Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'lowgpa'.
Found 8 results
-
Hi everyone, So I'm finishing up my BBA with no science courses under my belt (I decided on medicine late in the game, during my 4th year). I really wasn't planning on applying to further schooling, much less switching to medicine so my grades weren't a huge priority to me and I didn't do so hot. My biggest concern is that with a low GPA, my application might not even get looked at, even if I do well on the MCAT and get some good extracurricular experience. My averages by year are: 1 - 3.76 2 - 3.28 3 - 3.42 4 - 3.09 5 - 3.95 (estimated) Cumulative: 3.50 Average of best two years: 3.86 I'm enrolled to complete some science classes part time at Western this fall so I can cast a wide net with schools. However, I'm thinking it might make sense to nix this plan and pursue another degree, full-time. I'm not sure if this should be a masters, undergrad, or some other type of schooling. I read somewhere on a post here that the only way to undo a bad undergrad GPA is with more undergrad. How much truth is there to this? I'm not opposed to doing another undergrad if I have to, I want to do this the right way and be a competitive applicant once I do get to the application stage. If I do decide to do a second undergrad (in a science-based field), does the 3/5 rule for Western still apply? Keep in mind I have 0 science pre-reqs. If the 3/5 rule applies, I'm not sure how I'm supposed to get my pre-reqs (cater to schools who require them) while also taking 60% upper year courses for Western. Where do I go from here? Graduate program? Second undergrad? None of the above? For reference, I'm from Ontario and looking to stay in Canada (ideally Ontario) for both the degree in question and med school. Thanks in advance! -
Hello everyone, I am currently a Master's student in a research-based program at UofT. This will be my first time applying to medical school (as well as a few MD/PhD programs), and I am hoping to hit most of the Ontario schools and McGill. I would love and appreciate some honest (but maybe hopeful) advice as an applicant for this upcoming cycle. I was born and raised in rural Ontario, but I went to do my undergraduate degree at UofCalgary, which in hindsight, has not benefitted me at all. Their grading system was awful (my already-low GPA drops a bit after OMSAS conversion I believe), and I do not meet the minimum statistics for their OOP applicant eligibility. What is holding me back is my low GPA. My cGPA (not converted to OMSAS) is: 3.434 and this is the yearly breakdown: 2.860, 3.464, 3.570, and 3.840. My MCAT is a 510: 128/126/128/128. I have taken full course loads each year, and I even over-loaded in my second year each semester. To be completely honest, undergrad was an extremely traumatic time for me. Especially in the first two years, I had a lot of family issues, personal issues, and issues with a supervisor that really lowered my self-esteem and put me into a deep and dark depression. My only instinct at that point in undergrad was not to think ahead and to pursue my goals like my peers, but just to survive. How do I get through this degree was something I was thinking every single day. I did not want to transfer closer to home because I felt like I was giving up, and I wanted to kick depression in the ass. Of course, I will write an AEE to explain these circumstances. My ECs are decently diverse. I have loads of research experience, attended conferences, won a few awards, leadership experience for long years (student-run committees, national-level committees, scholarship committees), volunteering experience (hospitals, etc. Most got cancelled with COVID-19 since I moved from Calgary), industry case competitions, scientific communications-related ECs (I'm a regular show host on a podcast, started a scicomm blog, on sci comm committees, a lot of outreach stuff), involved in athletics at my institution to name some general ones. I really wrestled with the idea that I wanted to pursue medicine. It was something I've always wanted to do and I can see myself doing, but I always told myself to stop dreaming about it because of my low GPA. I explored research, industry, other professions, but my heart always comes back to medicine. I want to be able to take this opportunity and make myself "competitive" as an applicant despite my low stats. I truly believe that I am doing well as a graduate student, but it definitely is upsetting that my future seems to be so reliant on some of my darkest years when i was 17-21. If anyone has any thoughts, advice, or comments, please let me know. I appreciate everything!! -
Long story short, I graduated with a bachelor in Engineering (Chemical) with a 2.76 cGPA and just finished a maters in Mathematics with a cGPA 3.7. After a series of incidents, I decided now to go for medical school. I'm deciding on whether to take non-degree pre med courses at some universities or go for a post bacc program for med school, or should I go for a second degree for a better GPA? I have research experience in math and bioengineering(worked under professors in school), no publications yet. Worked 2 years in a ophthalmologist office as a medical exam pretester(check patient vision, eye pressure, perform exams like OCT , visual Field , ..etc) during my undergraduate years. a lot other part times as cashier and sales associate during my undergraduate years too. What are my chances?
