MD & DO If only I knew back then...

[mavric1298]

So after messing in excel for a while, I have come up with my AMCAS and AACOMAS gpa's, and wow are they different. I'm not that into OMM, so DO I think is a last resort for me for now, maybe something for a second round of applications. I'm a true non-trad student, 28, who got their act together. Quick summary;

Dual enrolled in some CC classes my senior year because I was training full time ski racing which meant half days at H/S and it was the only way to graduate. Plans changed, and did the GED route. I failed to withdraw from a quarters worth of classes, so 4 F's in 2004.

Worked as a photographer and freelance writer in snow sports for a while, and went back to school for a little bit, getting alright grades. Decided I loved medicine, and really buckled down. That was basically exactly at AMCAS sophomore year start, so that whole bucket was at Seattle Central CC. Since then I have transferred to UW, which is now my Jr. year. I'm a bio major, and my 3.8 has been taking two science prereqs every term, while working full time at the hospital which is part of UWSOM's network.

AMCAS - cGPA 2.96 and sGPA 3.06
HS GPA 0.45 (one class completed 4 I didn't withdraw from)
Freshman - 2.98 no science
Sophomore - 3.41 sGPA 3.04 (one math class I didn't withdraw from, got my AA with a 3.72 because of repeat)
Junior - 3.83 and sGPA 3.82

AACOMAS - cGPA 3.58 sGPA 3.77

MCAT - Yet to be taken

My last 80 credits have been straight A's, I was deans list/honor roll every one of the last 8 quarters, and my EC's are in great shape. I have 200+ hours shadowing in 8-9 specialties, I have volunteered in Vietnam and Thailand teaching english and running rural healthcare clinics, we trained one of our dogs to be a therapy dog and regularly volunteer with him. Once I decided I wanted to go into medicine and it wasn't just following in my fathers footsteps, I got my CNA, then hired as a EMR implementation and perpetual inventory consultant, after 6 months our hospital hired me, and I have been working here for 4.5 years.

Now I have 30-40 more credits before applications, and I calculated my AMCAS to around 3.11 and sGPA3.32 if I maintain 3.5 to 3.7 in each of those classes. All of my pre-reqs will have come from UW (2 calc, 3 gen chem, 3 ochem/lab, 3 physics/lab, 3 biochem) except bio which I 4.0 all three at our CC. I think that GPA is a realistic goal with my track record, if not undershooting a bit.

My question is, with such a huge trend difference, and with my damage being 10 years ago, as long as I scoot past screening, is MD realistic for 2016? If I didn't get in the first round, and finished up maintaining the 3.5-3.7 averages, I would end up with a cGPA3.2 and sGPA3.45. My #1 school happens to be UWSOM, so I have instate working for me as well.
Current application list: Howard, Loyola, Chicago Rosalind (dads alma mater), Rush, Tulane, Western Michigan, Upstate NY, NY Medical, Albany (dads residency/fellowship), Hofstra, Chapel Hill, OHSU (heritage program so considered instate for application purpose), Drexel, Vermont, Eastern Virginia, and UWSOM.

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[BestDoctorEver]

So after messing in excel for a while, I have come up with my AMCAS and AACOMAS gpa's, and wow are they different. I'm not that into OMM, so DO I think is a last resort for me for now, maybe something for a second round of applications. I'm a true non-trad student, 28, who got their act together. Quick summary;

Dual enrolled in some CC classes my senior year because I was training full time ski racing which meant half days at H/S and it was the only way to graduate. Plans changed, and did the GED route. I failed to withdraw from a quarters worth of classes, so 4 F's in 2004.

Worked as a photographer and freelance writer in snow sports for a while, and went back to school for a little bit, getting alright grades. Decided I loved medicine, and really buckled down. That was basically exactly at AMCAS sophomore year start, so that whole bucket was at Seattle Central CC. Since then I have transferred to UW, which is now my Jr. year. I'm a bio major, and my 3.8 has been taking two science prereqs every term, while working full time at the hospital which is part of UWSOM's network.

AMCAS - cGPA 2.96 and sGPA 3.06
HS GPA 0.45 (one class completed 4 I didn't withdraw from)
Freshman - 2.98 no science
Sophomore - 3.41 sGPA 3.04 (one math class I didn't withdraw from, got my AA with a 3.72 because of repeat)
Junior - 3.83 and sGPA 3.82

AACOMAS - cGPA 3.58 sGPA 3.77

MCAT - Yet to be taken

My last 80 credits have been straight A's, I was deans list/honor roll every one of the last 8 quarters, and my EC's are in great shape. I have 200+ hours shadowing in 8-9 specialties, I have volunteered in Vietnam and Thailand teaching english and running rural healthcare clinics, we trained one of our dogs to be a therapy dog and regularly volunteer with him. Once I decided I wanted to go into medicine and it wasn't just following in my fathers footsteps, I got my CNA, then hired as a EMR implementation and perpetual inventory consultant, after 6 months our hospital hired me, and I have been working here for 4.5 years.

