failed out pre-med

[Anonymous]

due to personal issues, i had a terrible time as an undergrad at Northwestern. I was in an emotionally abusive relationship and spent much time in depression. I was a bio major but i passed nearly all my major requirements at the min. grade required (C-).. so i graduated with a sci gpa ~2.0 and because of that ... my overall gpa was around a 2.7

I still would like to pursue my career goal in the medical field. can anyone give me some advice as in how to pull my low sci gpa up and be competitive for med school admission?

I tried lookin for suitable pre-med post bacc programs but all required a min. 3.0 sci gpa for admission. With my overall just below a 3.0.. i cant seem to get into a master's program either... what should i do? should i go for a 2nd bachelor degree?

i just want a second chance in life.....

[DeansRedHalo_]

The good news is that there are options.

While I'm a firm believer in all the don't give up stuff, med school in the US is gonna be a long shot, a very long shot (read: near impossible).

Take some classes over and try to get that science GPA up there and then look at some of the offshore schools. Of course, there's a quick way to boost your chances; just beat the MCAT like a reheaded stepchild (I know, easier said than done, right?) but it would greatly improve your chances for the big carib schools if you could eek out a 32 or something similar.

Another option would be (gasp) to try one of the less-established schools in the caribbean. If you want it bad enough, someone's bound to give you a shot. You could even try enrolling in a pre-med program somewhere at a more established school, that would give you the chance to get reacquainted with some of the classes and also let you see if it's really what you desire.

Keep in mind that there are also PA and NP programs in the US as well! Both have been on the rise in recent years and have become far more common and if you're looking to practice medicine in a family environment, these would be a great match, not to mention the programs are more diverse and less selective.

The things to remember: a) you've got nothing but time, and b) if you want it bad enough, you will find a way!

I wish you the best and personally, I will be rooting for you.

[ResearchingGuy]

First of all - don't define yourself by your GPA.

I agree with most of what Dean said, but I think you should at least try to give the US schools a shot. A second undergrad degree isn't really necessary. Go back to school and retake the pre-reqs. Do the best you can. Prepare for the MCAT and do the best you can on it as well. Take some time to talk to the pre-med advisor at the school you attend. Unfortunately, many pre-med advisors are very discouraging to those students who don't fit the standard mold. If this is the case with yours, don't let it bother you, but try to get the advisor on your side.

I would contact the admissions department at your state medical school and ask them what else you can do to strengthen your resume. Let them know you are serious. Look into Osteopathic Medicine. There are more schools opening and they have a rep for considering those of us with "stories".

If the US just isn't possible, foreign schools are a good alternative. Caribbean schools (like SGU, AUC, Ross, Saba) are probably the simplest, quickest way to get back into the US mainstream, but Mexican schools (UAG), and European schools (Charles in Prague) are also good.

Let me strongly suggest that you really check out any school you plan to attend. There are a lot of new schools, especially in the Caribbean, that are hungry for students and will accept you without considering your credentials. I know it is tempting to jump at an offer, but it is best to make sure you have taken the time to prepare yourself for success in a good medical school.

Keep us posted.


Best of Luck!

[stupidkid]

due to personal issues, i had a terrible time as an undergrad at Northwestern. I was in an emotionally abusive relationship and spent much time in depression. I was a bio major but i passed nearly all my major requirements at the min. grade required (C-).. so i graduated with a sci gpa ~2.0 and because of that ... my overall gpa was around a 2.7

I still would like to pursue my career goal in the medical field. can anyone give me some advice as in how to pull my low sci gpa up and be competitive for med school admission?

I tried lookin for suitable pre-med post bacc programs but all required a min. 3.0 sci gpa for admission. With my overall just below a 3.0.. i cant seem to get into a master's program either... what should i do? should i go for a 2nd bachelor degree?

i just want a second chance in life.....


Are there post bac programs that are more lenient on admission requirements? i know most of them require at 3.0 sci gpa to apply. (which i never understood.. bc if u already have a 3.0 sci gpa..why not just apply to med school? :shock: )

I heard that some carib med schools are better than others.. The "big 3"? which schools are those?

[sweetpea]

due to personal issues, i had a terrible time as an undergrad at Northwestern. I was in an emotionally abusive relationship and spent much time in depression. I was a bio major but i passed nearly all my major requirements at the min. grade required (C-).. so i graduated with a sci gpa ~2.0 and because of that ... my overall gpa was around a 2.7

I still would like to pursue my career goal in the medical field. can anyone give me some advice as in how to pull my low sci gpa up and be competitive for med school admission?

I tried lookin for suitable pre-med post bacc programs but all required a min. 3.0 sci gpa for admission. With my overall just below a 3.0.. i cant seem to get into a master's program either... what should i do? should i go for a 2nd bachelor degree?

i just want a second chance in life.....


Are there post bac programs that are more lenient on admission requirements? i know most of them require at 3.0 sci gpa to apply. (which i never understood.. bc if u already have a 3.0 sci gpa..why not just apply to med school? :shock: )

I heard that some carib med schools are better than others.. The "big 3"? which schools are those?

St. George University, Ross University and American University. There is also Saba University- a cheaper school that gives you the most for your money. I suggest you go on their forums and their official websites, look for open houses in your area. With these school you can become a doctor in all 50 states or just about all 50 of them. There is also St. Matthews, St. Matthew's campus located in Grand Cayman, is more Americanized but you won't be able to practise in California and other possible states that follow the liscensure reqs. of Cali. like NM or TX. Did you go on the aamc website and see the entire list of postbac programs? I hoped this helped.

