2.7 sGPA, apply this year or wait?

[Fractures]

---

Members do not see this ad.

-

 

[HomeSkool]

I'm leaning towards applying this year and being a reapplicant the next (with more classes under my belt) when I don't get in.

FTFY.

Nothing good will come from you applying this year. Your cGPA is fine for DO schools, but your sGPA is too low for either DO or MD. Take the science courses you need to bring your GPA up to a competitive level or at least show a very strong upward trend, then apply. It's not safe to assume you're going to ace them all when you have a strong paper trail showing otherwise, so you need to get your grades in shape before showing med schools all your cards. You only get one chance to make a first impression; don't waste it on a half-assed application.

 

[drgweeds]

...Wait

 

[SpoiledMilk]

With grade replacement, I would have a 3.2s, and while I've heard some DO schools still do grade replacement, I'm not counting on it.

This is no longer true. Grade replacement went the way of the dinosaurs, I read from SDN DOs...

 

[darklabel]

This is no longer true. Grade replacement went the way of the dinosaurs, I read from SDN DOs...

Oh wow you're right. This makes A LOT of advice on how to apply DO obsolete. Thanks for the update.

 

[el_duderino]

Yeah, you're not going to get in with a 2.7 sGPA.

You will need to do a post-bacc or SMP. Applying this year would be a very poor decision. Not only will you waste an entire year of application fees and secondaries for no reason, you will further decrease your chances of acceptance in the future by becoming a reapplicant.

 

[Catalystik]

Hi all,

I graduated with a 2.7s/3.6c from an Ivy (failed orgo 1 and 2, retook for B-). I got Bs in all my premed classes. With grade replacement, I would have a 3.2s, and while I've heard some DO schools still do grade replacement, I'm not counting on it. Since graduation, I've taken one upper level bio class at a local 4-yr college and earned an A.

I plan to take 9cr more of upper level bio classes this Aug-Dec, meaning that grades would come out mid-way through the application cycle if I apply this year. I've called up individual MD and DO schools, and they said they would take these grades into account. Assuming I get all A's, I would bump my sGPA to 3.0.

I'm scheduled for the June 30 MCAT, and have been scoring ~510 in my practice tests.

My other experience includes:
1700 hrs of clinical experience as a medical assistant (directly involved in patient care)
200hrs volunteer work at a leukemia-awareness non-profit
4cr of psych research (unpublished)
3 strong LoRs (science prof, non-science prof, and MD I worked with)

Thoughts on whether I should apply this year? Or should I take more classes and apply the next? Since the DO app cycle is later, my grades will be out by the time I submit my app for for DO, but not MD.

I'm leaning towards applying this year and being a reapplicant the next (with more classes under my belt) if I don't get in. How much would being a reapplicant hurt me if colleges see I spent the extra year improving my sGPA and proving I can handle the academic rigor?

Wait a year. And while you're at it, add some physician shadowing, including a DO (get a letter) and some face-to-face service to those in need (consider teaching, coaching, mentoring, tutoring). Some peer leadership would be nice to see, too.

 

[Fractures]

@Catalystik @HomeSkool

Do you think that it matters whether I do an official postbac or a DIY postbac? I was planning on taking upper level biology classes at my local 4-yr college.

 

[trobinsonmd]

Your extracurriculars are very good, but they can't make up for a low science GPA... doesn't matter if you do a DIY postbac, a few of my classmates at NYU and some friends at Geffen did the same thing at their local community colleges, worked very well

 

[Catalystik]

@Catalystik @HomeSkool

Do you think that it matters whether I do an official postbac or a DIY postbac? I was planning on taking upper level biology classes at my local 4-yr college.

DIY will be fine. But you must get straight A-level grades.

 

[Goro]

Hi all,

I graduated with a 2.7s/3.6c from an Ivy (failed orgo 1 and 2, retook for B-). I got Bs in all my premed classes. With grade replacement, I would have a 3.2s, and while I've heard some DO schools still do grade replacement, I'm not counting on it. Since graduation, I've taken one upper level bio class at a local 4-yr college and earned an A.

I plan to take 9cr more of upper level bio classes this Aug-Dec, meaning that grades would come out mid-way through the application cycle if I apply this year. I've called up individual MD and DO schools, and they said they would take these grades into account. Assuming I get all A's, I would bump my sGPA to 3.0.

I'm scheduled for the June 30 MCAT, and have been scoring ~510 in my practice tests.

My other experience includes:
1700 hrs of clinical experience as a medical assistant (directly involved in patient care)
200hrs volunteer work at a leukemia-awareness non-profit
4cr of psych research (unpublished)
3 strong LoRs (science prof, non-science prof, and MD I worked with)

Thoughts on whether I should apply this year? Or should I take more classes and apply the next? Since the DO app cycle is later, my grades will be out by the time I submit my app for for DO, but not MD.

I'm leaning towards applying this year and being a reapplicant the next (with more classes under my belt) if I don't get in. How much would being a reapplicant hurt me if colleges see I spent the extra year improving my sGPA and proving I can handle the academic rigor?

Read this:
Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention

 

[Fractures]

@Goro

Do you have a recommendation on how many remedial science credits I should take? I'm thinking of 9 credits this semester (Aug-Dec) and 9 credits (Jan-May). Is that sufficient?

Also, I can't seem to find just upper level classes. I may have to take some lower-intermediate level classes. Will that be ok?

 

[Goro]

@Goro

Do you have a recommendation on how many remedial science credits I should take? I'm thinking of 9 credits this semester (Aug-Dec) and 9 credits (Jan-May). Is that sufficient?

Also, I can't seem to find just upper level classes. I may have to take some lower-intermediate level classes. Will that be ok?

I recommend > 30 hours, and yes, taking some (not all) intermediate courses will be OK.

Do yourself a favor and prepare yourself adequately. Med school will be harder than anything you've taken now.