A couple questions about DO.

[Asehj]

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Hey guys, I had a couple of questions about DO school.

Background: Was in undergrad for 4 years, did not graduate, had some very bad grades for a couple of semesters(Fs, Ds). Then I decided I had to get my life together and moved to a different state, transferred to that state college. After working at a hospital for half a year, decided I really wanted to be a doctor. Retook all the basic sciences, higher sciences, about half As and half Bs, no Cs or lower, 45 credits worth so far. Still continuing on this path until i graduate in 1 and a half years. Current age : 25

Question #1: Is it worth it to retake non-science courses for a gpa replacement? For example, if I got a F in history 101, should I retake that for an A even if it doesn't affect my sGPA?

Question #2: Will AACOMAS replace a 4 credit course grade with a replacement grade from a 3 credit course?

Question #3: I took the MCAT this summer and received a 34M (11 PS, 11 , 12 BS). Are my chances decent for DO if my sGPA hovers between 2.8 -3.2 after all the grade replacements? I am not URM.

Please let me know guys. Your input is greatly appreciated!

 

[shaggybill]

Q1. What is your cGPA right now, without retaking any classes?

Q2. No.

Q3. With that MCAT score, if you can pull your sGPA above a 3.0, you should be good. What you will have to demonstrate to adcoms is that your days of failing classes and being a loser are over. Also, boost your ECs with volunteer work, keep working at the hospital (what do you do?), and get some good LORs. Do everything you can to raise that GPA. Take classes, science heavy if you can, but nothing so difficult that you risk getting low grades, next spring and summer. If you get straight As (with a B here or there) this fall, spring, and both summer sessions, and that brings your sGPA above a 2.9, I would go ahead and apply next fall. I'd say you have a decent shot at getting in. Probably at worst you will be waitlisted, during which time you could be completing more credit hours with good grades and updating your application as the grades come in.

 

[Asehj]

Q1. What is your cGPA right now, without retaking any classes?

Q2. No.

Q3. With that MCAT score, if you can pull your sGPA above a 3.0, you should be good. What you will have to demonstrate to adcoms is that your days of failing classes and being a loser are over. Also, boost your ECs with volunteer work, keep working at the hospital (what do you do?), and get some good LORs. Do everything you can to raise that GPA. Take classes, science heavy if you can, but nothing so difficult that you risk getting low grades, next spring and summer. If you get straight As (with a B here or there) this fall, spring, and both summer sessions, and that brings your sGPA above a 2.9, I would go ahead and apply next fall. I'd say you have a decent shot at getting in. Probably at worst you will be waitlisted, during which time you could be completing more credit hours with good grades and updating your application as the grades come in.

Thanks for feedback sir! My cGPA right now is a 2.73 with a single F in an intro history course, all other non science courses are B or above. At the hospital I am a CNA (nursing assistant).

Also I didn't mention this but I have chronic kidney disease, have had it since elementary school. I am not sure if I should mention this at all to adcoms or in my personal statement. I haven't taken medication to deal with it for over 15 years now. It is a very slow progressing type that doesn't affect my day to day activities, but I don't want to be discriminated against for having it.

 

[DocEspana]

11+11+13 = 34?

 

[El Dooderino]

Thanks for feedback sir! My cGPA right now is a 2.73 with a single F in an intro history course, all other non science courses are B or above. At the hospital I am a CNA (nursing assistant).

Also I didn't mention this but I have chronic kidney disease, have had it since elementary school. I am not sure if I should mention this at all to adcoms or in my personal statement. I haven't taken medication to deal with it for over 15 years now. It is a very slow progressing type that doesn't affect my day to day activities, but I don't want to be discriminated against for having it.

Wait, how would you be discriminated against for having it? Is part of your application your BUN/Cr now?

 

[Asehj]

11+11+13 = 34?

Sorry typo, got a 12 on BS.

 

[Asehj]

Wait, how would you be discriminated against for having it? Is part of your application your BUN/Cr now?

Because kidney disease is usually associated with fatigue, they might perceive me as being unable to *physically handle the rigors of medical school.

 

[DrWily]

Hey guys, I had a couple of questions about DO school.

Background: Was in undergrad for 4 years, did not graduate, had some very bad grades for a couple of semesters(Fs, Ds). Then I decided I had to get my life together and moved to a different state, transferred to that state college. After working at a hospital for half a year, decided I really wanted to be a doctor. Retook all the basic sciences, higher sciences, about half As and half Bs, no Cs or lower, 45 credits worth so far. Still continuing on this path until i graduate in 1 and a half years. Current age : 25

Question #1: Is it worth it to retake non-science courses for a gpa replacement? For example, if I got a F in history 101, should I retake that for an A even if it doesn't affect my sGPA?

Question #2: Will AACOMAS replace a 4 credit course grade with a replacement grade from a 3 credit course?

Question #3: I took the MCAT this summer and received a 34M (11 PS, 11 , 12 BS). Are my chances decent for DO if my sGPA hovers between 2.8 -3.2 after all the grade replacements? I am not URM.

Please let me know guys. Your input is greatly appreciated!

You have a decent shot if you continue on your trend. I have a 2.96 sGPA, 3.14 cGPA, 33Q MCAT and got into AZCOM. DbDan (another user on here) got into AZCOM as well with 2.91 sGPA and cGPA as well as a 33 MCAT. It seems that AZCOM favors high MCAT scores.

I would retake that history course with the F in it. Don't let any of your grades fall below a C (I had a C- in a physics course, but have enough physics classes to complete the pre-req without needing to retake that class). Your 34M will be your redeeming factor for schools who weigh the MCAT more heavily than others. Take some high level science courses to demonstrate your ability to handle them, but like ^^ said above, not too many that it hurts your GPA. Volunteer if you haven't in the community, something non-medical like a food kitchen. Shadow a D.O. to get that D.O. letter of recommendation that some schools want (M.D. is ok too, but some schools require a D.O. letter).

Keep your head up and press on. Do well and apply next cycle! and most importantly..

APPLY EARLY. AS SOON AS IT OPENS UP.

 

[TexasPhysician]

Retake all Ds and Fs. Apply early. 3.0+ should give you a good shot.

 

[Goro]

ANS: No!!
Question #1: Is it worth it to retake non-science courses for a gpa replacement? For example, if I got a F in history 101, should I retake that for an A even if it doesn't affect my sGPA?


Alas, don't know.
Question #2: Will AACOMAS replace a 4 credit course grade with a replacement grade from a 3 credit course?

That's a great score. You may get some interviews from a few schools. You're at the low end of competitive, though, and fall below the mimimum for my school. So get that GPA > 3.0, at least.

And good luck!

Question #3: I took the MCAT this summer and received a 34M (11 PS, 11 , 12 BS). Are my chances decent for DO if my sGPA hovers between 2.8 -3.2 after all the grade replacements? I am not URM.

 

[DrMediterranean]

I would retake any class I had an F/D in, even if it was just a history course. You have a stellar MCAT score, your upward GPA trend should make adcoms realize you are serious about becoming a physician. You definitely have a good chance at getting in somewhere if you bring that GPA up to a 3.0, but yeah its gonna take a lot of work to bring it up. But you can do it, anyone that gets a 34 on the MCAT can do it - i think it would be a waste of talent if you didn't with that score.

Just keep at it, it's gonna take time to fix that GPA, and apply early -- im rootin' for you 🙂

 

[FSUchess99]

If you have time to retake an F, and you have zero doubt you can ace it, retake. Do not retake if there is risk.

I've retaken two Fs, a D, and several C-/Cs and I am a very different applicant in terms of AACOMAS' calculations. If you're ready, this can work for you too.