Should I even apply? (Low undergrad GPA but high masters achievements)

[NeuroNerd93]

Hello!

I am just about finished my masters in neuroscience! I used to want to do a phD in neuroscience but the more I am in the research world the more I am longing for medicine, specifically neurology. 

I'm wondering if I should even bother applying to med school though. My GPA in undergrad isn't good (2.9/4) - but I've since matured and I have a 3.9/4 GPA in my masters, 4 first-author publications, 1 book publication, 12 academic awards, 2 scholarships, over 10 media interviews (knowledge dissemination), and 15 oral and poster presentations. I know I will have great reference letters too. I think I could do well on the MCAT now that I'm older.. but my fear is that my undergrad GPA will cancel out all the accomplishments in my masters and I won't stand a chance. I know UofT values graduate applications if you showed success in your program - but again, the 2.9 GPA is probably a deal-breaker. Are there any other Canadian universities that don't focus so much on undergraduate GPAs?

What are your thoughts? 

[Meridian]

Unfortunately all schools use undergrad GPA as a interview requirement with fairly high thresholds.   A 2.9 GPA does not cut it.  Masters GPA does not do too much.

U of T does have a weighted wGPA where you get to drop 4 full credits from GPA calc if you were full time all 4 years.   Re-calc your GPA and you would be above 3.0 which is the minimum threshold for a graduate student.  You definitely have research productivity.  If you have corresponding EC's and can get +125 on each section of MCAT you could apply to U of T this fall.    

 

[goleafsgochris]

You need a second undergrad.  Look at the stats of the average admitted students, and how much undergrad GPA is weighted vs all other factors.  Research productivity can help marginally, grad GPA will not help in any way.  Regardless, none will come close to overcoming that GPA...you need a 2nd undergrad to have a chance, full stop.

[unduhkuvahbruddah]

If your two best years are each over 3.7, you could still have a chance for Western (so if you just happened to do super bad in two of the other years). Or potentially if you had one year of 3.7 you could do a "special year" for Western to get over 3.7 which would just be one extra undergrad year.

[VigoVirgo]

On 3/28/2019 at 8:35 PM, NeuroNerd93 said:

Hello!

I am just about finished my masters in neuroscience! I used to want to do a phD in neuroscience but the more I am in the research world the more I am longing for medicine, specifically neurology. 

I'm wondering if I should even bother applying to med school though. My GPA in undergrad isn't good (2.9/4) - but I've since matured and I have a 3.9/4 GPA in my masters, 4 first-author publications, 1 book publication, 12 academic awards, 2 scholarships, over 10 media interviews (knowledge dissemination), and 15 oral and poster presentations. I know I will have great reference letters too. I think I could do well on the MCAT now that I'm older.. but my fear is that my undergrad GPA will cancel out all the accomplishments in my masters and I won't stand a chance. I know UofT values graduate applications if you showed success in your program - but again, the 2.9 GPA is probably a deal-breaker. Are there any other Canadian universities that don't focus so much on undergraduate GPAs?

What are your thoughts? 

I think the only way for you to go to medical school is either doing a second undergrad and apply to as many MD and DO programs in Canada and the USA (my personal suggestion) or going to an international program. A 2.9 undergrad will even disqualify you from certain international schools though. Some are more competitive than others. 

[NeuroNerd93]

8 minutes ago, VigoVirgo said:

I think the only way for you to go to medical school is either doing a second undergrad and apply to as many MD and DO programs in Canada and the USA (my personal suggestion) or going to an international program. A 2.9 undergrad will even disqualify you from certain international schools though. Some are more competitive than others. 

Thanks so much for your response! My B.Sc is in neuroscience but I noticed I fulfill the requirements for a B.A in psychology as well. My GPA in my B.Sc is low (2.8..) but in the B.A it's a 3.8. The university I'm at requires you to take an additional 10 courses outside of your original degree to claim the new degree. Therefore, I'd have one degree with a hopefully 3.7/3.8 GPA granted the new courses don't change much. Do you think I could get into UofT with this second undergrad? Or any other med school in Canada? What are the requirements like for a second undergrad?

[VigoVirgo]

19 minutes ago, NeuroNerd93 said:

Thanks so much for your response! My B.Sc is in neuroscience but I noticed I fulfill the requirements for a B.A in psychology as well. My GPA in my B.Sc is low (2.8..) but in the B.A it's a 3.8. The university I'm at requires you to take an additional 10 courses outside of your original degree to claim the new degree. Therefore, I'd have one degree with a hopefully 3.7/3.8 GPA granted the new courses don't change much. Do you think I could get into UofT with this second undergrad? Or any other med school in Canada? What are the requirements like for a second undergrad?

That would be a good place to start then for sure. I'm honestly not too sure about the answers to your questions though. Never have done a second undergrad personally but I think some programs will evaluate your GPA using both of your undergrad degrees, and McMaster will for sure give your application a 1% bonus because of the masters degree.