Chances of getting into medical school and options available with low GPA

Subj: What are my chances of getting in Medical School
Date: 8/4/99 4:46:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Hi Alex:

I really liked your web page. Congratulation with getting in Medical School. I have recently graduated with B.S. in Biochemistry. My undergraduate gpa is 3.0 . I am willing to retake or take some more science classes to improve my gpa. Mcat score i attained 35. My gpa suffered because i took a lot of upper science classes in my last year(18 and 21 hours). I also worked on my Senior Honors Thesis and worked full time. I was wandering if you can let me know do i have a realistic chance of getting in Medical School.

I am 28 years old. I came to this country five years ago. I was a Medical Student in my native country for three years where my education was stopped because of war. I wander what i need to do to get in. I ardently desire to complete my Medical degree.

Despite your low GPA, you obviously know your stuff since you got 35 on your MCAT. I have done Honors Thesis myself, and I am very aware of the effort it takes to do it.

Your 3.0 GPA is your Achilles foot. Despite your otherwise strong candidacy, I think you will have trouble getting in with this GPA, especially if do not live in one of the few states that accept most of its applicants. Realistically, I do not know.

But given your persistence and desire, I think you should have decent chances of getting in if you raise your GPA. As I understand your 3.0 GPA is a result of taking upper level science classes in your last year. If this is entirely so then I do not think it is necessarily the best choice to retake those classes.

It all depends on the grading policies of the school you attended. If retaking them will replace the current (bad) grades, then most definitely it is the thing to do. Otherwise you may want to just take more classes--just don't rush or overburden yourself: it is better to get good grades, especially in your situation. As one of my professors kept repeating: "Haste makes waste." If you're going to take more classes, as opposed to retaking the classes you already took, it might make sense for you to get Masters as well--so that it look like you're taking the classes with some purpose in mind.

I think that once you get to the application stage, it would be great if it were possible for you to get a recommendation from your medical school professors back home. I think that doctors have respect for each other that transcends the political borders. Most definitely, you should try to apply to as many schools as you can afford, but choose where you apply since some schools accept only in-state residents, etc. You may also want to consider applying to DO schools--which tend to admit people with lower GPAs, as an insurance.

Finally, when you write your Personal Statement, make sure you do a superb job. I think it would certainly help to mention your circumstances, desire, persistence, and dedication, and the fact that you have been training to be a doctor but your education was interrupted by war.

Well, there is not much more I can say. I wish you best of luck, and as a friend of mine said: See you at an AMA meeting.

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