What are my chances?? nontraditional path

[Colgate2005]

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Ok, I have searched the internet and talked to many doctors, advisors, and admissions people as possible. But I would like to hear what people think, and if they have advice:

Graduated: Colgate in 2005, BS Biology
GPA: 2.5
Sports: football and Track

My GPA had a good upward Trend and I always made improvements in classes that build, ie organic chem 1 I got a C, but in Organic chem 2 I got a B.

After Graduation, I did research at Mass General Hospital and took night classes at Harvard Extension school. I took 6 additional classes, and maintained a 3.5 GPA. (classes physics , Biochem, Molecular Bio, physiology, etc)

After that I obtained a masters degree in neurobiology from Boston University, my gpa is going to be approx: 3.4-3.5

I have published two papers, one of which I was the first author. I also have significant clinical experience.

I am yet to take the MCAT, but I am signed up for July 2009.

I know my undergraduate GPA is low, but I devoted a lot of time to football, and there were some other circumstances that I got dragged into that took up a large amount of my time.

What I want to know is:

1) do I have a shot at schools like UCONN, BU, TEMPLE, JEFFERSON, DREXEL, TUFTS, NY MED College, etc
2) Why not or why do you think i have a chance???

 

[JJMrK]

Ok, I have searched the internet and talked to many doctors, advisors, and admissions people as possible. But I would like to hear what people think, and if they have advice:

Graduated: Colgate in 2005, BS Biology
GPA: 2.5
Sports: football and Track

My GPA had a good upward Trend and I always made improvements in classes that build, ie organic chem 1 I got a C, but in Organic chem 2 I got a B.

After Graduation, I did research at Mass General Hospital and took night classes at Harvard Extension school. I took 6 additional classes, and maintained a 3.5 GPA. (classes physics , Biochem, Molecular Bio, physiology, etc)

After that I obtained a masters degree in neurobiology from Boston University, my gpa is going to be approx: 3.4-3.5

I have published two papers, one of which I was the first author. I also have significant clinical experience.

I am yet to take the MCAT, but I am signed up for July 2009.

I know my undergraduate GPA is low, but I devoted a lot of time to football, and there were some other circumstances that I got dragged into that took up a large amount of my time.

What I want to know is:

1) do I have a shot at schools like UCONN, BU, TEMPLE, JEFFERSON, DREXEL, TUFTS, NY MED College, etc
2) Why not or why do you think i have a chance???

1. No.

2. Your GPA is too low. Your undergrad GPA will be looked at without your masters GPA.

 

[Colgate2005]

Should I just cancel my MCAT Registration??? There is just no way??? How come Medical Schools do not consider Masters??

 

[JJMrK]

You might have a shot at DO schools in a year or two if you can retake the classes you did poorly in and get A's. The DO application service will replace poor grades.

The grades in your master's program will be looked at, but they aren't as important because most people do well in their masters (to be honest, your masters GPA is just OK).

As you stand I think you have no chance at all (right now) at the schools you've listed.

 

[Colgate2005]

I am considering one DO school UMDNJ, but I am hesitant because I want to do an allopathic residency, I am not quite sure what specialty though.

If i wind up doing PM&R or Family practice, it wont be a big deal, but if i want to do orthopedic surgery, it will be huge.

Also, I know my Masters Gpa may seem low, but in my program most classes are curved the same way as undergrad classes, so 1/3 of the class is getting a B- or C. Although some classes do curve to a B+, it really depend what you take... I am hoping medical school will consider my recent coursework, because I did take some challenging classes, that were much more rigorous then undergrad.

 

[jvqd]

I understand how you feel as my undergrad GPA as of yet is also low, a measly 3.1. I used to think that you could just do awesome when you get your masters but that is not the case. You will have to go back and retake your undergrad classes, which should be no problem now seeing that you have a masters. DO, schools as someone said earlier, will replace your low grades with your new ones. MD schools do not. Frankly, I agree with the others that you have no chance for an MD school. I know most schools cut off at like 3.5 with some at 3.0. I have never heard of a lower cutoff though.

 

[JJMrK]

I am considering one DO school UMDNJ, but I am hesitant because I want to do an allopathic residency, I am not quite sure what specialty though.

If i wind up doing PM&R or Family practice, it wont be a big deal, but if i want to do orthopedic surgery, it will be huge.
Beggars can't be choosers. You can apply allo if you want, but you may be wasting a lot of money.

Also, I know my Masters Gpa may seem low, but in my program most classes are curved the same way as undergrad classes, so 1/3 of the class is getting a B- or C. Although some classes do curve to a B+, it really depend what you take... I am hoping medical school will consider my recent coursework, because I did take some challenging classes, that were much more rigorous then undergrad.
The GPA schools will look at most is your undergrad GPA. If it isn't above a 3.0 I don't think you have a chance. Go back, retake the classes you did poorly in, and apply DO.

.

 

[Mobius1985]

I agree with the above, that you have no chance at any MD school, for the reasons given.

The DO application service does include graduate GPA in their application GPA calculation, but more weight is given to the undergrad GPA. Sports involvement does not excuse you from needing a competitive GPA. You might consider posting in the Pre-Osteopathic Forum "What are my Chances?" thread and reasking your question about whether any DO school would take you with such a low GPA. I'm under the impression that 2.75 is lowest that is considered, but you'd need a high MCAT score to compensate.