What options do I have? 2nd Degree?

[JustWokeUp]

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Hi everyone,

I just signed up to hopefully get some advice and insight about my particular predicament here. I graduated with a low 2.7cgpa in health sciences and have already completed most of the pre-reqs - some of which I did poorly in (first and second year ones) and others where I did okay, but obviously not good enough to be competitive. To keep this short, it was really due to not being motivated enough and really immature early on. I just worked a lot and cruised through my degree. I actually gave up on med during one semester, but the more I tried not to think about pursuing it, the more I did think about it. In the end, I still want to pursue med.

I actually only have one full year where I got straight A's and a few B+'s with a 5 course work load for 2 semesters. Unfortunately, they were in health science courses, most of which were upper division courses. I just wanted to point this out as maybe I could use this one year as part of the two best years for some schools. In all honesty, I don't think this actually helps my case at all really as more of them consider the last two years.

I can't do grad school as my gpa isn't good enough. I can't do an SMP or a post-baccalaureate program in the states for the same reason. After reading the stickies, the only thing I think I can do is a 2nd degree and give it my all the second time around. But this is all I know and I'm going for it unless anyone knows any other options? I'm actually trying to apply for a state school that is well-connected to a medical school to start a 2nd degree. If anyone has taken this route or currently taking this route, can you please give me some advice? I know some of the responses will be brutal and harsh, but I don't mind. I understand I've made mistakes and know where I stand...relatively. I just need some help.

Thanks in advance!

 

[theanatomist]

I would say your best bet, based on the information provided, would be to go for the second degree program. You need to demonstrate that you can handle the medical school curriculum by excelling in your undergraduate coursework, and re-taking the pre-reqs and doing well in them is your best option. After that you may want to look into Osteopathic schools, asthey look at your best grade, vs your initial grade (so I have heard). There is a bit more flexibilityas far as your transcript. You're not in a hole, because there is always hope.You just have to be optimistic, persistent, and really nail your coursework. 😎

 

[DrMidlife]

If anyone has taken this route or currently taking this route, can you please give me some advice? I know some of the responses will be brutal and harsh, but I don't mind. I understand I've made mistakes and know where I stand...relatively. I just need some help.

I was pretty much where you are, and I got into a US MD school. It can be done.

Threads of interest.:
LOW GPA Success Stories (Posts by Nontrads Already Accepted to Med School)
The Low GPA--What Do I Do Thread
The **NEW & IMPROVED** official low gpa thread...

Best of luck to you.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Best advice is for you to find another career. Being at a 2.7 with almost all prerequisites done is being in a terribly ugly position. Take it from me. I started off with a 2.7 w/out prerequisites. It's taken me a lot of work to get into the 3.0. Even at my best, I'm hoping at a 3.1 or 3.2 after 80+ semester units. The only thing that gives me hope is that my sGPA will be > 3.5.

If you choose not to give up, you'll need to set yourself a realistic goal. To me that would be using D.O. grade replacement, but if that's not your thing, you'll need a few years of post-bacc to get into the 3.0 range, a great MCAT, and an SMP.

 

[JustWokeUp]

I would say your best bet, based on the information provided, would be to go for the second degree program. You need to demonstrate that you can handle the medical school curriculum by excelling in your undergraduate coursework, and re-taking the pre-reqs and doing well in them is your best option. After that you may want to look into Osteopathic schools, asthey look at your best grade, vs your initial grade (so I have heard). There is a bit more flexibilityas far as your transcript. You’re not in a hole, because there is always hope.You just have to be optimistic, persistent, and really nail your coursework. 😎

Thanks for the optimism! I may use the grade replacement option from DO schools if I don't get in for sure.

I was pretty much where you are, and I got into a US MD school. It can be done.

Threads of interest.:
LOW GPA Success Stories (Posts by Nontrads Already Accepted to Med School)
The Low GPA--What Do I Do Thread
The **NEW & IMPROVED** official low gpa thread...

Best of luck to you.

It's great to hear from someone that has gone through this and succeeded. I will definitely check out those threads. Quick question, did you get in your first time applying? Thanks!

Best advice is for you to find another career. Being at a 2.7 with almost all prerequisites done is being in a terribly ugly position. Take it from me. I started off with a 2.7 w/out prerequisites. It's taken me a lot of work to get into the 3.0. Even at my best, I'm hoping at a 3.1 or 3.2 after 80+ semester units. The only thing that gives me hope is that my sGPA will be > 3.5.

If you choose not to give up, you'll need to set yourself a realistic goal. To me that would be using D.O. grade replacement, but if that's not your thing, you'll need a few years of post-bacc to get into the 3.0 range, a great MCAT, and an SMP.

I know, I'm in a terribly ugly position, which is why I'm here for advice actually. The reason for a 2nd degree is actually because my current degree will take me no where. No grad schools, no post-baccalaureate programs, and no SMPs. So if I don't get into an MD school, I will still be able to get into a DO school considering I do better the second time around. Anyway, thank you for your honest opinion and sharing your story.

 

[DrMidlife]

Quick question, did you get in your first time applying? Thanks!

Nope. 3rd time.

 

[JustWokeUp]

Nope. 3rd time.

Just read your story...I think you're amazing. Your movie would be inspirational.

 

[Morsetlis]

Nope. 3rd time.

Maybe I should've applied a third time too.

 

[hazmat2]

Hi everyone,

I just signed up to hopefully get some advice and insight about my particular predicament here. I graduated with a low 2.7cgpa in health sciences and have already completed most of the pre-reqs - some of which I did poorly in (first and second year ones) and others where I did okay, but obviously not good enough to be competitive. To keep this short, it was really due to not being motivated enough and really immature early on. I just worked a lot and cruised through my degree. I actually gave up on med during one semester, but the more I tried not to think about pursuing it, the more I did think about it. In the end, I still want to pursue med.

I actually only have one full year where I got straight A's and a few B+'s with a 5 course work load for 2 semesters. Unfortunately, they were in health science courses, most of which were upper division courses. I just wanted to point this out as maybe I could use this one year as part of the two best years for some schools. In all honesty, I don't think this actually helps my case at all really as more of them consider the last two years.

I can't do grad school as my gpa isn't good enough. I can't do an SMP or a post-baccalaureate program in the states for the same reason. After reading the stickies, the only thing I think I can do is a 2nd degree and give it my all the second time around. But this is all I know and I'm going for it unless anyone knows any other options? I'm actually trying to apply for a state school that is well-connected to a medical school to start a 2nd degree. If anyone has taken this route or currently taking this route, can you please give me some advice? I know some of the responses will be brutal and harsh, but I don't mind. I understand I've made mistakes and know where I stand...relatively. I just need some help.

Thanks in advance!

I just wanted to point out that if you take the GRE or MCAT now (studying very intensely beforehand) and do very well, you should be able to get into a special masters without too much trouble. Would you have to call/visit some schools before applying? Most definitely. You would need that personal touch.

They're looking for people who want to "turn themselves around" and pay their fat tuition bill. So, first you need to prove that you want to turn yourself around. Doing well on those exams is a great way to do it. (I would suggest GRE over MCAT though so you don't have to submit multiple scores on the AMCAS.)

Also, with regard to the SMP, you can offer to take an "entrance exam" of their choosing. Basically you want to show them that you're motivated and that's one of many ways. If you do it right, you'll be surprised by their answers. There's always a back door, so to speak.