Ways to boost GPA (aside post-bacc)

[Arrode]

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Hi all, I just found out I was accepted into Penn State Brandywine's formal 1 year post-bacc program. 🙂 I'm pretty excited!

However, I'm still a little worried at the end of the 1 year program my GPA won't have sufficiently improved enough to make me a competitive med school applicant. My undergraduate cumulative GPA is around a 3.35. This isn't terrible, but it's not where I'd like it to be. I've calculated after completing my post-bacc work even if I get an A in each of my classes (which I fully intend to strive for!) I'll still only have a 3.45, or thereabout.

Some more information:
- I have a bachelors degree. I show an upward trend in GPA. 2.96(freshman) -> 2.90(sophomore) -> 3.67(junior) -> 3.5(senior) -> (and finally, classes I've done since graduation) 3.93.
- Since graduation I've taken about 5 courses and my GPA in those has been a 3.93. These have been undergraduate-level courses. Microbiology, two upper-level nursing courses, developmental psychology, and nutrition.

What do you suggest I do to further boost my GPA or do you think a ~3.45 will be sufficient for MD schools? Should I take undergraduate courses anywhere I can as grade boosters? Should I aim for a masters degree? Or should I just take the MCAT, see how that falls (30+ score) and then apply to med schools?

Thanks guys! 🙂

 

[DrMidlife]

I'd say this depends on your MCAT score, mostly.

Make sure to schedule your MCAT to allow for an early MD app. That means April or May, imho.

If your MCAT is above average (31+), then go for it. If your MCAT is lower than that, then focus on DO, or take on an additional prep year.

If your cumulative undergrad GPA (everything averaged in from everywhere) and an above-average MCAT don't get you in, or you want a baked-in backup plan, thennyou can consider doing an SMP.

See the postbac forum for more info. Look for the low GPA thread (the one with 400k views).

Best of luck to you.

 

[Arrode]

I'd say this depends on your MCAT score, mostly.

Make sure to schedule your MCAT to allow for an early MD app. That means April or May, imho.

If your MCAT is above average (31+), then go for it. If your MCAT is lower than that, then focus on DO, or take on an additional prep year.

If your cumulative undergrad GPA (everything averaged in from everywhere) and an above-average MCAT don't get you in, or you want a baked-in backup plan, thennyou can consider doing an SMP.

See the postbac forum for more info. Look for the low GPA thread (the one with 400k views).

Best of luck to you.

Thank you! All of this is sound advice. I know a lot is riding on my MCAT score to prove myself. I will be heavily focusing on that and volunteering at a hospital. I'm also working full time as a software developer in a leadership role so I hope admissions will see I am working hard an hopefully it will compensate for my less than stellar first two years.

 

[Arrode]

Can a moderator please move this to the post-bacc forum for me? Thanks!

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

Can a moderator please move this to the post-bacc forum for me? Thanks!

I don't know that you neeeeed to move this thread... Unless you want it there.....
Anyway, what Dr. Midlife says is correct, and additionally, if you choose to go the DO route you can retake classes you have Cs in and push your GPA further. FYI, I am in on a 3.18s/cGPA... and a 26Q... not my top choice, but in is in is in... I will have Dr in front of my name in 5 years... 🙂

Best of luck to you!

 

[jl lin]

I think Dr. Midlife could do pre-med advisement for extra cash. I'd hire you Dr. M. You available?

 

[nurture]

See the postbac forum for more info. Look for the low GPA thread (the one with 400k views).

I am new to the forum and can't seem to find this thread. Could you please provide a link?

 

[deleted248403]

I am new to the forum and can't seem to find this thread. Could you please provide a link?

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=11785866#post11785866

 

[nurture]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=11785866#post11785866

Thanks.