Will my 3.4GPA be overlooked considering...

[doubledownpremed]

Hi all,

Fifth year California UG here. Long story short, I completely lost focus during my first three years. By the end of year three, I had a 2.5 and multiple D's and an F. I've since gotten my act together- earned a 3.7 the last year and a half to bring my GPA to a 2.8. It's been a bit of a process relearning how to manage time and study effectively, but I'm steadily and actively improving. Most of these classes have been upper-divison biology classes.

It wasn't until last quarter when I was taking human physiology that I revived my interest in medicine. So now I'm doing all the GPA calculations... which is very depressing. It takes tremendous effort to move past the self-hatred that comes with screwing yourself over like this.

To fix my GPA as much as possible, I'm planning on totally maxing out on allowed units. This will take me two years and a quarter. If I maintain a 4.0 from here on out, I will have over 300 units and a 3.4 GPA. 7 years of undergrad.

Here's my question: will MD adcoms be willing to overlook my low GPA to a certain degree if I have a near-4.0 for the last four years of UG? To what degree? Most applicants to middle+ tier schools spend 4 years in UG and earn a GPA similar to what I plan on earning during the last 4 of mine. Will adcoms adopt this logic? Or am I stuck with having slim chances at even the lower tier schools? For the sake of this discussion, let's assume that I have a very competitive MCAT score.

Also, would a postbacc do anything for me at the end of those 7 years? I'm thinking it would be redundant since I will have already demonstrated sustained excellence.

I'm willing and even excited to double down and start on this path again, but I want to have realistic expectations.

Thanks for your time.

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[Goro]

There are MD schools that reward reinvention.

 

[Lannister]

If I maintain a 4.0 from here on out

let's assume that I have a very competitive MCAT score

I want to have realistic expectations.

These statements are contradictory. You've never gotten a 4.0 before, if I understand correctly? What makes you'll think you'll be able to get one for 4 semesters straight?

 

[libertyyne]

Hi all,

Fifth year California UG here. Long story short, I completely lost focus during my first three years. By the end of year three, I had a 2.5 and multiple D's and an F. I've since gotten my act together- earned a 3.7 the last year and a half to bring my GPA to a 2.8. It's been a bit of a process relearning how to manage time and study effectively, but I'm steadily and actively improving. Most of these classes have been upper-divison biology classes.

It wasn't until last quarter when I was taking human physiology that I revived my interest in medicine. So now I'm doing all the GPA calculations... which is very depressing. It takes tremendous effort to move past the self-hatred that comes with screwing yourself over like this.

To fix my GPA as much as possible, I'm planning on totally maxing out on allowed units. This will take me two years and a quarter. If I maintain a 4.0 from here on out, I will have over 300 units and a 3.4 GPA. 7 years of undergrad.

Here's my question: will MD adcoms be willing to overlook my low GPA to a certain degree if I have a near-4.0 for the last four years of UG? To what degree? Most applicants to middle+ tier schools spend 4 years in UG and earn a GPA similar to what I plan on earning during the last 4 of mine. Will adcoms adopt this logic? Or am I stuck with having slim chances at even the lower tier schools? For the sake of this discussion, let's assume that I have a very competitive MCAT score.

Also, would a postbacc do anything for me at the end of those 7 years? I'm thinking it would be redundant since I will have already demonstrated sustained excellence.

I'm willing and even excited to double down and start on this path again, but I want to have realistic expectations.

Thanks for your time.

1. Middle tier school matriculants usually do not have a 3.4 gpa, even state schools have high medians for gpa's.
2. Last few years of 4.0 in upper level courses would go a long way in showing medical schools that you are ready, and may give you a shot at 3.4
3. A very strong mcat can help you.
4. I would apply broadly afterwards and make sure to have the rest of your app in steller shape. Beggars cant be choosers, you may get some schools that like reinvention, some schools may write you off even with the reinvention. I would also apply DO just to be safe.
The chances are good if you can maintain 4.0 for four years and get a 90+percentile MCAT score. Both of those tasks are not very easy, otherwise everyone would do so. Good luck.

 

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

The answer to your question is highly dependent on some questions.

-Have you at some point proved that you are capable of handling a medical school curriculum?
-How can you guarantee that you won't "lose focus" in medical school?

 

[doubledownpremed]

Thanks for the input, everyone.

There are MD schools that reward reinvention.

That's great news. Do you know of any specific schools that are known for rewarding reinvention? Any of the CA ones?

These statements are contradictory. You've never gotten a 4.0 before, if I understand correctly? What makes you'll think you'll be able to get one for 4 semesters straight?

Don't know if you realize, but those lines are pulled way out of context. Regarding the competitive MCAT score, I deliberately said "for the sake of this discussion" to save people the trouble of giving longer responses to account for different MCAT scores. Given how competitively I rank amongst my classmates when I put in the work, me expecting a high MCAT is not unrealistic. For the realistic expectations line, I was referring what kind of admissions expectations I should have provided my GPA/MCAT expectations are met.

1. Middle tier school matriculants usually do not have a 3.4 gpa, even state schools have high medians for gpa's.
2. Last few years of 4.0 in upper level courses would go a long way in showing medical schools that you are ready, and may give you a shot at 3.4
3. A very strong mcat can help you.
4. I would apply broadly afterwards and make sure to have the rest of your app in steller shape. Beggars cant be choosers, you may get some schools that like reinvention, some schools may write you off even with the reinvention. I would also apply DO just to be safe.
The chances are good if you can maintain 4.0 for four years and get a 90+percentile MCAT score. Both of those tasks are not very easy, otherwise everyone would do so. Good luck.

Thanks for the reply. To clarify: I meant that I'll have a near-4.0 GPA for my last 4 years, which is what most middle+ tier med students get in their 4 years. Was referring to the possibility of me maintaining a near-4.0 for just as long as most matriculants.

The answer to your question is highly dependent on some questions.

-Have you at some point proved that you are capable of handling a medical school curriculum?
-How can you guarantee that you won't "lose focus" in medical school?

Thanks for pointing this out. I'll definitely need to consider it.

 

[Goro]

BU, UCSF, Vandy, Tulane, Albany, NYMC, all DO schools, Duke, Rosy F, Gtown, to name a few.

Just a caveat: words are easy, doing is harder.

That's great news. Do you know of any specific schools that are known for rewarding reinvention? Any of the CA ones?




Don't know if you realize, but those lines are pulled way out of context. Regarding the competitive MCAT score, I deliberately said "for the sake of this discussion" to save people the trouble of giving longer responses to account for different MCAT scores. Given how competitively I rank amongst my classmates when I put in the work, me expecting a high MCAT is not unrealistic. For the realistic expectations line, I was referring what kind of admissions expectations I should have provided my GPA/MCAT expectations are met.



Thanks for the reply. To clarify: I meant that I'll have a near-4.0 GPA for my last 4 years, which is what most middle+ tier med students get in their 4 years. Was referring to the possibility of me maintaining a near-4.0 for just as long as most matriculants.



Thanks for pointing this out. I'll definitely need to consider it.

 

[doubledownpremed]

BU, UCSF, Vandy, Tulane, Albany, NYMC, all DO schools, Duke, Rosy F, Gtown, to name a few.

Just a caveat: words are easy, doing is harder.

Wow, didn't expect to see such top-tier schools on there. Didn't expect to see any I'd recognize, in fact. If I may have a little more of your time, how did you come to know these as schools that reward reinvention? (edit: googling schools that reward reinvention- posts by you pop up heheh)

I agree with your caveat. I realize my tone almost suggests that I think maintaining a 4.0 and nailing the MCAT will be easy xD I'm just trying to get a sense of what to expect in a best case scenario. I already know that I have pretty much no chance with anything less.

