3.2 GPA, 522 MCAT. Do I have a chance?

[samosamosa]

Hi all! I just graduated from college with a 3.21 GPA, upward trend (by year: 2.6, 3.2, 3.3, 3.6) and a 522 MCAT. Where do I stand in terms of getting into DO school, or possibly MD?

Note: I'm taking a post-bac year to raise my GPA further before applying, so it could be at 3.35 max (if I get a 4.0 in postbac).

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[de Ribas]

Hi all! I just graduated from college with a 3.21 GPA, upward trend (by year: 2.6, 3.2, 3.3, 3.6) and a 522 MCAT. Where do I stand in terms of getting into DO school, or possibly MD?

Note: I'm taking a post-bac year to raise my GPA further before applying, so it could be at 3.35 max (if I get a 4.0 in postbac).

Is that real score or hypothetical?

 

[pgswimmer]

I’m in the same position. 3.2 and 521


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[samosamosa]

Is that real score or hypothetical?

Real score!

 

[dial1010usa]

Real score!

Why are you wasting another year then? Your MCAT will compensate your gpa. You will most likely get into majority of the DO schools.
All the best!!

 

[CJhooper123]

Hi all! I just graduated from college with a 3.21 GPA, upward trend (by year: 2.6, 3.2, 3.3, 3.6) and a 522 MCAT. Where do I stand in terms of getting into DO school, or possibly MD?

Note: I'm taking a post-bac year to raise my GPA further before applying, so it could be at 3.35 max (if I get a 4.0 in postbac).

Congrats on the great MCAT score!
I think your current standing is sufficient for DO, possibly even low tier MD's.
If you complete 1 years worth of PB classes w/ a 4.0 GPA, you should definitely be good for MD school

 

[sab3156]

You should have done an SMP so that you can get into a very good MD school. 3.21 to 3.35 isn't a big deal. However, I think a lot of schools will look favorably at the 4.0 post-bacc, considering the high MCAT.

No reason to apply DO if you have that MCAT and a 4.0 in a post-bacc.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

You probably have a decent chance at MD with that score alone even with the low GPA. If I had that score I would not go to a DO school, I would do everything I could to be able to go MD.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

You should have done an SMP so that you can get into a very good MD school. 3.21 to 3.35 isn't a big deal. However, I think a lot of schools will look favorably at the 4.0 post-bacc, considering the high MCAT.

No reason to apply DO if you have that MCAT and a 4.0 in a post-bacc.

Hell the AAMC data shows almost a 60% acceptance rate with their stats as is. I almost wonder if they should apply and then if they don't get in then do a PB. Unless they want a school more worthy of the MCAT score, then yeah do an SMP or PB before applying.

 

[Goro]

Hi all! I just graduated from college with a 3.21 GPA, upward trend (by year: 2.6, 3.2, 3.3, 3.6) and a 522 MCAT. Where do I stand in terms of getting into DO school, or possibly MD?

Note: I'm taking a post-bac year to raise my GPA further before applying, so it could be at 3.35 max (if I get a 4.0 in postbac).

You're fine for all DO and your state schools. For most mD, I don't think that a single good year will suffice, so if you're boning for the MD, a gap year to get more good grades will help a LOT. There are plenty f MD schools that reward reinvention.

 

[Goro]

Hi all! I just graduated from college with a 3.21 GPA, upward trend (by year: 2.6, 3.2, 3.3, 3.6) and a 522 MCAT. Where do I stand in terms of getting into DO school, or possibly MD?

Note: I'm taking a post-bac year to raise my GPA further before applying, so it could be at 3.35 max (if I get a 4.0 in postbac).

According to the wise LizzyM, WashU would like you

 

[samosamosa]

According to the wise LizzyM, WashU would like you

Thanks so much @Goro and everyone! I'm surprised that you say WashU would like me - their website says the incoming class of 2017 had an average GPA of 3.84, and mine is waaay lower. Do they particularly reward reinvention?

 

[Goro]

Thanks so much @Goro and everyone! I'm surprised that you say WashU would like me - their website says the incoming class of 2017 had an average GPA of 3.84, and mine is waaay lower. Do they particularly reward reinvention?

According to my learned colleague, they're high MCAT ******.

 

[pgswimmer]

Wait, if I’m sitting at a 3.2 and 521 and my dad is an alum of wash u law school, does that mean I’m not wasting my money (as I assumed I would be) by applying there? I left it off my list for that reason


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[Isoval]

Wait, if I’m sitting at a 3.2 and 521 and my dad is an alum of wash u law school, does that mean I’m not wasting my money (as I assumed I would be) by applying there? I left it off my list for that reason


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Frankly, with that score, I don’t think your money is wasted applying literally anywhere with good ECs.

I hesitate telling you to apply to DO even as a backup. That score can and will work you some wonders.

 

[samosamosa]

According to my learned colleague, they're high MCAT ******.

Hahaha thanks!!

 

[pgswimmer]

Frankly, with that score, I don’t think your money is wasted applying literally anywhere with good ECs.

I hesitate telling you to apply to DO even as a backup. That score can and will work you some wonders.

