Need advice

[AndyDude]

OK guys I know some of you might get little annoyed by this post but I assure you that I did a search about the forum but couldn't find much help.

 

OK, 4th year student current GPA about 3.2-3.3

 

I have been thinking of 3 options available:

1) Do grad school, apply then

2) Carribean schools

3) Do another second undergraduate degree

 

Now my dilemma is I am well aware that doing master's for med school admission only is futile. I am thinking of doing a second undergraduate degree but provided my MCAT, EC, references are competitive how much do my current undergrad GPA hold me back (hypothetically say, second undergrad GPA over 2 years ~ 3.8)

[Kyleh]

What is your GPA breakdown per year?

[webshy]

OK, 4th year student current GPA about 3.2-3.3

 

I am thinking of doing a second undergraduate degree but provided my MCAT, EC, references are competitive how much do my current undergrad GPA hold me back (hypothetically say, second undergrad GPA over 2 years ~ 3.8)

 

It depends on the school. There are schools that will count every course you've ever taken. At those schools, it is unlikely that two more years of undergrad will help you significantly. However, there are schools that only look at 2 years (Dal, Queen's, Western, Saskatchewan). At those schools, you could potentially be very competitive (with no effect from your first degree). There are other schools where your most recent years are weighted heavier (eg: Ottawa, NOSM - there may be others, but I'm not sure). Depending upon the break-down of your current degree, you may still stand a chance there as well.

 

Overall, some doors are closed due to a lower initial undergrad GPA. However, the good news is that each school calculates GPA in a different way. Thus, there are some schools where you are still eligible.

 

Best wishes to you!

Elaine

[KennethToronto]

It depends on the school. There are schools that will count every course you've ever taken. At those schools, it is unlikely that two more years of undergrad will help you significantly. However, there are schools that only look at 2 years (Dal, Queen's, Western, Saskatchewan). At those schools, you could potentially be very competitive (with no effect from your first degree). There are other schools where your most recent years are weighted heavier (eg: Ottawa, NOSM - there may be others, but I'm not sure). Depending upon the break-down of your current degree, you may still stand a chance there as well.

 

Overall, some doors are closed due to a lower initial undergrad GPA. However, the good news is that each school calculates GPA in a different way. Thus, there are some schools where you are still eligible.

 

Best wishes to you!

Elaine

 

Given the cost of going to a Caribbean school is similar to US, I'd consider that route first.

[vip_138]

#3, if you think you'll do well and as elaine said, plan on applying to those schools that look at last 2 or 3 years. grad school isn't gonna fix your gpa and doesn't really give you a lot of bonus except for a few schools where your ugrad gpa is too low to be competitive. if you don't think you can do well on the mcat/2nd ugrad carribean is probably the next thing to consider. If you do well on the mcat, you probably have a shot in the US.

[AndyDude]

My GPA is:

 

1st year 3.65

2nd 3.60

3rd 2.80 (lost a functioning organ, had surgeries, blah blah, so yea it sucks)

4th 3 and awaiting

 

Cheers,

AndyDude

[AndyDude]

I choose #1 for me... but I'm not you and you're not me

 

aranndil, I read somewhere that you're pursuing a second undergrad, given your situation why would you recommend grad school since it clearly isn't the best option as compare to a new undergrad if med is something you really wanna do.

[epigal]

Hey there,

as a current grad applicant, I thought I'd give my two cents.

 

I would recommend doing a second undergrad degree. UofT is probably the only school that doing a graduate degree will help in your situation.

UOttawa and Mac both consider graduate degrees; however, from what I understand, the bonus that you are given for having a grad degree won't really help you gain admission with such a low GPA.

 

If you meet the Queens MCAT requirements, a graduate degree will help you get an interview if you do not meet their GPA requirements, but show a rising trend in your marks (along with other things, I think). [but your GPA breakdown doesn't show a rising trend]

 

Do you think you will have a 3.7 GPA this year? If you will, consider doing a special year. If you have over a 3.7 in your last 2 years, you are competitive at Western.

[AndyDude]

Can someone please clarify whether the intensity of the undergraduate program plays part in selection factors for interviews? I am finishing up my undergrad in Biochemistry and Molecular Bio and am thinking of doing a 2nd undergrad in psych. As long as I have all the pre-req, is there any stigma associated with degrees that are easier in relative terms to other, more intense ones?

 

Thanks

[A-Stark]

I'd imagine that the intensity only matters when they compare someone who took, say, rec management with another applicant with a typical science or social science degree program. Psych would be fine, I'm sure, and would make you appear more "well rounded".