3.18c/2.9s, Going for second bachelors, DO acceptable?

[TallPreMed]

So I graduated in 2013 from a strong academic Liberal arts school with a 3.18c/2.9s in health communication and a minor in psych. Played basketball while at UG and had work study as well (sleep and social life were nonexistent). I always wanted to be a doctor but I was too immature to get my sh* together up until my junior year, which was then too late to recover at a 45k a year school. I also worked at a camp for the visually impaired during the summers that was operated by the Cleveland Sight Center.

I currently work at a hospice agency as a liaison- I start the transition process for patients as they get ready to come onto hospice/home health care, working within hospitals, SNFs, ALFs, PCHs and doctors offices. I love what I do and I make great money, but the more I work within healthcare the more I realize I need to pursue my dream of becoming a physician.

I work under our team physicians and medical director, our medical director has started to mentor me now that he knows I want to pursue med school. I'm working on getting shadowing opportunities through my connections with him.

I am now starting in spring 2016 on my second bachelors at Pitt. I've Would be in Natural Sciences, I need roughly 35 credits, which if I get all As I will boost my GPA up to a 3.35 (not sure what sciences would be yet).

No MCAT yet but I took the GRE in college and scored in the 85th percentile, ACT 95th percentile. I am aware there's not much of a correlation but I am a pretty good test taker.

So if I am able to boost my GPA with a second bachelors in natural sciences, decent MCAT, have my work experience in hospice, and shadow a few doctors over the next 2 years, are my chances decent for getting into a DO school?

I am aware there are a lot of ifs there, but my low GPA due to me not having my act together as an 18/19 year old makes me paranoid. Would like to get into LECOM at Seton Hill.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

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[deleted719840]

"So if I am able to boost my GPA with a second bachelors in natural sciences, decent MCAT, have my work experience in hospice, and shadow a few doctors over the next 2 years, are my chances decent for getting into a DO school?"

OP, you don't need a second bachelors, just retake classes you received C+ or below to boost your GPA. (or even B- and maybe Bs if you have the time).

Rock that MCAT, earn some shadowing hours from 2 or 3 DOs, get good LoRs, and you should be fine! An upward trend and a decent MCAT will look favorably upon you.

"I am aware there are a lot of ifs there, but my low GPA due to me not having my act together as an 18/19 year old makes me paranoid. Would like to get into LECOM at Seton Hill."

It will be difficult to pinpoint a school and say, "This is the school". DO schools are getting more competitive and selective each year. In 2 or 3 years, it will be very common for many DO schools to get 6000+ applicants, and not to mention the average matriculant MCAT/GPA will probably stand at ~ 510/3.5.

It's good to have a dream school, but apply broadly and grasp all the opportunity that comes to you. Good luck!

 

[candbgirl]

OP as @Goro always say"there are schools that love reinvention" and you sound like a good example IF you get everything together. Have you taken your med school pre reqs? Is that where the 2.9 sGPA came from? I agree with the above poster- you don't need another degree. A DIY post bacc should be enough as long as you get all As. Retake all of your C/D/F science classes and some high level science classes and get As. This will really help your GPA for DO. Oh and just because you have been a good test taker in the past doesn't mean you will do well on the MCAT. You will have to study hard for several months to slay this beast. Good luck.

 

[TallPreMed]

OP as @Goro always say"there are schools that love reinvention" and you sound like a good example IF you get everything together. Have you taken your med school pre reqs? Is that where the 2.9 sGPA came from? I agree with the above poster- you don't need another degree. A DIY post bacc should be enough as long as you get all As. Retake all of your C/D/F science classes and some high level science classes and get As. This will really help your GPA for DO. Oh and just because you have been a good test taker in the past doesn't mean you will do well on the MCAT. You will have to study hard for several months to slay this beast. Good luck.

I hate that I sounded so flippant regarding the MCAT. I know I'm going to have to study my ass off for it, but because I am confident in my study skills and the effort I will put into it, I feel that I will do well.

The last true science course I took was my sophomore year (2010) - medical terminology (A). I will be starting back with all science courses starting this spring and am determined to get all As to reach my goals.