5th year/Masters

[Ranjit4]

Hello Everyone,

I have just finished my fourth year of undergraduate studies and I am contemplating on if I should do a 5th year, or join a masters program before I apply to medical schools.

I want to get admission in Canada, but unfortunately my cgpa is not very competitive. I had a very poor second year that is pulling my marks down. Admission into Canadian medical schools is my priority, but I will also be applying to select US schools and a few reputable Caribbean schools. However, I first need to increase my gpa.

Here are my gpa's for each individual year:

First year: 3.6

Second year: 2.8

Third year: 3.6

Fourth year: 3.6

Even if I get a 4.0 average in my 5th year of study, it won't pull my cpga up by a significant amount. Perhaps doing a masters may be a better option.

 

Any assistance is appreciated. Thank you.

[future_doc]

Second undergrad degree if you are going to do 3.8+ each year, assuming you competitive in ECs & MCAT.

[MatrixKiDD]

future_doc, you seem to have a lot of the answers so I will ask you this. Do you really think a second undergraduate degree is better than going for a masters? I heard from my gchem instructor from TRP that med schools love masters students and that the GPA requirements from them are much lower than undergraduate applicants.

 

By getting a second degree, would the med schools look at grades from both degrees or just from the 2nd degree? And how long does a second degree usually take.

 

Sorry for so many questions, but I'm just a confused student trying to chase my dreams.

[MatrixKiDD]

So basically, if my GPA isn't competitive when I graduate, I should do what future_doc says and get a 2nd undergraduate degree and try and get 3.8+ each year then?

[AshPreMed]

Isn't his GPA competitive for US Med schools? Why doesn't he just get high marks in his MCAT (35)? Then, for US schools, he'd be competitive if he has good ECs (and is a citizen/PR)?

Does the second undergrad have to be at the same uni?

[MatrixKiDD]

I'm assuming the 2nd one would be an easier one just to get the GPA you need/want. How long do 2nd degrees usually take?