Hi, I'm new here and really would like some advice so I know where to dedicated myself from here out. I am a Chemistry BA major, with a minor in Biochemistry. I just finished my sophomore year. I had a rough last semester. My overall gpa is 2.9, though I screwed up a little because I took an econ class thinking it would be easy and got a C in it. I could have pass/failed it, not affecting my GPA since it has nothing to do with my major, but as a freshman I did not know this. So I stand at a 2.9 right now. I figure if I really do good now in my junior year I could get it up to a 3.3-3.4. I am interested in either dental and medical school. I have volunteer experience and a leadership position with my fraternity. I have organized numerous fundraisers and events. If I can pull my GPA up and assuming I get a score in the 30's on the MCAT's, could I have a chance. Also do people apply and take the MACT's at the end of their junior year or senior year? Thanks
What are my chances?
- Thread starter viper2ko
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Most people take the MCAT after their junior year if they plan on going straight from college to med school. It's likely that you'll want to apply after your senior year so you have more time to bring up your GPA.
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It's not a lost cause at all, but it won't be easy, that's for sure. Magically going from a 3.0 student to a 4.0 student will take a lot of effort.
Yea, I know its gonna be super hard. But I will definetely have some help with my schedule easing up. I won't have to take physics, bio and organic chem all in one semester. This semester I have 2 chems, an english, and 100 level philosophies online. I also plan on continuing to volunteer at a local hospital, and do work within my fraternity.
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People take the MCAT and apply when their application is the best it can be. That could be as a college junior or when you are in your 30s, 40s, or beyond.
Your current GPA is a huge stumbling block for allopathic (MD) schools, but you have plenty of time to repair it. That will happen most quickly if you get straight As from here on. Four semesters averaging 2.9 and four more averaging 4.0 makes a GPA of 3.45. If you do an additional year as an unofficial post-bac and get 30 more hours of credit at 4.0, you'd be at 3.56, which is reasonably competitive if your MCAT is average. To get it that high for AMCAS (MD application service) means waiting until that fifth year of credits is on your transcript before applying. If your MCAT is really great (34+), then your GPA needn't be as sterling.
You might want to research DO schools and dental school requirements on the pertinent forums.
