what now? help!!

[sendwich]

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i am a graduating undergrad this year. i'm a science major and just recently discovered that i really would like to go to medschool and be a doctor. the drawback that i see is that i haven't exactly aced my science classes. i know that there are post-bac programs i can go to to "enhance" my credentials, but most of these programs want students who haven't taken any/little science classes. plus, my gpa is way too low (sub ~2.9) to pursue grad school. i reeally really think that i should go back and retake my pre-med classes and show that i am capable of succeeding in these classes. i don't know what to do!!!!!! should i just forget about my dream of being a doctor altogether or do i have hope??? HELP!!!

 

[pwrpfgrl]

Hi!
Welcome to SDN!!

I think that post-bac classes are a good idea. Even if you already took the sciences, I know there are some progams out there that basically help to "refresh" the knowledge that you might have "missed" (hence the low gpa). Here's a link to the post-bac programs listed on AAMC:
<a href="http://www.aamc.org/students/considering/postbac.htm" target="_blank">post-bac programs</a>

Your other option is to just take a some upper level science courses on their own (a lot of schools have an open enrollment where you can take a few classes without being enrolled in a degree/certification program) and ace them. This will help not only bring up your gpa, but also show that you can handle upper-level work.

Good Luck!! 🙂

 

[racergirl]

Have you considered delaying your graduation? You could take upper-level science classes and retake some courses you did poorly in (all for As, of course!). A couple of years of straight As plus a great MCAT will go a long way. Also, you'll need clinical experience (work and/or volunteer). It WILL take you a couple of years to dig yourself out of this "hole", but IT'S NOT TOO LATE. If you really want it, you can get it. I had a 2.8 GPA when I went back to school 3 years ago, and I'm headed to med school this fall! If being a doctor truly is your dream, DON'T GIVE UP. Instead, just get to work--it can be done.

 

[JulianCrane]

Hey, gh, are aren't a fan of the soap with the same initials? Just wondering. . .

 

[sendwich]

haha no, i'm not a big fan of general hospital (yeah, i realized this after i established my "display name" for sdn). hey pwrpfgrl, you mentioned that many schools have open enrollment...is it better to stay or leave the school i did my undergrad work at?? (fyi, i go to ucla)

thanks