what are my chances?

[raspberry12]

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hi everyone!

im a premed rising senior at a top 50 school in massachusetts. im majoring in biology (possibly also in psychology as well.... on track but debating due to wanting to focus on my science grades instead)

my cGPA: 3.18
my sGPA: 2.83

i received a C first semester of orgo and C+ second semester as well as a C in cell biology. my science grades just aren't that strong and most lie in the B/B+ range. after my bad year of orgo i took biochem for one semester and got a B. the reason for my poor sci grades is that sadly even now as a rising senior im still learning how to study because it's something i didnt focus on enough (studying smarter instead of harder) my first few years of undergrad.

EC's
clinical
- internship at hospital got to shadow interns doctors nurses and even got to watch a surgery
- internship at same hospital worked on inpatient floor. talked to patients, sat in on interdisciplinary rounds

research
- one year at a biomed eng lab- mostly shadowing, helped make pipettes, wrote a paper to submit to research competition (did not win)
- one year at a neuropharm lab doing dose response curves
- possibly next year at same neuropharm lab with own project already approved but debating whether i should devote more time to picking up sci avg or working on really good research project

leadership
- 2 1/2 years in cultural organization- leadership in all 2 1/2 years- i quit because i wanted to focus on my grades and classes

other
- alternative spring break trips- last was a premed one working in new orleans

i think my experience is good i just dont know what to do about my grades... im prepared for possibly not getting accepted this year but if i dont im not sure what to do in the year in between. sorry this was long just wanted to be detailed. also state of resid=ny

thanks so much!

 

[Catalystik]

Since you posted a year ago, you have not made a substantial change in your stats. You have a lot of GPA redemption to accomplish if you want to succeed. You haven't even begun to demonstrate that you can get straight As in the sciences and I think that's one thing you need to do. Getting a B in Biochem is a good start. It will take dedication, time, and money to fix the situation, but if you are resolved, then it can be done.

Here are some possible pathways to your goal; the first is most likely to be successful:

1) Plan to apply to DO med schools. Repeat the classes where you did the worst and use AACOMAS policy that includes only the most recent retake when calculating the application GPA. This is the fastest way to fix your low GPA if you can get As the second time (note: the repeated class must have the same number or greater in credit hours). Get straight As in the rest of your prerequisites due to your new work ethic. Get a good MCAT score to prove you understood the material. Shadow a DO and get a letter of recommendation. Be aware that there are a few DO schools that consider applicants with a GPA of 2.75 or lower, if the MCAT score is really strong and there is a recent steep upward grade trend. With a 3.0, you exceed the cut offs for most DO schools. A 3.45 is the average cGPA for those acceptd to DO schools. Educate yourself on this option in SDN's PreMed Osteopathic Forum.

2) You might also qualify for an SMP (Special Masters Program) if you could demonstrate a strong upward trend in the sciences. This is a 1-2 year paid audition, and a very expensive redemption option which can overrride a low uGPA. You'd need an MCAT 28-30+ depending on the program requirements. If you perform well in the SMP, where you compete with first year med students at their linked med school and get a high GPA, typically 3.5 or better, you have a chance of an acceptance at an MD med school. This outcome is not guaranteed, though, and many of these people end up in DO schools, anyway. Read more on this option in the Postbaccalaureate Programs Forum of SDN.

3) Take two more years of full-time science-heavy coursework, getting straight As. This would raise your GPA to 3.5. With an MCAT score of 32-33, you might get into an allopathic med school due to the steep upward trend and good MCAT.

All these options assume optimal ECs and strong LORs, good PS and excellent interview skills.

 

[J ROD]

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