Before I decided on premed, I actually earned quite a few Cs. I had been scattering my focus between art, science and history classes because I had an undecided major, competing with the equestrian team, and my job serving tables close to campus (that took up way too much of my time).
By November of my sophomore year, I finally decided enough was enough! I spent one evening Googling what I could do with my life and felt a fire light inside me when I decided to major in chemistry with a premed track.
Then I thought about what it would take to get into medical school and instantly felt anxious about the Cs I had earned before I had this great flash of insight about my future.
Can you get into med school with a C or two (or more)?
Well, actually, you still can … and I’m living proof! I managed to snag TEN medical school acceptances despite having five Cs (yes, you read that correctly— 5 Cs!) on my transcript.
If I can do it, so can you! It may take some work, but there are actionable steps that 100% work to turn things around if you find yourself in a similar boat.
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Answering: Can You Get Into Med School With a C?
Will a C Ruin My Chances of Med School?
Now, we all know the pressure of keeping that GPA up for medical school applications. So, it’s only natural to freak out a bit if you see a dreaded C on your grades.
One C isn’t the End of the World!
Sure, it might sting a bit, but it won’t completely derail your dreams of becoming a physician.
If that C happened early in your pre-med journey, no sweat! Just buckle down, improve your grades, and show the admissions committees that you’ve learned and grown from it. Even if the C pops up later on, as long as the rest of your application shines, it’s not a deal-breaker.
But What About Multiple C’s?
Okay, getting four or more Cs can make the road to medical school a bit rockier. But here’s the good news – it’s not impossible! In fact, it’s just a bump in the road that you can overcome with the right strategies and a mindset that you’re ready to put in the extra effort to do what it takes.
Of course, this can also mean your GPA in general turns out to be lower which can be a limitation for specific medical schools. But I will share more tips on this in a bit!
Should I Retake a Class I Got a C in for Med School?
You probably don’t need to! Getting a C in a class is totally fine for fulfilling your medical school requirements. As long as you pass, you’re good to go!
Instead of spending your valuable time and energy on retaking a class, consider taking higher-level biology or chemistry courses and setting your sights on earning the highest grade you can produce.
This tactic works much better for impressing the admissions committees and showing them you’re capable of handling more challenging material. You can also focus on building up other areas of your medical school application, such as your extracurriculars, to give it a boost.
Should I Drop a Course if I’m About to Get Another C?
I wouldn’t recommend choosing to have a W (for withdrawal) on your transcript over settling for a C.
Of course, you could make an argument that getting a W instead of a C might save your GPA. However, those pesky W’s can raise some eyebrows in the eyes of medical schools. It gives off the vibe that you throw in the towel when things get rough, and that’s not the kind of impression you want to make.
What if sticking it out in that class is dragging all your other grades down with it?
Well, you’ll have to either hustle and find ways to study smarter or take the W to save the rest of your classes.
Just like Cs, having one or two W’s isn’t a great look, but it won’t completely derail your application to medical school. However, if you’re already stacking them up, don’t add another one if you can help it. Personally, I’d prefer scoring a C as a better option than racking up more W’s.
If you’re still within the grace period to withdraw without a W, should you?
Then, lucky for you, medical schools won’t even know you bailed. You can take advantage of this timing without being held accountable.
But be cautious with this move because time is ticking to complete all your undergraduate requirements. You don’t want to fall behind on those much-needed college credits. So, only consider it if, for example, a special circumstance makes it highly difficult to do well in this particular class.
How Low Can Your GPA Go and Can You Still Get into Med School?
Most medical schools draw the line at an overall 3.0 GPA. So if you’re below that level, it’s going to be quite tough to get acceptances but not completely unheard of, especially if you have extracurriculars that make you stand out.
The median for successful medical school applicants hovers between 3.6 to 3.8. And if you’re eyeing top-tier schools, even higher GPAs are the name of the game.
If you find yourself below that 3.0 mark, and even if you’re below a 3.5, a post-bacc could be the key to unlocking that medical school door more easily as well as showing an upward trend. Also, focus on improving your science GPA in particular. Work to meet or exceed 3.54, which is the median science GPA for students accepted to medical school.
After all, I’ve seen plenty of Road to Acceptance students get accepted despite having a lower GPA by improving all other factors in their control. Such as Lanise Powell who got three acceptances with a 3.2 GPA (2.8 science GPA) and a lower MCAT score of 500. So don’t let your stats define you, instead, give it your best possible shot!