Thanks. I applied DO already because I liked the philosophy and I liked the schools themselves. I don’t think MD/DO matters much anymore with residencies merging so I just decided to look at them all as just as medical schools. Will DO schools think I won’t come because of the score?


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[AnatomyGrey12]

I don’t think MD/DO matters much anymore with residencies merging

This is fantastical thinking that is simply wrong.

 

[chaim123]

I think NYU are high MCAT ****** as well, but I'm not sure if that's in lieu of GPA.

 

[Isoval]

Thanks. I applied DO already because I liked the philosophy and I liked the schools themselves. I don’t think MD/DO matters much anymore with residencies merging so I just decided to look at them all as just as medical schools. Will DO schools think I won’t come because of the score?


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This is fantastical thinking that is simply wrong.

Not yet. Maybe in two decades, maybe at certain schools, but not yet and not on a large scale.

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

This is fantastical thinking that is simply wrong.

Lol can we be best friends?

 

[chaim123]

This is fantastical thinking that is simply wrong.

That sass doe.

 

[Jyggaswoop]

I understand that MD is definetly preffered for residences over DO, but if a DO has a very high step 1 can't he get into most residencies anyways? For example, I know a friends dad whose a DO radiologist. I am trying to apply this year as well, and would like to go MD as I hear peoples saying you should over DO if possible, but say I want to be in ER med, would it even be that detrimental to go DO?

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

but if a DO has a very high step 1 can't he get into most residencies anyways?

Not really, it’s not that simple. The MD will allow greater flexibility in both location and type of program in essentially any field.

That may not sound super important now but I can guarantee you that it will be very important when you are applying to residency.

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

I understand that MD is definetly preffered for residences over DO, but if a DO has a very high step 1 can't he get into most residencies anyways? For example, I know a friends dad whose a DO radiologist. I am trying to apply this year as well, and would like to go MD as I hear peoples saying you should over DO if possible, but say I want to be in ER med, would it even be that detrimental to go DO?

If you want to go into Emergency medicine, there really won’t be too many drawbacks. But if you change your mind and decide to pursue derm, plastics, uro, ortho.....LOL

 

[samosamosa]

Hi guys, thanks for your advice last year on this thread. Just wanted to share an update for any ppl viewing this thread in the future, I am currently sitting on 5 DO acceptances (no MD yet but we will see!) It truly is possible to overcome a low GPA 🙂 I hope my story gives someone hope out there.

 

[Dr.Gains]

Hi guys, thanks for your advice last year on this thread. Just wanted to share an update for any ppl viewing this thread in the future, I am currently sitting on 5 DO acceptances (no MD yet but we will see!) It truly is possible to overcome a low GPA 🙂 I hope my story gives someone hope out there.

How many MD schools did you apply to? This is surprising, that MCAT score alone should've carried you to the steps of MD schools.

 

[samosamosa]

How many MD schools did you apply to? This is surprising, that MCAT score alone should've carried you to the steps of MD schools.

I applied ~25 MD and ~15 DO. I'm thinking MD schools are just taking their time since I haven't received any II and only one R from them? Maybe I'll get something before next May! Otherwise, I'm perfectly happy with my DO acceptances. I'll be a doctor either way 🙂

 

[Dr panda]

I applied ~25 MD and ~15 DO. I'm thinking MD schools are just taking their time since I haven't received any II and only one R from them? Maybe I'll get something before next May! Otherwise, I'm perfectly happy with my DO acceptances. I'll be a doctor either way 🙂

Congratulations!!!

 

[star-lily]

Hi guys, thanks for your advice last year on this thread. Just wanted to share an update for any ppl viewing this thread in the future, I am currently sitting on 5 DO acceptances (no MD yet but we will see!) It truly is possible to overcome a low GPA 🙂 I hope my story gives someone hope out there.

I hope you end up with some more good news!

 

[xjitfire]

Did you end up doing a post bacc? I'm in a somewhat similar situation, though I don't have as high of an MCAT as you have. I'm on my last semester of Post-bacc and will end with a cGPA of 3.43 and a sGPA of 3.53 with a 4.0 post bacc GPA. My MCAT is a 516 (130/126/130/130). I'm most likely going to apply broadly to DO's and MD's.

 

[samosamosa]

Did you end up doing a post bacc? I'm in a somewhat similar situation, though I don't have as high of an MCAT as you have. I'm on my last semester of Post-bacc and will end with a cGPA of 3.43 and a sGPA of 3.53 with a 4.0 post bacc GPA. My MCAT is a 516 (130/126/130/130). I'm most likely going to apply broadly to DO's and MD's.

I did end up doing a post bacc, but just a small one (~14 units over one year, at 4.0). This got me to ~3.3 by the time I applied. I think you have decent stats and you'll have a good shot at both DO and MD! 🙂

 

[HopefulDr.Dragon]

This thread is a game changer for me. Thanks for the inspiration @samosamosa ! How'd you crush the MCAT that hard?

 

[samosamosa]

This thread is a game changer for me. Thanks for the inspiration @samosamosa ! How'd you crush the MCAT that hard?

Like 10 billion practice questions lol. I studied from June through January for an end of January MCAT and i think the sheer amount of time I spent on practice questions and exams did it for me!