Will MS from Grad help?

[Davisite201491]

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Hello,

I just graduated from UC Davis with a 3.16 in NPB (Neurobiology, Physiology, Behavior). I know that GPA is pretty low for both MD and DO schools. I have ~200 hours of clinical volunteering experience at UC Davis hospital, and no research experience so far. I have not taken any standardized tests (GRE or MCAT). I am a little short on the prerequisites - I have everything except a full year of OChem. I only have two quarters of OChem, only one of them with lab.

Would enrolling in an MS program (to get some research and connections to professors as well as a hopefully solid GPA in grad) while also taking undergrad courses (a full year of Ochem along with additional science courses) as a grad student help my chances at getting into med school (MD or DO)?

 

[Catalystik]

Hello,

I just graduated from UC Davis with a 3.16 in NPB (Neurobiology, Physiology, Behavior). I know that GPA is pretty low for both MD and DO schools. I have ~200 hours of clinical volunteering experience at UC Davis hospital, and no research experience so far. I have not taken any standardized tests (GRE or MCAT). I am a little short on the prerequisites - I have everything except a full year of OChem. I only have two quarters of OChem, only one of them with lab.

Would enrolling in an MS program (to get some research and connections to professors as well as a hopefully solid GPA in grad) while also taking undergrad courses (a full year of Ochem along with additional science courses) as a grad student help my chances at getting into med school (MD or DO)?

As traditional masters coursework is widely assumed to be subject to considerable grade inflation, you'd be better off engaging in postbac undergrad classes, either a formal program or a do-it-yourselfer, or an SMP (Special Masters Program, which is basically an expensive med school audition, but takes less time if you're done with prerequisites and have a competitive MCAT score), or both. Alternatively, you can retake your lowest grades and qualify for (AACOMAS) DO grade replacement (for the same or greater credits, need not be at the same school) for the fastest improvement in undergrad GPA.

 

[ProudMD]

The common view on this forum is that graduate school GPA really isn't favored much in the admissions process.

The best method to fix a low undergrad GPA is through either a SMP or a post-bacc. Your undergraduate GPA is the most important aspect when it comes to GPAs, so you want to take undergraduate-level courses and perform well.

What is your science GPA? Because you still have some prerequisites left to take, I would recommend taking many additional science courses (including missing prereqs) through either a formal or informal post-bacc program.

A MS program will do little to help you if your ultimate goal is to get into medical school.