What are my chances?

[deleted1037483]

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Basically I got into a good college as an honors student with multiple scholarships (due to my high school gpa of 4.5 and SAT of 2120). During my undergrad I fell deep into my anorexia and depression, which I had been hospitalized for at one point in high school. I ended up getting a 2.3 my first year and 2.46 the second before calling it quits and essentially "dropping out". I let my family know I needed help and I went back into outpatient programs that summer. That year I took classes as a non-degree student at a regional campus and got A's and B's in bio 1+2, gen chem 1+2 and calculus. I've been doing well since - in remission with no relapses. I then applied to a different college that was a 1 hr away from home as a commuter. I also started working as a home health aid and as an America Reads tutor. I began volunteering as a translator at a free clinic. Then my dad went into kidney failure and I put my school work to the side so I could take him to doctor appointments and support him. I ended up with a 3.00 that year at my new school. My last year I took all upper level science courses and I got a 3.4. Overall, I calculated my cGPA to be a 2.8 and sGPA is a 2.7. I've been scribing in an ER since I graduated this May. I've had 2 of the ER doctors who I've become close with offer to write me recommendations. However, I know my crappy gpa has basically screwed my chances of getting into medical school this cycle. Also, I'm not sure I could get stellar LOCs from my science teachers as I was not very close with any of them. I've been studying for the MCAT for about 2 months now and I'm getting around 515 on my FLs. I also have an EMT volunteer position lined up in the summer as soon as I've taken the MCAT. So I've been thinking of going back to school for a year - either for a master's or as a type of post-bac. Essentially, I'm assuming I'll do well enough that it will help me recover from my undergrad gpa. With an MCAT of 515 or higher I'm hoping I could get into low-tier MD schools or DO schools. I've really fallen in love with medicine since scribing, so my question is: what would you recommend?

TLDR; undergrad cGPA 2.8 sGPA 2.7 MCAT 515 (based on practice FLs), what are my options?

 

[FutureSurgical]

Firstly, congratulations on getting a good handle on your mental health. I'm really happy you were able to turn that around. Keep it going and never take that lightly!

However, as you've already stated, we can't do too much without a legitimate MCAT score. However, many schools, MD and DO, screen apps for a 3.0 GPA threshold. I don't think your GPA will get you much luck if you applied now.

I'd say you should do a post-bacc making at least a 3.7+ taking nothing but upper level BCPM courses. Get to at least a 3.0 cGPA if you can. Replicate your performance on the real MCAT and I'd apply very broadly at DO with your state MD schools.

 

[deleted1037483]

Thank you, I appreciate your reply. If I raise my cGPA to a 3.0 by next may and my MCAT is around a 515 would u then recommend an SMP next or just applying to medical schools?

 

[Faha]

You need to take enough additional undergraduate level science courses to raise both your sGPA and cGPA to 3.0 . Then you can decide where to apply to based on your MCAT score . Post your actual score here in the future.

 

[candbgirl]

Thank you, I appreciate your reply. If I raise my cGPA to a 3.0 by next may and my MCAT is around a 515 would u then recommend an SMP next or just applying to medical schools?

May 2020? No. May 2021 probably not. You have to string together several semesters of upper level science course as a full time student. You have to achieve a >3.7. GPA in your course work. What you are trying to do is raise your GPAs to above at least the 3.0 threshold AND convince ADCOMS that you are up to the rigors of medical school. You haven’t convinced anybody of that yet. A 515 MCAT would be extraordinary for someone with your current GPAs. Work as hard as you can and let us know when you get your actual score. Keep up with your ECs and don’t rush the process. Do it right the first time. Understand you are at least a couple of years away from applying.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

You need to read @Goro 's guide to reinvention because that's the journey you are facing.

 

[Goro]

Basically I got into a good college as an honors student with multiple scholarships (due to my high school gpa of 4.5 and SAT of 2120). During my undergrad I fell deep into my anorexia and depression, which I had been hospitalized for at one point in high school. I ended up getting a 2.3 my first year and 2.46 the second before calling it quits and essentially "dropping out". I let my family know I needed help and I went back into outpatient programs that summer. That year I took classes as a non-degree student at a regional campus and got A's and B's in bio 1+2, gen chem 1+2 and calculus. I've been doing well since - in remission with no relapses. I then applied to a different college that was a 1 hr away from home as a commuter. I also started working as a home health aid and as an America Reads tutor. I began volunteering as a translator at a free clinic. Then my dad went into kidney failure and I put my school work to the side so I could take him to doctor appointments and support him. I ended up with a 3.00 that year at my new school. My last year I took all upper level science courses and I got a 3.4. Overall, I calculated my cGPA to be a 2.8 and sGPA is a 2.7. I've been scribing in an ER since I graduated this May. I've had 2 of the ER doctors who I've become close with offer to write me recommendations. However, I know my crappy gpa has basically screwed my chances of getting into medical school this cycle. Also, I'm not sure I could get stellar LOCs from my science teachers as I was not very close with any of them. I've been studying for the MCAT for about 2 months now and I'm getting around 515 on my FLs. I also have an EMT volunteer position lined up in the summer as soon as I've taken the MCAT. So I've been thinking of going back to school for a year - either for a master's or as a type of post-bac. Essentially, I'm assuming I'll do well enough that it will help me recover from my undergrad gpa. With an MCAT of 515 or higher I'm hoping I could get into low-tier MD schools or DO schools. I've really fallen in love with medicine since scribing, so my question is: what would you recommend?

TLDR; undergrad cGPA 2.8 sGPA 2.7 MCAT 515 (based on practice FLs), what are my options?

As we can't engage in hypotheticals, come back once once you complete your reinvention with an MCAT score, and then we can properly advise.