3.1 sGPA...what can I do?

Hi,

I'm a senior who originally planned to graduate next semester, but I'm now feeling quite lost. I knew I didn't do as well as I needed to in my science classes, and I have dreaded the moment it would haunt me, and now that moment has come. I calculated my sGPA and it's right around a 3.0-3.1.

My overall GPA is 3.5 and I'm an honors student, medical scribe, and regular volunteer. I haven't taken the MCAT yet, but I plan to this coming summer and I really am shooting for above a 510. I have no excuse for my low sGPA..I didn't put in the effort required. I really, really don't want to sound overconfident, but I really feel that I could and should have done better. I'm no genius, but I do think I'm better than the 3.1 shows, and I want to prove it. I've been salivating for the time to take the MCAT to come, because I have always seen it as my chance to redeem myself.

However, after reading and researching today I realize that not even a great MCAT can save my abysmal sGPA I'm open to doing DO, but I really don't want to be in a situation where I have no hope at all for an MD. Ideally I'd have a decent chance at MD and great shot at DO.

I really hate making excuses and I'm a bit ashamed at myself, but I realize that I have to accept that I just didn't do that great and have a lot of work to do. I'd be infinitely grateful for advice on the best course of action for me!

I still have Orgo 2, physics 2, and biochemistry left for the core requirements. I plan on taking the MCAT the coming summer and applying in the 2017 cycle, so I do have a bit of time. I'm a bit lost on SMPs or post-Baccs, so if I could be pointed in the right direction that would be great. I have read here that med schools don't value SMP GPA very much because they can't tell how rigorous it is, and MD schools don't do complete grade replacement either.

Since I haven't completed my undergrad yet, my plan is to take an extra two semesters and take as many science classes as I can, and get As. I'm hopeful that I can at least raise my sGPA by a bit, just enough to not drown my MD chances. With a hopefully good MCAT score, do I still have a chance with say a 3.3? I've heard an upward trend is a plus as well.

Two of my C's were during dual enrollment (in pre-calc and intro to chem) when I was only 16, so that's also dragging my sGPA down. I got C+'s in Gen Chem I and II as well as trig. The rest have been mostly B's with A's in the classes I truly loved and wanted to learn, like Anatomy and Physiology (famous for being two of the hardest science classes at my college, both taught by med school professors). What really grieves me is that most of my B's could have been A's with more effort All I can do now is face the harsh reality and do something about it.

Thank you so much for helping me! I honestly would be totally lost without SDN.

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3.1 sGPA...what can I do?