 

[Doggeronie]

Hi all,

Fifth year California UG here. Long story short, I completely lost focus during my first three years. By the end of year three, I had a 2.5 and multiple D's and an F. I've since gotten my act together- earned a 3.7 the last year and a half to bring my GPA to a 2.8. It's been a bit of a process relearning how to manage time and study effectively, but I'm steadily and actively improving. Most of these classes have been upper-divison biology classes.

It wasn't until last quarter when I was taking human physiology that I revived my interest in medicine. So now I'm doing all the GPA calculations... which is very depressing. It takes tremendous effort to move past the self-hatred that comes with screwing yourself over like this.

To fix my GPA as much as possible, I'm planning on totally maxing out on allowed units. This will take me two years and a quarter. If I maintain a 4.0 from here on out, I will have over 300 units and a 3.4 GPA. 7 years of undergrad.

Here's my question: will MD adcoms be willing to overlook my low GPA to a certain degree if I have a near-4.0 for the last four years of UG? To what degree? Most applicants to middle+ tier schools spend 4 years in UG and earn a GPA similar to what I plan on earning during the last 4 of mine. Will adcoms adopt this logic? Or am I stuck with having slim chances at even the lower tier schools? For the sake of this discussion, let's assume that I have a very competitive MCAT score.

Also, would a postbacc do anything for me at the end of those 7 years? I'm thinking it would be redundant since I will have already demonstrated sustained excellence.

I'm willing and even excited to double down and start on this path again, but I want to have realistic expectations.

Thanks for your time.

I know a few people who have gotten in to great MD schools with ~3.4 cGPA but with 97%+ MCAT scores
@mimelim is an example and I know several others
Of course this is all hypothetical assuming you get that GPA

 

[precisiongraphic]

I know a few people who have gotten in to great MD schools with ~3.4 cGPA but with 97%+ MCAT scores
@mimelim is an example and I know several others
Of course this is all hypothetical assuming you get that GPA

Same here. The trick is to find a school that doesn't semi-automatically screen you out for low gpa while not giving you credit for a high 97%+ mcat. Some schools like the really high MCAT and will overlook a 3.4-3.5. Ohio State is possible. @The Knife & Gun Club has some experience with that too so search his history also @Whyamionhere @mehc012 and this thread https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/calling-those-with-high-mcat-low-gpa.1204293/page-2

P.S. I should add that you should base your applications on your total LizzyM score and skew toward basing application to higher ranked schools versus lower ranked.

 

[Goro]

Based upon reports by SDNers.

Wow, didn't expect to see such top-tier schools on there. Didn't expect to see any I'd recognize, in fact. If I may have a little more of your time, how did you come to know these as schools that reward reinvention? (edit: googling schools that reward reinvention- posts by you pop up heheh)

I agree with your caveat. I realize my tone almost suggests that I think maintaining a 4.0 and nailing the MCAT will be easy xD I'm just trying to get a sense of what to expect in a best case scenario. I already know that I have pretty much no chance with anything less.

 

[mehc012]

BU, UCSF, Vandy, Tulane, Albany, NYMC, all DO schools, Duke, Rosy F, Gtown, to name a few.

Just a caveat: words are easy, doing is harder.

Interestingly, I saw no love from any of the schools on this list. Well, BU is hardly a surprise since I had an alcohol IA on my app, too.

OP, not sure if this is helpful for you, but I graduated with a 3.1-3.2 and did an academic reinvention postbacc showing 25-30 credits of 4.0s over 1.5-2yrs while working more than fulltime alongside (to gain my clinical experience, since I didn't have any at the time) for an application gpa around the 3.3 mark. Nailed the MCAT, applied broadly (you can find my thread in the WAMC subforum if you're curious as to how I built my list), and pulled a lot of interviews, but only a couple of acceptances. Matriculated at a top 30 this year and am loving life. It's definitely possible, especially with a strong MCAT, but it takes work and the ability to demonstrate that you have changed whatever was making you unsuccessful in the past. A few schools even have discrete policies on reinvention (check out Wayne State's postbacc policy).

Good luck to you on your journey, and check out that WAMC thread when you're building your list...it served me pretty well, interview-wise.