GPA and Matriculant GPA? For example my GPA could easily go over 3.1 if i took fall and spring semesters before the august of matriculation.

Thanks in advance!
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first of all, I hope youre applying to either DO schools or the caribs, b/c youre not getting into an MD program with that GPA...even as a URM

as for your questions: I would just apply with the 2.9 as soon as AMCAS opens and update as soon as you get your grades back. and you can update most schools at any point during the admissions process with recent grades/GPA changes/any other recent accomplishments that you feel are worthy enough for the adcoms to know
 
karib said:
So I am want to apply this cycle. I do have a low gpa though 2.9 and if I took summer classes which end early august it could go over 3.0. Should I wait until I can submit those classes on my amcas? Or should I apply with the 2.9 and update as soon as I get my grades back?
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1. You are going to be relatively late (read: Not Early) in the cycle if you can't get a transcript until August. I'd suggest waiting because a 3.0 looks less bad than a 2.9. You better have a great MCAT either way.

karib said:
And another question. Do some schools work with you in terms of application GPA and Matriculant GPA? For example my GPA could easily go over 3.1 if i took fall and spring semesters before the august of matriculation.
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2. Schools don't care what your GPA "could be." They care what it is.

3. DO schools allow you to replace grades so if you apply there your GPA could appear much better than would to allopathic schools (if you take the time to retake classes)

4. I would look into a SMP or Post-Bacc.
 
You don't want to apply late, especially when you're already at a disadvantage. 2.9->3.0 isn't going to make much of a difference anyway.

I would strongly recommend you wait at least another year to apply. Get your grades up and consider retaking some science coursework so you can apply to DO schools with an even higher GPA.

Also, are you sure you'll be ready for the MCAT in June? If you haven't been doing well in the pre-reqs, the MCAT is going the be very hard. You might want to wait, retake some of the classes, and take it when you have a more solid understanding of the material.
 
The floor for URM MD admissions is somewhere around 3.2, generally. Going in with a sub-3.0 is not advisable.
 
So I understand there are always exceptions. And thank you for the advice everyone. I really would like to get an MD acceptance... I have tons of ECs along with clinical exposure and research. Lets say I do get my GPA above 3.0 and work really hard and rock the mcat. Would that look more promising?
 
karib said:
So I understand there are always exceptions. And thank you for the advice everyone. I really would like to get an MD acceptance... I have tons of ECs along with clinical exposure and research. Lets say I do get my GPA above 3.0 and work really hard and rock the mcat. Would that look more promising?
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Then, you will have a decent shot at a application, next cycle.
Everyone thinks they will rock the MCAT, most don't.
Which community do you represent?
 
karib said:
@gyngyn Ok. I am a puerto rican female.
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It's even more important that you do this right, not fast.
Your community needs you.
Take all the time you need to put together the best application you can.
 
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@gyngyn thank you so much for the advice. Would you recommend to apply even if its to 5 instate schools if i get my gpa to a 3.0 this summer?
 
gyngyn said:
It's even more important that you do this right, not fast.
Your community needs you.
Take all the time you need to put together the best application you can
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+1 wonderful advice

on a totally unrelated note, what in the world is your profile pic? blue broccoli?
 
believe it or not, even with that GPA (assuming you get it above a 3.0) table 25 puts you at a 50/50 shot at getting in somewhere if you can crack the 75th percentile on the MCAT. i would definitely look into post-bac or SMP options, though, or DO
 
karib said:
@gyngyn thank you so much for the advice. Would you recommend to apply even if its to 5 instate schools if i get my gpa to a 3.0 this summer?
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It may be worth a shot if you can get 504 or 505 on the MCAT.
Don't rush the MCAT if you are not likely to do well!
 
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palatopharyngeus said:
first of all, I hope youre applying to either DO schools or the caribs, b/c youre not getting into an MD program with that GPA...even as a URM

as for your questions: I would just apply with the 2.9 as soon as AMCAS opens and update as soon as you get your grades back. and you can update most schools at any point during the admissions process with recent grades/GPA changes/any other recent accomplishments that you feel are worthy enough for the adcoms to know
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How is that even relevant?
 
karib said:
@miszfifi820 Florida.
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okay i figured, becz not many states have 5 state med schools. I agree with @gyngyn . Dont rush it. Do it right and not only will you most likely get into the school of your choice but the better you do, the greater chance that you might get a scholarship.

In addition, you dont want to put yourself in the position of a re-applicant at your state schools.
 
palatopharyngeus said:
its relevant b/c URMs can get in with lower stats

does the phrase "affirmative action" mean anything to you?
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There is no such thing in admissions. AA = reserving spots that only certain groups of people can compete for, which does not exist.

At any rate, OP. My recommendation: retake classes you failed, pass with A, and apply DO, as they do grade replacement.
 
It's one thing to claim that AA is justified (and I agree that it is), but it's quite another to claim it doesn't play a role in admissions. If you can read Table 25, the effect is obvious.
 
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