<p>I was e-mailed a question but the reply e-mails aren’t working.</p>
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<p>A GPA drop of 3.9 to 3.7 is obviously concerning, but truthfully a 3.7 is still fine. The major concern is if this represents a trend that will be ongoing. Is it going to become a 3.5 next term? a 3.3? In that case, things will definitely be a problem.</p>
<p>A 3.9 means that you have about ~0.2 GPA points to mess around with. The person in question has now “messed around” with his margin of error. There isn’t an awful lot left.</p>
<p>GotRice, those are 2 VERY different fields. Unless you mean Biomedical Engineering, in which case the field of study is a little bit more similar, but even then the coursework is still VERY different. Almost polar opposites.</p>
<p>I had a coworker tell me that her son was told at his LAC (freshman) that if he didn’t have a A- or better, he probably wouldn’t get a rec for med school. Is this the norm or are they stricter than most?</p>
<p>That is stricter than most. The LACs I know of will write a recommendation almost always - it just might vary in how much the recommendation “supports” you. To have an A- average in order to get a rec seems like the schools is discouraging less-than-perfect applicants in order to boost the % of applicants that get admitted. Shameful.</p>
<p>smartalic34 I agree to a point, but they say, the students they send recs for, the med schools know are top caliber and they get a reputation from that…on the other hand, there must be schools that would take a slightly lower student or maybe not? It’s not my area but it was interesting to see how different schools handle it. I know this young man is very smart and it handling the rigorous course load well, but had a couple of bumps with B papers but said everyone was struggling a bit and curves were blessings.</p>
<p>May I ask what LAC this is? Do med schools know that this school screens its applicants? What % of its applicants get in? Is the school’s academic reputation not strong enough so that screening is required?</p>
<p>Med schools look at a lot more than your GPA. Your MCAT and panel letter/recommendations play a just as, if not more, important role in being selected for an interview.</p>
<p>Holy Cross, my D goes there, but definitely not pre-med or any health major. : )
They say they know it, I think it’s 87% and double the national average. They do seem to have a lot of alumni that are doctors/dentists. I have always heard, working at a hospital for years, that the MCAT was very important…and on occasion knowing someone helps too, but you still need strong grades and test scores.</p>
<p>Hope this question hasn’t been asked before, but…</p>
<p>Would it be ok if I were to do all the premed requirements within an open university program? I read on here that taking those requirments at a community college was taboo and as such recommended applicants to take them at a 4 year university. However, my current dilemma (I can explain more) will only permit the possibility of taking the requirements at an open university program.</p>
<p>I’m really surprised Holy Cross has that policy. Most top LACs have 85-90% acceptance rates to med school but do not screen applicants like that. Holy Cross must have a reason for doing it, but the LACs I know of do not (full disclosure: I’m only familiar with the NESCAC schools).</p>
<p>Hello,
I am currently attending a community college for one year to cut costs but plan on transferring to a University. Orignally, I planned on becoming a Nurse and then, taking a Master’s program to become a Nurse Practitioner.
…Now, I have decided that I would love to become a Doctor. I am a very, very dedicated student and will always make time for studying because it’s important to me that I do well. The medical field has always been that one place where I could see myself someday working. I enjoy helping others and would really love to make a difference. Becoming a doctor would allow me reach my potential and earn a satisfying career. However,
starting out at a community college for this past year, I will have completed several non-science courses: (all transferrable credits)
-Intro to Pyschology-3 credits
-Intro to Sociology- 3 credits
-English I- 3 credits
-Western Civilzation- 3 credits
-Principals of Biology with Lab- 5 credits
-Anatomy & Physiology with Lab- 4 credits
-Philosophy- 3 credits
-English II- 3 credits</p>
<p>Keep in mind that I have kept a 4.00, I am unsure of the route I should take next and how long I may be an undergraduate for…</p>
<p>Can I still complete a degree as a Pre-med in 4 years and what classes would you recommend me taking next? </p>
<p>Any advice would be very helpful!</p>
<p>Also, do Medical School’s frown the fact that I have taken one year at a Community College before transferring to a University? </p>
<p>Thanks for all your wisdom and time spent helping a student out!</p>
<p>Trust me med schools don’t judge you upon your home state and race.
S
bluedevilmike
… that’s … just… untrue. Those are two absolutely huge factors.</p>
<p>how would they judge a white student from Mississippi compared to a black student from Mississippi?</p>
<p>Are these numbers lousy? They seem decent, really. Reed, of course, is very difficult; attending would go against the standard wisdom of “go where you can achieve the best grades.”</p>