What to do now?

[elxr06]

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I am wanting to apply for medical school. Yet, this is how I stand so far.

• I am majoring in biological sciences at UC Riverside
• I am going to be a junior (3rd yr) starting fall 2007.
• I have a current GPA of 2.786.
• I am volunteering at UC Irvine Medical Center (this summer, I will have accumulated at least 75 hrs before summer's over)
• I have not yet taken the MCAT's
• I will be doing Undergrad research this fall 2007 (w/ a prof. whose interests are in plant pathology)

What should I do now? Any suggestions? Any recommendations? Where should I consider applying?? All help is appreciated

By the way, I heard from somewhere that you need just 3.0+ GPA and good MCAT scores, but I also heard from somewhere else that you need 3.5+ GPA and good MCAT scores to get in. This is all regarding M.D. schools in the United States ... what's the latest?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[armybound]

damn that's a killer GPA

my suggestion is to work hard to get a good GPA and do well on the MCAT. your GPA will hinder you, and it may require post-bac work to get it up to an acceptable level. If you do really well on the MCAT (35+), however, you might be able to get away with a 3.0 or so.

you may also consider osteopathic schools.

the average nowadays is something like 3.5/30 for allopathic schools, but there's no set minimum or formula for acceptance.

 

[elxr06]

damn that's a killer GPA

I fixed the typographical error I made. 2.786 is my GPA

 

[JaggerPlate]

I fixed the typographical error I made. 2.786 is my GPA

Check out the Pre DO forums. Your stats will probably fall more into DO school ranges. Don't give up though, just keep working on getting your gpa up and preping for the mcat. If it's what you really want to do in life, you'll find a way to make it happen.

 

[ADeadLois]

I am wanting to apply for medical school. Yet, this is how I stand so far.

• I am majoring in biological sciences at UC Riverside
• I am going to be a junior (3rd yr) starting fall 2007.
• I have a current GPA of 2.786.
• I am volunteering at UC Irvine Medical Center (this summer, I will have accumulated at least 75 hrs before summer's over)
• I have not yet taken the MCAT's

What should I do now? Any suggestions? Any recommendations? Where should I consider applying?? All help is appreciated

By the way, I heard from somewhere that you need just 3.0+ GPA and good MCAT scores, but I also heard from somewhere else that you need 3.5+ GPA and good MCAT scores to get in. This is all regarding M.D. schools in the United States ... what's the latest?

Thanks,
Mike

Your GPA will be prohibitive, although you do have 2 years to bring it up. Whoever told you need just a 3.0+ and good MCATS doesn't know what they're talking about.

 

[elxr06]

Your GPA will be prohibitive, although you do have 2 years to bring it up. Whoever told you need just a 3.0+ and good MCATS doesn't know what they're talking about.

ok, what GPA am I gonna aim for? I haven't checked, but in my mind, I think about 3.5 might be longshot, but getting closer to 3.2 or 3.3 or maybe even 3.4 might be something to consider.

Then again, i'd have to study my butt off for a killer MCAT score that will overshadow the GPA's. And I am doing Undergrad research this coming fall quarter, with a prof who's into plant pathology.


Is now the time to study MCAT's? Is this online resource comprehensive enough, or you suggest trying other things as well? http://www.prep101.com/mcat/study_aids.html

 

[JRockdown]

Focus on getting your GPA raised and raising it in the BCMP classes. I think your overall can be a little lower than average (ie around 3.2 +/- if your science is STRONG.) What does this mean: you should probably get at least a 3.6 or more this next year to guarantee a GPA above 3.0. Possibly even throw in some summer classes to up the ante.

This will be difficult because while doing all this you will need to compensate for the low GPA by getting a very good MCAT. Never enough time in a day. If you are going to be in the low 3 range you should probably have somewhere around a 32 or up to best your MD chances. Lower GPA than that and you are going to have to blow away the bugger for a shot.

Anyway, those are my opinions on numbers, it will be a battle. Best of luck to you.

PS - This above is assuming you apply after Junior year. You have more landscape and can up the GPA if you apply for a one year lag (ie after senior year.) Can get the GPA up to 3.4 or so if you 4.0 the rest of them.

 

[ADeadLois]

ok, what GPA am I gonna aim for? I haven't checked, but in my mind, I think about 3.5 might be longshot, but getting closer to 3.2 or 3.3 or maybe even 3.4 might be something to consider.

Then again, i'd have to study my butt off for a killer MCAT score that will overshadow the GPA's. And I am doing Undergrad research this coming fall quarter, with a prof who's into plant pathology.


Is now the time to study MCAT's? Is this online resource comprehensive enough, or you suggest trying other things as well? http://www.prep101.com/mcat/study_aids.html

An MCAT score will not overshadow GPA. Although some schools do you use formulae that combines them, don't think that a 35+ will make people ignore your GPA.

Aim to get the best GPA you can get. If you set a specific GPA, then you'll only be unhappy if you don't get it, or be worried that it's not high enough if you do.

The key to MCAT preparation is taking practice tests. 3-6 months is standard prep time. I would suggest taking practice tests early in that process and all throughout the time you study.

 

[amartinezz43]

bring up that gpa and get a solid mcat

 

[crazydiamond]

By the way, I heard from somewhere that you need just 3.0+ GPA and good MCAT scores, but I also heard from somewhere else that you need 3.5+ GPA and good MCAT scores to get in.

Many schools have a 3.0 cutoff. If you don't have that 3.0, they won't even consider you no matter how excellent your MCAT scores are.