[ZnS3104ever]

I go to SGU and I am here to complete the rest of my premed prereqs. I know many people who did not have a 3.0 and got accepted to the premed program here...But once your accepted you have to maintain a 3.2 or 3.0, to get into the Med program and also pass the PMSCE's...

[stupidkid]

I go to SGU and I am here to complete the rest of my premed prereqs. I know many people who did not have a 3.0 and got accepted to the premed program here...But once your accepted you have to maintain a 3.2 or 3.0, to get into the Med program and also pass the PMSCE's...

oh cool... do u like St. George so far? is 3.2 or 3.0 hard to maintain for the post back program there? i know mcat is required for admission to SGU med school... but do u have to take the MCAT for the post bac program too?

[wolfvgang22]

Sounds like you are trying real hard to not re-take the pre-med courses.

The SGU program is not a post-bacc program, it's a regular pre-med program, it's the same stuff. Getting into the SGU pre-med program can get you into SGU if you do well in it, but you should realize that its probably a little harder than the pre-med courses you've already taken, as the time frame is condensed.
Also, pre-med at St. Georges is only good for admisson to St. Georges. If you wanted to transfer somewhere else later on, or decided you wanted to go somewhere else for your MD you probably couldn't.

My 2 cents: Do yourself a big favor and don't take the "easy road" with the pre-med courses. If you do, make sure you know all the ins-and-outs associated with your choice.
It would be much cheaper and possibly even a better preparation to re-do your pre-med courses at any US college or university.
Good Luck!

[stupidkid]

Sounds like you are trying real hard to not re-take the pre-med courses.

The SGU program is not a post-bacc program, it's a regular pre-med program, it's the same stuff. Getting into the SGU pre-med program can get you into SGU if you do well in it, but you should realize that its probably a little harder than the pre-med courses you've already taken, as the time frame is condensed.
Also, pre-med at St. Georges is only good for admisson to St. Georges. If you wanted to transfer somewhere else later on, or decided you wanted to go somewhere else for your MD you probably couldn't.

My 2 cents: Do yourself a big favor and don't take the "easy road" with the pre-med courses. If you do, make sure you know all the ins-and-outs associated with your choice.
It would be much cheaper and possibly even a better preparation to re-do your pre-med courses at any US college or university.
Good Luck!

I am taking alot of upper division biology courses(cell bio, pharmacology, embryology..dev bio ..etc) and org chem at my state university.. 29 units total so far and i have a 3.8.

but my undergrad sci gpa was so bad... that the overall science gpa is around 2.5.. which isnt competitive for any med school.. just wondering if there is a faster way to raise that low sci gpa... :?

[wolfvgang22]

There's not any faster way I'm aware of...but it sounds like you are on the right track by taking those other bio classes and org. chem. When you fill out the application for Saba you can include them in your cumulative and science GPA.
Since you can demonstrate that you have turned over a new leaf and improved you can probably get a serious look from Saba. Doing well in the upper level biology classes shows your are capable.
Make sure you have some clinical experience under your belt, write a good personal statement, and maybe take the MCAT and I bet you'll get in to Saba.

[stupidkid]

There's not any faster way I'm aware of...but it sounds like you are on the right track by taking those other bio classes and org. chem. When you fill out the application for Saba you can include them in your cumulative and science GPA.
Since you can demonstrate that you have turned over a new leaf and improved you can probably get a serious look from Saba. Doing well in the upper level biology classes shows your are capable.
Make sure you have some clinical experience under your belt, write a good personal statement, and maybe take the MCAT and I bet you'll get in to Saba.

Thank you! I did look at Saba's website.. i think the school is very appealing.. esp the strong academics.. the residency matching list is a big WOW!

btw... do u kno any good one-year masters program ?

[ZnS3104ever]

Pre-med at SGU is definetly not hard at all...I was placed in Premed year 2 because I did not have Orgo chem and Physics 1 and 2. After this year I will go into Premed year 3 and at the end of that year I will take a test called the PMSCE(equivalent to the mcats).So to answer your questions, no you do not need to take the mcats if you are in the premed program going into the med program at SGU.You must maintain the 3.0-3.2 which is not hard at all. At then end of med year 1 I will recieve a ** from SGU...hope I helped:)

[wolfvgang22]

There's not any faster way I'm aware of...but it sounds like you are on the right track by taking those other bio classes and org. chem. When you fill out the application for Saba you can include them in your cumulative and science GPA.
Since you can demonstrate that you have turned over a new leaf and improved you can probably get a serious look from Saba. Doing well in the upper level biology classes shows your are capable.
Make sure you have some clinical experience under your belt, write a good personal statement, and maybe take the MCAT and I bet you'll get in to Saba.

Thank you! I did look at Saba's website.. i think the school is very appealing.. esp the strong academics.. the residency matching list is a big WOW!

btw... do u kno any good one-year masters program ?
Offhand I don't know of any, but then I haven't researched it, either.
Many US med schools will encourage people to do a post-bacc or Masters to become more competitive. As a matter of fact, the dean of Texas Tech gave me such advice, and I went and got a masters. It is next to useless as far as making me more competitive for med school. What was useful to me was taking upper level bio and chem, and re-doing pre-requisite courses. This is because med schools are really only interested in how you did in undergrad.

[ResearchingGuy]

Both Chicago Medical School and Drexel have a one year masters that parallels the first year of medical school. If you get in and mainatin a certain GPA, they let you into med school. Barry University has a similar program which will allow you entry into SGU. If you don't get into one of these programs, you still have a nifty M of Something Degree and a bunch of educational debt.

Of course, if you can't get into one of these programs (and they are competitive), you should go ahead and take undergrad courses to bolster your GPA and educational base.

Best of Luck!