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Originally posted by mterzi21Hello,
I am a 26 year old student who has just graduated with my BS and finished my Pre-Med prep. I graduated with an upper division GPA of 3.8 and a total GPA of 3.55. My question pertains to my second Organic Chemistry class that I took and received a C+ in the lecture and a B+ in the lab and passed the national ACS exam. I was wondering if I should re-take the course somewhere else in order to receive a better grade. I am nervous about Medical Schools seeing the C+ even though my GPA is adequate. How do they weigh these grades exactly? Do they look at individual course grades or do they just take into consideration GPAs? I would normally just take the course again, but the closest school that offers it is an hour commute. Is it worth it to take it again, or will they just look at my GPA’s, MCAT, and extra curriculars? Any info would be greatly appreciated. No one was replying to my separate post, so I decided to post here, Thanks for any help you can provide.Michael Terzi
Dear Terzi,
Thanks for your question. I don’t think there is any need to retake Orgo, unless you just want to do it for your own purposes. In terms of medical school admission, it shouldn’t matter since your first grade will be the one that counts. But this is just one minor piece of information among many others. So I suggest just moving on with the admission’s process. If you would like assistance crafting your application from one of our expert consultants, just give our office a call.
Best wishes,Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
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Originally posted by aynmarOkay, so I am a nontraditional student. A 31-year-old with rheumatoid arthritis. In a previous life I was a graphic designer (only an associates) but I did very well in my career and excelled. Once I was diagnosed with RA I took an interest in all things medical. Researched night and day on medicine, treatments, nutrition, you name it. I decided last year that I wanted to get into medicine. I first thought maybe nursing, but I am really thinking I am more passionate for treating the patient, not just following orders. I take an active role in my health and in my condition, and I really think that I could be a great doctor because of the empathy and knowledge I would have. I want to study internal medicine and rheumatology.
Anyways, well, so I am at my local university trying to scrounge up a Bachelors. I guess my best bet is Bio (pre-med) right now my GPA is only about 3.26, but I have a couple years of pre-reqs to go. To be honest, shooting for As in these upper level classes is hard. I am a family man with a young son. I do have the benefit of being free to study often.
Okay, so I guess my question is this. When it comes down to applying. Will my condition be viewed as a disability, that maybe they would think I would no be physically capable of being a doctor? I am only 31 right now and I am not physcially perfect, but my brain works fine! I might not always be able to life a 200-pound man onto a table, but I could treat, diagnose……I don’t know. I am a little nervous. Advice?
Dear Aynmar,
Thanks for your question. I think all you can do is to be the best student you can be, and get your GPA up to a 3.5 or so if you can over the next two years. Also, it would be helpful for you to get some volunteer or work experience in the health care setting, particularly with direct patient contact. Finally, talk to your faculty adviser, and those you come across in the health field, to get additional sound advice about what you should be doing. If you do all this you will know in a year or two whether medicine is a real possibility or not.
Best wishes,Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
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Originally posted by aynmarDr. Shelton,
I appreciate your advice on the GPA and volunteer work, and plan to work on both. The main part of my question is the issue of having rheumatoid arthritis. What factor will that play in the acceptance of medical school? Is that something that would be included on my statement, as that is who I am and how my interest in medicine has been born through, or is it something that will be considered a disability or hinderance and would possible be used to unofficially discriminate against me?
Just looking for some honest insight. Thank you.
Dear Aynmar,
Thanks for your follow up question. First of I think you have to assess realistically for yourself how your illness will affect your ability to commit to a life in medicine. If you are convinced you can do it, then my sense is to be candid about it in the application process–your illness is part of who you are and could make you a better doctor. There are plenty of medical students and physicians who deal with chronic illness.
Hope that helps.
Best,Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
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Originally posted by mthompsonHi!
I’m a junior at a private college currently finishing my 4 year nursing degree. I have volunteered throughout college at Children’s Hospital and other service groups. I have a GPA of 3.3 which I hope to bring up before graduating. I will take the MCAT in a couple months. I work as a scribe in the emergency department and basically follow around a physician, chart H&P’s and physical exams. I work about 30 hours a week. I had debated for a long time whether medical school was for me or not but over the past month I’ve decided that it’s something I’m extremely passionate about. I’m going to take the prerequisite classes over the next 2 quarters. I have had one semester of O-chem and chem, 1 semester of biology, 2 semesters of A&P, 1 semester of micro and 1 semester of statistics. I’m going to take the rest of the prerequisite classes at a community college because I won’t be able to schedule these with my regular nursing classes. Is my dream a long-shot or from an admissions stand point would I be taken seriously?Thanks is advance for the advice and if you think I would benefit from consulting services what all does that offer me?