On the other hand, having around a 3.5 will make you competitive so you have more of a chance. But certainly a 3.5 isn't required and many people have gotten in with GPAs below that. It still has to be above 3.0, though.

So yes, just as everyone has said, you need to focus on your grades. To be perfectly honest, getting your GPA above a 3.0 is more important that the research you're planning on. I'd personally put aside the research and work that GPA. Since you're already two years in (60 credits or so?), you're going to need to get quite a few A's to raise that GPA above 3. And what's the point of research if you don't make the minimum cutoff?

 

[ryandote]

...
Many schools have a 3.5 cutoff. If you don't have that 3.5, they won't even consider you no matter how excellent your MCAT scores are.
...

Fixed.

Maybe not perfectly accurate, but becoming closer and closer every year. Seriously? You have a LONG uphill climb from a 2.8 GPA, including some SERIOUS mending of study habits. MCAT, too. A portion of your MCAT score can make up for your GPA, but even a 45/2.8 is not that impressive- is says you won't or can't apply yourself over the long term.

That said, it is not impossible! You have two years of undergrad left, possibly a post-bac, the MCAT, and some serious clinical experience to obtain. You better get cracking.

Also, I know your original post said that you were speaking USMD-wise, but that may not be realistic if you continue down the course you've charted. Do some research into DO or Carribean-MD.

Best of Luck!

 

[SketchLazy]

I am wanting to apply for medical school. Yet, this is how I stand so far.

• I am majoring in biological sciences at UC Riverside
• I am going to be a junior (3rd yr) starting fall 2007.
• I have a current GPA of 2.786.
• I am volunteering at UC Irvine Medical Center (this summer, I will have accumulated at least 75 hrs before summer's over)
• I have not yet taken the MCAT's
• I will be doing Undergrad research this fall 2007 (w/ a prof. whose interests are in plant pathology)

What should I do now? Any suggestions? Any recommendations? Where should I consider applying?? All help is appreciated

By the way, I heard from somewhere that you need just 3.0+ GPA and good MCAT scores, but I also heard from somewhere else that you need 3.5+ GPA and good MCAT scores to get in. This is all regarding M.D. schools in the United States ... what's the latest?

Thanks,
Mike

The most important thing is to get that GPA up. It needs to be around a 3.5 to give you a good chance, so if it's still possible to get a 3.5, shoot for it. Most schools will recognize an upward trend so you have to work hard to bring that up. Secondly, study hard for the MCAT and get a score above 30 to compensate for the GPA. Check out the MCAT 30+ study tips in the other thread and follow them religiously. It's still relatively early for you so rack up meaningful ECs that will give you a strong grasp of the medical profession. Finally, when it comes time to apply, consider the Thomas Haider program at UCR.

http://biomed.ucr.edu/content/view/76/108/

It recently changed so that anyone from UCR from any major can apply and as long as you have the necessary pre-reqs to apply to UCLA, you can apply to the Thomas Haider program because they have the same pre-reqs. It's not a BS/MD program anymore. You will be competing against a tiny applicant pool compared to the usual fair that applies to any medical school so your chances will be a lot better. The plus side is that your reaping all the benefits of an education from UCLA, but you don't have to compete against the thousands of applicants that usually apply to David Geffen. Besides that apply broadly to schools that fit your averages and apply early. It will be an uphill battle with your GPA, but if you really want medicine, fight for it tooth and nail.

 

[Dzeteo]

I would say to you to continue to do your ECs, like research. But with that GPA, you need at very solid MCAT and stellar ECs, along with some very good LORs.
I have posted it before, I'll post it again: I know personally of a pre-med student that was accepted to TOP TIER schools with a GPA of 2.8 and 30Q, with some incredible ECs. These were research, volunteer work and work in Africa. Plus LORs from MDs, and PhDs he worked with and knew well.
If you can successfully pull off doing your research work, regular school and studying for the MCAT, then I know you can do medical school. If you can't do these, then your GPA might be accurate in showing you are too risky to accept.
If you really want this, you will work hard for it, and make sacrifice where it counts. You have to PROVE to a committee that you will succeed in their program. Do this by showing a continual upwards trend in GPA, while at the same time doing some worthy volunteer work in what you like and the research work you are planning on doing now.
Hope is NOT lost in your case.

 

[elxr06]

I would say to you to continue to do your ECs, like research. But with that GPA, you need at very solid MCAT and stellar ECs, along with some very good LORs.
I have posted it before, I'll post it again: I know personally of a pre-med student that was accepted to TOP TIER schools with a GPA of 2.8 and 30Q, with some incredible ECs. These were research, volunteer work and work in Africa. Plus LORs from MDs, and PhDs he worked with and knew well.
If you can successfully pull off doing your research work, regular school and studying for the MCAT, then I know you can do medical school. If you can't do these, then your GPA might be accurate in showing you are too risky to accept.
If you really want this, you will work hard for it, and make sacrifice where it counts. You have to PROVE to a committee that you will succeed in their program. Do this by showing a continual upwards trend in GPA, while at the same time doing some worthy volunteer work in what you like and the research work you are planning on doing now.
Hope is NOT lost in your case.

Wow, I wonder what the names schools that pre-med student you mentioned applied to were ... but that makes me feel a lot better that my stats are not the end of the world! 😀

 

[CardiacIntensivist]

That GPA is going to be tough to bring up.

My school has a GPA calculator that might help you.

http://harpur-advising.binghamton.edu/current/gpa.html