My Advice to a Premed Recovering From a Sub-2.0 GPA | Ask Dr. Gray: Premed Q&A Ep. 112

This premed fell below a 2.0 GPA after some family health issues in her sophomore year. Now she's back in school and building an upward trend. What should she know as she proceeds down this path?

Our student this week is someone who did well in high school but struggled with the transition to university. At the end of freshman year, she had a 2.0 GPA. Then it went even lower in sophomore year, due to some family issues when her dad got sick.

She took a year off, then started back at community college and gradually now at university. She's doing well with her grades at this point, just taking fewer credits at once.

We talk about:
• What she needs to be doing to fix this low GPA.
• Options for clinical experience.
• Risks with her going to community college for a postbac.
• Different options for how to take your prereqs when doing GPA repair.
• Making sure she doesn't get derailed by similar problems again.
• Focusing on YOUR journey instead of comparing yourself to others.

[medcatmcat]

Don't underestimate the power of an upward trend!📕

[joynish]

I wish Dr. Gray featured more stories regarding low MCAT applicants. Like this if you agree so we can get him to see it!

[lexiks]

I needed this video, this is so similar to my journey. It took me so long to do well in school because I was doing everything BUT pre-med. I did liberal arts and business, while working and just had no passion for it. Once I realized being a neonatal surgeon was my dream, I have done so much better academically. I am so great full that medical schools really look at upward trends.

[TheFlightSurgeon]

Hi Dr Gray!
Thank you so much for the videos
I got into medical school yesterday and am so excited because it was a great fit and it’s in the same place that my family lives
Your videos helped me get through the AMCAS.
Thanks again!!

[thefenerbahcesk]

That beep in the intro sounds like an airplane notification.

[Meredith]

I didn't even think twice about doing my prereqs at a community college after graduating from university (I moved states right after I graduated due to a death in the family and wouldn't have qualified for in-state tuition in Colorado). I've since realized how some schools may view my prereqs, but I'm hoping it's not a big deal because I had straight As at both schools. Any thoughts, Dr. Gray? I'm happy with my decision to spend $6, 000 on prereqs instead of $60, 000, just hoping that isn't somehow a red flag given my personal situation.

[cynthiamartinez]

graduated 3.02 but not sure if that includes science gpa just overall

[Lionheart]

I’m in a similar position. Took college classes in HS and bombed one of them, came into my freshman year of college with a 2.0. I have a 3.28 right now and have one more semester to finish my freshman year. Hopefully I can get to a 3.7 at-least

[joeburreaux]

3:36 She just called a 2.0 gpa "not bad!" 😂

[lexiks]

Is working in a nursing home as a CNA clinical?

[phillipsteiner]

If you bump up your grades, you can get into many medical professions, don't limit yourself to becoming a doctor. At this point, it's not very realistic.