Do I have any chance at medical school? So, I’m currently going to a top 10 undergrad school and my freshman year has just been dismal in terms of gpa. My first semester saw a B+ in Sociology, a B in Chem 1 and chem Lab, and, heres the kicker, a C+ in Calc… This semester’s grades haven’t come out yet but I’m on track for the following: a B+ - A- in Biology, a B+ - A- in a classics class, and heres the second kicker, a D- to a C- in Statistics. I know both of these classes were stem classes, I know about the massive hole I’ve dug myself in, but I know I can bring my grades back up, I even believe I can get a 4.0 from here out, I willing to make the changes and the sacrifices necessary to make that a reality. If I were to do that, a grade calculator for my school puts my gpa at the end of senior year at a 3.809. My GPA freshman year will likely fall between a 2.8 and a 3.0 now. Do I have any chance? what do I have to do to change my situation, I’m willing to make any of the necessary adaptations because I just don’t want my dream shattered over one bad year transitioning into college from high school.
Yes, you do still have a chance. Med schools calculate GPAs mainly in two important ways. One, a cumulative GPA (cGPA) for all college courses taken (even if taken in hs). Besides a total cGPA, a cGPA is also calculated for each year. Two, a total science GPA (sGPA) for all science (bio, chem, physics, math, or BCPM)) courses taken. A sGPA is also calculated for each year. One’s sGPAs are considered to carry more weight. Any grade below a C in a premed reqs is required to be retaken and both the original and retake grades get calculated into your GPAs. Because of the way GPAs get reported (cumulative and yearly), it’s very easy to spot upward (or downward) trends. Med schools like upward trends. 3.7 GPAs are a target for MD schools, (3.5 for DO schools).
Also understand that the med school application process takes a year meaning if you’re thinking you want to start med school after you graduate in 4 years, you would have to submit a competitive app in summer after junior year. A competitive app includes not only competitive GPAs, MCAT, but also evidence of traits med schools believe MDs should possess (eg altruism, compassion, leadership, communication skills, etc) This evidence can be found in one’s ECs, LoRs, PS, secondary essays, then if offered, an interview. It’s not just about stats.
Since you’re in a T10 school, I have to assume you’re a bright person. It’s best to submit a strong competitive application in all respects one time. Besides doing what it takes to get your grades up (eg tutoring), you may want to consider waiting until you graduate, then apply, meaning a gap year. It would not only help take some pressure off, give you more time to strengthen GPAs, prep/take MCAT, develop softer aspects showing above important traits, but also have a college life.
Although it’s been 10 years since S got into med school, arguably at a time when things were perhaps only less competitive, unlike what appears to be the more current hyper crazy environment, S started in a hole with GPAs below 3.2 for his first year. He spent the next 3 years doing what he needed to do (eg grade repair). He also was able to have a great college experience. Good luck.
What makes you think you can get a 4.0 GPA from here on out taking upper level courses.
I mean I guess it comes down to the idea of necessity, if I don’t do it, my GPA will simply become so irrecoverable that I don’t apply to medical school anyway, so either I do it, or I don’t apply. If it doesn’t happen, that’s a whole different story, and I’d probably just take my life in a wholly different direction at that point. Like I said, and I’m sure several people have said this before, but I’m willing to make the necessary sacrifices to make something that insane happen.
Like I knew from last semester that I had to take a gap year if I wanted any chance, but now I’m not even sure having a theoretical 4.0 from here on out would be enough to recover from a D- or god forbid an F. even if I retook the class and got an A, I just don’t know how realistic getting into Med is. Every time I go on these pages it’s nice that almost everyone is supportive, but is all this support in spite of awful circumstances realistic? Like at what point should a person realistically just not even bother applying to medical school?
It can be if you really do manage to turn it around. Adcomms look at grade trends as well overall GPAs and sGPAs. A consistent, strong upward GPA trend will garner a lot of forgiveness for weak freshman grades. (BTW, one D or F all by itself is not enough to keep a person out of med school.)
If either of the following happens, you should probably reconsider you career plans–
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your next semester BCPM grades aren’t all B+ or above (for MD programs) or B or above (for DO programs)
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your retake for statistics isn’t in the A/A- range (for MD) or B+ or above (for DO)
Adcomms are not looking for perfect students without any academic blemishes; they’re looking for people who will make good doctors.
YES!!! I had a dismal freshman year, grade wise, at an Ivy. Then I realized that I had best study what I loved, so that I could do well in it. I switched majors, studied what I loved in a field completely unrelated to science, and did very well. I traveled afterwards, worked a bit, then decided to finish the premed courses after having gotten my BA. Studied for, and did very well on the MCATS. Had no trouble getting into every mid-level med school I applied to.