- Joined
- Nov 4, 2011
- Messages
- 28,818
- Reaction score
- 55,101
You have a remarkably strong grasp of the situation!Skipping the sob story, I was extremely immature and didn't have a sense of direction as an undergrad. Consequently, my GPA suffered. I take full responsibility for my actions and I want to prove to both myself and the adcom committee members that I am not the same immature, directionless person I once was.
(Top state school) uGPA before post-bacc: cGPA 2.44/sGPA 2.24
Current uGPA:
cGPA 2.62/sGPA 2.53
1st semester of post-bacc (Fall 2018)
16 credits: Biochem w/ lab (A+), Ochem I w/ lab (A+), Microbiology w/ lab (A+) and Physics w/ lab (A+).
Predicted uGPA:
Current semester of additional 14 credits of upper division science classes.
cGPA 2.72/sGPA 2.67
Credits required for sGPA/cGPA of 3.0 = 51 credits after current semester.
ECs:
Clinical: 500 hours
Non-Clinical (underserved): 75 hours
Shadowing: 40 hours
Non-URM
My question is after a full 1 year DIY post-bacc of 30 credits, should I apply to a couple of SMPs that accept students sub 3.0? Due to all the credits I have accumulated it is significantly harder for me to bring up my uGPA. The only rational thing I did as an undergraduate was not take the MCAT, if I score a 90+ on the MCAT (based on my practice exams), would it make sense to apply to a few MD programs along with SMPs in the current cycle? The SMP I am looking at advises students to apply to medical schools the same cycle they apply for the SMP program, that way they can be interviewed in the spring for the host med school(and others) if fall grades in the SMP are strong. I understand my stats are extremely low, but I am hoping that a 1 year (4.0 DIY post-bacc) + (90+ MCAT) + 1 year (3.7+ SMP[If accepted]) will help overshadow my previous academic flaws. My only hope is to be accepted into the associated SMP med school in the current cycle based off my performance. If I am unsuccessful I will apply both MD/DO next cycle, post SMP.
Thoughts on my plan? I am really hoping for some professional guidance, I know it is more easily said than done but I truly have reevaluated my approach, I am certainly not the same person I once was. I am willing to do anything and everything for an opportunity to become a physician. I understand that I have made some incredible irrationally decisions in the past, but I have learned from those mistakes and I vow to never repeat those mistakes ever again.
I have been stressed out with this dilemma and would really appreciate any advice. Thank you.
You have already begun a sustained period of academic excellence in the sciences. Trend is almost as important to admissions officers as gpa (as long as you can get past any screen or floor).
Check with your state public school(s) to see if they will admit to such a floor. If they do not screen out your gpa, and you are sure of getting an MCAT consistent with success, your idea of applying to SMP's as well as your state MD and DO schools may work. There are states where a very strong trend coupled with a very strong MCAT can result in an interview.