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From a 2.79 GPA and 506 MCAT to First-Year Med Student | The Premed Years Ep. 388

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 พ.ค. 2020
  • Keith is a first-year med student who had an abysmal undergraduate GPA. (The 2.7 GPA listed in the title was his final GPA, but it was even lower at earlier points in his journey!) In our interview, he shares how he was able to turn things around, along with his words of advice and encouragement to others still on the path!
    If you like this video, be sure to subscribe, hit that notification bell, and check out all our Meded Media podcasts at premedpodcasts.com.
    In my discussion with Keith, we talk about:
    • The class he immediately flopped in college, despite knowing he wanted to pursue pharm or medicine.
    • How he finished undergrad with a 2.7 GPA.
    • What his premed advisors told him based on his grades.
    • How he nearly got a 4.0 GPA in his Master's program in biochemistry.
    • Why the people you surround yourself with makes such a huge difference.
    • How he prepared for the MCAT and what books he used.
    • How he decided which medical schools to apply to.
    • Why he applied to both MD and DO schools.
    • Why he feels at home with family medicine but is open to other specialties, too.
    • What it felt like when he got his first med school acceptance.
    • How he flubbed up in one of his medical school interviews.
    • How his med school is adjusting to the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • His encouraging words for other premeds recovering from low GPAs.
    Listen to more episodes of The Premed Years podcast at premedyears.com.

ความคิดเห็น • 96

  • @d45c41punk
    @d45c41punk 4 ปีที่แล้ว +142

    Similar journey over here with similar stats. Believe in yourself and work hard. You can do it. MD class of 2024!

    • @kumi1081
      @kumi1081 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Chuc mung!

    • @honggao7992
      @honggao7992 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@kumi1081 did you do a post bacc?

  • @Command0Muffin
    @Command0Muffin 4 ปีที่แล้ว +77

    You have no idea how inspiring this is for someone who made mistakes in their undergrad. This is the kind of thing that makes good Doctors, perseverance. Thank you for this!

  • @milliemomdaze2922
    @milliemomdaze2922 4 ปีที่แล้ว +71

    Thank you!! I'm a nontraditional student who majored in biochem in undergrad with a 3.3 gpa and completely flopped on the MCAT. I recently applied for a master's program specifically tailored for students wanting to go to med school and was not accepted. I'm now choosing to study for the MCAT on my own. Thank you for sharing your story & for the inspiration.

    • @user-zl4ch7ux2n
      @user-zl4ch7ux2n 4 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      I'm not sure if you want this advice, but I just want to share some good resources to help you with your MCAT. The reddit MCAT site has a lot of good information and the Khan Academy Notes for Psych/Soc are really helpful: drive.google.com/drive/folders/1j5dn3BEc8DHFbxowOKSdD_vXK7QCyyL7 .The most important thing is to track your progress and focus on your content weaknesses with a lot of practice questions. I recommend using third party questions and full length exams from Kaplan, NextStep, Uworld, etc. since they're more difficult and will provide more practice. Then, use AAMC question banks, section banks, and full length exams to get a better sense of what it will be like on test day. Try to study in test-like conditions and make sure all your full length practice exams are timed. Also, watching the khan academy videos and making anki cards or your own questions will help you understand the concepts behind the content. I wish you the best and you'll make a great doctor in the future!

    • @echoecho7162
      @echoecho7162 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Were you rejected because of the low MCAT? Some Master's programs have an MCAT minimum to get in, so if you do find you need a program like that to give you a boost, you would need to amp up that MCAT either way.

    • @milliemomdaze2922
      @milliemomdaze2922 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @Sergei Bouche Thank you! I know it is not necessary, but I wanted to get into the program because it's been 4 years since undergrad & I wanted to get back into school mode but that makes sense

    • @milliemomdaze2922
      @milliemomdaze2922 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@user-zl4ch7ux2n Thank you for this!!

    • @milliemomdaze2922
      @milliemomdaze2922 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@echoecho7162 Yeah, I need to retake it either way but I was told I didn't get in because I needed "more hours than the program can offer to truly make me competitive."