-
Hi everyone, I'm looking for a little advice on writing the MCAT. I have been toying around with writing the MCAT since the last cycle's results came out on May 12th. I am from Ontario and was on the waitlist for the only school I applied to last cycle (NOSM). A little background/stats: I am a non-traditional applicant. Degrees: HBSc (Chemistry), Bachelor of Education (concurrent), Master of Education (completed Nov 2019). GPA: cGPA 3.56, 2Y GPA for Queen's 3.67 ABS: Likely the strongest suit in my application. Lots of long term EC's. SSHRC in Master's, two conference presentations, work as a lecturer at my local college, work as a contract lecturer at a university, worked for the Ministry of Education, specializations in social justice and Indigenous education, regional lead for PPE campaign during COVID, President of various clubs, etc. etc. Lots here - more quality items than spaces. I have not written my MCAT, which is why I only applied to NOSM last cycle. My GPA does not meet cut offs for Ottawa so that was out of the question. Even if I were to write the MCAT, U of T and Western are off the table due to me not meeting course requirements or not meeting Western's two year GPA threshold. However, writing the MCAT would make me eligible to apply to Queen's and McMaster, in addition to NOSM. I am still on the fence about writing the MCAT because I'm not sure if it will be worth it! PS the MCAT is not offered where I live, so I am looking at a 6 hour drive each and a stay in a hotel in potentially COVID times to write...but if people think I have a chance, of course it would be worth it. First there's Mac, which doesn't look at my ABS (strongest part of application), but does CASPER which I think I would excel on. Mac also only cares about CARS, which in my diagnostic MCAT result was my best section (scored 125 without any practice or studying). Queen's on the other hand highly values ABS (from what I gather) but requires MCAT cutoffs that are unknown. I would be very interested in attending Queen's or Mac. My areas of strength are Chemistry and Critical Reasoning/Analysis for sure. The other kicker is that I would be aiming to write September 27 or 28th so I have a little under 3 months. I am also working during this time about 6 hours per day (could maybe reduce to a little lower than that). Financially, I can't not work this summer, but I don't know if I have enough time. I have three questions: 1) Is it worth it for Queen's and possibly a slim chance at Mac? Especially when I was on the NOSM waitlist this year and potentially have a good chance next cycle? 2) Does Queen's or Mac ever take Master's graduates with a GPA like mine? 3) Do I have enough time to adequately prepare? My Chem thesis was completed in 2015-2016, so I need refreshers for sure, even in Chem. Thank you for any advice you can give
-
Im doing biomedical sciences at York and I didn't do great during my first two years. Got a GPA of 2.7 in first year. Second year, first semester, I wasn't able to focus, sad all the time for no reason, i was lost and I withdrew from organic chemistry (also withdrew a course in first year), I'm doing bad in calculus (planning on dropping the course prior to the deadline and still attending classes so i can do better next time), I dropped two other courses; one by early september and the other by November. I plan on changing my second semester of 2nd year, i even looked at how to study effectively and i intend on working hard and doing well. Also, I have done extracurriculars, did coop in high school at a dental office, volunteered at my own school for events, at the recreation centre and at a senior's home for a few years and still am from time to time. (Does my volunteer experience need to include more clinical/hospital?) Overall, I would like to attend medical school (can be international as well) and I'm wondering if its still possible or should i do a master's degree in my program (offered at Guelph) which is only one year and apply?
-
My GPA's not stellar but my MCAT and ECs are decent. What would be my chances to get into med school in Ontario? I'm in Life Sciences at McMaster. Would taking a masters be a good idea? And if so, which degree should I be thinking about? First yr: 3.3 Second yr: 3.87 Third yr: 4.0 MCAT: 525 ECs: Hospital shadowing, exec position for Doctors without Borders, Global Medical Brigades, research, design reviewing for devices for patients with disabilities, multiple awards for social justice debates and research competitions Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!
-
Hello Everyone, I am in a predicament as of now. I am 27 at the moment and I am a Comp Science Engineer as my bachelors (2014) and a Masters in Information Systems (2015). My GPA in Bachelors is 7.3/10 and MS is 3.0/4.0 As of now I am working in the IT sector as a Data Engineer on contracts but my main goal is to become a Doctor ANYHOW. I am ready to do any hardwork required for the same. I don't have any of the prerequisites required for med school. Also my GPA's are low. Could you guys please chalk out a path for me to follow in regards of handling my GPA, pre reqs, MCAT, extra curriculars etc. Very thankful for your time Best, Anshul -
Hello, I know everyone must be tired of seeing these types of "what are my chances" posts but I could really use some advice. I am currently in my last year of my undergrad at UofC and eligible to graduate this spring. Unfortunately, med school has only become a dream of mine in the last year or so and my first two years GPA does not reflect this desire at all. Here is a breakdown: I have taken 5 courses each semester for my entire degree. GPA: 1st year: 2.73 2nd year: 3.02 3rd year: 3.61 4th year: 4.00 EC's Do pracitucms count for this? If so, I done extensive work in my community with local organizations working with individuals with disabilities. I have spent time at The Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured and done an internship at Emily follensbee (a school for children with multiple and complex learning needs). I have spent the last year working with the Government of Alberta creating and delivering a prevention presentation on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder that I have delivered to grade 8 and 11 classrooms as well as university classrooms. I have been lucky enough to have done a lot of traveling over the course of my degree (20 countries in three years), and I am in the process of planning a trip to Peru with a previous professor of mine to assist her with research as well as doing some volunteering. I have also been doing volunteering within the university and external organizations on my own time. I have been working one job for the past 4 years (just serving at a restaurant, so not very relevant). I do not have any publications at this point. My understanding is that UofC will use your three best years to count your GPA but even with dropping my first year that would leave me with a 3.54 which is not competitive. Any advice going forward? As I see it I have three options: 1. take a 5th or 6th year of my current degree 2. take a second undergrad 3. apply for grad school (although I feel like this would be the least useful) Any recommendations going forward would be very much appreciated!!! Thank you!
- 12 replies
-
- 1
-
-
- uofc
- medapplication
- (and 5 more)
