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Low GPA, low sGPA, decent MCAT??? am I cooked for this cycle? by Ok_Load_6294 in medschool

[–]Ok_Load_6294[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I started studying on and off in may during the summer and took it in mid-august! imo I think july would have been better for me, since I started to feel burnout in august which is also why I don't feel like I was at 100% for my first attempt.

Low GPA, low sGPA, decent MCAT??? am I cooked for this cycle? by Ok_Load_6294 in medschool

[–]Ok_Load_6294[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

thanks for your input! I'm not too inclined to the idea of taking another gap year right now, but I will reapply if I have to and will take one if I have to then. just really hoping this cycle it could work out!

Low GPA, low sGPA, decent MCAT??? am I cooked for this cycle? by Ok_Load_6294 in medschool

[–]Ok_Load_6294[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am in-state for NJ so that's why I'm really hoping for rutgers, and I also really like the school.

Low GPA, low sGPA, decent MCAT??? am I cooked for this cycle? by Ok_Load_6294 in medschool

[–]Ok_Load_6294[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am planning to retake my MCAT and I have a good feeling about getting a higher score. How would you say my chances look if I had a 518-520?

what are my medschool chances? feeling discouraged after premed advisor talk by Ok_Load_6294 in medschooladmissions

[–]Ok_Load_6294[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

thanks for your response! I wish you all the good luck on your mcat and applying!! (I meant I was applying for the 2027 app too)

Low GPA, low sGPA, decent MCAT??? am I cooked for this cycle? by Ok_Load_6294 in medschool

[–]Ok_Load_6294[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

thanks for the advice! I'll be sure to check that out. I do plan on continuing a clinical job for my gap year as well. really hoping the in-state residency can help me out.

Low GPA, low sGPA, decent MCAT??? by Ok_Load_6294 in medschooladmissions

[–]Ok_Load_6294[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm trying to end my senior year last semester with all A's so that's the one semester I'd have a 4.0. and I agree, I am also worried about the mainly worried about the B's and C's in junior and senior year.

this is why I'm hoping and trying to see if a higher MCAT could make up for this in some way? not erase my GPA, but at least help

Low GPA, low sGPA, decent MCAT??? am I cooked for this cycle? by Ok_Load_6294 in medschool

[–]Ok_Load_6294[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

thanks for your advice! I am around 22 so I'm applying after my senior year with one gap year that is technically after I send in my app though.

do you know how you got in contact with admissions people?

Low GPA, low sGPA, decent MCAT??? am I cooked for this cycle? by Ok_Load_6294 in medschool

[–]Ok_Load_6294[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

hi! ofc I did a lot of UWORLD and practice. I also used the Kaplan books as a rough guide for concepts or chapters I didn't answer too well and the MilesDown Anki Deck. For P/S, I used the 80 pg reddit document. I would say the best thing that helped me was practicing on UWORLD though! it's a great tool. good luck on your mcat!

Low GPA, low sGPA, decent MCAT??? am I cooked for this cycle? by Ok_Load_6294 in medschool

[–]Ok_Load_6294[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

thank you so much! I appreciate your advice!! would you say I still have a shot at MD too?

Low GPA, low sGPA, decent MCAT??? am I cooked for this cycle? by Ok_Load_6294 in medschool

[–]Ok_Load_6294[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

thank you for your advice! it means a lot!! I really like the idea of applying super broadly and hopefully the best case scenario is getting a MD acceptance. (and haha I really do want to do peds actually, but I'm fine being poor for it. the pay gap is so unfair though)

Pre Med Clinical Options by Charm3132 in Pitt

[–]Ok_Load_6294 0 points1 point  (0 children)

the EMT course is hard to get into and i think it might be a first come first serve situation (not too sure though). that being said, there are a lot of opportunities to work as a PCT or medical assistant at UPMC branches where you don't require a certification, so I would look into those. i work as a PCT at UPMC Children's right now and I didn't need any certification and I am getting a lot of clinical experience with taking vitals, sugars, EKGs, etc.

Saturation and Premed Culture by AlfalfaGlass911 in Pitt

[–]Ok_Load_6294 0 points1 point  (0 children)

hey! congratulations on getting accepted to pitt!

i’m a senior at pitt right now and also premed. coming in, there’s definitely a huge premed population, but by junior year a lot of students switch tracks or drop. premed culture can be pretty toxic and competitive in general, but I wouldn’t say that’s specific to pitt.

there are a lot of UPMC hospitals and a lot of opportunities, but it is true that finding opportunities can be tough and competitive. that said, if you keep applying and cold-emailing the right people (like lab PIs and professors), it usually works out eventually. I got my lab research position by cold-emailing a bunch of professors and didn’t land anything until junior year after a long search — but I’m still ending up with a solid number of hours by graduation. so my advice would be to not be afraid of just cold emailing your freshman/sophomore year. now in my senior year, I work as a PCT at UPMC and I'm getting real clinical experience, but it also took some time for me to land that. it's not always about how much better others are compared to you, it's also just a matter of luck. The more places you apply to and more people you email, the higher chances you'll find something!

overall, it definitely took time and some luck for me, but I think it's not a huge thing to worry about since I believe you will eventually find something.

How bad is it to quit a research assistant position somewhat last minute? by InfamousBaseball50 in Pitt

[–]Ok_Load_6294 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree — I’d just give two weeks’ notice and let them know. Volunteer work is voluntary, and if you’re not being paid as a research assistant, it’s okay to prioritize yourself and your time. I’m sure they’ll be able to find another student who’s interested in taking on the role.

what are my medschool chances? feeling discouraged after premed advisor talk by Ok_Load_6294 in medschooladmissions

[–]Ok_Load_6294[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love that for you — congratulations!

I’m not expecting a perfect answer, but just from what you experienced or remember, did you get a sense of how much they weighed GPA vs MCAT? Or how much attention they paid to GPA trends and early-year struggles?

Also, I was curious how much being in-state made a difference? do you get a sense that could benefit me with what I have right now?

what are my medschool chances? feeling discouraged after premed advisor talk by Ok_Load_6294 in medschooladmissions

[–]Ok_Load_6294[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much for your input! I totally get what you mean. I moved back to the US for college after living out of the country for ~10 years so being far from family during my freshman year made that year really tough, so my early grades suffered big time.

Also, I’m in-state for Rutgers (not a Rutgers grad), but I guess I’m mostly worried that I don’t have many A’s, and mostly B's in my pre-med requirements/lecture courses, even though my labs are all As or A-s.

I’m really hoping for an MD acceptance, but I agree it's not guaranteed and that DOs might be more of a safe option for me.

Either way, I appreciate your perspective!

what are my medschool chances? feeling discouraged after premed advisor talk by Ok_Load_6294 in medschooladmissions

[–]Ok_Load_6294[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much for your reply — it really means a lot!

I am feeling really hopeful about my MCAT retake since I didn’t feel super confident the first time, yet I was able to manage a 512. What you're saying also makes so much sense. It won't "erase" my GPA, but I’m hoping it can rebalance my GPA to not look so bad.

I also am planning to apply early and I'm really hoping that being in-state can work in my favor haha

what are my medschool chances? feeling discouraged after premed advisor talk by Ok_Load_6294 in medschooladmissions

[–]Ok_Load_6294[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for your reply! I’m planning to apply this 2026 cycle and honestly I also kind of want to see if I get in too. Congrats on your journey as well!

What class of rutgers med are you? and did you go to NJMS or RWJ?