Megan T.Dear Megan,
Thanks for your inquiry. There are always strategies to make one’s dreams come true. But why are you giving up on nursing? There are so many wonderful opportunities nowadays. That said, if you want to become a physician you probably should just complete your BS in nursing and then consider doing a post bac to complete your premed requirements–this would be a full time one or two year program. I think that would make more sense. Also it will help to continue to get some direct patient contact for you to confirm in your own mind that medicine is what you want to pursue. Let me know if you have further questions.
Best wishes,Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
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Originally posted by Woody314Hey, I am a dual major economics and biology at the University of Michigan. I didnt decide that I really wanted to do med school until this past summer (when i finally participated in some actual patient contact). Because of this, my GPA is only around a 3.4. I took the MCAT this past summer and got a 39. Now that i have committed myself to med school, my gpa this past semester was a 3.75, my highest ever and im expecting something similar this semester (my final semester). I did research over the summer and have a job lined up to be a nurse’s assistant (certified) during my year off. My question is will my low GPA exclude me from consideration for standard medical schools?
Thanks!
Andy W.Dear Andy,
Thanks for your question. Based on the information you provide, your chances sound pretty good for being competitive for medical school admission at many schools. Your grades are improving nicely and your MCAT is terrific.
Let us know if you need advice and support with the application process.
Best wishes,Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
AdmissionsConsultants
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Originally posted by bmxboy1123When I was a freshman (2.5 years ago) I was arrested and convicted of grand theft. I took a laptop that wasn’t mine and admitted everything to the police, thinking that honesty was the best thing to do. They used that in court and I was convicted.
About a year ago, I got the case expunged. I have a 3.8 GPA/Science GPA and a 36 on the MCAT. How much will the expunged misdemeanor affect me? Have you heard of any scenarios that are similar to mine?
Thank you for your help!
Dear Bmxboy1123,
Thanks for your question. This is a very difficult and sensitive matter to be very definitive about in this forum. In general, people often get second chances. I have heard similar stories, but no two are the same. If you would like a thorough analysis of your situation, please contact our office and schedule a one hour consultation.
Best,Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
AdmissionsConsultants
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Originally posted by composureAdmissions Oppurtunities
I am a fifth year senior at a large state institution. I am applying to medical school this summer with the following credentials:
(PLENTIFUL CREDITS)
Science gpa: 3.03
MCAT: 35Awards:
University Merit ScholarshipExtracurricular:
University Senator (2 years)
University Assembly (2 years)
Competitive Baseball throughout college (70 games a year not with collegiate team) (captain)
Shadowing two doctors throughout college
Alternative Breaks Site leader ( 1 year)
Alternative Breaks member (2 years)
Founded the most decorated Fraternity on Campus (as President)(went from 2 members – 50) (many accolades within first two years)
Leaders institution (2 years)
Founder of Summer volunteering (organization providing people from different colleges oppurtunity to volunteer around the country) (president)Now my gpa is so low because I was never sure what I wanted to do + family and health issues. Trend went from 3.0 – 3.4 – 3.9 for last three years.
I was hoping to get an understanding of my oppurtunities in applying to medical school. Would I get in, and if so what else should I be doing?
Any and all appreciation would be very much appreciated.
Dear Composure,
Thanks for contacting us. On the positive side you have a strong MCAT. However, your GPA is a bit low. It’s possible that your GPA will be a barrier, but your upward trend in GPA is a very good sign. Everything will depend on whether or not you’re viewed as an academic risk. I would suggest that you contact our office and sign up for a one hour consultation so we can look at your situation in detail.
Best,Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
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Originally posted by jmanc909I am finishing my last semester of college. My gpa right now is 3.20 but this should go up slightly after this semester. My gpa as a freshman and sophomore was around a 2.80 it took a lot of hard work to bring my gpa up to what it is now. Do medical schools look at marked improvements in gpa? I am already accepted to chiropractic school as a back up but my heart is set on med school. Is it even worth my time to take the MCAT?
Dear Jmanc909,
Thanks for your question. Sounds like you have made some good progress. To start with, listen to your words: “my heart is set on med school.” That says a lot and it probably means going to chiropractic school is not a good idea. It sounds like your GPA for the last two years has been at the 3.4 level, which is getting close to where you need to be to be competitive. The question is sustaining that level and higher over a longer period of time. You might want to consider doing a post bac program, which is for people who want to get their GPA’s up and apply to medical school. There are a number of good ones. If you want a more in depth analysis of your situation please contact our office and set up a one hour consultation.
Best wishes,Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885Join us on Facebook to receive a 5% discount on all services!
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