  • @moniqueblackwood2789
    @moniqueblackwood2789 4 ปีที่แล้ว +58

    my pre med advisor shot my dreams down he wasn’t really motivating me to try harder but he is not going to take my dreams away from me

    • @claireworld_
      @claireworld_ 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Monique Blackwood We’ve all been there! There are just rude sometimes. Maybe there are a lot of students to advise I don’t know

    • @canyounot313
      @canyounot313 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Monique Blackwood He was testing you, if you can’t bounce back then don’t bother.

    • @WillvsFear
      @WillvsFear 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Monique Blackwood dont ever rely on premed advisors unless they themselves have an MD/DO or work on the admissions board to your university’s medical school branch. Same assholes told me my 2.9 at the end of sophomore year would never get me into med school when I wanted to apply. Matriculated right after graduation, maybe it was spite that got me here but I’d like to think I’m smart enough but it was mostly spite LOL

    • @ddfelder2
      @ddfelder2 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Chaos like a BOSS! 😂😂 congrats!

    • @9122mint
      @9122mint 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Most advisors will tell students to not apply to med school bc they don’t want to “mess up” the school stats. Don’t listen to them. Let it be your fuel that lights your passion to keep going. One thing I’ve learned is to not listen to the opinions of people who are NOT MD/DO or haven’t had any personal experience with medical school or pre-med period.

  • @jonathonchio4724
    @jonathonchio4724 4 ปีที่แล้ว +40

    Love the success stories! Don't give up everyone; keep working hard to achieve your dreams!

  • @alyshajackson7858
    @alyshajackson7858 4 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    Thank you sooo much for this! You don't know how much I needed this today!

  • @theodorakatsaros7847
    @theodorakatsaros7847 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    This gives me a lot of hope as an undergrad with a not so great gpa, thank you Dr Grey ✨

  • @DollyDomDom
    @DollyDomDom 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    So positive seems like a genuinely great person, I’m sure he will make a phenomenal doctor.

  • @RhesusMedicine
    @RhesusMedicine 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    If you're focused and working on the right things then you can certainly achieve your goal, as long as you persevere! Great job Keith! 👍

  • @taylormaddy9647
    @taylormaddy9647 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I had to fight back tears. His story is so similar to mine and this has boosted my confidence so much. It truly is never out of the question if you have the drive, resilience, and true passion for medicine. My past has been full of mistakes and failures (some due to me some due to my circumstances). This was more inspirational than any advising meeting I've ever had in my ten years of undergrad.

  • @AnDo-cb8ol
    @AnDo-cb8ol 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you Dr. Gray! This is very inspiring! Love your channel a lot :)

  • @richecardealexandre1339
    @richecardealexandre1339 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thx for the video as a non trad with a non science graduate degree working on diy post bac appreciate it . Hopefully I knock out the mcat and get love all around when it comes time to applying in a year or two.

  • @TheEpiphany101
    @TheEpiphany101 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Really like his personality. Super humble and can tell he's hardworking. He'll make an excellent physician!

  • @fran0162
    @fran0162 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Dr. Gray...you have such a great heart and passion...I love your podcasts

  • @phillipsteiner3581
    @phillipsteiner3581 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I like this guy, just glad some med school appreciated him.

  • @iuniao.5350
    @iuniao.5350 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you for these videos! Inspiring.

  • @supsma9983
    @supsma9983 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    How did he get in the master's program with a 2.7?

  • @seunesther
    @seunesther 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Glad for him!

  • @nikomontgomery6178
    @nikomontgomery6178 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    I love your podcast so much & has serve as a big motivation for me in letting me know that anything is possible. No matter what, you are enough to be a doctor as long as you keep working and pushing forward. As an underrepresented student who is seeking to get into medical school and the medical field, I would love if you can have a little more people who looks like me share there story with you. As you know the population of African Americans in the medical field is roughly 4% and in the application cycle of 2018-2019 the medical school enrollment consisted of 7.1 percent black being accepted. It’s not due to the lack of preparation but the lack of access in understanding at an early age before college of what it takes to get in. So if possible, more underrepresented students represented on your podcast and also continue doing what you doing, I strongly believe you have been a light and joy to the entire premed community, you are appreciated very much.

  • @cloud.07
    @cloud.07 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Good dude. Good luck

  • @hapachew4600
    @hapachew4600 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    He seems really nice.

