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Taylor
Student
New Orleans, Louisiana
1
Question
Updated
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What advice would you give to pre-med students looking to boost their med school applications if their grades aren’t where they’d like them to be? #Spring25
I am currently a sophomore in college, with a biochemistry major. I was doing well with a 3.5 GPA before I had a bad semester. This semester is well, but I still need some advice because my GPA might not bounce back! I am currently trying to be more involved on campus, but I am not sure if it will be enough!
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1 answer
Michael Cadra, MD, DMD, FACS
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, physician and dentist
37
Answers
Nipomo, California
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Taylor,
Not to worry. I had a couple of bad quarters. At this point you have time, but it will take some work.
I would suggest that you take some summer semester courses in non-science areas. Courses in ethics and communication, both oral and written will bolster your application. Hopefully, also raise your GPA.
Your performance on the MCAT will validate your retention of knowledge of the required prerequisite courses. Start studying for the MCAT after this semester is over. There are a number of great resources on the internet FOR NO COST i.e. FREE. Use them. Also available are a number of ANKI decks to guide your study.
Do your best this semester! You have two summer sessions and a full year before you start applying.
In terms of extracurricular activities, those are just icing on the cake, so to speak. If the grades and MCAT scores are not there, they are meaningless. Concentrate your efforts on the grades first. Remember, you do not need to take a lot of advanced classes, you will learn all the sciences that you need to know in medical school.
I made the mistake of overemphasizing classes that were not required for admission, including PChem, Pyschoneuroendocrinology and other classes that make my life miserable and did not help my GPA. DO NOT make that mistake.
Good luck on your journey.
Study for the MCAT, understand what your target med schools require in terms of the PREtest and possibly the DUET exam.
Take some relevant, non-science courses, in person. Online courses are highly discounted.
Not to worry. I had a couple of bad quarters. At this point you have time, but it will take some work.
I would suggest that you take some summer semester courses in non-science areas. Courses in ethics and communication, both oral and written will bolster your application. Hopefully, also raise your GPA.
Your performance on the MCAT will validate your retention of knowledge of the required prerequisite courses. Start studying for the MCAT after this semester is over. There are a number of great resources on the internet FOR NO COST i.e. FREE. Use them. Also available are a number of ANKI decks to guide your study.
Do your best this semester! You have two summer sessions and a full year before you start applying.
In terms of extracurricular activities, those are just icing on the cake, so to speak. If the grades and MCAT scores are not there, they are meaningless. Concentrate your efforts on the grades first. Remember, you do not need to take a lot of advanced classes, you will learn all the sciences that you need to know in medical school.
I made the mistake of overemphasizing classes that were not required for admission, including PChem, Pyschoneuroendocrinology and other classes that make my life miserable and did not help my GPA. DO NOT make that mistake.
Good luck on your journey.
Michael recommends the following next steps: