2.8 science GPA, 3.4 Overall, do I have a chance at a carrib

[Una]

Hi! I have a 2.85 sci GPA (all hard-science), 3.4 overall (because I took alot of psych and biopsych in my last 2 years), from Cornell University. I do not have physics. No Mcat yet. I have research experience and have been presented. If I study hard for my MCat next year and take physics, and apply the year after, do you think i have a chance at some of the carribean schools? I will go ANYWHERE, as long as it is affordable and I can practice in the US afterwards.

I have wanted to go to to med school since forever. At the end of sophomore year at Cornell I had a 2.8 in sci and I believed that it was over. I should not have believed the statistics and my advisors.

So instead of trying to get into med school, I decided to go into a clinical psych phD and become a pediatric neuropsychologist. Well, I busted my *** to get into the clinical phD and at first I thought I wouldn't get into that either, but I learned to use the proper strategies and understood that nothing is impossible if you really try hard - and I got into schools and did much better than I expected. The problem is , now that I've understood that, I don't want to stay with my 2nd choice anymore! From what I've been learning about neuropsychologists , they do not nearly have the same freedom and diagnostic expertise as MDs do. Their decisions are not nearly as well respected. I wish somebody had told me about the Carribean schools when I was an undergrad. I feel oh, so stupid. But maybe it's not too late? I'm 25 now. I will be 27 by the time I can go to med school, if I am lucky to get in. Better late than never.

[stateofequilibrium]

2.85 all hard sciences without physics? What classes were those?

Take physics, do well on your MCAT and you should be in good standing for just about any Caribbean medical school. Do a post-bacc or take more advanced courses and do well on your MCAT and you might get into a US school as well.

[RajPatel]

pediatric neuropsychologist.....that sounds really interesting. as far as age, don't worry, you have plenty of time. it's easy at that time to think that it's getting late in the day, but actually you are just starting your life really. as for grades, you're fine for the caribbean, the only school that will reject you (unless you just tank the mcat) is st. george's, you need a decent mcat (mid 20s and up) for that. everywhere else, you're good to go (in the caribbean)

good luck!

and i relate to what you say about thinking it was over in college when you had a 2.8, that kind of thinking or feeling perpetuates itself with the decisions that get made and create a self-fulfilling prophecy. you'll be fine, what was bound to happen (medicine) will now happen.

[wcb22]

just get those physics over with and get down there ASAP. keep in mind that all of us caribbean med students are at a disadvantage when it comes to residency. but if you are content with family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry... you only need passing scores to land those residencies. aim for the sky on your USMLE, but don't be disappointed when you don't match in dermatology.

[Una]

I just want to say thanks so much for your advice - RajPatel, Wcb22, and stateofequilibrium. . It has been invaluable. I think I've really found something useful. Good luck to you in all of your endeavors. I will keep lurking on this site to find more info.