  • @michaelm3512
    @michaelm3512 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Great story! Was his 2.7 GPA the cGPA listed on his final college transcript or the one AMCAS calculates: sGPA, cGPA since they all vary?

  • @elanawills2364
    @elanawills2364 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I like his story because it’s soooo common

  • @tisha4lives
    @tisha4lives 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    He is such a sweetie pie. He'll do great.

  • @ChantelBMason
    @ChantelBMason 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Dr. Gray has been the encouragement I’ve needed to believe that I can still achieve my dream.

  • @SherinChibi
    @SherinChibi 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Thank you very much for this Dr. Gray! Could you possibly make a video about a nurse that became an MD? I'm working full time as an RN right now but want to enroll in school part time to finish my premed prereqs

    • @NycMiento
      @NycMiento 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Hi Sarah, as a fellow RN on the same track, you should apply to a Postbac program. Figure out with the advisor what prereqs you need and/or have already completed. I fulfilled psychology, sociology, and statistics during nursing school. Then you can plan your classes accordingly per semester. I do not advise taking on too many classes for the sake of finishing quicker. Each science class and its lab are intense, so respect that it is what it is. Give yourself enough time to learn and to practice the material because everything builds upon itself. With that said, if you are in a position to do a part-time job, you should do it. If not, it is still doable to manage both school and work, however there will be other sacrifices like a very limited social life. You may want to discuss with your manager about having a work schedule that can accommodate your school schedule. If medicine is what you really want, you can certainly buckle down and achieve that goal. I wish I had this kind of advice when I first started, so I hope this help.

    • @leodelao9149
      @leodelao9149 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Sarah Chibi hey Sarah, I’m currently an RN right now working full time. I’m currently finishing up my medical prerequisites right now. It’s hard but it’s doable.

    • @SherinChibi
      @SherinChibi 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Wow awesome guys!! Thank you for sharing!!! I will look into a post bacc program. I finished physics, ochem 1, statistics in nursing school. What I was thinking was to take 1 science class per semester while working full time. So ochem 2 this fall, then biochem in spring, etc. So I can put in my best effort while still having an income. My manager is pretty flexible with the work schedule. Did you guys do any research?

    • @leodelao9149
      @leodelao9149 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Sarah Chibi that sounds like a good plan. I am doing research at the hospital I work for with a few of the doctors. I am doing 2 science classes per semester.

    • @ddfelder2
      @ddfelder2 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      RN here as well on the same path... doing 1-2 science courses per semester... tough but doable! So happy to hear that there are other RNs on the same path!

  • @rockface112233
    @rockface112233 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    how do I get in contact with medical school headquarters to ask questions about when to apply?

  • @BrianErwin
    @BrianErwin ปีที่แล้ว +2

    pressing play at 8:15 with my kids in the car was not a good look 😂

  • @matthewn99
    @matthewn99 4 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    Please do more of these stories with NON-URM students! As an ORM pre-med, it's pretty discouraging when the only low stat success stories that are publicized by pre-health media outlets are URM students.

    • @M16xDr0pSh0tz
      @M16xDr0pSh0tz 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Isn't this guy white though?

    • @matthewn99
      @matthewn99 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Bodybuilder X URM = Underrepresented in Medicine (Hispanic, African American, Native American, etc) meanwhile, ORM = Overrepresented in Medicine (White and Asian)

    • @echoecho7162
      @echoecho7162 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@M16xDr0pSh0tz that's exactly what he's saying. These stories are usually URM but this one isn't, which gives ORM students someone to relate to.

  • @amazingme894
    @amazingme894 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Yeah at a low point, where im floating thru school (3 years now) no ECs, bad gpa, scared to talk to profs because idk what to say and never knew how to talk to ppl of authority, I’m really nervous and I dont know how to change this

    • @RichObiQuan
      @RichObiQuan 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      You need to look down in yourself and find that turnaround. Bcuz no one is going to catalyze it but you at the end of the day. Feel it deeply. Start surrounding yourself with positive people, drop bad influences of friends or friends that don't have the same drive. Etc. A lot of self work needs to be done. Took me a while to understand. It births the ultimate confidence. Good luck

  • @ahmedelzayat9801
    @ahmedelzayat9801 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    thats crazy he just like me

  • @ipodmixer22
    @ipodmixer22 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Was he screened out by any schools due to a lower cumulative GPA?

