<p>I'm an undergrad at the University of Michigan. I'm a junior. I've always done really well in school, but i'm not doing well in college. It's a lot more competitive than I thought. I try my best but I'm not doing so great. I have improved though. But most of my science grades are C's. I have a C- and a D+ too. I have gotten some B's, but no A's. My overall GPA is only a 2.83. I have research experience and that is something that I really like and I am in a club or two and I volunteer. But my grades are not good enough for medical school. The thing that frustrates me is that I try really hard and I really want to be a doctor. I'm just not sure I'm capable. What can I do to get into medical school? I am willing to take more time if needed, but what can I do? I need to bring up my grades and it worries me that I'm already a second semester junior. I really don't have much time left in undergrad.</p>
<p>If I were you, I would stay an extra year or two and focus on bringing up my GPA, as well as do some quality research and have my name be put on some journal articles. As it stands, even a school like Ross University would have a hard time accepting you.</p>
<p>A fifth year is definitely an option i’m considering. I was thinking about getting a master’s and applying after that, but I think I’m going to have a hard time getting into a graduate school. Right now a 5th year sounds like my best option. When do you think I should take the MCAT? I’m signed up for a prep course and I’m considering taking it in May or June 2013, just so I have the option to apply on time in case I just want to try and reapply later if I don’t get in (which is really likely unfortunately). I’m not sure if I should just wait until I’m ready to apply and if the reapplying idea is a bad one.
What do you think would be a reasonable GPA and MCAT score for me to get into a medical school? I think the average GPA for students who get in is around a 3.5-3.7. I’ve heard a good MCAT score can balance out a slightly lower GPA. If I work hard, raise my GPA to around a 3.2 or a 3.3 (something which I feel could be attainable) and I do well on my MCAT do you still think I’d stand a chance?</p>
<p>A 3.3 and high MCAT should gain you admission to Ross. </p>
<p>If you want to go to a better medical school, you need to have some good recommendations and do some serious research. </p>
<p>The top medical schools are probably out of reach for you.</p>
<p>My friend Steve goes to Wayne State Medical school. He didn’t have a great undergraduate GPA. He applied to all the Florida schools, didn’t get in, then worked really hard in a post baccalaureate premedical program which had ties to several medical schools and got accepted to Wayne State. It doesn’t hurt to apply first, you might get in, but if not you still have plenty of opportunities to redeem yourself. Don’t give up.</p>
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