Now I have 30-40 more credits before applications, and I calculated my AMCAS to around 3.11 and sGPA3.32 if I maintain 3.5 to 3.7 in each of those classes. All of my pre-reqs will have come from UW (2 calc, 3 gen chem, 3 ochem/lab, 3 physics/lab, 3 biochem) except bio which I 4.0 all three at our CC. I think that GPA is a realistic goal with my track record, if not undershooting a bit.

My question is, with such a huge trend difference, and with my damage being 10 years ago, as long as I scoot past screening, is MD realistic for 2016? If I didn't get in the first round, and finished up maintaining the 3.5-3.7 averages, I would end up with a cGPA3.2 and sGPA3.45. My #1 school happens to be UWSOM, so I have instate working for me as well.
Current application list: Howard, Loyola, Chicago Rosalind (dads alma mater), Rush, Tulane, Western Michigan, Upstate NY, NY Medical, Albany (dads residency/fellowship), Hofstra, Chapel Hill, OHSU (heritage program so considered instate for application purpose), Drexel, Vermont, Eastern Virginia, and UWSOM.

34+ MCAT should get you in somewhere IMO.

 

[iWillOneDay]

I don't know why DO is your last option...
OMM is an additional option you could use in your practice if you choose to.
You can become any specialist as a DO if you put the effort into it.
But, whatever makes you happy.

 

[mavric1298]

I work with DO's every day, have shadowed them both in a surgical setting and outside, and the approach just isn't a great fit with me personally. Like I said, OMM isn't something for me personally, so going to a school where that is a big part of the curriculum doesn't seem like a great first choice, but again, I haven't completely ruled it out. I'm very interested in Surgery (it's where I've been working), and going to school and having a large part of the curriculum be as one of our surgeons said to me recently "I haven't used it once since I started here" seems like something I wouldn't want to put my energies into.

 

[DokterMom]

Your missteps were a long time ago, and there are schools that reward turnaround stories. Seek those out and good luck!

 

[Goro]

First, contact some Admissions deans and find out if you're competitive. There are MD schools that reward reinvention. A high MCAT score (>33) will be needed to go with your new-found academic self.

My question is, with such a huge trend difference, and with my damage being 10 years ago, as long as I scoot past screening, is MD realistic for 2016? If I didn't get in the first round, and finished up maintaining the 3.5-3.7 averages, I would end up with a cGPA3.2 and sGPA3.45. My #1 school happens to be UWSOM, so I have instate working for me as well.

Howard is a HBC, so if you're not a URM, strike off the list. The others are good choices. Try all the new MD programs as well.

Current application list: Howard, Loyola, Chicago Rosalind (dads alma mater), Rush, Tulane, Western Michigan, Upstate NY, NY Medical, Albany (dads residency/fellowship), Hofstra, Chapel Hill, OHSU (heritage program so considered instate for application purpose), Drexel, Vermont, Eastern Virginia, and UWSOM.[/quote]

 

[mavric1298]

^ Thank, I knew that about howard but someone it ended up on my yes list still, guess thats what I get for breaking everything down to straight data and mission statements, sometimes forget the basics.
Friday I attended a little presentation by USOM, and got a chance to talk to the director of admissions, and got the whole "we really focus on trending" and "we do sometimes take students with low GPA's, typically with postbac or grad work" which is kinda parallel to my situation. 4 people last year were admitted with a sub 3.0 and MCAT average of 8-11, so I guess I know there at least a long shot. The thing thats hard is most of the data is in weighted GPA, which doesn't change with additional courses since the only thing counted is fresh to jr year.

1. Is there a minimum GPA/MCAT score?
   There is no minimum GPA or MCAT score, but a 3.5 weighted GPA is generally considered competitive, as is an average of 9 on the MCAT.
   
   
   
2. What is a weighted GPA?
   The undergraduate GPA is weighted to give credit to applicants whose records show improvement as they progress through their undergraduate studies. Only the first three years are included in this calculation as most applicants have just begun their senior year. The weighted GPA is calculated on a standard 4-point scale with 4.00 representing an "A" average.
   CUM. Freshman GPA x 1 = A
   CUM. Sophomore GPA x 2 = B
   CUM. Junior GPA x 3 = C
   
   (A+B+C)/6 = Weighted GPA

 

[ChemEngMD]

Current application list: Howard, Loyola, Chicago Rosalind (dads alma mater), Rush, Tulane, Western Michigan, Upstate NY, NY Medical, Albany (dads residency/fellowship), Hofstra, Chapel Hill, OHSU (heritage program so considered instate for application purpose), Drexel, Vermont, Eastern Virginia, and UWSOM.

