GPA-related questions

<p>I have a couple of questions. For starters, I just finished my junior year and a top 20 university, and am starting the application process now.</p>

<li><p>I got a C+ in Physics II this semester. This is the lowest grade I’ve ever gotten in college. My overall gpa is still decent, I think (3.71)? and my BCPM gpa is a 3.59, not great. I was wondering if schools look closely at individual grades when taking gpa into account. Obviously, it’s better to get 2 B’s both semesters than an A/C+. But is this one grade something that will be a huge negative, or will the rest of my gpa compensate for it?</p></li>
<li><p>Also, I’m starting to compile a list of med schools to apply to. I have plenty of dream schools (UChicago, Northwestern, Columbia, Emory, Brown…). But the thing is that if I don’t have even a reasonable shot at these schools, I don’t want to waste my time and energy sending off applications when I should be considering lower-tier schools. I’ve tried to ask my pre-health advisor and a med school dean about this , but I haven’t gotten a straight response, so I was hoping that yall would be able to give me some input. By the way, I have a 3.71 overall, 3.59 bcpm, great EC (including one 2nd author publication), abroad volunteer work, and I think pretty good LORs (at least one stellar one from my research PI).</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Any feedback would be much appreciated!</p>

<p>It's going to be hard to judge your chances without an MCAT score. With a great MCAT score, I think all five of those schools would be within reach. With a low MCAT score, probably not.</p>