What Can You Do If Your GPA Contains Multiple C Grades?
Can you get into med school with a C? Yes, you can. But you’ll dramatically increase your odds of gaining acceptances if you first follow these strategies.
Create an Upward Trend
Showing an upward trend in your academic performance makes a huge difference! Medical Schools love to see improvement over time. Luckily, the primary application breaks down your GPA by year, giving schools a glimpse into how your grades have gone up.
In my case, I had a rocky start in my freshman year but really turned things around starting in my sophomore and junior years. Be sure to highlight this turnaround in your extra-curricular essays and during your interviews to showcase your dedication to growth.
Seriously Consider a Post-Baccalaureate Program
A post-baccalaureate program offers a great opportunity to boost your chances of getting into medical school. A post-bacc, whether it’s DIY or a program, offers the chance to take higher-level science courses, improve your GPA, and show admissions committees that you’re serious about your academic performance.
After graduation, I entered a post-bacc program which was really helpful in further continuing that upward trend. However, it can get expensive. Personally, I could only afford to complete two quarters. But in that time, I had slightly raised my GPA From 3.1 to 3.3, which extended my positive trend and added another factor to improving myself as an applicant.
Ace the MCAT
Scoring in the upper percentiles can also help offset a lower GPA. A strong MCAT score demonstrates your knowledge and readiness for the rigorous coursework of medical school.
So, what score should you aim for? In the 2023-2024 school year, the average MCAT score for students who got into medical school was 511.7. This median tends to be around the number each year.
Give it your best effort on the first try. Then, compare your score, and if it’s not nearly equal to or better than the national average, consider retaking it.
Spending money to retake the MCAT is way cheaper than taking post-bacc classes. In most cases, if you create a plan that includes a consistent 3 to 6-month study schedule, you’ll end up with a much better score. Yes, it’s the kind of exam that you only want to live through once in your life. But I ended up having to take it a second time, and it boosted my score by a whopping seven points!
Focus on Extracurricular Activities
Showcasing your commitment to volunteering, leadership roles, and relevant clinical experiences in the healthcare field can help balance out a lower GPA. Medical schools want to see well-rounded applicants who are dedicated to serving others.
For hands-on patient care experience, nothing beats getting out there and working directly with patients. Consider becoming an EMT, CNA, MA (I can highly recommend the certification program by Advanced eClinical Training), or Phlebotomist. You’ll get invaluable exposure to the medical field.
Personally, I worked as an EMT, and it was an amazing experience. You get to care for patients from start to finish, and it truly gives you a glimpse into the world of healthcare.
Also, remember that volunteering is equally important for medical schools to see on your primary application. So, find an organization that resonates with your passions and get involved for the long haul. Showing your commitment to a single, meaningful volunteer experience over multiple random ones will make a lasting impression on admissions committees.
Want to learn the key strategies I used when it comes to the actual application process to truly stand out and boost my chances? In this Free Premed Workshop, I’ll share all the mistakes I made the first (unsuccessful) application cycle and how I turned it all around and gained 10 acceptances the second time. You’ll learn what it means to apply early, the exact framework I used to write a compelling personal statement, how to identify residency bias so you don’t waste a penny on the wrong schools and much more.
This is a must-attend if you are applying this or next cycle, since you want to avoid making the same mistakes I did at all cost!
So Can You Get Into Med School With a C? Yes, Even with 5 Cs!
So, to all my C-getters out there, remember this: it’s not the end of the world, and it’s definitely not the end of your medical school dreams. I overcame five Cs by taking the extra steps and using the strategies I shared above—and it worked! Actually, it worked so well that I had my pick of schools and went on to thrive in medical school at the University of Colorado.
So, don’t let a few Cs define you as a student or as a future medical professional. We all stumble. However, it’s in the learning from your missteps and pushing forward where you’ll find success!
Remember, admission committees are looking to accept well-rounded candidates. They love to read how you overcame obstacles and adversities in your extra-curricular essays. So share in detail the story of how you took steps and made a turnaround in your grades to push past the Cs and Ds. Focus on the positives of this journey by highlighting your commitment, grit, and determination.
So, can you get into medical school with a C? The honest answer is it might be more challenging, but it’s definitely possible. Work hard, show your passion, and never give up. You got this!