UNC requires a science GPA (or BCPM) of 3.49; cumulative GPA of 3.59 and a total MCAT score of 33 or greater for out of state to even get a secondary -- just so you don't waste your $$

http://www.med.unc.edu/admit/general-info/admissions-process

 

[mavric1298]

^ I think it's still worth at least contacting the admissions office if I'm at or above the MCAT...the sad thing is, if you look at my GPA minus the one term 10 years ago which I failed to withdraw, I would have a sGPA of 3.58 and a cGPA 3.69. All because of not turning in one form when I was 17. Something that will be stressed in my essay and that I will be taking responsibility for.

 

[BlackBox]

So after messing in excel for a while, I have come up with my AMCAS and AACOMAS gpa's, and wow are they different. I'm not that into OMM, so DO I think is a last resort for me for now, maybe something for a second round of applications. I'm a true non-trad student, 28, who got their act together. Quick summary;

Dual enrolled in some CC classes my senior year because I was training full time ski racing which meant half days at H/S and it was the only way to graduate. Plans changed, and did the GED route. I failed to withdraw from a quarters worth of classes, so 4 F's in 2004.

Worked as a photographer and freelance writer in snow sports for a while, and went back to school for a little bit, getting alright grades. Decided I loved medicine, and really buckled down. That was basically exactly at AMCAS sophomore year start, so that whole bucket was at Seattle Central CC. Since then I have transferred to UW, which is now my Jr. year. I'm a bio major, and my 3.8 has been taking two science prereqs every term, while working full time at the hospital which is part of UWSOM's network.

AMCAS - cGPA 2.96 and sGPA 3.06
HS GPA 0.45 (one class completed 4 I didn't withdraw from)
Freshman - 2.98 no science
Sophomore - 3.41 sGPA 3.04 (one math class I didn't withdraw from, got my AA with a 3.72 because of repeat)
Junior - 3.83 and sGPA 3.82

AACOMAS - cGPA 3.58 sGPA 3.77

MCAT - Yet to be taken

My last 80 credits have been straight A's, I was deans list/honor roll every one of the last 8 quarters, and my EC's are in great shape. I have 200+ hours shadowing in 8-9 specialties, I have volunteered in Vietnam and Thailand teaching english and running rural healthcare clinics, we trained one of our dogs to be a therapy dog and regularly volunteer with him. Once I decided I wanted to go into medicine and it wasn't just following in my fathers footsteps, I got my CNA, then hired as a EMR implementation and perpetual inventory consultant, after 6 months our hospital hired me, and I have been working here for 4.5 years.

Now I have 30-40 more credits before applications, and I calculated my AMCAS to around 3.11 and sGPA3.32 if I maintain 3.5 to 3.7 in each of those classes. All of my pre-reqs will have come from UW (2 calc, 3 gen chem, 3 ochem/lab, 3 physics/lab, 3 biochem) except bio which I 4.0 all three at our CC. I think that GPA is a realistic goal with my track record, if not undershooting a bit.

My question is, with such a huge trend difference, and with my damage being 10 years ago, as long as I scoot past screening, is MD realistic for 2016? If I didn't get in the first round, and finished up maintaining the 3.5-3.7 averages, I would end up with a cGPA3.2 and sGPA3.45. My #1 school happens to be UWSOM, so I have instate working for me as well.
Current application list: Howard, Loyola, Chicago Rosalind (dads alma mater), Rush, Tulane, Western Michigan, Upstate NY, NY Medical, Albany (dads residency/fellowship), Hofstra, Chapel Hill, OHSU (heritage program so considered instate for application purpose), Drexel, Vermont, Eastern Virginia, and UWSOM.

To your title: don't we all.

I went the GRE route and had a rough go of college early on. I had a lot of catching-up to do and not having finished even my Jr year of high school hurt. I had an incredibly low All Other GPA, but a solid science record...worked full time...blah blah blah.

You have a serious shot at MD schools. You must pull above a 30 on the MCAT though. There's just something magic in that number. Apply broadly. I went for 25 schools, skewed mostly low-mid tier.

gl

 

[mavric1298]

And what did you define as "low-mid tier"? I've found working with the MSAR so far that GPA's and MCAT's are all roughly around the same, and it's hard to really figure out which are longer shots then others other then ones with a lower 10% in the 3.4-3.6 range compared to 3.2-3.3