Acceptable Science GPA

[AspiringDoctor9]

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Hi Guys,

It's been a long time since I posted, but one question has been nagging me for a long time, so I figured I'd ask for some advice. I have a large discrepency between my science GPA and my overall cumulative GPA. This is because most of my sciences were taken in my first and second years (when my grades were low), and for the third and fourth years I've been fulfilling my major requirements (I am a non-science major).

So the question is - what do you think is an acceptable Science GPA to have a good chance at most Osteopathic Schools? I have a little bit of time left in school, I'm wondering how to plan out my schedule. Thanks for your time everyone!

 

[mfred]

Med School admissions, especially to osteopathic school, depends on a ton of factors. You could have a 2.5 science GPA, great extracurriculars, a good MCAT, and a good overall GPA and probably get in somewhere. Of course, you could have high measurables and not get in because you had a crappy interview. It is highly variable, but what I would suggest is just realizing that your science GPA is low, and plan on compensating by being above average accepted statistics in other areas, knowing alot about osteopathic medicine, and be engaged in some service activities. To make a generalization, I would say if your science GPA is below like a 3.0 you should probably consider it to be a weakness in your application. That doesn't mean it is a deal breaker or something, it is just a weakness. If too far below 3.0 (<~2.7) maybe consider some grad school or a couple extra science classes. It won't bring up your GPA alot, but a few A's in some science classes shows your capability.

 

[bigmuny]

I agree with mfred. Also look at the schools you are interested in, as most have either a 2.5 or 2.75 science gpa cut-off. Additionally, I think anything less than 3.2 is a handicap, and if I were below that than I would seriously consider taking some classes to bump it up. It is of course possible to get in with grades less than that, but it will make the road a bit rougher. Also, if you are a marginal candidate, and near a DO school, I would seriously consider contacting a faculty member from that school and seeing if you can shadow or do research or something with them. Having a letter of recc. from the inside is a BIG boost to a weak application(worked for me).

 

[keddisDO]

I agree with what was said so far. If you have below 2.8 or so on your science gpa and your cummulative is only a little higher or even aot higher, it may not look so good, even for some osteopathic schools that are known to look past the numbers.

I did poorly my freshmen year when I took a lot of science classes as well and I did all that I could to build it up the last 2 years and did but I still decided to take some grad classes with a med school class and did well to prove I can handle it at that level, so I recommend to take some classes or go for a master's degree while you are applying or if you are taking a year off.

Any other advice, PM me because I was in your shoes once and now accepted. You can make it

Rob

 

[34140]

Well in fall of junior year, i had a ~2.67 sci gpa, i worked hard in my bio and chem 2 and biochem and got ~ 2.9 my overall gpa wasn't good either, but its been going up. My advisors won't still write me a recommendation, saying everything is still low but yyou should definately take some extra sci classes, even easy ones!