What should I do to increase my GPA?

[rican18]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Backstory: I recently got diagnosed with Narcolepsy in September, 2014. I struggled throughout college to keep my grades up because of this. Once diagnosed I was able to get by first straight A semester. a HUGE improvement from every other semester.
I am currently sitting at a 3.3 GPA and will graduate in May 2014 with a 3.4.

My MCAT score is awful and will retake in June, 2014. (Due to poor grades in the subjects that are prominent for the MCAT, i was unable to shine on the MCAT)

Here is my dilemma. I have applied to post-bacc programs in Maryland (where I reside) and have been denied from all. I will apply to medical schools starting in June (leaning towards Carribean schools due to my current grades).

Should I look for more post-bacc programs outside of my state? (prefer not to i would be commuting)
OR
Is it okay to apply for graduate programs in order to help out my GPA (Getting a MS degree).
I have heard that graduate programs would not do much but I am DESPERATE.
I feel like i need a second chance to all of this and it is almost not fair.

Any advice would be greatly helpful. THANK YOU.

 

[WillburCobb]

Why carribean over DO? Also, with a strong MCAT you still stand a chance at MD.

 

[justAstudent]

Why carribean over DO? Also, with a strong MCAT you still stand a chance at MD.

This. If I were you I would either retake the MCAT or apply DO. Your circumstances don't warrant applying to Caribbean.

 

[knv2u]

Backstory: I recently got diagnosed with Narcolepsy in September, 2014. I struggled throughout college to keep my grades up because of this. Once diagnosed I was able to get by first straight A semester. a HUGE improvement from every other semester.
I am currently sitting at a 3.3 GPA and will graduate in May 2014 with a 3.4.

My MCAT score is awful and will retake in June, 2014. (Due to poor grades in the subjects that are prominent for the MCAT, i was unable to shine on the MCAT)

Here is my dilemma. I have applied to post-bacc programs in Maryland (where I reside) and have been denied from all. I will apply to medical schools starting in June (leaning towards Carribean schools due to my current grades).

Should I look for more post-bacc programs outside of my state? (prefer not to i would be commuting)
OR
Is it okay to apply for graduate programs in order to help out my GPA (Getting a MS degree).
I have heard that graduate programs would not do much but I am DESPERATE.
I feel like i need a second chance to all of this and it is almost not fair.

Any advice would be greatly helpful. THANK YOU.

My advice is to first make sure that you have resolved any medical problems that exist. Is there a treatment option for you and is it working? If not, you definitely want to hold off on medical school and any additional classes until you have all of your personal issues resolved, or else you're tilting at windmills and costing yourself a lot of money. Once the problem has been addressed, I then recommend additional coursework.

Enrolling in a graduate level program will not improve your undergraduate GPA, which is what medical school admission committees will be primarily considering. Graduate GPAs are useful, but typically inflated so I don't see a very high GPA saving an otherwise uncompetitive application. With regards to post bacc programs, also be aware that you do not necessarily need to do a formal post bacc, and you can arrange an informal program yourself through a second bachelor's degree. Many institutions, including some close to you, might offer this. Those deadlines are usually in March. They probably also have lower GPA requirements than would some of the formal post bacc programs that you have been rejected from. Taking additional undergraduate classes can help you raise your AMCAS GPA for allopathic medical schools. For osteopathic medical schools, grade replacement is also an option (i.e. a second course grade, if higher, will replace an older grade which will be excluded from the AACOMAS GPA). These are all valid considerations.

With regards to applying to medical school, my suggestion is that you delay application so that you can strengthen your credentials. You can improve your statistics still, and you could feasibly be admitted to a U.S. medical school, including an allopathic school if you can raise your GPA and have a solid MCAT score. I think applying to the Caribbean is overkill for your situation, and I would only recommend the Caribbean in very rare instances. With a potential projected shortage of residency slots in the U.S., the Caribbean schools will likely be the first to take a hit. Also, the drop-out rates of many of these schools can be fairly high. In short, you don't want to end up with six figures worth of non-dischargeable student loan debt and end up without a degree.

So in summary: I would arrange a informal post bacc/second bachelor's program, retake any courses you did poorly in, and take additional upper division science classes to improve your grades. Apply to mid to low tier MD programs, and DO programs, and with a good MCAT score, I think you will be fine. Avoid the Caribbean like the plague. Good luck!