3.1c, 2.7sgpa, 23MCAT

[starfar]

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Working on a DIY postbacc to raise my sGPA.. Would like to apply to a masters program like Touro-NY's.. Something with linkage..

With grade replacement after this semester my sGPA will be just at 3.0

Even with a craptastic MCAT, can I get into any post-bacc programs? The trend I've seen in researching is that most seem to want you right on the cusp of average stats.. If I absolutely have to, I'll retake.. But what's the magic gpa/sGPA you need to scoot in with a low mcat?

Another 4 courses of As gets my sGPA closer to 3.2..

 

[The Helpful Aye Aye]

For graduate programs you don't give your GPA with grade replacement meaning that for low GPA situations you're going to have rely on trends, course-load, and MCAT to pull you into an SMP or linkage program. I had your exact same stats when I applied (well, with a 24 MCAT) and got rejected because of my pre-req grades. If you want in, you have to have numerical evidence that you would be able to pull the 3.5, whether it be through getting A's in you DIY postbacc classes or getting a higher MCAT. What courses are you retaking? Are you also mixing in any upper division courses?

If you have it in you to retake during summer 2014 after a year of postbacc, it might be the best decision you can make for your application given that you wouldn't be affected by the 2015 test changes. In the case you get wait-listed at one of these programs, an impending MCAT score might push you over the edge. It is possible to improve and you have the advantage of having taken it before! I went from a 24 to a 32 after a year of related coursework and a couple of months of hardcore studying. Believe in yourself!

 

[starfar]

Thanks for the encouragement!

My sGPA is low just from alot of Cs in prereqs. I'm taking over all the basic courses I feel I can realistically achieve As in. The plan is to get those out of the way this semester and take 3-4upper level courses in the spring.

I'm just having a hard time figuring out where to fit MCAT study time. Classes end in May and I wouldn't feel comfortable sitting the exam any earlier than August. That would leave plenty of time for SMP applications, but I feel like I'd be too late for applying straight to DO programs.

I know the road with GPA repair etc is long, but another 2 years is killer😱

Grad programs at DO schools don't use grade replacement??

If that's the case, retaking Cs doesn't seem as beneficial. Would my time be better served taking upper level science courses??

 

[The Helpful Aye Aye]

Thanks for the encouragement!

My sGPA is low just from alot of Cs in prereqs. I'm taking over all the basic courses I feel I can realistically achieve As in. The plan is to get those out of the way this semester and take 3-4upper level courses in the spring.

I'm just having a hard time figuring out where to fit MCAT study time. Classes end in May and I wouldn't feel comfortable sitting the exam any earlier than August. That would leave plenty of time for SMP applications, but I feel like I'd be too late for applying straight to DO programs.

I know the road with GPA repair etc is long, but another 2 years is killer😱

Grad programs at DO schools don't use grade replacement??

If that's the case, retaking Cs doesn't seem as beneficial. Would my time be better served taking upper level science courses??

For Touro NY they ask you to list your prereqs- no where do they ask for your AACOMAS GPA. If you're applying to a D.O. SMP program, linkage or not, chances are that your grades aren't that good to begin with (meaning that the lack of emphasis on the actual sGPA number works in your favor). In this case, they do grade replacement in the holistic sense, but not in the pure calculation sense. You get to list your prereqs and they evaluate you, in part, based on that. From trolling the Touro COM forum, they do want at least a decent BS score. I wouldn't be surprised if that also applied to the SMP.

In terms of MCAT studying, the fact that you're retaking basic science courses will help. I've heard of people in your situation doing MCAT passages daily along with the relevant courses, as a pregame to their dedicated summer study time. 23 is a terrible score with our GPAs and, if not demonstrative of a lack of knowledge, it is demonstrative of a lack of comfort with the basics. What was your sub score breakdown? If your got sub 8 in the sciences, you could be in good shape for a decent jump if you study smarter.

...I was more or less in your position a few months ago, so I feel invested.

 

[starfar]

Yeah, from my understanding the days of getting into those programs that may have taken people with much lower stats in the past are gone.. I think I read somewhere on sdn that Touro, for one, has definitely raised the bar in terms of MCAT/GPA for their programs.

I guess for some reason I thought some of these programs would use your AMCAS or AACOMAS apps to process your app for their Masters degree/SMPs.. I guess it makes sense that they wouldn't though.

Tackling MCAT passages daily during my courses sounds like an excellent idea. My score breakdown was 8BS,7V,8PS. Used TPR and TBR last time, but thinking of focusing on TBR for the difficulty. Hell.. the questions on my MCAT were harder than anything I had ever seen in either prep book so I might as well use the one I thought was definitely tougher.. TBR