Gain relevant experience to get into medical school with poor grades.
Even students who struggle academically can become excellent doctors. Do not let your poor grades prevent you from applying to medical schools. Many schools accept students with low grades if they can prove their academic and professional competence. To get into medical school with poor grades, you must work hard to retake upper-level coursework, get involved in extracurricular opportunities and excel on the Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT. Perfecting other aspects of your resume proves to an admissions committee that you will excel at medical school despite your poor grades.
Instructions
1. Identify medical schools to which you will apply. Focus on in-state schools, osteopathy programs or medical schools outside the United States. These programs often have lower admissions requirements.
2. Make a list of classes in which you received a C or D. Focus on upper-level science courses, such as organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics or biology. Retake any courses if possible and work hard to receive a higher grade.
3. Complete a master's degree or a post-baccalaureate medical training program. Receive A or B grades in your coursework to demonstrate your academic competence.
4. Prepare for the MCAT. Purchase an MCAT preparatory book or enroll in an MCAT class from Princeton Review, Kaplan or another reputable company. Take numerous practice tests to identify your test-taking weaknesses. Earn a high score on the MCAT to show a medical school admissions committee that you have academic strengths despite your poor grades.
5. Gain relevant medical experience. Volunteer or work at a hospital, nursing home or other medical facility. Complete a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) program to gain experience working with clinical patients.
6. Network with physicians and other medical staff. Ask a physician with whom you work to write you a strong letter of recommendation. Obtain other letters of recommendation from college professors from whom you received excellent grades.
7. Write a compelling personal statement for your medical school application. Explain any extenuating circumstances that caused you to receive poor grades. Describe the reasons you think you would make a great doctor. Demonstrate maturity by outlining your medical experience, your hard work to improve upon poor grades and other positive attributes.
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