What to do

[SHINYBRAIN]

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Hi everyone,
Here's my situation:
undergraduate gpa- 2.7
postbac gpa- 3.0

I will be applying during August 2012
have not taken mcat yet.

I am looking for opportunities for next year.
In case I don't get accepted in this cycle, I want to do something to improve my application for next year.

I was thinking of doing a MPH for a year but not sure if I will get into anywhere with such low gpa, and have not taken GRE yet. Do you guys know of any 1 year MPH program?
I was also thinking of applying to special masters progam at temple, george washington..but not sure if thats a good decision. please let me know your thoughts.

 

[Total180]

MPH programs are generally not very helpful in terms of enhancing a medical school app. It might help slightly more for DO schools, but not much. Why is your post-bacc gpa so low? I honestly don't think you have a shot this next cycle. A post bacc (especially after an undergrad performance of 2.7) is supposed to demonstrate to adcoms that you will be able to handle the science heavy curriculum of the first two years of medical school. A 3.0 isn't going to do much to reassure them. Instead of looking for an MPH program, I would start retaking (and make sure you get A's) in any classes you got a C or lower in, so you can raise your gpa.

 

[ksmajmudar]

Hi everyone,
Here's my situation:
undergraduate gpa- 2.7
postbac gpa- 3.0

I will be applying during August 2012
have not taken mcat yet.

I am looking for opportunities for next year.
In case I don't get accepted in this cycle, I want to do something to improve my application for next year.

I was thinking of doing a MPH for a year but not sure if I will get into anywhere with such low gpa, and have not taken GRE yet. Do you guys know of any 1 year MPH program?
I was also thinking of applying to special masters progam at temple, george washington..but not sure if thats a good decision. please let me know your thoughts.

Some basic questions need to be answered before any advice can be given here. Did you really try your hardest at your post-bacc GPA? It should be at least a 3.5, if not higher. The purpose of a post-bacc is to prove to adcoms that you are capable of handling upper-level science classes, and that your earlier transcript was just a fluke or lack of maturity. Getting a 3.0 does not send a strong message of growth or capability, as rude as that may sound. That doesn't mean you are not capable - but you must ask yourself first and foremost what is responsible for the lackluster post-bacc GPA.

If you did try your hardest and feel your grades reflect you, my recommendation would be to consider an alternate career. If you didn't try your hardest (or there were extenuating circumstances that caused the weak GPA), reassess your situation and fix your GPA. I would strongly advise against applying this cycle, but that's just me.

Cheers, and good luck.

 

[beckhunter116]

I have to agree with the other posters on this...really think about why your post bacc is only a 3.0? And then retake classes and get an A in everything and be prepared to blow the MCAT out of the water, 28+.

If you decide to look into SMP programs, you'll have to apply more broadly, as competition among those programs is still pretty high I believe. Good luck!

 

[Iliketoytles]

The above posters are correct... you have to assess what happened. As for the MPH idea... I don't think it's your best option, so I'd put that at the bottom of the list.

Assuming your GPA is unrepairable even if you retook lots of classes, you should definitely look into SMPs. As beckhunter mentioned though... competition may be high for these, but it's your best shot. That, and doing very well on your MCAT.

Good luck!