A few questions

[hopeful320]

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I'm thinking of applying during the upcoming cycle, which means I pretty much only have this spring semester to retake some classes before applying. I've calculated that I'll only be able to bring my sGPA up to around a 3.1 and my cGPA up to around a 3.3. My MCAT score is 518. I also plan on taking classes in the summer and fall. My questions are:

1) Should I apply after I finish my summer classes so I can apply with a slightly higher cGPA and sGPA? Or should I just send them updates on my grades?

2) Any recommendations on schools I should apply to with my GPA/MCAT score?

3) Is it ok to get recommendation letters from professors I took postbacc?

4) I've only shadowed an MD physician. Is this going to hurt me or should I shadow a DO physician before I apply?

5) What are some good backup plans in case I don't get accepted?

 

[DrMikeP]

Most of your questions have been recently answered on sdn. So do some reading

Your gpa is too low if below a 3.0 now and spring only help it a tiny bit with retakes, so what classes would you take over the summer and your GPA would be what then?

Is there a reason for the low GPA?

 

[hopeful320]

Yeah I've read through some of the other threads on here and I found people with GPAs around mine claiming they were accepted, so I thought maybe I would have a chance to accepted during this upcoming cycle. I'd probably take some upper level bio classes over the summer and that would raise my sGPA to around a 3.2 and my cGPA to around a 3.4. I feel like these are decent numbers when you take my MCAT score into account. I don't really have an excuse for my low grades. I just made stupid and immature decisions. Unfortunately, the retakes don't help me out a lot, because most of my grades are Bs and I'm only retaking the Cs.

 

[change4med]

1) Should I apply after I finish my summer classes so I can apply with a slightly higher cGPA and sGPA? Or should I just send them updates on my grades?

If it were me doing it and you were dead set on applying this cycle, I would apply early and send updates. If you were not dead set on applying this cycle, speaking from experience, I think it would have been better to spend another year strengthening sGPA and finding more EC's (If I had your MCAT I'd feel a lot more confident applying w/ a sGPA that's 3.3+). Speaking from experience it's mentally and financially exhausting applying, and I am not looking forward to having to do it again, so when people say you should only apply once really consider doing so.

2) Any recommendations on schools I should apply to with my GPA/MCAT score?

I would apply all of the ones you'd want to attend (I think you'd be looked at for any you apply to, a 518 is high). I would not apply to KCUMB or CUSOM, if you search around school specific threads from previous years you can see which schools might screen you out based on your GPA

3) Is it ok to get recommendation letters from professors I took postbacc?
Yes

4) I've only shadowed an MD physician. Is this going to hurt me or should I shadow a DO physician before I apply?

You should really shadow a DO physician before you apply if you're able to, some schools prefer DO LORs, and a lot of them ask about describing experiences you had with a DO in your secondaries

5) What are some good backup plans in case I don't get accepted?

Continue retaking C's or lower (maybe even look into the B-'s), take more classes to raise your GPA. This is assuming you have all your other EC's. The awk elephant in the room is your GPA/sGPA so there's no quick fix but to raise it.

 

[spiffysteve]

You should 100% shadow a DO. Not only is it very good for your application to DO schools, but it can be very interesting and educational.

As far as backup plans go, you could consider doing post-bacc work, as your GPA seems to be the biggest issue. I was in the same boat when I graduated from college, and doing an SMP was very helpful for my application.

 

[hopeful320]

Hmm a 3.3 sGPA doesn't seem vastly more competitive compared to a 3.2 sGPA to me, but I suppose I could postpone applying if it really makes that big of a difference.

 

[Booster_Gold]

I got in with a similar GPA but lower MCAT (29). My advice would be to apply ASAP in my opinion. I've seen people with better stats than mine still not hear anything yet.

And like as it's been said so far, shadow a DO.

 

[adrian710]

OP, after retakes, I will have same GPA's as you, 3.1 sGPA and 3.3 cGPA. I am hoping that with a good MCAT score and my good EC's + good LoR's that I will land some II's and go from there. I am also applying to a post-bacc program just in case my MCAT score is below 504.

I have seen many people with GPA's such as mine and yours get into school with solid MCAT's so there is definitely a shot. Make sure your EC's are up to par and you have a DO LoR as well.

Good luck!

 

[adrian710]

I will add, I can't see you not getting accepted with a 518 MCAT