improving gpa for medical school

[zehi]

what ways are there to improve my gpa if I want to apply for medical school in the future? I thought I could take open studies after I've finished my undergraduate and take some extra courses to improve my gpa but apparently open studies only allows you to be enrolled part-time and medical school only considers courses that you took while you were enrolled full-time. am I right? if that's the case and doing open studies is not an option then are there any other ways that I can improve my gpa? other than doing a masters degree.

[garceyues]

4 hours ago, zehi said:

what ways are there to improve my gpa if I want to apply for medical school in the future? I thought I could take open studies after I've finished my undergraduate and take some extra courses to improve my gpa but apparently open studies only allows you to be enrolled part-time and medical school only considers courses that you took while you were enrolled full-time. am I right? if that's the case and doing open studies is not an option then are there any other ways that I can improve my gpa? other than doing a masters degree.

The best way to bolster your GPA is to do another undergrad degree, although that’s obviously quite the commitment. The GPA from your masters degree will only count at certain schools (I believe the U of A accepts grad school grades) but the general sentiment seems to be that a masters degree usually isn't worth it for the sole purpose of boosting your GPA. Additionally, the GPA boost received from a masters is often quite small, so it may not be worth it depending on an applicant’s GPA. It is hard to make a recommendation for yourself specifically without a year by year breakdown of your GPA and course load however. 

[zehi]

1 hour ago, garceyues said:

The best way to bolster your GPA is to do another undergrad degree, although that’s obviously quite the commitment. The GPA from your masters degree will only count at certain schools (I believe the U of A accepts grad school grades) but the general sentiment seems to be that a masters degree usually isn't worth it for the sole purpose of boosting your GPA. Additionally, the GPA boost received from a masters is often quite small, so it may not be worth it depending on an applicant’s GPA. It is hard to make a recommendation for yourself specifically without a year by year breakdown of your GPA and course load however. 

will the courses that I've previously taken get credit so that I can finish it sooner?

 

[garceyues]

1 hour ago, zehi said:

will the courses that I've previously taken get credit so that I can finish it sooner?

 

Many after degrees are accelerated to my knowledge, so yes although it depends I'm sure. A nursing after degree is only 2 years at the U of A for example. You will have to look into this yourself for whichever after degree/second degree program you are looking into to know for sure.