    • @echoecho7162
      @echoecho7162 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Absolutely. It's going to happen, just have to hope that some schools are more holistic and do get around to opening your app before the cycle ends.

  • @MOizSUAVE14
    @MOizSUAVE14 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Lol I like this guy.

  • @gossippage
    @gossippage 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Stupid question: I start college for the first time this fall, I’ll be a bio major with goals of going to med school, is my regular student advisor my “premed” advisor? Or should I be seeking out a separate premed advisor

    • @enterusername2855
      @enterusername2855 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Depends on the school but there should be pre-med advisors separate from bio major

    • @echoecho7162
      @echoecho7162 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Usually a separate "pre-health" office entirely.

  • @freddynajar3334
    @freddynajar3334 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great story! Is there any way of removing bad grades from my transcript to raise my GPA before applying for Med School?

    • @Pkedya2boy
      @Pkedya2boy 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      From my understanding, graduate schools give you a new set of GPA to look at

    • @NycMiento
      @NycMiento 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      For the AMCAS application, you are required to report every single class you took including withdrawals , incomplete, etc.

    • @freddynajar3334
      @freddynajar3334 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you. My first year of college I have two non passing grades. I went to that school for one semester only. I am trying to appeal and remove the non passing grades, but the school is giving me a difficult time, stating that they can't remove them.

    • @Pkedya2boy
      @Pkedya2boy 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@freddynajar3334 I'm afraid you can't really "remove" grades. You can re-take the classes which would replace the grade, but I heard medical schools will want to know the original grades as well.

    • @echoecho7162
      @echoecho7162 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Those grades are there to stay. And getting a Master's will give you a separate GPA, it won't help raise your undergrad GPA.

  • @osnapitzchris
    @osnapitzchris 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I had a 3.0 GPA and went back for a masters getting the same gpa.... I don't know what to do next

    • @seunesther
      @seunesther 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Your MCAT needs to be stellar. Still possible

    • @osnapitzchris
      @osnapitzchris 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@seunesther Thanks for your response. I ended up getting a second masters and graduating with a 3.8. I will be retaking the MCAT again if I don’t get in this round with my current score around 70%. Appreciate your help!

    • @emmanueladinkrah6406
      @emmanueladinkrah6406 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hey, did you get in?

  • @xxmeowxx9274
    @xxmeowxx9274 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    wow why is he literally me

  • @Andrew-ez9ft
    @Andrew-ez9ft 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    If his final undergraduate GPA was a 2.7, how was he able to get accepted into a master's program? Aren't they also competitive?

    • @freddiewei1554
      @freddiewei1554 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Jew IKR that’s my questions too. How was he able to get in?

    • @Limitedonathios
      @Limitedonathios 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      You need to be strategic with where you apply. Emory, Morehouse, and many other med schools/grad schools have masters programs where the minimum sgpa is 2.7 or 2.8. A lot of SMP will also work with you too, especially if you contact them ahead of time to let them know whats up. Someone I know had a s2.5 sgpa at the end of junior year. From that moment he messaged deans and admins of about 5 master's programs letting them know that he was applying. He updated them with gpa each semester and with activities he was doing. He applied to a couple of programs, only got in to the 3 of the 5 schools he had been in contact with. He got rejected from one of them bc they asked for his materials early so that they could decide if they really wanted him or not. He sent it, they said no thank you. But he know this before the application deadline had even approached, so he could focus his energy elsewhere. And they gave him really good feedback that he was able to use for the rest of his apps

    • @Andrew-ez9ft
      @Andrew-ez9ft 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Limitedonathios what is an sGPA? Sorry for the dumb question. What Master's program accepts people with low GPA? How does that even work?

    • @Andrew-ez9ft
      @Andrew-ez9ft 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @PMR Gaming what masters program accepts people with a cumulative GPA below 3.0?

    • @Andrew-ez9ft
      @Andrew-ez9ft 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @Keith Bouffard can you please explain more about getting into a master's program with a GPA less than 3.0??

  • @troopernate8046
    @troopernate8046 ปีที่แล้ว

    cool